Ibrahim Ferrer new track release ‘Ojos Malvados’

World Circuit today premieres another never-before heard track from Grammy-winning Buena Vista Social Club vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer. ‘Ojos Malvados’ (“Wicked Eyes”) is available to stream now.

Composed by Cristina Saladrigas (one of the few women in the early days of traditional Cuban ‘trova’), the song is an elegant and emotional bolero, a style that Ferrer became famous for, and has been part of the repertoire of some of the greatest Cuban musicians, from son and bolero giants Trio Matamoros to Barbarito Díez. This recording features Buena Vista alumni Orlando ‘Cachaíto’ López, Manuel Galbán and Angá Díaz, as well as Joachim Cooder on drums.

“That’s where you hear Ibrahim in his true métier, as they say, those old slower songs,” says producer Ry Cooder, “The delicacy and his vibrato is perfect for those tunes.”

The track is included on the very special edition of Ferrer’s Grammy-winning second solo album ‘Buenos Hermanos’, due for release on 28th February. Originally released in 2003, ‘Buenos Hermanos’ was acclaimed as an audacious and assured album firmly rooted in tradition, whilst expanding the horizons of 21st Century Cuban music with its varied repertoire and modern sound.

Producer Ry Cooder has now gone back to the original tapes to re-mix the whole album, adding four previously unheard tracks from the original album sessions, including recent single ‘Ven Conmigo Guajira’, to a brand new sequence, creating a completely reimagined ‘Buenos Hermanos’.

“It’s better than ever, if I may say,” comments Ry on the new mixes. “We went back into the session tapes and found songs that were overlooked for some reason, and you’re going to be as thrilled as I am. We’ve really polished it up and improved it and expanded it, it sounds almost brand new. There’s one thing for sure: we need something good, something beautiful in these days and times.”

The reimagined version of the album also has refreshed cover artwork, featuring an alternative photograph from the original album shoot by Christien Jaspars. As well as digital formats, the release will be available as a CD casebound book and 180g heavyweight double vinyl, with both packages including English and Spanish lyrics, and a new foreword from Ry Cooder.

‘Buenos Hermanos [Special Edition]’ Tracklisting:

1. Boquiñeñe

2. Música Cubana

3. Boliviana

4. Me Voy Pa’ Sibanicú*

5. Buenos Hermanos

6. Mil Congojas

7. Ojos Malvados*

8. Guaguancó Callejero

9. Hay Que Entrarle a Palos a Ése

10. Perfume De Gardenias

11. Como El Arrullo De Palma

12. Mujer *

13. No Tiene Telaraña

14. Ven Conmigo Guajira*

15. Naufragio

16. Fuiste Cruel

17. Oye El Consejo