by Kevin Moore

Que hablen los habladores (mini-review from La última) I've finally gotten around to really studying Michel Maza's second CD and I love it. It's one of only three recordings of Sergio Noroña --easily one of Timba's top 5 pianists -- the others being Michel's first CD, and Paulito FG's epic masterpiece Con la conciencia tranquila. Noroña was one of the most important reasons that this was PFG's greatest disc, as you can hear from these excerpts:

(from Con la conciencia tranquila)
1) Y san toma qué 1
2) Y san toma qué 2
3) Y ahora qué
4) No te lo creas

Noroña was brilliant on Michel's first CD, Fieeeesta!, but Que hablen is even better, thanks in part to the addition of the great ex-Klímax conguero, Jorge Luis Torres "Papiosco". Here are some excerpts which showcase the talents of these two timba masters as they accompany one of Timba's greatest vocalists.

(from Que hablen los habladores)
1) El coleccionista
2) La vida no es tan tan
3) Tú piensas
4) El loco 1
5) El loco 2
6) Que hablen los habladores

As you can hear, the album is hard-driving, beautifully recorded timba from start to finish, with Michel's incomparable lead vocals, perfect coros, and an interesting mix of new originals, re-arrangements of the staples of Michel's live show, and re-arrangements of Charanga Habanera and Manolín classics. All in all, one of the most enjoyable releases of the decade.