Rhythm and Smoke

Rating:
Summary: A cigar documentary with great but fragmented soundtrack
Review: Both focuses of "Rhythm & Smoke" are interesting- but this DVD is more smoke than rhythm. There are two separate documentaries- both primarily about the process of Cuban cigar-making.

The first part shows cigar making (without commentary) interspersed with wonderful & interesting but fragmented clips (or sometimes just audio) from a great variety of Cuban music. "Rhythm & Smoke" is often frustrating, as we hear a great band (or solo) but cannot see them- in favor of cigar making scenes, or have them cut-off prematurely.

Rhythm & Smoke includes folkloric Santeria drumming, folk music, Afro-Cuban, salsa, jazz, timbales, scat/vocal, pop, rock, timba...mostly live, some studio. This dvd includes Changuito (former Los Van Van master percussionist/ inventor of songo drumset), Cristal, Carlos Varela, Afrojazz, Sintesis, and many others. The on-location ambience shots are an interesting cultural snapshot. Recommended to musicians- bit not the quality of "Buena Vista" or "Calle 54".

Rating:
Summary: A cigar documentary with great but fragmented soundtrack
Review: Both focuses of "Rhythm & Smoke" are interesting- but this DVD is more smoke than rhythm. There are two separate documentaries- both primarily about the process of Cuban cigar-making.

The first part shows cigar making (without commentary) interspersed with wonderful & interesting but fragmented clips (or sometimes just audio) from a great variety of Cuban music. "Rhythm & Smoke" is often frustrating, as we hear a great band (or solo) but cannot see them- in favor of cigar making scenes, or have them cut-off prematurely.

Rhythm & Smoke includes folkloric Santeria drumming, folk music, Afro-Cuban, salsa, jazz, timbales, scat/vocal, pop, rock, timba...mostly live, some studio. This dvd includes Changuito (former Los Van Van master percussionist/ inventor of songo drumset), Cristal, Carlos Varela, Afrojazz, Sintesis, and many others. The on-location ambience shots are an interesting cultural snapshot. Recommended to musicians- bit not the quality of "Buena Vista" or "Calle 54".

Rating:
Summary: A cigar documentary with great but fragmented soundtrack
Review: Great performance for Cuba's, Carribs and Latin fans !!! Whan you are fan, you must have it.

Rating:
Summary: Viva Cuba
Review: Great performance for Cuba's, Carribs and Latin fans !!! Whan you are fan, you must have it.

Rating:
Summary: LUSH GREEN FIELDS...
Review: I am a cigar and tobacco lover, and I'm glad to see DVDs like this being released. This film's "Cigar Version" is not incredibly educational... What this movie DOES have is gorgeous and breathtaking scenic views of tobacco fields and the process of the tobacco harvest. The digital resolution of this DVD is absolutely stunning. I'm not a tremendous fan of latin music, but for ANYONE interested in the scenic imagery of tobacco leaves blowing in the wind and their subsequent harvesting, this DVD is an ABSOLUTE MUST!! GET THE TRUE BEAUTY OF THE CUBAN CIGAR AND BUY THE DVD!!