Cándido Fabré is one of Cuba’s great soneros, a prolific singer-songwriter famed for his distinctive hoarse voice and ability to improvise lyrics. He first came to notice in the early 80s, and soon became a favourite with salsa dancers, with his songs covered by many leading Cuban musicians. The new album shows that he’s still a great writer, mixing slinky son rhythms with bachata and other styles in an impressively varied set. There are songs praising Cuba and its food and music, and elegant tributes to his late mother or musicians he admired, along with the Latin pop of Hello Baby, a witty conversation between a father in Cuba and daughter in Miami, that appears twice. The only problem is with Fabré’s voice. At 59, the singer known for his compelling style seems to be losing his power, and he doesn’t even handle the lead vocals on a couple of tracks.
