In the 1990s, during the “Período Especial” (Special Period)—the most severe era following the collapse of the Soviet Union—Ryu Murakami conducted many recordings and filled a void in Cuban music history.
1992-2000
Nueva Generación
NG La Banda
（1992）
Cabaret Panoramico
Échale Limón
NG La Banda
（1993）
Live In Japan
NG La Banda
（1993）
No Hace Falta Pensar La Muerto, Porque Yo Estoy A Tu Lado
Paulo y Su Elite
（1993)
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS
Xiomara Laguart
（1993）
Spanish Lyrics by César Portillo de la Luz
Los Van Van 1974
Los Van Van
(1994)
La Bruja
NG La Banda
（1994）
"The Man" who called "TOSCO"
José Luis Cortés
（1994）
Cuban Canzone
Estrellas de Cuba
（1995）
Cuban House Music
NG La Banda
（1995）
Cuban Rock Spirit
NG La Banda
（1995）
KYOKO
Original Sound Track
（1995-1996）
Historia de un Amor
Javiel Olmo
（1996）
GENTLE & SEXY
The Best of Los Van Van
(1997)
MURAKAMI’s NG La Banda Best
NG La Banda
（1997）
Son al Son
Javiel Olmo
（1998）
2001-2011
Di Que Piensas
Tania Pantoja
（2007）
Piano de Solar
Lázaro Valdés
（2007）
BOLERO
Lázaro Valdés
（2008）
RCN Salsa Best
Ryu's Cuban Night
Salsa Best
（2009）
Bésame Mucho
Tania Pantoja
（2009）
AMAPOLA
Tania Pantoja
（2010）
TANIA vs HAILA
Tania Pantoja
Haila Mompie
（2011）
Como Fue
Tania Pantoja
（2011）
2014 The Final
Ryu's Cuban Night 20th Anniversary
various artists
（2014）
This year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary, I have invited the early 90s members of “NG LA BANDA.” They are the reason I fell in love with Cuban music. I wanted to bring back that amazing sound.
Of course, Tony Calá, the popular singer from their golden age, is coming. Also, as special guests, we have Mayito Rivera, the No.1 male singer from “Los Van Van,” and the famous Tania Pantoja.
I wanted to make this a special concert that shows my 20 years of producing Cuban music. That is why I brought these incredible artists together on one stage. — Ryū Murakami
In 1991, I visited Cuba for the first time. As I kept going back, I realized something. Cuban music is not just “folk music” or “Salsa.” It is much more complex and deep. It has a long history and diversity, just like Black music in the US.
At that time, I was bored with Rock and Jazz, and I only listened to Classical music. But slowly, I became a prisoner of the “magic” of Cuban music.
It is impossible to explain its charm in one word. First of all, the people there need music. And the level of the musicians is incredibly high. After the revolution, they receive top-level classical education at art schools. For example, percussion is a must. Even violinists or saxophonists must play the piano.
When these high-level musicians play, it creates a “catharsis.” Most Japanese people don’t have this experience, so it is very hard to explain the charm of Cuban music. I can only say one thing: “Please, just go and see the stage.”
From: Life is a Carnival by Ryū Murakami (Single Cut, 1996)