Louie Ramirez & Ray De La Paz - Exitos


Released 2002
Arr. Louie Ramirez/Isidro Infante/Marty Sheller

Cobo 9055
ASIN 0031890552

Available at Descarga & Prodland

1. Mentirosa (H. Calello)
2. Lluvia (A. Alvarez)
3. Vale La Pena (D.R.)
4. El Titere (L. Ramirez)
5. Vamonos De Aqui (L. Ramirez)
6. Ladron De Tu Amor (L.G. Gonzalez - E. Hidalgo)
7. Presumida (D.R.)
8. Simplemente Una Ilusion (Urdaneta)
9. Noche De Salsa (L. Ramirez)
10. El Arca De Noe (D.R.)
11. Todavia (A. Manzanero)
12. Quiereme Y Veras (J.A. Mendez)
13. Yo Soy Aquel (M. Alejandro)
14. El Secreto (J. Garcia)

Four songs (Mentirosa, El Titere, Ladron De Tu Amor, Noche De Salsa) made salsanewyork.com honor roll. Louie Ramirez recorded El Titere in at least two of his previous albums without Ray De La Paz.

These songs were compiled from four Louie Ramirez & Ray De La Paz albums and one other Louie Ramirez album in which Ray De La Paz sang vocals in one song (El Titere). Source albums are listed below along with selected musicians involved.

Mi Fruto (1983) - El Arca de Noe, El Secreto
Con Cache (1984) - Lluvia, Vamonos De Aqui, Quiereme Y Veras, You Soy Aquel
Alegres Y Romanticos (1985)- Mentirosa, Ladron De Tu Amor, Todavia
Sabor Con Clase (1986) - Vale La Pena, Presumida, Simplemente Una Ilusion
Tribute to Cal Tjader (1986) - El Titere, Noche De Salsa

Notable musicians include:
Isidro Infante / keyboards
Jose Mangual Jr. / percussion (Mi Fruto, Sabor Con Clase, Tribute to Cal Tjader)
Paquito D'Rivera / also sax (Tribute to Cal Tjader also released under his name)
Papo Pepin / conga (except Jose Madera in Mi Fruto)

Estrellas Caiman - Descarga Brava 2000


Released 2000

Alfredo Valdéz - Musical Director

Cobo 9045
ASIN : 600318904528

Available at Descarga & Prodland

1. El Verdadero Son (Javier Vazquez)
2. Mi Gallo (A. Valdes Jr)
3. Tumbao Caiman (Caiman Jam)
4. Renovando (Frank Perez)
5. Despierta Emilia (Juan Perez)
6. Cafe (Gates-Lopez-Palmieri)
7. Baila Como Yo (D.R.)
8. Soulsa (A. Valdes Jr)
9. El Cacahual (Chepin)
10. Bombonchara (D.R.)

Two songs (El Verdadero Son, Soulsa) made salsanewyork.com honor roll.

Musicians include:
Alfredo Valdez / Piano
Manny Oquendo / Timbales
Jose Mangual / Bongos
Andy Gonzalez / Bass
Manuel Valera / Saxophone
Jose Fajardo / Flute
Juan Pablo Torres / Trombone
Feliciano "Pachu" Gómez / Trumpet
Eddie Montalvo / Conga
Bobby Rodriguez / Flute/Saxophone
Eddy Zervignon / Flute
Pupi Legarreta / Violin
Tito Puento / Vibraphone
"Papaito" / Vocals
Jose Mangual, Jr. / Vocals
Jimmy Sabater / Vocals
Casanova / Vocals
Frankie Morales / Vocals
Ada Chabrier / Vocals
Milton Cardona / Vocals

Willie Rosario - Nuevos Horizontes


Released 1984

Bronco 128
ASIN 796921012825

Producer: Willie Rosario

Minimal of minimal liner information even by Bronco standard.

1. Lluvia (comp. Adalberto Alvarez, arr. Jose Madera)
2. Si Yo Tuviera Un Millon (comp. D.R., arr Erick Figueroa)
3. Chango Ta Beni (comp. Justo Barreto, arr. Rene Hernandez)
4. Babarabatiri (comp. Antar Daly, arr. Edwin Rodriguez)
5. Caramelito Del Campo (comp. John Ortiz, arr. Jose Lugo)
6. Obra Sellada (comp. Adalberto Alvarez, arr. Jose Madera)
7. El Plantao (comp. Henry Arana, arr. Ricky Rodriguez)
8. Laura (comp. D.R., arr. Ray Santos)

Willie Rosario's first album released by his own label Bronco. Three songs (Lluvia, Chango Ta Beni - also under Gilberto Santa Rosa, Babarabatiri) made salsanewyork.com honor roll. Babarabatiri (composed by Antar Daly or Antar Dali) is hot. Lluvia is cover of a Son 14 hit "Agua Que Cae Del Cielo" written by Adalberto Alvarez. Overall the best Willie Rosario album I have listened to thus far.

Available at Descarga & Prodland

Musicians include:
Ricky Rodriguez / Piano
Carlos Rondan / Bass
Jimmie Morales / Conga
Tito Echevarria / Bongo
Madamo Diaz / Percussion
Mario Ortiz / Trumpet
Marcelo Rosario / Trumpet
Luis Aquiño / Trumpet
Fernandito Marcano / Trumpet
Willie Rosario / Timbales
Beto Tirado / Baritono
Gilberto Santa Rosa / Lead Vocals, Chorus
Tony Vega / Lead Vocals, Chorus
Mario Viera / Chorus

Willie Rosario - Viva Rosario!


Recorded May 1990

Bronco 158
ASIN 796921015826

Producer: Wilie Rosario
Musical Advisors: Bobby Valentin & Mario Ortiz

Minimal liner information typical of Bronco.

1. Anuncio Clasificado (comp. Marivana; arr. Tommy Vilariny)
2. Canta Mundo (comp. Manuel Trocozo; arr. Jose Febles)
3. Universo De Pasion (comp. Drumont & Nena; arr. Ramon Sanchez)
4. No Se Por Que (comp. Aviles & Del Pino; arr. Jose Lugo)
5. Wave (comp. Antonio Carlos Jobim; arr. Jose Madera)
6. Ya No Lo Hago Mas (comp. J. Baez; arr. Jose Madera)
7. Esta Cosa Mia (comp. Alfreddy Bogado; arr. Jose Febles)
8. Falso Amor (comp. Richie Valdes; arr. Bobby Perez)
9. Duda (comp. Hansel Camacho; arr. Jose Madera)

Available at Descarga.

Two songs (Anuncio Clasificado, Falso Amor) made salsanewyork.com honor roll. Anuncio Clasificado (a.k.a. Damelo - a recurring line in the chorus) in particular should be instantly recognizable.

Musicians include:
Luis Quevedo / Piano solo and vibes
Jochi Rodriguez / Flugelhorn solo
Elias Lopes / Trumpet
Elliot Feijoo / Trumpet
Mario Ortiz / Trumpet
Guillermo Calderon / Trumpet
Pedrito Perez / Bass
Jimmie Morales / Conga
Victor "Flojito" / Rivera Bongo
Willie Rosario / Timbales
Beto Tirado / Baritone sax
Madamo Diaz / Percussion
Alex D'Castro / Chorus
Pichie Perez / Chorus
Bernie Perez / Primary Vocals, Chorus
Primi Cruz / Primary Vocals, Chorus
Mario Ortiz / Chorus

Willie Rosario - Afincando


Released 1985

Bronco 134
ASIN 796921013426

Willie Rosario's second album with Bobby Valentin's label, Bronco. Minimal liner information typical of Bronco.

Available at Descarga & Prodland

1. Botaron La Pelota (arr. Jose Madera)
2. Son Tus Cosas (arr. Humberto Ramirez)
3. Al Fin Te Fuiste (arr. Jose Madera)
4. Estoy En Ti (arr. Jose Lugo)
5. Magdalena (arr. Marcelo Rosario)
6. Vuelveme A Querer (arr. Jose Madera)
7. Enamorado A Lo Adivino (arr. Isidro Infante)
8. El Barquillero (arr. Bobby Valentin)

Two songs (Botaron La Pelota, Estoy En Ti) made salsanewyork.com honor roll.

Vocalists:
Gilberto Santa Rosa
Tony Vega

Willie Rosario - The Roaring Fifties




Released 1991

Producer - Willie Rosario
Executive Producer - Bobby Valentin

Bronco 162
ASIN 796921016229

1. Rubias De Nueva York (comp. Gardel & Lepera; arr. Jose Febles)
2. El Mujeriego (comp. Delia Arias; arr. Jose Lugo)
3. Preparen Candela (comp. J. Blez; arr. Bobby Valentin)
4. Salgo A Buscar Amor (comp. Luis Barrett; arr. Jose Febles)
5. Keeping Busy (comp. & arr. Jose Febles)
6. Amandote Y Soñandote (comp. Marivana; arr. Jose Pujals)
7. Tu Estas Fatal (comp. Wilfredo Vicente; arr. Jose Madera)
8. Los Salseros Se Van (comp. Paquitin Lara; arr. Jose Madera)
9. Llora Timbero (comp. A. Rodriguez; arr. Ricky Gonzalez)

Available at Descarga & Prodland

Nice relaxed and smooth-sounding record. One page liner note typical of Bronco Records.

Three songs (Rubias De Nueva York, Preparen Candela, Los Salseros Se Van) made salsanewyork.com honor roll.

Musicians:
Primi Cruz / Vocals
Bernie Perez / Vocals
Henry Santiago / Vocals
Carlos Vargas / Trumpet
Luis Gonzalez / Trumpet
Jose Pujals / Trumpet
Johnny Navarro / Trumpet
Sammy Velez / Baritone sax
Jose "Buba" Anaya / Piano
Raymond Ramirez / Bass
Pipo Garcia / Congas
Carlitos Soto / Bongo
Madamo Diaz / Percussion
Willie Rosario / Timbales

Tito Rodriguez - El Doctor De La Salsa


Recorded October 27, 1969
Produced by Tito Rodriguez
Arranged by Rene Hernandez & Hector De Leon

West Side Latino 4175
ASIN 739256417521

Available at Descarga & Prodland

1. Buenas Noches Che Che - Guaguanco 3:37
2. En El Balcon - Guaguanco 4:39
3. El Doctor Del Amor - Cha Cha Cha 2:33
4. Hay Craneo - Guaguanco 3:14
5. El Hueso De Maria - Guaguanco 3:05
6. El Vive Bien - Guaguanco 5:21
7. Esa Bomba - Guaracha 3:15
8. La Ley Del Guaguanco - Guaguanco 3:35
9. Lloro Timbero - Guaguanco 3:19
10. Preludio En Ritmo - Guaracha 2:46

I think it's a classic of classic. Minimal information on the liner notes written in Spanish.

Six of the songs (Buenas Noches Che Che, En El Balcon, Hay Craneo, El Hueso De Maria, Esa Bomba, La Ley Del Guaguanco) made salsanewyork.com honor roll.