Member Since: 5/23/2006
Band Website: descemer.com
Band Members:
The Main Event Bars & Music
Best Latin Singer Descemer Bueno
Afro-Cuban fusion singer Descemer Bueno's calls home to Havana are echoing from Miami stages across the Florida Straits to the seawall along Malecón Boulevard in the Cuban capital, and even onto Madrid's music scene. Bueno, a founder of legendary Latin funk band Yerba Buena and current frontman of Siete Rayo, boasts a brand of funk, jazz, merengue, reggaeton, hip-hop and Afro-Cuban rhythms all his own. It was recognized with a record deal from Universal Latino, as well as Spain's prestigious Goya Award for Best Music Written for a Film in the movie Havana Blues. When Bueno belts out the song "Habana," it sounds like an eerie cry, a yearning for unification in the Cuban diaspora. "If I never go back, it will break my heart," he sings, followed by a reinforcement of all that he is: "I represent the Afro-Cuban generation." Let's hope that cry will lead to a new understanding of Cuba in all its of political and ethnographic makeup.
Descemer
Siete Rayo
CD (Universal 883752), Released 2006;
Editor's Pick: Descarga
The latest entry into the modern Cuban pop/exile explosion. Descemer helped start Yerba Buena, and went on his own way, and the music is loaded with all sorts of stuff, arab lute playing over hip hop beats, coros, women singers, lots of studio technique. Theres rock stuff mixed it, along with funny English sections, horn lines, acoustic guitars, samples of older Cuban music. Ska rhythms show up, pan Caribbean beats, and lots of intelligence. Fastchat rapping, in Spanish. For whatever reason, this record has pretty much disappeared from the market place. Pick it up now before it vanishes, its the sound of the future, and a pretty great future itll be. Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous, 2006-04-04)
Influences: Black Magic Musicians
Orichas and 7 Rayo
Perhaps the threesome's positive influence will spread with its numerous individual collaborations. Aside from acting gigs, Romero helped produce and raps on albums for Miami-based artist Descemer Bueno and actress/singer Beatriz Luengos. A solo full-length is in the works for González, but Orishas fans can still expect a new album in 2007. Orishas' current release, El Kilo, is yet another tribute to the group's heritage. The album's title refers to a slang term for a cent in Cuba. Romero reveals the true meaning behind it:
Sounds Like:
Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide
Similar in flavor and intent to former collaborators Yerba Buena, Descemer Bueno's solo debut album further explores the new paths that lead to the place where urban and Latino music meet. Descemer's artistic voice on 2006's Siete Rayo is much grittier, earthier than what fans heard of him on Yerba Buena projects. With reggaeton-inflected (but not -dominated) tracks, and instrumental influences that harken to his Havana upbringing and education, Bueno is a true original. There are few artists in the increasingly diverse cast on the hip-hop stage who offer such a fresh perspective on what this music can encompass. Similarly, Cuban music is given a fresh coat of paint and a new perspective in Bueno's compositions. The earthy, rich timbre of his voice, tuneful songwriting, and creative inclusion of folkloric instruments make for an easy yet engaging listen. Somewhat neglected by mainstream media, perhaps because it's so difficult to categorize, Siete Rayo is set up mainly for an underground following. Anyone who comes across this gem of a record will be glad for it, and quickly join the ranks of the dedicated fans. There are few musicians out there who do such honor to their native tradition and offer such brave vision for the urban music community. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide
SoundRoots
Descemer - Siete Rayo
(Universal Music Latino)
The solo career of Descemer Bueno (of Yerba Buena) should blast off with this feisty beat-laden album. Born in Cuba, Descemer mashes the grooves of his homeland with hip-hop, Ojos-de-Brujo-style vocals, M.I.A.-style beats, and brisk horn blasts. More than any other "Latin Alternative" album of late, Siete Rayo will have a tidal pull on the world music generalist.
Chicago Tribune
RECORDINGS
Siete Rayo
Descemer Bueno (Universal Music Latino)
Achy Obejas
Published July 7, 2006
Descemer Bueno is one of the more talented musical artists to come out of Cuba in the last 15 years. A co-founder with Andres Levin of Yerba Buena, the neo-funk group that's been shaking things up in global music circles, Bueno was well established as both composer and producer long before then. So you'd think Bueno's first stateside offering would be a killer, full of the strange genre and island-hopping that he's brought to so many other projects. Well, surprise: Bueno's "Siete Rayo," which includes nearly as many songs by others as by him (including goodies from George Pajon Jr., guitarist and songwriter with the Black Eyed Peas), often sounds more like a fascinating demo than a polished showcase for Bueno's outsize talents. Leaning more heavily on cumbia, reggae and reggaeton than on Cuban forms, the songs are frothy, lighthearted events that have, for the most part, been heard before. In the case of "Se Feliz," that's quite literally true: It's the title sap-fest from Bueno's Cuban solo album. Ditto the cliche-ridden "Habana." The chorus from "Cumbia Reggae" seems awfully close to Yerba Buena's "La Gringa" and the line in "El Train" about not wanting to be confused for a Muslim at customs is, well, unfortunate at best. But if you want to pick and choose on the download service of your choice, "Cumbia Reggae" is a blast.
Type of Label: Major