Caña Son

Salsa music has undergone many evolutions over the years. One of the incarnations that's with stood the test of time is Son Cubano. It dates all the way back to the 16th century, but really came into it's prime at the turn of the 20th century, and was a major mover and shaker up until the 1950s. Since then it's still been performed, but other forms of salsa have become popular. However, the influence of Son music is still seen in modern salsa with the 3-2 Son clave which forms the backbone of most modern salsa music.

Oregon has a very active Salsa scene. Among them is a band called Caña Son . Specializing in Son Cubano, the band released their eponymous debut album a few months ago. I bought it at a performance they had at Platinum during early November. While I was retagging my iTunes library, I decided to review the album.

Caña Son is a 10 track album that checks in at just under a hour of the best Son Cubano you can get without violating the embargo. The production value is phenomenal. The vocals are varied, and clear, and the clave is easy to pick up. It's great to dance to or just to listen to.

As I mentioned earlier, I saw them live a few months ago, and they were one of the best Salsa acts I've ever seen. Only Conjunto Alegre came close. They have samples of their music up on their Myspace page. If you like Salsa, Ethnic Music in general, or just want something new and upbeat to listen to, check them out. You can get their album, and general information at their website. You can also find their album at the iTunes Store.