CD Review: Hablando con Juana by Alaín Pérez (Bis Music 2014)
Review by Bill Tilford, All rights reserved

In a way, it is a pity that this recording was made by a project instead of a regular band; multiinstrumentalist and singer  Alaín Pérez works in multiple settings as does Ivan Melón Lewis and the other musicians, and we might not see a repeat. If memory serves, this is Mr. Pérez's 4th album, and each has a different personality.  Hablando con Juana is a combination of Cuban Salsa, Son with some Timba, mostly more in the direction of a Son 14 than a Charanga Habanera, but there are parts, such as  Una confesión,  No quiero cuentas, La super mujer and Si mi negra se me va, that contain the ingredients that made the early NG La Banda such a standout when it came on the scene: beautiful songwriting and arranging, and distinctive brass (Juan Munguia's resume includes Irakere among other things). Mr. Pérez's  singing, as usual, is excellent. On the other side of the coin, Bolero en Paris is a beautiful romantic song than includes an accordion.  

The physical CD contains a booklet with the lyrics.  It was recorded in Spain but  licensed to the Cuban label Bis Music.  It was nominated for a Cubadisco 2015 in the Música Popular Bailable - Novedades category (the "Novedades" part is relative). You can actually find it on Amazon.com and iTunes.   Here's an official video of the title track from the Bis Music website:

Songs
Lyrics except 6: Gradelio Pérez, Lyrics 6: Juan Antonio Gímez Gil
Music all tracks: Alaín Pérez

1. Bailando con Juana
2. Una confesión
3. El ciego sin bastón
4. Cuéntale a la luna
5. Celosa no
6. No quiero cuentos
7. La super mujer
8. Bolero en Paris
9. Siempre te Amo
10. Si mi negra se me va
11. La abuela quiere coco

Personnel in Hablando con Juana