Afro-Cuban All Stars

This ad hoc group really is an all-star collaboration, including the likes of Eliades Ochoa, Ruben Gonzalez, Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabel, Barbarito Torres and Pio Levya (among many others) and directed by Sierra Maestra's reigning mastermind Juan de Marcos Gonzalez. They play a hyped-up version of Cuban son that is to the Buena Vista Social Club what Viagra is to aspirin, forsaking piquant old-timeyness for big band power. Released in 1997, A Todo Cuba Le Gusta put them on the international map.