2008 Sony Music Latin. 2 Disc Set. Hole punch in UPC.

Unlike the faux-mythical Buena Vista Social Club, Los Fakires is a Cuban band that actually existed before the band members walked into the studio. Formed in 1962, these veterans of Cuba’s hotel circuit are a spare-sounding quintet that specializes in the same son, guaracha, and bolero traditionals as their more famous Cuban musical brethren. But Los Fakires have a more festive edge, where the members sing, shout, and cackle on the upbeat tracks. Saxophonist-leader Juan Jose Bringues often jabs away playfully on the 14 tracks with catchy lines that recall the calypso and jazz elements in Skatalites saxophonist Tommy McCook. Proving that this band can also play for the slow dancers, Martin Chavez’s hoarse tobacco and rum vocals and Rafael Valdes’s smooth-toned delivery add a sensual beauty to the ballads. This is about as authentic a traditional Afro-Cuban band as one is going to find today. –Tad Hendrickson

2003 Epic Records. Hole punch in top left corner.

1998 Mas Music. Hole punch in UPC. Rare, Out of Print.