Our library of music was always receiving music from around the world, not just 'Western' styles of music and one of our favourites (from a musical perspective) was the unique Cuban born music. Born out of a 'harsh environment' largely isolated from the world, Cuban music has a unique style that is very enjoyable to listen to.

This album is no exception, no fancy cover graphics on the album but this music from the mid 1960's (Fidel Castro ran the country with an iron grip at this time and who can forget the Cuban missile crisis just prior to this album release in 1962?) is really interesting.

This album is authentic Cuban released music, not Westernised in any way, which means that although you can figure out some of the cover words, for the most part it is printed in 'Cuban Spanish' and of course the lyrics are sung in the same language.

So who was Esther Borja? A Cuban through and through, always promoting Cuban arts in her profession as an actress and singer. If you want to find out more about this lady, take a look HERE

ESTHER BORJA - Album De Cuba
Areito Records

Cat# LPA-3165

Although not stated, I suspect this is a glorious MONO recording

1965 (ish)

Cuban release

Cover is in good (minus) condition, no tears, no seam splits, with light ~ medium edge wear from handling BUT some discolouration on the front (down the opening edge) and the rear of the cover (matt finish) has some paint marks! There is quite a story about these marks, we obtained this album from a person who was into the "Cuban Art World" and she loved to listen to music from her home country while being creative - originally this was from her personal collection and one of her favourite albums.

If you are having trouble figuring out Side 1 and 2, the lighter Pink coloured label is Side 1

New inner plastic sleeve

Vinyl is in surprisingly good condition, visually examined carefully using a halogen light source I can see quite a few very light ~ light scratches on either side and a couple of "marks". I wasn't too concerned about this because the vinyl is the old "tough stuff" that was used in pressing at the time, it is much hardier than modern soft vinyls. I did notice a couple of "dots" right out on the Side A run in area which made me wonder how it would play but anyway ... let's give it a whirl!

First, those bumps in the run in area do not affect playback at all - they are actually before the run-in groove begins.

Just to be clear, let me explain what I mean by "surface noise" in comparison to click/pops.

Think of the beach, the background noise of the waves breaking is the "surface noise" - the constant background noise. Click/pops are what you would hear during a storm at the beach, the surface noise (breaking waves) is interrupted by the crack of lightning strikes and the corresponding thunder (hopefully your vinyl click/pops are not that dramatic though!)

The analogy for vinyl records is that the vinyl record surface is the breaking of the waves, the more dirt or light scratches and marks on the surface will result in higher levels of surface noise. However, in addition to this background surface noise, any medium to deep scratches will result in "lightning strikes' i.e clicks with each revolution of the record.

Yes, as expected, the surface noise level (initially) was higher than normal but still very listenable. Around track 3 (Side A) there was a couple of revolutions of "click click click" (medium scratch) at a medium audio level, not disastrous but noticeable. Then the album settles down and the surface noise reduces as well. For the remaining music on Side A and all of Side B, very nice music - for me, it is about the instruments playing not so much her singing (although very nice all the same!). A nice genuine authentic taste of Cubano music and unlike much Western music from the same period, it doesn't show it's age! Western songs in the pop genre especially so easily get dated but if you listen to some of this Cuban music, it could have easily been recorded just yesterday - it remains fresh and vibrant.

TRACKS: Para Ti...Cantaré Mi Canción, Miedo Al Desengano, Lloro Aun Al Recordarte, Mi Sinfonia De Amor, Tengo Ganas De Gritar Que Te Quiero, Para Ti..., Para Ti..., Sombra Que Besa, Por Qué Me Has Hecho Ilorar, Recordaré Tu Boca, Lloviendo, Amada Sombra, Para Ti...