For over a century, American musicians were exposed to Cuban rhythms and melodies. In assimilating them they created a very infl uential, new Latin-American sound. This compendium shows how blues, rock and jazz were deeply affected by the golden age of the rumba, son, bolero and mambo styles, which were all in vogue in North America before the Cuban revolution _ when people could still freely circulate between the two countries. The USA also left its mark on Cuban musicians of the diaspora, many of which are included here. Bruno Blum has hand-picked these American recordings and explains in detail this compelling, founding Cuba/USA musical fusion in a 28-page booklet. Patrick FREMEAUX