Xiomara Laugart - Tears and Rumba

On her third album for Chesky Records, Xiomara Laugart uses her own distinctive style to interpret Cuban classics from the golden era of the 1920s. 'Tears and Rumba' is a fine introduction to the singer-songwriter and features works by two extremely influential composers of that era, Maria Teresa Vera and Miguel Matamoros.

As the title of the record suggests, the songs that Laugart interprets so elegantly range from the moody trova style standards like Vera's Ausencia to the danceable son montuno of Matamoros' La Mujer de Antonio. The heart wrenching lyrics of Ausencia speak about a love that will never be. Laugart, who has been influenced by Chaka Khan as much as by Vera and Matamoros, will have everyone packing the dance floor with her swinging versions of La Mujer de Antonio and Nadie Se Salva de la Rumba, made popular again during the 1980s by Celia Cruz.

Featured on the album are a number of excellent musicians, who are part of a new generation from Cuba that continues to flow into New York City - bassist Yunior Terry, guitarist Roman Lajara and flautist Javier Porta. The Venezuelan Luis Quintero is the veteran of the group having played with everyone from Eddie Palmieri to Diana Krall. One of the youngsters of the group, Axel Tosca Laugart, the singer's son, was responsible for the new arrangements.