The five young men of Los Zafiros (The Sapphires), formed in Cuba in 1962, had a brief but legendary career as doo-wop/pop stars due to their extraordinary soundâ the vocal virtuousity of doo-wop and r&b, blended with bolero, calypso, bossa nova and the rhythmic heritage of Cuba. It was a smash in Havana and beyond in the sixties, and it's a definate treat to listen to today. Particularly marvelous is the soaring, supremely-controlled falsetto of Ignacio Elejalde. Beginning with their first hit single, 'La Caminadora,' the group got into the archetypical rock star on tour craziness, fights, drinking, destroying hotel rooms, meeting the Beatles (who wanted them to stay), touring Moscow, Poland, Germany and Europeâ that led to the early deaths of all but one of the singers. What they left behind, judging by these 17 hits, is a legacy of great vocal harmony. The rhythmic gem 'Bossa Cubana,' the lovely 'Cancion de Orfeo,' the dance hit 'Y Sabes Bien,' 'La Caminadora,' the party tune 'Puchunguita, Ven,' Ignacio's falsetto on 'Mi Oracion,' the swinging 'Un Nombre de Mujer' and finishing with the slow dance tune 'Canta lo Sentimental.' All songs are accompanied, but the voices are the focus here, and they are exceptional. 'Bossa Cubana' is big, fat, salsa-flavored fun from 1960s Cuba!