The critics speak out on “Lo Que Dice Mi Cantar”

Winner, 23rd Annual Cubadisco 2019, “Cancionistica” category

The Absolute Sound

"This is a captivating album that transports the listener to another time and place. Indeed, there is an old-world charm to this homage to the legendary Cuban singer Maria Teresa Vera. Trio Palabaras... brings sentimentality and a gentle passion to these lilting songs, sung sweetly in Spanish and performed in the 19th-century troubadour tradition of the Cuban trova... Muxia Music's commitment to audiophile sound is evident in this project, which was two years in the making. The record was produced by Muxia founder Jim Laurel with a team that included Juno-nominated engineer Andrew Spindor and production manager Abey Fonn of Impex Records, and the vinyl was pressed at RTI in Camarillon, CA; sonics are simply stunning."

- Greg Cahill, The Absolute Sound, October 2019

Hi-Fi News and Record Review (UK)

As I am no expert on Cuban music, I can only discuss this in sonic terms… and it is breathtakingly beautiful, delicate and natural-sounding. The Trio Palabras consists of two vocalists and a classical guitarist abetted by a host of other guitarists, plus acoustic bass, and bongos, performed by some of Cuba’s finest players. The genre they’re honouring here is “Trova”, a century-old native music form of itinerant troubadours, and it was recorded in single takes, uncompromisingly, to the standards of audiophile LPs of the past. And even if you don’t know a single word of any Hispanic-based languages, this will transport you. Enthralling.

- Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News and Record Review

Enjoy The Music

"That the album's sound quality is first-rate will definitely appeal to readers of Enjoy the Music! Since Muxia Music is 'dedicated to producing culturally significant acoustic music in high definition', not only does this album feature some fantastic interpretations of the Trova founders, but as I mentioned, will appeal to audiophiles in a big way... the sound is simply stunningly realistic (as you'd expect from Impex Records). As the company's first original music release, it was recoded in Cuba on high-end digital gear. This is not typical yawner 'tourist music' (bah!), this is authentic Cuban music that has either never been recorded, or only on ancient / historic offerings (read: old / low quality). Do yourself a favor and buy it. The music, and sound quality, is truly inspiring!"

- Tom Lyle, www.enjoythemusic.com, July 2019

Editor's Addition By Steven R. Rochlin: Abey Fonn of Impex Records (pictured below) is tirelessly working ensure some of the best ultra- high quality vinyl LPs. Usually it is re-issues and whatnot, which we all love, yet soon they'll be offering original music from Cuba! Their most recent effort has yet to reach stores, yet in December 2017 a grouping of Cuba's finest musicians were recorded. Think along the lines ofBuena Vista Social Club, yet far more rare traditional Cuban music played on authentic Cuban instruments!

STEREO Magazine (Germany)

“Bitte anschallen! Sonst könnte einen die dralle Energie und Lebensfreude des kubanischen Damentrios glatt aus dem Sessel hauen. Dieses interpretiert mit einer Reihe erstklassiger Musiker den Trova - die volkstümliche, vor allem mit Gitarren und Stimmen vorgetragene Musik de Insel. Und da sind Feuer und Temperament der Karibik drin. Beeindruckend auch, wie natüralich der Instrumente eingefangen wurden, die dreidimensional vor dem verblüfften Hörer zu stehen scheinen. Eine Kombination aus modernster Studiotechnik und klassischen Mikrofonen sorgte für analoges Flair und schuf dieses kleine Klangwunder.”

Part Time Audiophile (Munich High End 2019)

“Muxia's production process has all the bonafides: audiophile recording, mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, pressed at RTI on 180-gram vinyl. But Jim pays as much attention to the recording process as he does to his brilliant photography. Muxia's principal recording engineer, Andrew Spindor, uses Merging's Hapi and Horus interfaces and quality microphones from Neumann, Royer, AEA, Gefell and Josephson. PCM is done at 24/192 and the songs you hear on this album are pure. No editing. No overdubs. No Autotune. Three takes were done and Jim and team chose the best one, imperfections and all.

It's far too rare that I write about music but I plan on changing that. I just had to tell you about this remarkable Cuban recording that several of us discovered in Munich. This music has made it into our hands and dazzled our ears. I'm going to keep an eye on this label. I hope you do as well."

- Lee Scoggins, Part-Time Audiophile, High End Munich 2019

Positive Feedback

"Though we have only just passed the halfway point for the year 2019, these new vinyl releases entitled Another Time, Another Place from Jennifer Warnes and Lo Que Nice Mi Cantar from Trio Palabras are already strong contenders for my favorite albums of the year. And boy do these recordings really deliver the goods! Dead quiet record surfaces and dynamics to die for, my bet is that these records will probably sound outstanding on any system (regardless of system investment). These are unquestionably demo quality recordings but they both have much much more to offer! Of course, none of this extraordinary sound matters if the performance and music cannot reach deep down into your soul and make an emotional connection. IMHO, these recordings easily deliver on this too and will provide a very satisfying if not extremely rewarding experience. IMPEX has clearly added two more triumphs to their extensive music portfolio and legacy.

Recorded in Cuba at the Studio Eusebio Delfin in Cienfuegos, this is the first release for Trio Palabras outside of Cuba and includes some of the countries finest musicians. Though this is a 24-bit/192kHz recording, you would never know it by the sound on vinyl. The sound stage extends deep and wide along with a fleshed out harmonic density and bloom that typically you might lust for on analog only. Vocals by Vania Martinez and Liane Pérez will have you swooning. The rhythm section includes Mey Lin Chaviano on bass and Alexis Arce on percussion along with Axel Year on cajon and clave. They lay down the basic foundation and drive the music forward but it is the guitarists that really shine for me. This includes Nubia González on classical guitar, Maykel Elizarde on Cuban tres guitar and cabaquiño, Teresa Wong on laúd, and Rachid López on classical guitar. Yes, this is a fairly large group but they are clearly delineated across the sound stage and the tone and timbre of each specific instrument comes through loud and strong. As the word has spread within the inner circle of my local audio friends, this is now one of the first recordings that they want to hear when coming by for a listen. Very highly recommended!"

- Robert S. Youman, Posi+ive Feedback, July 2019 Read more!

Twittering Machines (Rocky Mountain Audio Festival, 2019)

“We were treated to music from a new label, Muxia Music, started by someone who owns one of Vinnie’s amps (I bet they hugged). The record sounded profoundly beautiful in Vinnie’s room. I wanted to give Vinnie a hug on my way out, but he was busy hugging other people.”

- Michael Lavorgna, Twittering Machines

Vinnie Rossi Audio

“One of my highlights of the RMAF2018 was meeting a long-time customer, Jim Laurel, who a few years ago began a journey to start a record company (Muxía Music) with a couple of friends. I personally was taken back how alive, energetic and intimate their new recording of “Lo Que Dice Mi Cantar” by Trios Palabras sounds! You'll have a chance to pick up the LP Spring 2019, distributed by Elusive Disc (http://elusivedisc.com), or via high-res download at Blue Coast Music (https://bluecoastmusic.com) and I know you'll be glad that you did.”

- Vinnie Rossi, Vinnie Rossi Audio