Tambor en el Alma

Album Review

They're aptly called the Young Son Rebels, although they don't exactly scrawl over the face of the classic Cuban genre. But being young, they do bring a freshness and energy to the music, along with a sense of modernism that doesn't go amiss. They're also very adept, with some wonderful trumpet — an homage to the great Arsenio Rodriguez. Chucho Valdes is as excellent as usual, playing with a wonderful power that perfectly suits the band. The slightly countrified "Guajira en Descarga" is a standout, but pride of place has to belong to "Bembelegua," six minutes of superb percussion pushing the song along in an unstoppable manner. This sophomore effort proves to be even more of a winner than their first outing, with even more oomph in the playing; it's enjoyable from start to finish. Just because they're young doesn't mean they're not good.