Ferrer and Cooder Create Magic

**** IBRAHIM FERRER

“Buena Vista Social Club

Presents: Ibrahim Ferrer”

Nonesuch

A new twist was needed when recording this sequel to 1997’s “Buena Vista Social Club,” the million-selling album that brought together American guitarist Ry Cooder with a bunch of veteran Cuban musicians. It was important to preserve the original’s virtues--notably the warmth and homemade freshness with which it resurrected the classic son--while spinning the concept into a new direction.

Enter the magic word: “bolero.” The new album, which is also the first solo effort by 72-year-old singer Ibrahim Ferrer, enriches the upbeat numbers with the grandeur of the most romantic song format in Latin America.

“Herido de Sombras,” a tune popularized by ‘60s Cuban doo-wop group Los Zafiros, is presented here with that group’s original guitarist and the addition of strings, saxophones and the female quartet Gema 4 on backup vocals. The result is spellbinding, a haunting re-creation of the bolero aesthetic enhanced by production that sounds soothingly airy and spacious.

Although the album features the earthy piano of Ruben Gonzalez and the gritty voice of Omara Portuondo, the stars here are Ferrer, with his raspy, weathered and painfully expressive voice, and Cooder, with a subtle alternative edge that instinctively preserves the very essence of Cuban music-- the openness with which it rushes to express the most overwhelming feelings.

Together, they have achieved a formidable feat. Improving on the original recipe, they have delivered 52 minutes of Afro Cuban perfection.

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