Queen Of Cuban Rhythm: The Legendary Seeco Recordings 1959-1965

This cd took me back to my youth! It has a great range of Celia Cruz's songs. Her beautiful voice comes across beautifully!

look at my review 'essential recordings'

The first four tracks are a real headache. The singer, percussion, bass and piano (I didn't hear much tres) are on the left speaker only; the backing singing and brass is on the right speaker. When there's no brass or chorus sound there is only sound through the left speaker! Perhaps it would be better to listen in mono (if you have a mono setting that is). The next tracks are characterised by very muffled piano and percussion. On track 8 Celia Cruz' voice takes off, soaring and fluid, and I found the sound more relaxing. However, the whole record is all voice and brass. The percussion and piano remain unclear, and in the background throughout. There was one track where I thought they were moving furniture until I realised it was bongos.We've been able to record good quality sound for a great many years now. My understanding of digital re-mastering is that each instrument or voice can be given its own electronic signature. Then it should be possible for a record producer to put together a balanced album of modern detailed sound. At first "Digitally Remastered" meant "wrecked", and then they got a lot better. This is not in the latter category!There are no details of the other musicians in the sleeve notes, and no recording times, or dates.

Good

There is no indication of the year recording of each song.