Search - Cubanissimo: A History of Cuban Music on DVD

An Unfortunate Mess

RMS | San Francisco, CA | 01/20/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"To speak of Cuban music is to tell an amazing story, and sadly, this documentary is entirely devoid of story-telling. A jumble of archival footage and strange, "filler" material of random Cuban scenes, "Cubanissimo" unravels from the very start with its lack of chronology, terrible editing and incompetent subtitles (not only misspellings but completely nonsensical in places). While certainly well-intentioned, this film cannot portray the wonders of Cuba's music and music-makers. Of the 90 minutes, the only highlights come sporadically - such as the vintage footage of "Feeling" queen Omara Portuondo (so folks can se her true roots before the Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon), and the one-and-only Benny More. It seems as though no one associated with the production of the film did any real research - all they needed to do was read something by Maria Teresa Linares, Helio Orovio, Leonardo Acosta or any number of Cuban musicologists to get a sense of WHY the history of Cuban music is relevant, unique and highly-influential. This film will only confuse anyone seeking to learn anything about the island's music and mystery."

History of Cuban Music

Cubanpete | Florida | 11/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great DVD with great footage from Cuba. Cubanissimo covers all the Cuban genres in this DVD. contains footage of Beny More, Omara Portuondo, Pablo Milanes and many more.
Highly recomended."

True Cuban Music and more!

Oswald Placeres | Netherlands | 02/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great compilation of Cuban History and its music, all the musicians here are from the early days. It's amazing how much talent is in Cuba today even though the Island has been isolated from the rest of the world due to the stupid cheap politics involved. The Cuban music still lives on, and the new musicians are better than ever, they make it clear that "Salsa" is a carbon copy of the Cuban music! Also an interview with the original author of "Ojos Negros" (Dark Eyes) Sindo Garay is here, he explains how the Russians take credit for the Cuban song and not the Cubans. But it really does not matter; the Russians have taken so much out of Cuba and have copied from everyone else, that one song makes no difference! If you want to know the origins of SALSA (Son Montuno) check this DVD."