Havana
Dave Grusin · 1990
42 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of jazz and Cuban rhythms, weaving intricate melodies that evoke the spirit of Havana.
Top tracks — play these first
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Main Title Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Cuba Libre ('Se fue') — This track stands out with its infectious rhythm and lively brass arrangements, encapsulating the joyous spirit of Cuban culture depicted in the film.
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Santa Clara Suite: I. Vayase / II. Milicia Y Refugos / III. Fuego Peligroso / IV. Epilogue — As a multi-part suite, it showcases Grusin's orchestral prowess and dynamic range, effectively conveying the film's narrative through music.
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Love Theme — This piece highlights Grusin's gift for melody, combining lush harmonies with poignant instrumentation that captures the emotional heart of the story.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album effectively blends jazz and Cuban influences, showcasing strong composition and distinctiveness in its sound.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong orchestral theme that sets a cinematic tone, followed by tracks that blend traditional jazz instrumentation with Cuban rhythms.
- Several tracks feature intricate call-and-response patterns between brass and percussion, emphasizing the lively spirit of Latin jazz.
- The final track features a gradual decrescendo, allowing the album to conclude on a reflective note after the energetic preceding pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady rhythms for relaxed evenings
- evocative soundscapes of havana
- vibrant energy for social gatherings
- smooth transitions between tracks
- immersive listening for daydreaming
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy intensity
- prefer standalone track variety
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Grusin's reputation in film scoring and introduced Cuban music to wider audiences.
- Themes
- Cuban rhythms· Havana nightlife· cinematic storytelling
- Career context
- Released in December 1990, 'Havana' marks a significant point in Dave Grusin's career as he transitioned into scoring for film. This soundtrack followed his Academy Award-winning work for 'The Milagro Beanfield War' and showcased his ability to blend contemporary jazz with Latin influences, further solidifying his reputation in the cinematic music landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· Herbie Hancock· Brad Mehldau
Tracklist
- 1 Main Title Start here 3:05
- 2 Night-Walk 3:25
- 3 Cuba Libre ('Se fue') 3:32
- 4 Santa Clara Suite: I. Vayase / II. Milicia Y Refugos / III. Fuego Peligroso / IV. Epilogue 5:03
- 5 A Los Rumberos de Belén 3:56
- 6 Love Theme 3:09
- 7 Hurricane Country 5:01
- 8 Lost in a Sweet Place 2:39
- 9 Mambo Lido 3:34
- 10 El Conuco 3:14
- 11 Adiós Habana 3:07
- 12 La Academia 2:48
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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