By Richard Harrington. The Washington Post. The Washington Post. Friday, June 23, 2000; Page N12
Albita Rodriguez, who lived in Cuba until defecting to the United States in 1993, tried to update traditional Cuban son years before that particular revival was spurred by the Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon. Albita's early recordings underscored the depth of her roots in Cuban folk singing
traditions--her parents performed in the the acoustic country style known as punto guajiro--but she somehow slipped off-track with 1997's "Una Mejer Como Yo," a crossover attempt that found Albita making unconvincing forays into Dominican merengue, Colombian valleneto, salsa and cumbia.
Two years ago, Albita recorded "Son," reconnecting to the authentic Cuban rhythms that originally inspired her, but Sony rejected it as not being commercial enough. Just now being released on a new British-based label, "Son" fits quite nicely into the current revival, mixing
several solid originals with elegantly dramatic classics like "Veinte Anos" and "El Manisero."
Albita's soulful vocals power up such outstanding tracks as "Corazon Adentro," a classic son spiced with jazz and guajiro, the spirited "Comentario de Solar" and the yearning romantic ruminations "Melon Colorao" and "El Duende." The album also includes an
extended dance medley, "Folclor Cubano," and a breezy blast of modern timba, "Azuca Pa Tu Amargura." Overall, "Son" is a little bit country (the more reflective guitar-driven pieces), a little bit city (the punchier brass-and-conga-powered ones), and it manages to
respect tradition without being hidebound by it.
India, the Nuyorican singer who's dabbled in house and jazz but is best known as "the Princess of salsa," goes against the crossover tide of peers Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez by releasing her first all-Spanish album, "Sola." On it, she pays tribute to the
Afro-Cuban diva, La Lupe, to whom she's sometimes compared because of her strong, sultry voice. India delivers respectful covers of the boleros "Si vuelves tu" and "Que te pedi" and also shines on the elegantly romantic "Dejame volver contigo" and the stately opener, "Hielo."
There's a double blast of throbbing New York salsa with "Aun lo amo" and "Lo siento mi amor." As for the title track, it appears first as a dance track and at album's end, imaginatively recast as a ballad.
Both appearing Saturday at Wolf Trap.
* To hear a free Sound Bite from Albita, call Post-Haste at 202/334-9000 and press 8110. For a Sound Bite from India, press 8111. (Prince William residents, call 690-4110.)
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