Though it's a sure bet that they wouldn't have enjoyed such wide distribution prior to the success of the Buena Vista Social Club, Santiago de Cuba's Club Musical Oriente Cubano isn't simply a crossover act. Comprising a band of musicians who'd been playing for decades, the group included many respected musicians -- Lázaro Rosabal, Victor Lussón, Cheo Losada, Paolo Franco, and Guzmán Plaza, among others. Their debut Caña, Tabaco y Ron was released in late 2002 by Amiata. ~ John Bush