Description
The next album in Mr Bongo’s Cuban Classics series is a hard one to pigeonhole. A true oddity within the Cuban canon, Fantasia by Juan Almeida is an eclectic and epic instrumental journey through Latin jazz-funk, orchestrated classical motifs, psychedelic textures and avant-garde electronics. It’s a dazzling and cinematic listen—sounding at times like the lost score to a ghostly animated film, while at others breaking into Afro-Cuban grooves and exotic funk.
This sonic richness is mirrored in the life of Juan Almeida (Juan Almeida Bosque). Born in Havana in 1927 and a descendant of African slaves, Almeida went from being a bricklayer to a revolutionary. A close ally of Fidel Castro and the only Black commander during the revolution, he famously declared "¡Aquí no se rinde nadie!" (“Nobody here surrenders!”) when under siege. Beyond his political role as one of Cuba’s vice presidents, Almeida was a prolific composer, credited with over 300 songs—many reflecting his experience as a guerrilla fighter.
Fantasia was orchestrated, produced and conducted by Rafael Somavilla, the creative force behind many standout Cuban recordings of the era, including Raúl Gómez’s Instrumental (also reissued by Mr Bongo). His arrangement style gives the album a grand, lush, and pop-classical feel, blending sweeping orchestration with danceable percussive breaks and dramatic flair.
A sought-after gem among collectors, Fantasia is rich in emotion, textures and surprises—every listen reveals a new detail. It’s a truly singular and mesmerising entry into Cuba’s musical legacy.
Tracklist
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Preludio
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Este Camino Largo
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Decide Tú
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Interludio
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El Arriero
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Te Canta Mi Tambor
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Ritmo Abierto
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Postludio
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Final