Bar de Paco

The rich and versatile voice of Cuban singer and composer Max Max (aka Yoandri Castro Max) will be familiar to fans of bands including Tomezclao, with whom Max toured to acclaim in the early 00s, and Pupy y Los Que Son, Son, the hard-driving band fronted by erstwhile Los Van Van pianist Pupy Pedroso and featuring Max Max as lead vocalist for nigh on five years. Conservatoire-trained by Cuban and Italian vocal coaches, and with stints in Cuba-generated musicals such as Bésame Mucho (bolero hit songs from the 1920s to the 80s), Max has a wide-ranging tone made all the more authentic by his precise, easy fraseo.

Remarkably given his pedigree, Bar de Paco is his solo debut. It’s a polished ten-track recording featuring classics such as Rubén Blades’ ‘Pedro Navaja’, a salsified version of ‘Mac the Knife’ that Max tackles with relish, and originals including the title-track, a romantic paean to a tiny bar in Andalucía’s Alpujarras that was co-written with keys player Julio Montoro and Tumi label boss Mo Fini, who has a home there. A line-up of crack musicians on horns, bass and percussion lend texture and nuance to a work that extends to son, bolero and chachachá. A fine showcase for Max, who deserves a bit more stardom.