Orlando Cachaito Lopez

• Cachaito [World Circuit/Nonesuch, 2001] A

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Cachaito [World Circuit/Nonesuch, 2001]
From the morass of competent traditionalism that is the Buena Vista Social Club comes Cachao's nephew, supposedly one of 30 bassists in the family and also supposedly the only musician to play on every track on every single BVSC spinoff. Now finally it's time for his own, and how about that--it cuts them all, maybe even Rubén González's, and sounds nothing like any of them. Cachaito is hardly a kid--he was born in 1933. Yet roughly speaking he's conceived a pomo jazz record featuring few BVSC regulars beyond conga whiz Miguel Diaz, with postizo guitar by Los Zafiros' Manuel Galván, ganja organ by Bigga Morrison, lots more percussion, and cameos from Pee Wee Ellis, Hugh Masekela, French DJ, local string players, what have you. Putting its bass foot forward as it does, maybe this is Cuban dub? Fortunately, no--there's too much texture, too much melody, even too much clave. You'll just have to hear it. Don't be scared, now. A