On this episode of “Drop the Needle,” Buena Vista Social Club mastermind and leader of Afro-Cuban All-Stars, Juan de Marcos, takes us through a cross-section of Cuban greats from the 1960s to the 1990s and shares his insights and personal recollections.

After gaining international fame for reviving the classic sound of Cuban son, tres master de Marcos turned the Afro-Cuban All Stars into a sensational showcase for Cuba’s most prodigious young musicians. While long revered in Latin America and Europe as a founding member of Cuba’s great son revival band Sierra Maestra, de Marcos first gained notice in the US as founder of the Buena Vista Social Club.
It was de Marcos who assembled Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, Ruben Gonzalez and the rest of the crew for Ry Cooder when he came to Havana looking for illustrious old timers. But de Marcos is just as interested in promoting Cuba’s brilliant young musicians as in highlighting Cuba’s senior talent. The Afro-Cuban All Stars not only features a multi-generational cast, but the group also draws on both classic Cuban styles like son and danzón and contemporary dance rhythms like timba.

Track listings:
Irakere: “Chequere Son” from “Chequere-Son: Best of Irakere 78/80" (2003)
Celina Gonzalez y el Conjunto Campo Alegre: “Mi Guateque Campesino” from “Al Guateque Con Celina” (1986)
Los Van Van: “Que Palo Es Ese” from “Songo” (1989)
Grupo Afrocuba: “Si Pregunta Por Mi Dile Que Vuelvo” from “¡Dila Que Velvo!” (1981)
Walfredo De Los Reyes: “Leche Con Ron” from “Cuban Jazz” (1961)
Orquesta Ritmo Oriental: “Popurrit” from “30 Años” (1989)
Buena Vista Social Club: “Chan Chan” from “Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall (1998, released 2008)