“The Very Best of Irakere” – a comprehensive compilation with an emphasis on the danceable, up-tempo material - captures the period between 1974 and 1985, in what was arguably Irakere's heyday.

Many of the top Cuban jazz musicians have played in Irakere during the past several decades, including altoist Paquito D'Rivera and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. Pianist Chucho Valdes has been the orchestra's longtime leader. Irakere’s music ranges from Latin Jazz and Bop over Funk and Jazz/Rock to traditional Cuban music, with infectious rhythms and advanced improvisations.

Highly recommended.

Irakere

The Very Best of Irakere

1974 – 1985

CD / 2015 / Compilation / 320Kbps

Tracklist:

Cuba Libre (Intro)

Bacalao con Pan

Por Romper el Coco

38 ½

La Semilla

Chekere-Son

Dile a Catalina

Xiomara

Taka Taka-Ta

Gira Gira

Quindiambo

Moja el Pan

Juana 1600

A Chano Pozo

Ilyá

Aguanile Bonko (Live)

Musicians include:

Jesús "Chucho" Valdés, piano

Paquito D'Rivera, Carlos Averhoff, Germán Velasco and José Luis Cortés , saxophone

Arturo Sandoval, Jorge Varona and Juan Munguía , trumpet

Carlos Emilio Morales, guitar

Carlos Del Puerto, bass

Enrique Plá, drums

Oscar Valdés, Jorge Alfonso and Armando Cuervo, percussion

Irakere / The Very Best of Irakere / 1974 – 1985