Suite Cubana, Vol. 1 (Historic Recording) (Immersive Edition)

Suite Cubana by the late Cuban Jazz master Bebo Valdes was not a recording I was familiar with so I inquired of Ulrike Schwarz who was involved in this release to get the background story.

Apparently, Bebo Valdes was a fan of engineer Jim Anderson and wanted him to record the album for the Calle 54 label. Jim was not available so this big band album was recorded at Avatar in 2002 by James Farber. Jim Anderson did the stereo mix in 2002. A 5.1 Surround Sound mix was done in 2019 for the Spanish Market but Ulrike and Jim loved the album so much that they were able to secure the rights to do an immersive mix which they did at Skywalker Ranch with subsequent mastering by Morten Lindberg.

This is a very dense big bang mix with a ton of horns and percussion. It was decided to do a traditional Columbia records mix, with saxes to the left, trumpets in a phantom center and trombones on the right as Jim Anderson felt that this type of mix better served the music. The recording was so dense, that most of the percussion was placed in the rears so you are essentially surrounded by the big band. Heights were not used so we have what is a 5.1 mix. What you ask, not 7.1.4? No but is works.

This album is a gas to listen to. It is fun, rich and dynamic. Did I mention it is fun? At its core music is meant to be fun, no? This mix delivers fun in spades. Atmos is but a tool and can be used in many different ways. The team of Anderson, Schwartz and Lindberg nailed another one with this release. If you are unfamiliar with the music of Bebo Valdes, give this release a listen. I have little doubt that you will be glad you did.

This landmark set superbly documents the wide ranging talents of one of Cuba's greatest artists—expatriate pianist/composer/arranger Bebo Valdés—in the company of an impressive cast of New York's finest Latin jazz instrumentalists.

Simply put, pianist, composer and arranger Bebo Valdés is a genius. The quality of his many talents puts him in the same league with artists like Duke Ellington. (...) Every [song] shows the depth and beauty of Valdés’ talent. Cuban jazz may not to be for everyone’s taste, but it would be hard to understand how anyone remotely interested in the genre would not be charmed by this package.