Indeed, this is probably as pure as the term "Afro-Cuban" ever gets; much of the music bears a distinctly traditional Cuban son feel (Buena Vista Social Club fans, step right up) with touches of African harmony in the vocals and in Papa Noel's gorgeous guitar picking. On tracks such as Oviedo's tres showcase "Limpia Mi Son," the two seem to be evoking the classic Cuban era of Arsenio Rodriguez and Benny More, while there's an undeniably African slant to some of Noel's tunes, especially "Molimo." Of course, as the altogether enchanting marriage of African and Cuban elements on Bana Congo makes clear, the question of just who influenced whom is entirely beside the point.