One of the great legends of Cuban music, Miguelito Valdes, Senor Babalu, performed for five decades in Cuba and New York. He started off singing professionaly in Panama in the early 30s and in 1937 joined the popular Cuban orchestra, Casino de la Playa. He left Cuba for New York City in 1940, joining the Xavier Cugat band at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. He turned solo in 1942, at the height of popularity, recording for several labels and taking part in at least 12 movies. He went into semi-retirement from 1955 returning in 1963, hosting a television show. He died In 1978 in Bogota, Columbia. This fantastic CD compiled by Toyo Nakamura begins with a recording of Orquesta de la Playa, and features Valdes with Xavier Cugat Orchestra, with Machito y su Afro Cubans and with his own orchestra. 26 tracks.
