Latin Dance Music Review

Johnny Pacheco – Early Rhythms

2009-11-16T13:34:00.000-08:00

alt. title: Mi Musica Es Para Ti

Recorded 1960
LP Released 1981 Coco
CD Reissued 2000 and 2002

Available at Amazon and others

Produced by Rene Hernandez

1. Nicolasa (Ernesto Brito Duarte) 3:22
2. El Bodeguero (Egues) 2:51
3. Cero Codazos (Rafael Lay) 2:29
4. Patricia (Damaso Perez Prado) 2:31
5. Mambo Inn (Mario Bauza) 2:33
6. Cha Cha Rene (R. Hernandez, Frey) 2:30
7. Clap Your Hands Cha Cha (R. Hernandez, Frey) 2:35
8. Cha Cha Castanetas (?) 3:01
9. Oyeme Mama (Rivero) 2:53
10. Mi Musica Es Para Ti (Rene Touzet) 3:00
11. Sambia (Rafael Hernandez) 2:56
12. Corazon De Melon (Riguel) 2:51

The songs in this album was recorded in 1960 but apparently were not released until 1981. The material in this album is very different from Charanga of 1960s Pacheco or Salsa of later Pacheco. The sound instead is closer to a less frenetic Damaso Perez Prado or Machito and His Afro-Cubans. Most songs are Cha Cha (at least in tempo) except Mambo Inn and Sambia – I think this may very well be the most danceable version of Sambia I have heard thus far.

Musicians

Johnny Pacheco / Percussion, Flute

and members of the Machito Orchestra including
Rene Hernandez / Piano

Charles Fox and His Charanga – Just For Fun

2009-11-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

Original Release 1963
GEMA

Re-issued 1997
Disco Hit

All songs composed by Charles Fox

Available at Descarga, Amazon

1. Just For Fun 3:14
2. Chiquita 3:08
3. Ballade 4:11
4. Contento Estoy 3:04
5. Matilda Y Maceo 2:14
6. No Me Dejes De Querer 3:27
7. Blue Pachanga 2:10
8. Viene Acabando 3:51
9. Tosca Pachanga 3:19
10. El Melao 2:58
11. Yo Estoy Confundido 2:46
12. Que Rica Pachanga 2:06

Charles Fox is best known as the composer of TV soundtracks including 1970s-1980s shows ranging from The Love Boat, Happy Days, and Laverne and Shirley. Charles Fox also has worked with likes of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto and Dizzy Gillespie. This Charanga/Pachanga album, however, is the only Latin album Charles Fox headlined with help from likes of Johnny Pacheco, Louie Ramirez and Bobby Rodriguez.

Dancers in the Salsa scene may recognize Blue Pachanga, likely in the form of extended remix made by DJ Duste and included in the 2 CD compilation Que Viva Salsa Dura under the title Blue Mambo. Viene Acabando may be familiar to some as well.

Musicians

Charles Fox / Piano
Johnny Pacheco / Flute
Bobby Rodriguez / Bass
Jimmy Loro / Timbales
Frank Malabe / Cona
Louie Ramirez / Guiro, Xylophone
Daniel Gonzalez / Violin
Lionel Cantizano / Violin
Jose Andrea / Violin
Carlos Piatinia / Violin
Henry DiCecco / Violin
Eliot Romero, Manny Roman, Rudy Calzado / Vocals

Oscar D'Leon - Coleccion De Oro (3 CDs)

2009-10-10T00:02:00.000-07:00

compilation 2004
Balboa

made in Mexico

out of print
available via Amazon

CD1
1. No Encuentro Palabra 3:26 (Antonio Castro)
2. El Panquelero 2:58 (Abelardo Barroso)
3. Sandunguera 4:40 (M. Guerra)
4. Ausencia 3:13 (Rafael Hernandez)
5. Que Cosa Tan Linda 4:19 (Oscar D'Leon)
6. Mi Negra Esta Cansa 4:29 (Grecia Domech)
7. Me Prendiste Velas 4:02 (Oscar D'Leon, V. Mendoza)
8. La Merenguita 2:57 (Efridania Mancebo)
9. Ya Es Tarde 2:55 (Cesar Fuentes)
10. Me Dejo 6:10 (Oscar D'Leon)

CD2
1. Obsesion 2:42 (Pedro Flores)
2. Yo Quisiera 5:50 (D.R.)
3. Sitiera 7:27 (Rafael Lopez Ortiz)
4. Ven Morena 5:07 (Ramon Paz)
5. Tu No Sabes Na’ 4:12 (Josefina Hernandez, Oscar D'Leon)
6. Por Tu Bien 3:54 (Oscar D'Leon)
7. Mira Que Eres Linda 2:11 (J. Brito)
8. La Mano 4:51 (Sandy Omar Gonzalez)
9. Retorno Vida Mia 3:50 (D.R.)
10. Bravo De Verdad 5:32 (Ricardo Ray)

CD3
1. Cuatro Palabras 2:30 (Federico Baena)
2. No Me Mires Mas 4:46 (Aurelio Machin)
3. El Cachumbambe 4:34 (Rosendo Ruiz Jr)
4. De Ti Enamorado 4:18 (Remberto E. Becker)
5. En El Tronco De Un Arbol 3:22 (Eusebio Delfin)
6. El Baile Del Suavecito 5:16 (D.R.)
7. Consigueme Eso 4:27 (Pedro N Perez)
8. Compasion 3:24 (D.R.)
9. Con Un Amor Se Borra Otro Amor 4:47 (Arsenio Rodriguez)
10. Tu Son 4:35 (D.R.)

Three songs in this compilation set made salsanewyork.com list (Me Dejo, La Mano, Tu Son). A friend of mine likes Me Prendiste De Velas.

According to my research, this compilation set covers Oscar D’Leon’s oeuvre between 1976 and 1981 mostly consisting of albums released by the Top Hits label. The exception is “Presenta La Critica con Wladimir Y Teo” released by the Color label. The source albums and selected songs included in this 3 CD compilation set are as follows.

Con Bajo Y Todo (1976) – Tu No Sabes Na, Por Tu Bien, Retorno Vida Mia, En El Tronco De Un Arbor, Compasion

Oscar D’Leon Y Su Salsa Mayor (1978) – Sandunguera, Ausencia, Que Cosa Tan Linda, Ven Morena, Mira Que Eres Linda, La Mano, Consigueme Eso

El Mas Grande (1979) – Me Dejo, Bravo De Verdad, El Baile Del Suavecito, Tu Son

Oscar D’Leon Y Su Orquesta (1979) – No Encuentro Palabra, Me Prendiste Velas, Obsesion, Yo Quisiera, Sitiera

Al Frende De Todos (1980) – El Panquelero, Mi Negra Esta Cansa, El Cachumbambe, De Ti Enamorado, Con Un Amor Se Borra Otro Amor

Presenta La Critica Con Wladimir Y Teo (1980) – La Merenguita, Ya Es Tarde

A Mi Si Me Gusta Asi (1981) – Cuatro Palabras, No Me Mires Mas

--

Oscar D'Leon discography

The list is incomplete, and any suggestions for completion or corrections are welcome.

with Dimension Latina (Top Hits label)

Dimension Latina – El Clan De Victor Y Dimension Latina 1972
Puerto La Cruz / Guaguanco A Puerto Rico / Alcatraz / Julia / Un Baile De Ambiente / Pensando En Ti / De Maracaibo A Puerto Rico / Mermelada / Mapeye

Dimension Latina – Dimension Latina 1972
La Comprita / Quiereme / El Gavilan / Tatalibaba / Sentimiento / La Loteria / Barranquilla Barranquilla / A Mi Tierra / Guaguanco A Puerto Rico / A Maracaibo / Simon / Zombie Yambory

Dimention Latina – Triunfadores 1973
Que Bailen To’s / El Mala Suerte / Cumbia Latina / Cienfuegos / Azucar Pa’ Un Amargao / Ya Tu Lo Veras / Maria Espejo / Ahi Na Ma / Madre / El Matancero / Good Morning Mr Walker / Mosaico Latino No. 1

En La Dimension Latina 1974
Vuelta Y Vuelta / Nadie Mas Que Tu / El Malo / El Gordito De Oro / La Indigestion / Madre Rumba / La Piragua / Todo De Mi / Cara De Guabina / Calypso En Steel Band / Combinacion Latina No. 2 / Ven / Chipi Chipi

Dimension Latina 75 1975
Mi Adorada / Lloraras / Paranpanpan / Te Conoci / Taboga / La Vela / Caridad / Apredene Conmigo / Todo Y Nada / Canonazo

Dimension Latina 76 (Salsa Brava) 1976
Dolor Cobarde / Sin Tu Carino / Irimo / Arroz Con Manteca / Moruno Latino / El Frutero / Josefa Matia / Si Tu Supieras / Dormir Contigo

Dimension Latina En Nueva York 1977
Don Casimiro / Divina Nina / Jose / Tiene Coimbre / Baho Kende / Mi Sufrimento / Dulce Cantar / Sin Ti / Juancito / Pensando

--

with La Critica (Color label)

Presenta La Critica 1978
A El / No Quiero Problemas / Se Me Fue / Petalos De Rosa / Monta Mi Caballo / Ya Se Peino Maria / El Tambien Me Ayudo / Esa Cinturita

La Critica de Oscar D’Leon 1979
Se Necesita Rumbero / No Llorare / Clemencia / Bomba Pa’ Rosa Y Jose / Latino Latino / Sonero / Besos Sin Compromiso / Cancion Para Ti

Presenta La Critica Con Wladimir Y Teo 1980
La Merenguita / Olvidame / El Indio Mohinguen / Lena / Tu Orgullo / Mi Loca Tentacion / Ya Es Tarde / Que Pena Me Da / Ensueno / Mi Bohio

Dos Colosos En Concierto 1981 (Live)
Taboga / Parampampan / Lloraras / Mi Negra Esta Cansa / Mata Siguaraya / El Cachumbambe

En Nueva Dimension 1985
Cuidate Bien / Traguito / Rumba Rumbero / Juntitos Tu Y Yo / Pregones De San Cristobal / Tamborilero / Tu Propones / Yo Sin Ti

--

Solo albums and other collaborations

Con Bajo Y Todo 1976
Porque Me Gusta / Tu No Sabes Na / Compasion / Sin Rencor / Hallaca / Por Tu Bien / Para Chango / En El Tronco De Un Arbor / Seria Capaz / Retorna Vida Mia

2 Sets Con Oscar 1977 (Live)
Porque Sera / Juramento / Huele A Quemao / Para Ti / Oyelo Lo Que Traigo / El Manicero / Mata Siguaraya / Mi Facultad / Ciego De Amor

El Oscar De La Salsa 1977
Sientate Ahi / El Baile Del Suavecito / Contestame / El Que Siembra Su Maiz / Juanita Morel / Capullito De Azucena / Longina / Por Tus Cuentos

Oscar D’Leon Y Su Salsa Mayor 1978
Que Cosa Tan Linda / Consentida / La Mano / Te Llamo / Dulce Desengano / De Frente Panama / Mira Que Eres Linda / Consigueme Eso / Sandunguera / Piensal Bien / Ven Morena / Ausencia / Reclamo Mistico / Maria / Chancunche No. 1 /

El Mas Grande 1979
Me Dejo / Bravo De Verdad / Chancunche No. 2 / Mi Bajo Y Yo / El Baile Del Suavecito / Niebla Del Riachuelo / Tu Son

Oscar D’Leon Y Su Orquesta (Llego Actuo Y Triunfo) 1979
Mis Hijos / Yo Quisiera / Obsesion / Na Merce / Me Prendiste Velas / Poco Tiempo Paso / Sitiera / No Encuentro Palabra

Al Frente De Todos 1980
De Ti Enamorado / Sincera Confesion / La Colora / Amor Sin Fe / El Panquelero / Y Mi Negra Esta Cansa / Con Un Amor Se Borra Otro Amor / El Cachumbambe / Cruel Indiferencia

A Mi Si Me Gusta Asi 1981
Se Solicita Un Novio / No Me Mires Mas / Bandida / Cuatro Palabras / Echando Pa’ Lante / Toma Mi Corazon / Solo Tengo Un Amor / Al Mirarte A Ti

El Discobolo 1982
Yo Quisiera Saber / Sublime Ilusion / El Angel De Mi Guarda / Enamorado / Oye Mima / Cuando Tu Me Quieras / El Derecho De Nacer

…Con Dulzura 1983
Calculadora / Desde Que Te Fuiste / Rico Melao / Mi Novia / Melao De Cana / Me Enamore De Ti / De Ti Depende

El Sabor De Oscar 1984
Te Quiero Tanto / Esa Mujer / Un Beso Tuyo / Zapato Viejo / Que Es El Amor / Defiendete Tu / Granada

Con Carino Oscar 1984
Hechicera / Tambo / Quedate Negra / Poco A Poco / Sobre Un Tema Triste / Mira Pa’ Ahi / Lo Mismo / Mi Delito

Yo Soy 1985
Yo Soy / Me Voy / Cuando Llegara / To Te Puedo Olvidar / Conchita Maria / Yo Me Vuelvo Loco / A Media Noche / Te Borrare De Mi Mente

Oscar ’86 1986
Nino Jesus De La Calle / La Tienes Tu / Pa’ Salinas / No La Dejare / Goloria Secre / Ojazos / Pobre Pedro / Yo La Vi

Riquiti 1987
Juntos Pa’ Goza / Riquiti / Ponte A Bailar / No Soy Digno De Ti / Sale A Buscar / Retozandito / En Decir Que Eres Linda / Todo Termino

La Salsa Soy Yo 1987
La Mulata Coqueta / Juana / Ardiente Deseo / Lucia / Ya La Perdi / Nostagia / Daniela / Los Tamalitos De Olga

De Aqui Pa’lla 1988
Que Se Sienta / Comuniquemonos / Esta Noche / Y Me Venciste / Como Un Volcan / Tiempo De Manana

Navidad 1989
content unknown

En Puerto Rico 1990
Para No Escapar De Ti / Lluvia De Besos / Liberate / Temo Decirselo Todo / Poco A Poco / Tan Sola Siempre Tu / Amante Amiga / Te Condeno Al Amor

Autentico 1991
Senorita / Esposa / Regalo De Dios / Detalles / Bonito Y Sabroso - Francisco Guayabal – Que Bueno Baila Usted / Condena

Y Los Blanco 1991
Que Muchacho / Maquinolandera / Caminito De Guarenas / Que Murmuren / Puchinguita / Perfume De Rosa / No Se Le Moja El Pelo / La Pollera Colora / Cuando Florescan Las Amapolas

El Rey De Los Soneros 1992
Que Lastima / Me Voy Pa’ Cali / Padre E Hijo / Mi Dueda De Amor / Carta / Soledad / Mi Error / Cristobal C

Toitico Tuyo 1994
Mentiras / Si Fueras Miz / Como Olvidarte / Toitico Tuyo / Matematica Sexual / Que Raro / Casa De Carton / De Ti Enamorado

El Sonero Del Mundo 1996
Cuando Ya No Me Quieras / Mirala Como Se Menea / Lastima Que Seas Ajena / Amor No Se Llama / Que Me Quiten Lo Baila’o / Traicionera / Tu Te Olvidas / Volver A Verte / Orinoco / Mi Gente

Live 1996??? (unsure about this one) (Live)
Mulata Coqueta / Contestame / Que Siembra Su Maiz / Juanita Morel / Sale E Buscar / Calculadora / Lloraras / Medley / Melao De Cana / Mata Siguaraya

En Nueva York 1997
Mujer De Arena / Ven Carino / Agua Que No Has De Beber / Soledad / Mirala Que Chevere / Hazme El Amor / Todo Tiempo Pasado Fue Mejor / Mis Deseos / Echalos Pa’ Lla / Quisiera

La Formula Original 1999
Mi Mujer Es Una Bomba / Michelle / Deja Que Te Quiera / Monta Al Pelo / El Pregonero / Prestame Tu Piel / Mi Viejo / Esperando Por Ella / Y Ni Cuenta Te Das / No Hay Mujer Mala

El Vivo Copacabana 2000 (Live)
CD1 Lloraras / Bravo De Verdad / Me Voy Pa’ Cali / Mi Negra Esta Cansa / Sandunguera / Monta Mi Caballo / Juanita Morell / Calculadora / Mis Hijos / Detalles / El Manicero / Sun Sun Babae
CD2 Hechicera / Beni More Medley / El Son De Alberto / La Media Vuelta / Sientate Ahi / Ven Morena / Melao De Cana / Mi Bajo Y Yo / Taboga / Tatalibaba / Irimo

Doble Play Oscar & Wladimir 2000
Clima De Amor / Anabacoa / Prohibida / Quisera Ser / Madrigal / Fin De Semana / Chan Chan / Comprende Nena / Tuya Y Mia / Mosaico

Mas Que Amor … Frenesi 2001
Frenesi / Toda Una Vida / Burbujas De Amor / Si Tu Me Dices Ven / Sobre Todas / Las Miserias / Reconciliacion / Cuando Estemos Viejos / Tu Alma Golondrina / Anhelante / Un Mundo Diferente / Peleas

Infinito 2002
Como Olvidarte / La Mazucamba / Por Que Sera / Senora / Cualquiera / Amor Verdadero / Ya Lo Veras / Tormenta De Amor / Como Olvidarte / Bailando Con Ella

Asi Soy 2004
No Ha Nacido / El Regalo / Punto Final / Se Acabo El Amor / Adivinanza / Vive Tu Vida / No Volvere / Volando / No Ha Nacido Otra Como Tu / Lo Tuyo Es Mentira / Enamoradito / Cantares De Navidad

Fuzionando 2006
Llamame / Corazon Gitano / La Canto / Me Fallaste / Hablando Solo / Usted Senor / Mi Raza Negra / Guede Zaina / La Negra Margot / Mirala

Tranquillamente… Tranquilo 2008
In Frio Ni Calor / Hasta Que Vuelvas / Tienes Uno Tengo Otra / El Papelito / Tranquillamente Tranquilo / Esta Ausencia / Quiereme / To Me Siento Como En Casa / La Cocaleca

--

check below for more information.
http://venciclopedia.com/index.php?title=Oscar_D%27Le%C3%B3n

Oscar D'Leon - 32 Mas Grandes de Oscar D'Leon

2009-10-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

compilation 2004
Lideres

out of print

available via Amazon

CD1
1. Lloraras (Live) 3:36 (Oscar D'Leon)
2. Que Me Quiten Lo Baila’o 4:40 (Mari Lauret, Donato Proveda)
3. Mentiras 4:42 (Elizabeth "mimi" Ibarra)
4. El Pregonero 4:09 (Osnel Odit Bavastro)
5. Agua Que No Has De Beber 5:17 (Alejandro Jaen)
6. Amor No Se Llama 4:47 (Emilio Padron)
7. Mi Mujer Es Una Bomba 3:57 (Moises "Yumuri" Valle)
8. Que Pena 4:49 (Oscar D'Leon, Elba Ramalho)
9. Cuando Ya No Me Quieras 5:52 (Jose Diaz de Castilla)
10. Toitico Tuyo 4:34 (Luis Kalaff)
11. Padre E Hijo 3:57 (Victor Mendoza)
12. Hazme El Amor 4:51 (Oscar D'Leon, Las Diego)
13. Mirala Como Se Menea 4:34 (Fabre Candido)
14. Lady Madona 4:47 (J Lennon, P McCartney)
15. Hechicera (Live) 5:40 (Florentino Perdomo)
16. Llego El Sabor 5:59 (Domingo Quinones)

CD2
1. Me Voy Pa’ Cali 3:51 (Gabriel Romero)
2. Hay Que Trabajar 4:55 (Angel Santiago)
3. Casas De Carton 3:37 (Ali Primera)
4. Mujer De Arena 3:57 (Ricardo Vizuette)
5. De Ti Enamorado 3:36 (Roberto Becker)
6. El Son De Celia Y Oscar 6:55 (Luis Mario Peral, Celedonia Garcia)
7. Mirala Que Chevere 4:10 (Raul Gomez)
8. Que Lastima 3:55 (Oscar D'Leon)
9. Matematica Sexual 4:28 (Jose A Pena)
10. Lastima Que Seas Ajena 4:59 (Jose Massias)
11. Traicionera 4:39 (Jose Nestor Lazo)
12. Orinoco 5:05 (Rafael Rodriguez)
13. Soy Loco Por Ti America 4:34 (Jose Carlos Capinan, Gilberto Gil)
14. Mis Deseos 4:21 (Angel Santiago)
15. Mi Gente 4:35 (Wilfredo Jose Chirino)
16. Tu Te Olvidas 4:58 (Roberto Lozano)

Two songs (Mentiras, Mi Gente) made salsanewyork.com list. People in my old hangout liked Mi Mujer Es Una Bomba and Me Voy Pa’ Cali as well.

According to my research, this 2 CD compilation covers Oscar D’Leon material from 1991 to 2000 including 6 Oscar D’Leon albums, 1 Oscar D’Leon single, 2 various artists compilation and a Tito Puente album. The source material is mostly albums released by the RMM label (the sole exception is En Nueva York released by Top Hits label) and is listed below.

source albums:

El Rey De Los Soneros 1992 - Padre E Hijo, Me Voy Pa’ Cali, Que Lastima

Toitico Tuyo 1994 - Mentiras, Toitico Tuyo, Casas De Carton, De Ti Enamorado, Matematica Sexual

Salsa Brasilera ’94 1994 (single) – Que Pena, Soy Loco Por Ti America

El Sonero Del Mundo 1996 - Que Me Quiten Lo Baila’o, Cuando Ya No Me Quieras, Agua Que No Has De Beber, Mirala Como Se Menea, Amor No Se Llama, Lastima Que Seas Ajena, Traicionera, Orinoco, Mi Gente, Tu Te Olvidas - the entire album is included in this compilation!

En Nueva York 1997 - Hazme El Amor (with La India), Mujer De Arena. Mirala Que Chevere, Mis Deseos

La Formula Original 1999 - El Pregonero, Mi Mujer Es Una Bomba

En Vivo Copacabana 2000 (Live) – Lloraras, Hechicera

Tito Puente album:

Tito Puente - Mambo King: His 100th LP 1991 - Hay Que Trabajar

Various Artists original albums:

RMM Tropical Tribute to the Beatles 1996 - Lady Madonna

Combinacion Perfecta 1996 - Llego El Sabor (with Jose Alberto “El Canario”), El Son De Celia Y Oscar (with Celia Cruz)

Fruko Y Sus Tesos - La Verdadera Historia De ...

2009-10-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

compilation released 2005
Lideres / Discos Fuentes

out of print
Available at Amazon

there are plenty of other options for compilation CDs available at many sources

1. El Preso 4:58 (Alvaro Velasquez)
2. El Ausente 4:03 (Isaac Villanueva)
3. Mi Libertad 4:29 (Saulo Sanchez)
4. La Fruta Bomba 4:02 (Alvaro Cordoba Farfan)
5. El Swing De Fruko 4:23 (Julio Ernesto Estrada)
6. Cachondea 4:55 (Jose Feliciano)
7. Tania 3:43 (Alvaro Jose Arroyo)
8. Cita A Las Seis 3:16 (Jimmy Sabater)
9. La Cara Del Payao 3:16 (Nelson Gonzalez)
10. Tu Sufriras 4:06 (Wilson Manyoman, Julio Estrada)
11. Camina Y Prende El Fogon 3:10 (Benigno Echmendia)
12. A La Memoria Del Muerte 4:20 (Gilberto Mendez)
13. Corazon Vacante 3:01 (Mike Char)
14. Si Te Contara 3:50 (Felix Reyna)

Fruko (Julio Ernesto Estrada) is one of the best known Colombian Salsa artist and multi-instrumentalist. The legendary Colombian label Discos Fuentes can be said to have been built by Fruko. Despite this or because of this, Fruko's oeuvre suffers from lack of reissues of essentially all of his albums - I think it is likely that none of original Fruko LPs have been reissued in CD.

Discos Fuentes does release compilation of Fruko songs quite frequently - mostly with minimal information and some erroneous. For example, this compilation CD has wrong track length and wrong lead vocalists for the track 4 La Fruta Bomba - sung by Saoko not Piper Diaz to the best of my knowledge.

The best known lead vocalists for Fruko's band are Wilson "Saoko" Manyoman, Piper "Pimienta" Diaz, and Joe Arryo. These three vocalists are on the cover of some albums without Fruko in some compilation album covers; Saoko is the one with his hair covered, Pimienta is the thin gangly one, and Joe Arroyo is the youthful looking one.

Two songs from this compilation CD are listed on salsanewyork.com list (El Preso and El Swing De Fruko). The version of El Preso in this CD is from the 1970s. There is a longer updated version of El Preso in the 2000 album, Power Salsa. The source albums for the songs in this compilation CD are listed below.

A La Memoria Del Muerto (1972 - track 12)
Fruko El Bueno (1972 - track 9)
Ayunando (1973 - tracks 2,10)
El Caminante (1974 - track 7)
El Grande (1975 - track 1)
El Barbaro (1976 - track 13)
Pachangas (1994 - track 8)
Sones Y Montunos (1994 - track 11)
Guarachas Guajiras Boleros (1994 - track 14)
Esto Si Es Salsa De Verdad (1998 - track 3)
Power Salsa (2000 - tracks 4,5,6)

Wilson "Saoko" Manyoma / Lead Vocals (1,3,4,10,13)
Joe Arroyo / Lead Vocals (2,7,9)
Piper "Pimienta" Diaz / Lead Vocals (12)
Gabino Pampini / Lead Vocals (5)
Daniel Silva / Lead Vocals (6)
Johnny More / Lead Vocals (8)
Chucho Nuncira / Lead Vocals (11,14)

--

Below is Fruko discography with album artist, album title and song titles to the best of my knowledge. Compilation albums are not included. No doubt there are some errors, which I hope to correct over time.

Fruko Discography:

Fruko Y Sus Tesos – Tesura 1970
El Vidriero / Botando Corriente / Tesura / El Brujo Y La Bruja / No Estas En Nada / Improvisando / La Esencia Del Guaguaco / Materilerilero / Oriza

Furko Y Sus Tesos – A La Memoria Del Muerto 1972
A La Memoria Del Muerto / Mi Verdadero Son / Payaso / Los Niches / La Fruta Bomba / A Bailar Oriza / Descarga Fruko / Bomba Africana / Bajo Kende / Rumbo A La Ciudad

Fruko El Bueno 1972
Ahora Vengo Yo / La Cara Del Payaso / Fruko A Lo Compadre / Cachumbembe / Julia / Fruko Que Banda Tiene Usted / El Muerto Vivo / Maria La O / La Lluvia / Mana Mana

Fruko – La Fruta Bomba 1973
El Bachiller / Canto A Panama / Tijuanaco / Pa Los Bomberos / Pa Borinquen / Murga Bacana / Pa La Rumba

Fruko – La Fruta Bomba ??unreliable??
La Fruta Bomba / Canto A Panama / Tihuanaco / Pa Los Bomberos / Descarga Fruko / Pa Borinquen / Pa La Rumba / A La Memoria Del Muerto

Fruko El Bueno – Ayunando 1973
Fruko Power / Ayunando / Tu Sufriras / Yo Soy El Punto Cubano / Lamento Del Campesino / Mosaico Santero / El Ausente / Canto A Borinquen / Pa Teso Yo

Fruko Y Sus Tesos – El Violento 1973
Tronco Seco / El Violento / Nadando / La Nueva Bamba / Tu Solo Tu / Salsa Na Ma / Alma Navidena / Lamento Cubano / Mosaico Navideno

Fruko El Bueno – El Caminante 1974
Quiero De Nuevo Empezar / Te Estoy Llorando / Rumbero Soy / El Arbor / Cantando Mi Son Me Muero / Tania / Vamos A Goza / El Caminante / Soy Guajiro Del Monte

Fruko – El Grande 1975
Manyoma / Si Yo Encontara Un Amor / Flores Silvestres / Los Charcos / Amada Ven / La Vi Partir ? / El Preso / Confundido / Mosaico / Pajarillo / Entre Marido Y Mujer / No Me Dejan Quererte / Negra Del Campo

Fruko – El Barbaro 1976
El Negro Chombo / Corazon Vacante / Borrasca / Lontananza / Recordando / El Cansao / Tocando Madera / El Pescador / Carino / Bamboleo En El Mar / Pobre Naci / El Son Si Se Fue De Cuba

Fruko – El Patillero 1977
Mi Rio Cali / El Amor / El Patillero / Los Patulekos / Que Bonito Seria / Cuba Y Mi Son / Luz En La Inmenidad / Sabre Olvidarte / Un Cambio De Parecer / Madre Querida

Fruko El Patuleko – Exclusivo Panama 1977
Los Patulekos / Mi Rio Cali / Canta Mi Corazon / Que Bonito Seria / El Amor / Distancia ???

Fruko – El Cocinero Mayor 1978
Palenque / Celosa / Se Que Tu Eres / El Cocinero Mayor / El Arbor Que Me Daba Sombra / La Borincana / Limena / El Cachetero / El Hijo De Atocha / Con Ella Me Voy

Fruko – El Teso 1979
Catalina Del Mar / Zafra y Molienda / El Glorioso / Yo Pongo La Plata / Guanto Te Amo / Amores Y Sentimiento / Salsa Brava / Boquita Perfumado / Mexico Picante / Pueblo Sufrido / Como Cumbiambero QueSoy / Buena Suerte

Fruko – El Espectacular 1980
Tu Fotografia / El Gamincito / Descarga Espectacular / Donde Estas / El Son Del Carangano / Na Ma Pa Quererte / Fuiste Mi Amor / Juan No Seas Malo / Que Lindas Son Las Calenas / De Tu Manantial / Domilanchan

Fruko Y Sus Tesos – El Mejor 1981
Las Flores / El Verdulero / La Muerte De Dos Hermanos / Te Quiero Mas / Vengo Por Ti / Serenata Latina / Cada Dia Te Quiero Mas / Mi Ranchito / El Son Del Tren / Mi Pensamiento

Fruko Y Sus Tesos – El Genio 1982
Impaciente / Llueve Que Llueve / Que Te Paso / Mosaico Santero / Que Pasa Que Pasa / La Rutina / Anita Tun Tun / El Prendedor / Mendigo De Amor

Fruko – El Salsero Mayor 1983
Amigo / Condenado A Muerto / Ritmo Cubano / Todos Bailan Salsa / A Bailar La Cumbia / La Noche Y Tu / Naciste Para Mi / Mi Sueno / El Limbo / El Bananero / El Que Da Lo Que Tiene / Felix Cumbe / No Estaba Aqui / Soy Tu Dueno

Fruko – El Magnifico 1985
El Coche / Sin Tu Carino No Hay Na / La Balanza / El Polizon / Gotitas Cristalinas / Son Sabroson / Sufrimiento / No Depender / Mi Preferida / Dejala Bailar

Fruko Y Sus Tesos – Contento 1987
Charanga Campesina / Ya Estoy Aqui / A Orilla De La Playa / Secreto De Mi Corazon / Mosaico 100 Anos Del Bolero / Juancho Y Manuela / Rumbiando En Cali / Contento / Tradicion / Como Suenan Los Cueros / La Hoja De Tabaco

Fruko Y Sus Tesos – El Padrino De La Salsa 1989
Marina Marinera / Sed Ansiedad Y Hambre / La Carcel Es Para Los Pobres / De Corazon A Corazon / La Cenicienta / No Tiene Billete / Tenguere Que Tengue / San Antonio / Amor Bajo El Sol / Tu Gozaras

Salsa Y Salsa 1990
Barranquillero Arrebatao / La Vi Partir

Fruko Y Sus Tesos – Mambos 1993
Lupita / Mambo No 5 / Mambo Del Politecnico / Caballo Negro / Bonito Y Sabroso / Que Rico El Mambo / Mambo No 8 / Mambo Del Mercado La Merced / Babarabatiri

Fruko Y Orquesta – Pachangas 1994
La Cosecha De Mujeres / Bilongo (La Negra Tomasa) / Cita A Las Seis / The Don Jose Pachanga / Pachanga Medley / Pa Chismoso Tu / La Pachanga / La Pachanga Se Baila Asi / Chachacha Con Pachanga / La Pachanga Del Futbol

Fruko Y Orquesta – Sones Y Montunos 1994
Son De La Loma / El Que Siembra Su Maiz / Oye Como Va (Aprieta) / Para Que Aprendan / No Dejes Camino Por Vereda / Aprende A Querer / Echale Salsita / Camina Y Prende El Fogon / Suavecito / El Montuno De Hoy / Burubu Barara

Fruko Y Orquesta – Guarachas Guajiras Boleros 1994
La Cocaleca / Si Te Contara / El Amor De Mi Bohio / Pobre Gaviota / Me Voy Pal Pueblo / Lagrimas Negras / Guantenamera / Sun Sun Babae / Guarachona / El Ultimo Suspiro

Navidades Con Fruko Y Sus Tesos 1996
Mosaico Navideno / Si Yo Encontrara Un Amor / Tu Sufriras / Soy Guajiro Del Monte / Corazon Vacante / Lontananza / Bamboleo En El Mar / Bomba El Navidad / Flores Silvestres / Confundido / Alma Navidena / El Hijo De Atocha / El Amor / Tronco Seco

Fruko Y Sus Tesos - Esto Si Es Salsa De Verdad 1998
Mi Libertad / Negro Candela / El Negro Lucumi / El Nuevo Caiman / Ya Llego / Cuida Tu Mujer / Soy Como Yo / Igualita Que Tu / Caminando / Cuanto Tiempo Paso / Nuestro Pan De Cada Dia / El Parcero

Fruko Y Sus Tesos - Power Salsa 2000
Cachondea / Cali De Rumba / Se Me Olvido Otra Vez / El Presidiario / El Swing De Fruko / Hipocresia / Llego La Charanga / Naci En La Barriada / La Fruta Bomba / Barranquilla Barranquilla / El Mambo Es Universal / Chamarra Rota / El Preso

Fruko Y Sus Tesos - Wild Salsa Tropical Party 2002
Tabaco Y Ron / La Piragua / La Mucura / La Burrta / La Gota Fria / Los Caminos De La Vida / Mi Cafetal / La Pollera Colora / El Emigrante Latino / El Aguardientero / La Casa En El Aire / El Pescador De Baru / Se Me Perdio La Cadenita / Se Va El Caiman / El Africano / Llamarada

Fruko Y Sus Tesos - Viva La Rumba Con Salsa 2003
Pura Candela / Gringo Rumbero Pachanguero / Arinanara / Salsero Mayor / Pachanga Con La Playa / Ave Maria Que Rumbon / Para Que No Te Vayas / Rumba Brava / Pa Goza Con Fruko / Nostalgia / Fruko’s Boogaloo / Mi Viejo / Mama Vieja

Fruko Y Sus Tesos - La Maquina Del Sabor 2004
La Maquina Del Sabor / A Bailar Bembe / Cabeza De Hacha / Nataly / Con Todo / Confio En El Senor / Caribe Soy / Sale El Boogaloo / El Que Sabe Sabe / Comienza La Fiesta / Las Maracas / No Me Amenaces

Alfredo De La Fe & Fruko – La Llave De Oro

2009-09-21T17:37:00.001-07:00

Released 2005
Colibri Records

Alfredo De La Fe & Julio Estrada (Fruko)
Executive Producer & Musical Director

Available at Descarga

1. Somos Los Reyes De Mundo 5:22 (Alfredo De La Fe)
2. Julio El Gitano 4:51 (Rafael Barros)
3. Anhelos 3:55 (Alfredo Gutierrez)
4. Ritmo Sabroso 4:41 (D. R.)
5. Kukucha Ku Cha 4:31 (Raul Alonso)
6. No Soy De Aqui 4:35 (Facundo Cabrales)
7. Nostalgia De Mi Tierra 6:20 (Pedro Carrasquillo)
8. Soy 5:17 (Willy Chirino)
9. Manana 4:38 (Marin Medina)
10. Sibanicu 3:34 (D. R.)
11. La Botija De Abuelito 5:29 (Jose Fajardo)
12. El De Los Ojos Negros 5:12 (D. R.)

This is a collaboration between Colombian Salsa legend Fruko and renowned Cuban violinist Alfredo De La Fe. Sibanicu made salsanewyork.com list. Ritmo Sabroso is fun.

Musicians:

Alfredo De La Fe / Violin, Cello
Pablo Grajales / Piano
Giovany Montoya / Bass
Vladimir Hurtado / Trombone
Leon Giraldo / Flute
Jaime Gale / Timbales, Conga, Campana, Guiro, Bongos
Carlos Andres Caballero / Tiple, Guitar
Alcidez Diaz / Accordion
Ricardo Arango, Tomas Rocha, Sandra Monsalve, Alvaro Parra, Julio Lozano / Chorus
Ricardo Arango / Vocals
Sandra Monsalve / Vocals
Tomas Rocha / Vocals
Linda Estrada / Vocals
Carlos Mario Aguirre / Vocals
Oscar D’Leon / Vocals (3)
Jose Alberto “El Canario” / Vocals (2,8)

Raphy Leavitt & Orquesta La Selecta – Somos El Son

2009-09-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

Released 1986
Bronco

Produced by Raphy Leavitt

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Primera Vez 4:33 (Raphy Leavitt)
2. El Que No Abona 3:37 (Pedro Ortiz Pica)
3. De Prisa 4:58 (Raphy Leavitt)
4. Chiquilla 5:44 (Luis Marrero Gonzalez)
5. Somos El Son 4:57 (Victor Rodriguez Amaro)
6. La Cuica 4:46 (Peter Velazquez)
7. Luna De La Noche 4:22 (Peter Velazquez)
8. La Patita De Conejo 4:37 (Peter Velazquez)

Arrangements by Isidro Infante (1,4,5,8), Julio “Gunda” Merced (2), Javier Fernandez (3,6,7).

This is the thirteenth studio album by the veteran Puerto Rican band La Selecta formed in 1971 and led by Raphy Leavitt. Raphy Leavitt had 9 studio albums with Borinquen label and 3 albums with TH label before this album, his first of two with Bronco label. Two songs (Chiquilla, Somos El Son) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Raphy Leavitt / Director, Piano
Armando Lopez / Trumpet
Osvaldo Morel / Trumpet
Luis A Caballero / Trombone
Melvin Rios / Trombone
Edwin Rosario / Bass
Pedro Gonzalez / Timbales
Raul Santiago / Conga
Luis Tirado / Bongos
Giovanni Lugo / Percussion, Chorus
Hector Luis “Pichi” Perez, Mario Cora, Edgard Nevarez, Giovanni Lugo, Sammy Marrero / Chorus
Sammy Marrero / Lead Vocals
Carlitos Ramirez / Lead Vocals

--

Raphy Leavitt discography

with Borinquen label:
Payaso (1971)
Mi Barrio (1972)
Jibaro Soy (1973)
Herido (1974)
A Recorded Inferno (1975)
De Frente A La Vida (1976)
Con Sabor A Tierra Adentro (1977)
Cosquillita (1978)
Soledad (1979)

with TH label:
Raphy Leavitt La Selecta (1981)
Sembrando Semillas En El Alma Del Pueblo (1982)
Siempre Alegre (1983)

with Bronco label:
Somos El Son (1986)
Orquesta La Selecta (1988)

with RL label:
Provocame (1990)

with Frama label:
20 Anos Despues (1992)

with VI lable
30 Aniversario Live (2003)

Erick – Aquel Cantor

2009-09-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

Released 1995
Vedisco

Produced by Naty Martinez

Out of print but available through some Amazon sellers and Descarga

1. Aquel Cantor 5:13 (Oswaldo Delgado)
2. Arriba 3:38 (Julio Gutierrez)
3. Dame Ese Placer 4:15 (Hector “Goyito” Rodriguez)
4. Tu Recuerdo 5:27 (Hugo Beiza, Jorge Pedreros)
5. Quiero Olvidarte Y No Puedo 5:23 (Natividad Martinez)
6. Te Pido Perdon 5:28 (Corrado Cammisuli)
7. Dile 4:15 (Edgar Alexander)
8. La Guitarra 4:15 (Edgar Alexander)

Arrangements by Naty Martinez (1,2,4,5,7,8), Carrado Cammiuli (6), Hector “Goyito” Rodriguez (3).

This is a solid album by one of the better known Salsa Romantica singers Erick. Three songs (Aquel Cantor, Dame Ese Placer, La Guitarra) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians include:
Ely Mendez / Second Vocals (1)
Jerika / Chorus (8)
Ruben Rebolledo / (8)

Eddie Torres and His Mambo Kings Orchestra – Dance City

2009-09-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

Released 1994
Exclusivo Records

Produced by Oscar Hernandez

Available at Descarga

1. Arinanara 3:36 (Chano Pozo)
2. Remember Me 4:28 (Stan Applebaum)
3. Pa’ Gozar 5:21 (Oscar Hernandez)
4. Caravan 3:23 (D. Ellington, I. Mills, J. Tizol)
5. Eres Mi Coco 4:10 (Guito Gonzalez)
6. Dance City 3:21 (Oscar Hernandez)
7. Llevatela 4:38 (Armando Manzanero)
8. Tu Me Estas Volviendo Loco 6:21 (Rafael Perez Botija)
9. Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso 5:04 (Eddie Palmieri)
10. To Be With You 4:40 (Nick Jimenez & Willie Torres)
11. Mulato Rumbero 4:22 (A. Rodriguez)
12. Hot & Heavy 4:47 (Sonny Bravo)

Arrangements by Oscar Hernandez (1,2,3,5,6,8,10,11), Joe Mannozzi (4,9), Paquito Pastor (7), Sonny Bravo (12).

This album was commissioned by well-known NYC Salsa dancer Eddie Torres. Six songs (Arinanara, Caravan, Llevatela, Tu Me Estas Volviendo, Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso, Mulato Rumbero) made salsanewyork.com Salsa list and one song (Pa' Gozar) made the list as Cha Cha.

Musicians:

Oscar Hernandez / Piano, Musical Director
Mitch Frohman / Sax, Flute, Musical Director
Johnny Torres / Bass
Tony Barrero / Lead Trumpet (solo “Caravan” & “Dance City)
Jose “Ite” Jerez / Trumpet (solo “Hot & Heavy”)
Luis Lopez / Trombone
Pablo Calogero / Baritone Sax (solo “Hot & Heavy”)
Roger Rosenberg / Baritone Sax
Jimmy Delgado / Timbales
George Delgado / Conga
Johnny Rodriguez / Bongos, Guiro
Marc Quinones / Maracas, Guiro
Adalberto Santiago, Nestor Sanchez, Tito Allen, Eddie Ganz, Deborah Resto, Claudette Sierra / Chorus
Bobby Porcelli / Alto Sax solo “To Be With You”
Jimmy Sabater / Lead Vocals (1,7,10,11)
Sammy Gonzalez / Lead Vocals (2,9)
Luis Rosa / Lead Vocals (5)
Ray Rico / Lead Vocals (8)

Jose Alberto “El Canario” - Back To The Mambo: Tribute To Machito

2009-09-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

Released 1997
RMM

Produced by Isidro Infante

Out of print but available through some Amazon sellers

1. Tributo Al Bravo 4:43 (William Liriano, Isidro Infante)
2. El As De La Rumba 4:46 (Silvestre Mendez)
3. La Feria De Las Flores 4:35 (Jese “Chucho” Monge)
4. La Paella 5:05 (Frank “Machito” Grillo)
5. Como Quiera 4:11 (R. Marks, Ralph Lew)
6. La Rumbantela 4:52 (Frank “Machito” Grillo)
7. Oye La Banda 4:50 (Justi Barretto)
8. Que Bonito Es Puerto Rico 4:18 (Justi Barretto)
9. Soy Salsero 4:26 (Frank “Machito” Grillo)
10. Sarabanda 4:08 (Justi Barretto)

Arrangements by Isidro Infante (1,4,7), Nelson Hernandez (2,5,10), Ricky Gonzalez (3), Ramon Sanchez (6), Tommy Villariny (8), Cuto Soto (9).

Many old Machito favorites get new arrangements in this hit Jose Alberto album. Six songs (El As De La Rumba, La Paella, Como Quiera, Oye La Banda, Que Bonito Es Puerto Rico, Sarabanda) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Isidro Infante / Piano, Keyboards, Musical Director
Jose Tabares / Bass
Eric Velez / Conga
Pablo “Chino” Nunez / Timbales
Ray Colon / Bongo, Guiro, Maracas
David “Piro” Rodriguez / Trumpet
Pablo Santaella / Trombone
Noah Bless / Trombone
Nelson Hernandez / Baritone & Alto Sax
Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Jerry Medina, Darvel Garcia / Chorus
Nadeen Gautier / Female Vocals
Jose Alberto “El Canario” / Lead Vocals
Tito Puente / Guest Artist (presumably Timbales)
Dave Valentin / Guest Artist (presumably Flute)

Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers – The Hideout

2009-09-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

Released 2004
Milestone

Produced by Todd Barkan

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. The Hideout 5:14 (Henry Brown)
2. El Abaniquito 4:51 (Jose Curbelo, Bobby Escoto)
3. Born To Groove 4:39 (Plata, Plata, Stubblefield)
4. Guajeo En Dominante 4:42 (Bebo Valdes)
5. Ruby 4:38 (Roemheld, Parish)
6. Superstition 6:14 (Stevie Wonder)
7. Para Mongo 4:40 (Harvie S)
8. Good News 4:30 (Harvie S)
9. Quiet Village 4:18 (Les Baxter)
10. Facil 4:25 (Harvie S)

Usual mix of Latin, Funk and Jazz typical of Pucho. El Abaniquito is quite good for Salsa/Mambo dancing.

Musicians:

Henry “Pucho” Brown / Timbales, Leader
Eddie Pazant / Alto Sax
Lewis Kahn / Violin, Trombone
Ric Faulkner / Trombone
Al Pazant / Trumpet
Richard Lee Wendell / Trumpet
Gerald Brazel / Trumpet

Johnny Griggs / Conga, Percussion
Santos Rivera / Bongos, Percussion
John “Madhatter” Spruill / Piano, Organ
Danny Mixon / Piano (1)
Willie “Yambo” Bivens / Vibraphone (9)
Marvin Horne / Guitar (3,6)
Tehrin Cole / Bass (1,3,5,6,9)
David Herscher / Bass (2,4)
Harvie S / Bass (7,8,10)
Tyrone Govan / Drums (1,3,6)
Chico Alvarez / Vocals (2,7), Percussion
Deborah Resto / Vocals (2)
Dwayne Fitagerald / Vocals (3)
Joe Locke / Vibraphone, Marimba (1,4,5,6,7,9)
David Ellis / Tenor Sax (2-7)

Sonora Carruseles – Espectacular

2009-09-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

Released 1996
Discos Fuentes

Re-issued 1999
Discos Fuentes Miami Records

Available at Amazon, Descarga, others

1. Adios Compay Gato 4:00 (Nico Saquito)
2. Caliventura 4:01 (Javier Garcia, Julio Estrada)
3. Acuyeye 5:10 (Johnny Pacheco)
4. Chela 3:38 (Hernan Builes)
5. El Brujo De Arjona 3:46 (Guillermo Buitrago)
6. Carruseles 3;46 (Dario Gil)
7. Oye Mi Conga 4:25 (Miguel Matamoros)
8. Copas Y Amigos 4:11 (Espinel)
9. Los Cocacolos 4:04 (Roberto De La Barrera)
10. Mi Pregon 4:02 (Dario Gil)
11. Cumbia De Mi Tierra 3:59 (Delfo Ballestas)
12. Vitamina 3:47 (Noro Morales Isquiano)

This is one of the earliest album by Sonora Carruseles, a very popular Colombian Salsa band formed in 1995 by Diego Gale and Mario Rincon. Vitamina made salsanewyork.com list.

Cesar Batalla / Lead Vocals (1,3,6,7)
Delfo Ballestas / Lead Vocals (5,8,11)
Marinho Paz / Lead Vocals (10,12)

Sonora Carruseles – Heavy Salsa

2009-09-20T18:25:00.001-07:00

Released 1998
Discos Fuentes

Re-issued 1999
Discos Fuentes Miami Records

Available at Amazon, Descarga, many others

1. Al Son De Los Cueros 4:02 (Diego Gale)
2. Que Bailen Tos 4:16 (Cesar Monge)
3. Ave Maria Lola 4:06 (Sergio Siaba)
4. Mosaico Boogaloo 5:18
- Mambo Batiri (Antar Daly)
- Me Gusto Boogaloo (D.R.)
- Regalo Para Ti (D.R.)
5. La Joda 4:03 (Octavio Paneso)
6. Linda Cubana 3:51 (Alvaro Cabarca)
7. Mosaico Cumbias 3:52
- La Cumbiaba (Guillermo Portabales)
- Cumbia Cienaguera (Luis Enrique Martinez)
8. Tabaratiando 3;22 (D.R.)
9. Micaela 4:42 (T. Pabon, M. Rodriguez)
10. Mosaico Matamoros 5:08
- Comentario En El Solar (Miguel Matamoros)
- Hoy La Rumba (Miguel Matamoros)
11. El Pito 4:29 (Jimmy Sabater)
12. Quiereme Siempre 4:36 (G. Lines, R. Gothne, Ben Molar)

Arrangements by Diego Gale (1,2,3,5,9,11,12), Jose Aguirre (4), Enrique Carrillo (8,10), Alvaro Cabarcas “Pelusa” (6).

This was an extremely popular album when it was released and remained very popular for many years afterwards in places as far away as the United Kingdom - so much so that there was a bit of a backlash. The version of Micaela in this album made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Diego Gale / Conga, Maracas, Guiro, Campana, Co-Musical Director
Jaime Gale / Timbales
Hernan “Tato Tatin” Benitez / Bongos
Alvaro Cabarcas “Pelusa” / Piano
Enrique Carillo / Piano
Daniel Silva / Bass
Hugo “Copetin” Fernandez / Trumpet
Diego Javier Gonzalez, Carlos Guerrero, Diego Gale, Igor Moreno, Luis Florez, Gabino Pampini, Alvaro Pava, Ostwal Serna, Brigido Chaverra “Macondo”, Nando Malo, Marinho Paz / Chorus
Gambino Pampini / Lead Vocals (3,5,6)
Luis Florez / Lead Vocals (2,7,9,10,11)
Brigido Chaverra “Macondo” / Lead Vocals (10)
Marinho Paz / Lead Vocals (8)
Nando Malo / Lead Vocals (12)

Frankie Ruiz – Gold

2008-12-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

Compilation released 2006

Universal Music Latino
TH Rodven

available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

disk 1.
1. Mi Libertad 4:29 (Pedro Azael, Laly Carrizo)
2. Bailando 4:53 (Jose Garcia Alonso)
3. Mirandote 5:07 (Jose Garcia Alonso)
4. Voy Pa’ Encima 4:16 (Peter Velazquez)
5. Cosas Nativas 5:33 (Rolando Garrin)
6. El Camionero 5:26 (Roberto Carlos, John Hartford, Erasmo Carlos)
7. Nunca Que Quedas 4:50 (Palmer Hernandez)
8. Vuelvo A Nacer 4:19 (Myriam Valentin)
9. Ahora Me Toca A Mi 4:21 (Hansel, Raul)
10. Me Faltas 4:44 (Gustavo Marquez)
11. Tu Eres 4:28 (Jose Chein Garcia Alonso)
12. Ironia 5:05 (Jankarlos Nunez)
13. Perdon Senora 3:58 (Gonzalez)
14. Entre El Fuego Y La Pared 4:26 (Pedro Azael)
15. Hablame 4:26 (Chein Garcia Alonso)
16. Primero Fui Yo 4:53 (Raul Marrero)

disk 2.
1. Desnudate Mujer 4:49 (V. Pulignano)
2. Como Lo Hacen 5:07 (Raul Marrero)
3. Por Haberto Amado Tanto 5:09 (Ramon Sanchez)
4. Esta Cobardia 5:43 (Paco Cepero, Paco Moncada)
5. Para Darte Fuego 4:41 (Jose Chein Garcia Alonso)
6. Quiero Llenarte 4:31 (M Molina, M. Flores, M. Favini)
7. Tu Me Vuelves Loco 4:57 (Anders Erik Hansson, Nadir Khayat)
8. Senora 4:21 (Pedro Azael)
9. Ella Tiene Que Saber 4:13 (Juan Cintron)
10. Deseandote 4:43 (Jose Chein Garcia Alonso)
11. Mujer 5:22 (Walter Pulignano)
12. Me Acostumbre 4:50 (Gloria Gonzalez)
13. La Rueda Vuelve A Rodar 5:16 (Tite Curet Alonso)
14. Imposible Amor 5:00 (Pedro Arroyo)
15. Otra Vez 4:48 (Vinny Urrutia, Carlos De La Cima)

This is a high-end compilation of Frankie Ruiz with fairly nice but not always accurate liner notes - often a compilation album is given as the source album rather than the original album. This compilation also is very similar in content compared to now discontinued Serie 32 compilation – the two compilations share 26 common songs essentially in same order no less. Five “new” songs (Nunca Que Quedas, Perdon Senora, Por Haberto Amado Tanto, Senora and La Rueda Vuelve A Rodar) replaces the six “old” songs (La Rueda, Dile A El, La Cura, Si Esa Mujer Me Dice Que Si, Puerto Rico, Tu Con El).

Although finding original albums by Frankie Ruiz is quite problematic, I’m fairly sure that all of his songs (<80?) can be collected by buying several compilation albums and/or MP3 stores. Frankie Ruiz arguably was the biggest Salsa star from 1980s to 1990s. Wikipedia already has a pretty good discography section for Frankie Ruiz’s solo career.

In this compilation 8 songs (Bailando, Mirandote, Nunca Que Quedas, Hablame, Como Lo Hacen (Tommy Olivencia), Esta Cobardia, Para Darte Fuego, Quiero Llenarte) are included in the salsanewyork.com list.

Jose Alberto – Serie 32

2008-12-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Compilation released 2002

Universal Music Latino
RMM records

available on amazon.co.uk for now

disk 1.
1. Disculpeme Senora 4:37 (Luis Lambis)
2. Con Sandra En La Cama 4:48 (Angel Santiago)
3. Llego El Sabor (con Oscar D’Leon) 5:59 (Domingo Quinones)
4. La Paella 5:05 (Frank Grillo “Machito)
5. Como Fue 3:54 (Ernesto Duarte Brito)
6. Quien Como Tu 5:07 (Ana Gabriel)
7. Baila Que Baila 4:46 (Guilberto Hernandez)
8. La Gitana 5:13 (D.R.)
9. Bailemos Otra Vez 5:06 (Maria Enriqueta Ramos, Rafael Perez Botija Garcia)
10. And I Love Her 3:16 (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)
11. La Critica 4:07 (William Guzman)
12. Eso Parte El Alma 4:36 (Mario Diaz)
13. Envuelvete Conmigo 4:32 (Julie Ruffino)
14. Tributo Al Bravo 4:44 (Isidro Infante, William Liriano)
15. Celia 5:59 (Jaime Daniel)
16. Te Repetiste 4:39 (D.R.)

disk 2.
1. Mis Amores 4:34 (Bebu Silvetti, Roberto Livi)
2. A La Hora Que Me Llamen Voy 5:08 (Candido Fabre)
3. Hoy Quiero Confesar 4:25 (Luis Jose Perales)
4. Que Bonito Es Puerto Rico 4:18 (Justi Barreto)
5. Sarabanda 4:07 (Justi Barreto)
6. Dance With Me 5:01 (George Treadwell, Jerry Leiber, L. Lebish, Mike Stoller, Naham)
7. Sueno Contigo 4:13 (Albert Louis Hammond, Anahi Van Zandweghe)
8. El Temor Me Hizo Perderte 4:43 (Omar Alfanno)
9. Nadie Se Compara Contigo 4:33 (Alvaro Torres)
10. Fotos Y Recuerdos 4:36 (Christine Eller Kerr)
11. Amor De Villa (con Sergio Vargas) 5:06 (D.R.)
12. Soy Salsero 4:26 (Frank Grillo “Machito”)
13. La Feria De Las Flores (con Tito Puente) 4:35 (Chucho Monge)
14. Como Quiera 4:10 (R. Marks, Ralph Lew)
15. Cuestion De Epoca (con Celia Cruz) 4:26 (Mario Diaz)
16. Oye La Banda 4:50 (Justi Barreto)

Another Universal Latino budget compilation with 2 CDs packed with songs from 1990s. This one is out of print – just like all of the original albums from which this compilation was made.

Con Sandra El La Cama, Llego El Sabor, La Paella, Quien Como Tu, Baila Que Baila, La Gitana, La Critica, Que Bonito Es Puerto Rico, Sarabanda, Como Quiera and Oye La Banda made salsanewyork.com list. That’s a grand total of 11 songs, which is shares the top spot for any CD set – compilation or original. [note: Frankie Ruiz Serie 32 compilation also has 11 songs on the salsanewyork.com list]

Hector Tricoche – Greatest Salsa Ever

2008-12-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

Compilation released 2008

Universal Music Latino
TH Rodven

available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

disk 1.
1. A Corazon Abierto 4:57 (Gustavo Marquez)
2. Noche Sensacional 4:20 (Francisco Alvarado)
3. Una Aventura Nada Mas 4:06 (Carlo De La Cima)
4. Debi Amarte Mas 4:53 (Carlo De La Cima)
5. Muchacha De Abril 4:38 (Carlo De La Cima, William Rivera)
6. Conversando Sin Palabras 4:52 (Carlo De La Cima)
7. Mujer De Carton 4:18 (Fernando Arias)
8. En Cuba No Falta Nada 5:12 (Jose Maria Penaranda)
9. Periquito Pin Pin 4:24 (Raul Marrero)
10. Silencio 4:58 (Gustavo Marquez)

disk 2.
1. Macho Perez 4:54 (Manuel Jimenez, Flor De Cana)
2. Vibora 4:12 (Carlo De La Cima, William Rivera)
3. En Cuba No Hace Falta Nada 4:39 (Jose Maria Penaranda)
4. Lapiz De Carmin 4:33 (Francisco Garcia Lopez Cepero, Pedro Rivera Cross)
5. Tarde Sin Sol 5:46 (Victor Victor)
6. Motorizame 4:49 (Mario Diaz)
7. A Que No Lo Haces 4:02 (Carlo De La Cima)
8. No Soy Automatico 4:34 (Mario Diaz Arias)
9. Yo Puedo Tu Puedes 4:22 (Fernando Arias)
10. Triste Dia 4:44 (Hector Tricoche)

Greatest Salsa Ever is a compilation series by Universal Music Latino utilizing songs originally released by TH Rodven in the 1980s and 1990s. In many if not all cases, this series replaces the old Oro Salsero compilations with same set of songs with different packaging. In terms of packaging, this would be considered budget-series similar to Pura Salsa - except with 2 CDs less densely packed. A trouble with compilations is that after a while, a collector ends with a lot of duplicate songs, but it is how it is with TH Rodven albums now. For original albums, one will have to look in the used LP/CD stores.

This compilation includes material from Tommy Olivencia orchestra as well as solo material. It’s a bit too much work for me to try to figure out where everything came from given there isn’t much help from liner notes – maybe another time.

A Corazon Abierto, Periquito Pin Pin (Tommy Olivencia), Silencio, Macho Perez and Yo Puedo Tu Puedes made salsanewyork.com list.

Tommy Olivencia – Pura Salsa

2008-12-07T09:58:00.001-08:00

Compilation released 2006

Universal Music Latino
TH Rodven

available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

1. Lobo Domesticado 4:51 (Joan Sebastian)
2. Como Lo Hacen 5:07 (Raul Marrero)
3. Periquito Pin Pin 4:23 (Raul Marrero)
4. No Tires La Primera Piedra 4:54 (E. Franco, L. Franco, J. C. Velazquez)
5. Como Sube La Gasolina 5:06 (Henry Arana)
6. Atrevida 5:36 (Justi Barretto Blanco)
7. Mujeres Como Tu 4:58 (Jorge Ayala)
8. Primero Fui Yo 4:55 (Raul Marrero)
9. Cosas Nativas 5:32 (Rolando Gorrin)
10. Los Golpes Ensenan 4:49 (Laura Sanchez)
11. Del Monton 2:46 (D.R.)
12. No Que No 4:45 (Jorge Ayala)
13. Lapiz De Carmin 4:33 (Pedro Rivera Cross, Francisco Garcia Lopez Cepero)
14. Lo Dudo 5:11 (Manuel Alejandro, Ana Magdalena)

Pura Salsa is a budget compilation series released by Universal Music Latino using materials originally released by TH-Rodven from 1980s to 1990s. In general it is extremely difficult to find original TH-Rodven albums, and for the most part compilation CD is the only option – unless one opts to search used LP or CD market.

Lo Dudo (vocals: Frankie Ruiz), Como Lo Hacen (vocals: Frankie Ruiz), Periquito Pin Pin (vocals: Hector Tricoche), No Tires La Primera Piedra (vocals: Hector Tricoche) made salsanewyork.com list.

Johnny Pacheco – A Man And His Music (El Maestro)

2008-12-07T09:03:00.000-08:00

Compilation released 2006

Fania / E-Musica

available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

disk 1.
1. La Melodia 3:02 (Johnny Pacheco)
2. El Guiro De Macorina 2:53 (Johnny Pacheco)
3. El Agua Del Clavelito 2:58 (Miguel Angel Pozo)
4. Caramelo 2:48 (Roberto Puentes)
5. Pare Cochero 2:59 (Marcelino Guerra, Miguel Banguela)
6. Soy Guapo De Verdad 4:15 (Johnny Pacheco)
7. Alto Songo 2:41 (Luis Martin Grinan)
8. Acuyeye 2:32 (Johnny Pacheco)
9. Recuerdo De Arcano 2:49 (Johnny Pacheco)
10. Fania 2:28 (Reinaldo Bolanos)
11. Canonazo 2:41 (Evaristo Aparicio)
12. Dakar, Punto Final 3:40 (Johnny Pacheco)
13. El Mundo 3:04 (Israel Lopez)
14. Dos Gardenias 4:50 (Isolina Carrillo)
15. Sugar Frost 6:25 (Johnny Pacheco)

tracks 1,2,3 from Pacheco Y Su Charanga (1960 Alegre A-8010) [remastered 2006]
tracks 4,5,6 from Pacheco Y Su Charanga Vol II (1961 Alegre A-8050)
tracks 7,8 from Pacheco Y Su Charanga Vol III – Que Suene La Flauta (1962 Alegre A-8110)
track 9 from Pacheco Y Su Charanga Vol IV – Suavito (1963 Alegre A-8200)
tracks 10,11,12 from Canozano (1964 Fania F-325)
track 13 from Viva Africa (1966?/1972? Fania F-330)
track 14 from Pacheco Y Su Charanga – By Popular Demand (1966?/1972? Fania F-333)
track 15 from Pacheco – His Flute and Latin Jam (1965 Fania F-328)

disk 2.
1. Soy Hijo Del Siboney 3:32 (Juan Mariano Romero)
2. Maria Cervantes 2:28 (Noro Morales)
3. La Esencia Del Guaguanco 4:03 (C. Curet Alonso)
4. Dulce Con Dulce 4:25 (D.R.)
5. Viralo Al Reves 5:31 (Johnny Pacheco)
6. Ponle Punto 3:18 (Johnny Pacheco)
7. Quimbara 4:48 (Junior Cepeda)
8. Guaguanco Pa’l Que Sabe 4:55 (Felipe Yanez)
9. Solo Estoy 8:07 (Eddie Del Barrio)
10. Juliana 4:12 (Cuco Valoy)
11. La Dicha Mia 5:49 (Johnny Pacheco)
12. Juaniquita 4:42 (Jose A. Fajardo Ramos)
13. El Paso De Encarnacion 4:21 (Pedro Pablo Aranzola)
14. La Palabra Fin 2:13 (Chico Navarro, Mike Rivas)
15. Los Compadres Seguiran 4:23 (Johnny Pacheco)

track 1 from Sabor Tipico (1967? Fania F-339)
track 2 from Latin Piper (1968 Fania F-358)
track 3 from La Perfecta Combinacion (1970 Fania F-380)
track 4 from Los Compadres (1971 Fania F-400) [remastered 2006]
tracks 5,6 from Tres De Café Y Dos De Azucar (1973 Fania F-436) [remastered 2007]
track7 from Celia & Johnny (1974 Vaya V-31) [remastered 2006]
track 8 from El Maestro (1975 Fania F-485) [remastered 2006]
track 9 from Llego Melon (1977 Vaya V-70) [1977 remastered 2008]
track 10 from Los Distinguidos (1979 Fania F-549)
track 11 from Celia, Johnny and Pete (1980 Vaya V-90)
track 12 from Fajardo Y Pacheco (1982 Fania F-603)
tracks 13,14 from De Pelicula (1982 Fania F-613)
track 15 from Jicamo (1985 Fania F-638)

A Man And His Music (or A Lady And Her Music or A Band And Their Music) series from Fania/E-Musica can be considered the most extensive and perhaps most definitive compilation of the most important Fania artists. For a collector of Latin dance music (or Salsa/Mambo/etc), this series should be considered a must – if their collection does not include the original albums already. To date only 7 artists have been given this 2-CD treatment by Fania/E-Musica; they are Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Johnny Pacheco, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz and Fania All-Stars – with Tito Puente and Sonora Poncena in my opinion being the next most likely candidates.

El Agua Del Clavelito, La Esencia Del Guaguanco and Guaguanco Pa’l Que Sabe made salsanewyork.com list.

Papo Lucca – Herencia

2008-12-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

Compilation released 2007

Fania / E-Musica

available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Hachero Pa’ Un Palo 4:46 (Arsenio Rodriguez)
2. Fuego En El 23 4:43 (Lucia Martinez Del Rodriguez)
3. Prende El Fogon 5:09 (Benigno Echemendia)
4. Narana Cai 6:04 (Justi Barretto)
5. Bomba Carambomba 5:12 (A. Amadeo)
6. El Pio Pio 4:56 (Luis Demetrio)
7. Boranda 7:10 (Eduardo Goes Lobo)
8. Soy Tan Feliz 3:32 (Jose Antonio Mendez)
9. Noche Como Boca ‘E Lobo 6:02 (C. Curet Alonso)
10. Moreno Soy 6:33 (Francisco Alvarado Morales)
11. Suena El Piano 4:29 (Jose Arbex Miro)
12. Night In Tunisia 4:38 (J. Gillespie, F. Paparelli)
13. Borinquen 7:01 (Johnny Ortiz)
14. Ramona 6:54 (G. L Wolfe, W. Mabel)

Herencia is a single-CD compilation series for the more prominent Fania artists. Although Papo Lucca is given as the lead artists, all of the materials were originally released under Sonora Poncena, which was led by Papo Lucca since 1968. The source albums are as follows.

Hachero Pa’ Un Palo – Hachero Pa’ Un Palo (1968)
Fuego En El 23 – Fuego En El 23 (1969)
Prende El Fogon – Desde Puerto Rico A New York (1972)
Narana Cai, Bomba Carambomba, El Pio Pio – Conquista Musical (1976)
Boranda, Soy Tan Feliz, Noche Como Boca ‘E Lobo – Gigante Del Sur (1977)
Moreno Soy, Suena El Piano – Explorando (1978)
Night In Tunisia – New Heights (1980)
Borinquen – Unchained Force (1980)
Ramona – Night Raider (1981)

Most but not all of the albums listed above have been re-mastered and re-issued by Fania / E-Musica. Serious collectors ought to get the original albums instead, but this is a perfectly good compilation and the best one available at the moment for Sonora Poncena.

Fuego En El 23, Boranda, Night In Tunisia, and Borinquen made salsanewyork.com list.

--

I think this might be as good a place as any to give Sonora Poncena Discography with all of the songs listed.

Felipe y Davilita con la Sonora Ponceña 1954 [note: this one is the only one without Papo Lucca]
1 Compra & Venta 2. Noche De Locura 3. Malos Pasos 4. El Inválido 5. Ahora Te Toca A Tí 6. No Quieras Nunca 7. Aunque Me Maten 8. Si La Ven 9. Insaciable 10. Cuando Vuelvas 11. Lo Dice La Gente 12. Para Que Regresar

Hachero Pa' Un Palo 1968 [remastered 2007]
1. Hachero Pa' un Palo 2. Franqueza 3. Perdoname 4. Tiempo y La Distancia 5. Bien Paga 6. Africa 7. Paño de Lágrimas 8. Amor Verdadero 9. Se Formó La Rumba 10. Na Ña

Fuego En El 23 1969 [remastered 2006]
1. Fuego en el 23 2. Nosotros 3. Casabe Sabe 4. Deseo Salvaje 5. El Hablador 6. Tercio de Acero 7. Caridad 8. Aprendi Mas Que Tu 9. Sancocho Prieto 10. Rinkinkalla

Algo De Locura 1971
1. Acere Ko 2. Todo El Mundo Escucha 3. Cenizas 4. Ingrato Corazon 5. Yemaya 6. La Pobreza Y Yo 7. Oye Mi Quinto 8. Nobleza 9. Pa' Los Poncenos 10. Chanfin

Navidad Criolla 1971
1. Aguinaldo Antillano 2. En Noche Buena 3. Cancion De Navidad 4. Tra La La 5. Vamonos Pa'l Campo 6. Tan Bueno Que Era 7. Recuerdos De Navidad 8. Merengue Navideno 9. Navidad Me Encanta 10. Un Jibaro En New York

Desde Puerto Rico A New York 1972 [remastered 2008]
1. Prende el Fogon 2. Quisiera Olvidarte 3. Con Maña Si 4. Fuerza E Cara 5. Guaguanco Nacio en la Habana 6. Al Pan Pan Al Vino Vino 7. No Puede Ser 8. Tumba la Cana Jibarito 9. Puerta Esta Abierta 10. Oh Mayi

Sonora Poncena 1972 [remastered 2008]
1. Changuiri 2. Suena Tu Bongó 3. Imploración 4. Tu y Yo Na Ma 5. Tu Son Mi Soro 6. Yo Vengo del Monte 7. Espejismo 8. Nacio Cansao 9. Carino Mentiroso 10. Como Mango

Sabor Sureno 1974 [remastered 2007]
1. Juana Bayona 2. Mujeres Son de Azúcar 3. Si Fué por Tí 4. Llave y la Cerradura 5. Ecue Baroni 6. Lenguas 7. Telaraña 8. Mi Corazón Que Te Amo 9. Vida Te Doy 10. Lloré y Reí

Lo Mejor De La Sonora Poncena 1975 compilation (poor sound quality?)
1. Acere Ko 2. Hachero Pa Un Palo 3. Nosotros 4. Tumba La CaÑa Jibarito 5. Sancocho Prieto 6. Fuego En El 23 7. Nobleza 8. Prende El Fogon 9. PaÑo De Lagrimas 10. La Pobreza Y Yo

Tiene Pimienta 1975
1. Tiene Pimienta 2. La Montana Del Oso 3. La Fiesta No Es Para Feos 4. Alguien Me Hablo 5. No Muere El Son 6. Mayeya 7. Hachero Sin Hacha 8. No Me Quieros Tanto 9. Tumba Mambo 10. Homenaje A Las Gordas

Conquista Musical 1976 [remastered 2006]
1. Nanara Caí 2. Bomba Carambomba 3. Canto al Jibarito 4. Calve 5. Esta Es Venezuela 6. Pollera Colora 7. Tiempo 8. Pio Pio

Gigante Del Sur 1977 [remastered 2008]
1. Boranda 2. Yeyey 3. Soy Tan Feliz 4. Si No Me Meto 5. Gotera 6. Rumba En El Patio 7. Noche Como Boca E Lobo 8. Cuando Estemos Viejos 9. Omele 10. Nocturnal

La Orquesta De Mi Tierra 1978
1. Hasta Que Se Rompa el Cuero 2. Madrugando 3. Todo y Nada y Seguire Mi Viaje 4. Lo Que el Viento Se Llevo 5. Ahora Yo Me Rio 6. Llanto de Luna 7. Perico Sin Pico 8. Orquesta de Mi Tierra

Explorando 1978 [remastered 2007]
1. Jubileo 20 2. Se Formó 3. Te Quiero Tanto 4. Moreno Soy 5. Sentimiento Jibaro 6. Suena el Piano 7. No Has de Verme Llorar 8. Canto al Amor

Energized 1978 compilation of 1976-1978 albums [remastered 2006]
1. El Pio Pio 2. Nañara Cai 3. Moreno Soy 4. Jubileo 20 5. Canto Al Amor 6. Tiene Pimienta 7. Boranda 8. Noche Como Boca E Lobo

La Ceiba 1979 (with Celia Cruz) [remastered 2006]
1. Soy Antillana 2. Sonaremos El Tambo 3. Abreme La Puerta 4. Y Volvere 5. A La Buena Si 6. Fina Estampa 7. Raices 8. La Ceiba Y La Siguraya

New Heights 1980
1. Ahora Si 2. Sonora Pal Bailador 3. No Seas Asi 4. Drama 5. Vas Por Ahi 6. Timbalero 7. Night In Tunisia 8. Barra Limpia

Unchained Force 1980
1. Mi Lindo Yambu 2. Huracán 3. Extasis de Amor 4. Nicas' Dream Mambo 5. Luz Negra 6. Pensandolo Bien 7. Borinquen 8. Remembranza

Night Raider 1981 [remastered 2007]
1. Ramona 2. Caballo Viejo 3. Lo Mejor 4. Borrachera 5. Algo Facil 6. Umi-Laye 7. Nada Para Ti 8. Vuestiones De Amor

Determination 1982 [remastered 2006]
1. Yambeque 2. Soledad 3. Creo en Ti 4. Herida Cerrada en Falso 5. Date Cuenta 6. Si La Ven 7. Joldo 8. Aunque Te Quiero

Future 1984 [remastered 2006]
1. Agua a La Candela 2. El Amor 3. El Dulcero 4. Woody's Blue 5. Come Te Quise Yo 6. Yo a Ti Tu a Mi 7. Te Diré Muchas Cosas 8. Esta Es Sonora Ponceña

30th Anniversary vol 1 and 2 1985 (probably a compilation)
(disk 1) 1. Fuego en el 23 2. Yambeque 3. Date Cuenta 4. Borinquen 5. Ramona 6. Paño de Lagrimas 7. Sancocho Prieto 8. Hasta Que Se Rompa el Cuero 9. Canta Al Amor
(disk 2) 1. Pio Pio 2. Vas Por Ahi 3. Bomba Carambomba 4. Remembranza 5. Cuestiones de Amor 6. Borandá 7. Soy Antillana 8. Juana Bayona 9. Orquesta de Mi Tierra 10. Changuiri

Jubilee 1986 [remastered 2006]
1. Jubileo 2. Odiame 3. Soñador 4. Nunca Serás Mía 5. Satin 'N' Lace 6. Fuego en El 7. Medley Sonora Ponceña

Back to Work 1987
1. Cancion 2. Te Vas De Mi 3. No Bebo Mas 4. Pensamiento 5. Night Love 6. Maleta 7. Sola Vaya 8. Bello & Monumental

On The Right Track 1988
1. Sigo Pensando en Ti 2. Abanacue 3. Tengo 4. Cappuccino 5. Franqueza Cruel 6. Cali 7. Toñito Ledee 8. Jibaro en Nueva York 9. Rumba Soy Yo

Into The 90s 1990
1. Como Amantes 2. El Tiempo 3. Saoco 4. Abuela 5. Zonas Prohibidas 6. Yare 7. Homenaje A Tres Grandes Del Teclado 8. Quiero Seguir Siendo Tu A

Merry Christmas 1991
1. A La Patria Mia 2. Tan Bueno Que Era 3. Arbolito De Navidad 4. Abre La Puerta 5. Que Bueno Es Cantar 6. Como Cambian Las Cosas 7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 8. A Comer Lechon

Gurreando 1992
1. Espuma y Arena 2. Laye Laye 3. Causas y Azares 4. Guava No 5. Trabajando 6. Cuando Te Encontre 7. Fuego en la Bahia 8. Te Regalare

Soul Of Puerto Rico 1993 compilation
1. Cancion 2. No Bebo Mas 3. Abanacue 4. Saoco 5. Montaña del Oso 6. Cali 7. Sigo Pensando en Ti 8. Lo Que el Viento Se Llevo 9. Maleta 10. Tumba Mambo?? 11. Pio Pio 12. Borinquen

Birthday Party 1993
1. Descendencia 2. Mi Cantar 3. Cancion Para Mi Viejo 4. Sonaremos el Tambo 5. Rincon Caliente 6. Si Alguna Vez 7. Fe 8. Celebracion 40

Apretando 1995
1. Date Prisa 2. Fea 3. El Momento 4. Busco En Suenos 5. Si Estoy Junto A Ti 6. No Me Muero Todavia 7. Los Suenos 8. Guaguanco De Esquina

On Target 1998 [remastered 2007]
1. No Vale La Pena 2. Soy Jibaro 3. Tennebaun A La Lucca 4. Fea 5. Congo Carabali 6. Para Eso Es La Amistad 7. Percusion 8. Celoso

Puro Sabor 2000 compilation
1. Acere Ko 2. Fuego en el 23 3. Prende el Fogon 4. Changuiri 5. Borandá 6. Remembranza 7. Sancocho Prieto 8. Soy Antillana 9. Borinquen 10. Hasta Que Se Rompa el Cuero 11. Nunca Seras Mia 12. Cancion

45 Aniversario 2001 Live [note: this is first non-Fania album since Papo Lucca joined Sonora Poncena]
(disk 1) 1. Introducción 2. Fea 3. Percusion 4. Canción 5. Sola Vaya 6. Remembranzas 7. Borinquen 8. Canto Al Amor9. Pío Pío 10. Ahora Sí
(disk 2) 1. Homenaje a Tres Grandes del Teclado 2. Borandá 3. Tu y Yo 4. Hachero Pa' un Palo 5. Todo Tiene Su Final 6. Timbalero 7. Despedida 45 Aniversario 8. Jubileo 45 9. Fuego en el 23

Grandes Exitos 2002 compilation
(disk 1) 1. El Pio Pio 2. Fuego En El 23 3. Pensandolo Bien 4. Mi Lindo Yambu 5. Yare 6. Boranda 7. Ramona 8. Changuiri 9. Canto Al Jibarito 10. Nanara Cai 11. Sigo Pensando En Ti 12. Timbalero
(disk 2) 1. Moreno Soy 2. Date Cuenta 3. Sonora Pa'l Bailador 4. Tu y Yo Nada Mas 5. Huracan 6. Remembranzas 7. Canto Al Amor 8. Madrugando 9. Yambeque 10. Vas Por Ahi 11. Hasta Que Se Rompa El Cuero 12. Esta Es Venezuela.

Back to the Road – 2004
1. Caprichosa 2. Pensando Bien 3. Gracias Señor 4. Con Maña 5. De la Mata Son 6. Mack the Knife 7. El Alacran 8. Cenizas 9. Verde Luz 10 Con Tres Tambores Bata 11. Nica’s Dream

50 Aniversario – 2007
1. Introduccion 2. Ecue Baroni 3. La Clave 4. Vas Por Ahi 5. Como Mango 6. Yare 7. Piano Salsero 8. Tumba La Cana Jibarito 9. Jubileo 50 10. Medley (Sigo Pensando En Ti/Cancion)

Otra Navidad Criolla! 2008
1. Estrelita 2. Opera Gandiga 3. Vamonos Pa’l Capo 4. La Vengo Siguiendo 5. A Celebrar Navidad 6. Arbolito De Navidad 7. Mucho Amor Y Paz 8. Si Busca Una Orquesta

Conjunto Yumuri – La Paella

2008-10-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

Vinyl released 1980
Caney Records 8003

CD issued 1991
SAR 8003 (or 803)

Produced by Roberto Torres

Available at Descarga

1. La Paella 6:33 (Frank “Machito” Grillo)
2. Rosa Oriental 5:14
3. Se Me Fue 6:15
4. Dime Adios Carmelina 4:59
5. Pastorita 5:48 (Juan Formell)
6. Comete Tu Pinol 5:22
7. Camina Y Prende El Fogon 5:14 (Benigno Echemendia)
8. Son Guajiro 5:33
9. Mi Querer 5:03

Typical of SAR, the CD is devoid of information. The album was originally released by Caney Records with the napkin on the top left cover labeled Caney rather than SAR. I gathered what little information I could from elsewhere including producer credit for Roberto Torres (owner of SAR records and big-time Latin music artist himself).

Two songs made salsanewyork.com list - Se Me Fue (completely different song from Se Me Fue by El Gran Combo) and Camina Y Prende El Fogon, which is an old-time classic also recorded by Chapottin Y Sus Estrellas (Conjunto Yumuri version sounds quite similar to this classic Chapottin version), Sonora Poncena (under the title Prende El Fogon), and Fruko Y Sus Tesos.

Another nice notable song is Pastorita, originally written by Juan Formell of Los Van Van fame and also covered famously by Ray Barretto under the title Guarare.

Despite what I consider deserved grumbling about lack of information (musician list, etc) provided by SAR, it is undeniable that the SAR output from 1979-1981 is dynamite.

Musicians:

Jorge Cabrera / Tres
Israel “Cachao” Lopez / Bass

Angel Canales & Sabor – El San Juan

2008-10-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Released 1977
TR Records

Reissued 1997
OBS-25431

Available at Descarga (also Amazon MP3 store)

1. La Realidad 5:37
2. Concierto En Bongo 5:56
3. El Amarte A Ti 3:48
4. Sandra 5:13
5. De Que Te Quejas 6:07 (P. Ortiz)
6. Ana Y Saoco 6:18
7. Mi Nina Bonita 5:06
8. Viejo Carruzell 4:29
9. Arrepentida 9:14
10. Cha Cha A La Canales 5:16 (A. Canales)

Arrangements by Steve Goodman (1,3,4,6,9) and Eddy Martinez (2,5,6,8,10). Mixed by Marty Sheller. All songs written by Angel Canales except tracks 7 and 8; songwriting credits are confusing on this CD.

Arrepentida made salsanewyork.com list. Other songs most likely to be heard on Salsa dance floor include La Realidad and Sandra.

Musicians are not listed on the CD credits - only the lead vocals and chorus. It seems likely that the Sabor lineup from Angel Canales debut recording in 1976 is largely intact. Antonio Tapia is probably still on Conga.

Musicians:

Angel Canales, Antonio Tapia / Chorus
Angel Canales / Lead Vocals

Eddie Palmieri – Mambo Con Conga Is Mozambique

2008-10-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

Released 1965 Tico

Remastered 2008
Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Terry Reig

Availble at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Mi Mambo Conga 2:46 (Eddie Palmieri)
2. Sujetate La Lengua 3:50 (Eloy Oliva)
3. Manha De Carnaval 2:43 (Luiz Bonfa, Antonio Maria)
4. Que Suene La Orquesta 5:45 (Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta)
5. Ajiaco Caliente 5:38 (Eddie Palmieri)
6. Pobre Pedro 4:47 (Heny Alvarez)
7. Estamos Chao 3:47 (Javier Vazquez)
8. Camagueyanos Y Habaneros 2:31 (J. M. Guerra)

Revolutionary and controversial at the time, this is another classic Eddie Palmieri recording with La Perfecta. The biggest highlight is Ajiaco Caliente, which made salsanewyork.com list. Also very good are Sujetate La Lengua and Estamos Chao.

Musicians:

Eddie Palmieri / Piano
Barry Rogers / Trombone
Jose Rodrigues / Trombone
Mark Weinstein / Trombone
George Castro / Flute
Manny Oquendo / Timbales, Bongos
Tommy Lopez / Conga
Dave Perez / Bass
Ismael Quintana / Lead Vocals

Eddie Palmieri – Echando Pa’lante

2008-10-10T09:11:00.001-07:00

Released 1964 Tico

Remastered 2008
Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Teddy Reig

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Si Echo Pa’lante 5:14 (Eddie Palmieri)
2. Cafe 6:32 (Eddie Palmieri, Robert Guetis, Lourdes Lopez)
3. Mi Corazon Te Llama 4:07 (Eddie Palmieri)
4. Suave 4:04 (Eddie Palmieri)
5. Tu Tu Ta Ta 3:36 (Eddie Palmieri)
6. Es Mejor Separarnos 3:37 (Eddie Palmieri, Ismael Quintana)
7. Mi Jeva 5:29 (Eddie Palmieri)
8. Sin Sabor Nada 5:29 (Eddie Palmieri)

Eddie Palmieri's first recording with Tico label and third overall. Two classics Cafe and Tu Tu Ta Ta are present here. Nowhere else is the description of the elephants (referring to the trombones) more approriate than in this recording of Cafe, which made salsanewyork.com list for Cha Cha. Tu Tu Ta Ta is another slam dunk choice and also in salsanewyork.com list as Salsa.

Musician list is largely my conjecture although I'm reasonably confident of their accuracy.

Musicians:

Eddie Palmieri / Piano
Barry Rogers / Trombone
Bobby Rodriguez / Bass
Manny Oquendo / Timbales, Bongos?
Ismael Quintana / Lead Vocals
George Castro / Flute, Percussion?
Tommy Lopez / Conga
Jose Rodrigues / Trombone
Mark Weinstein / Trombone
Others?

Eddie Palmieri – La Perfecta

2008-10-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Released 1962 Alegre

Remastered 2007
Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Al Santiago

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Conmigo 2:44 (Eddie Palmieri)
2. Mi Isla Preciosa 2:51 (Eddie Palmieri)
3. Presente Y Pasado 2:53 (Jose Alberto Fajardo Ramos)
4. Mi Guajira 2:46 (Eddie Palmieri)
5. Mi Pollo 2:60 (Eddie Palmieri)
6. Oigo Un Tumbao 2:57 (Eddie Palmieri)
7. Tema La Perfecta 2:57 (Eddie Palmieri)
8. Ritmo Caliente 2:43 (Eddie Palmieri)
9. El Gavilan 2:52 (I. Lopez)
10. Te Quiero, Te Quiero 2:53 (Eddie Palmieri)
11. Cachita 2:52 (Rafael Hernandez, Bernardo Sancristobal)
12. Bailare Tu Son 2:33 (Miguel Matamoros)

Eddie Palmieri's debut record as leader. The large number of names on the musician list does not mean that this was a big band record. Presumably different set of trumpetists and percussionists were used for recording of various songs over multiple sessions. Two songs (Conmigo, Mi Pollo) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Eddie Palmieri / Piano
Ismael Quintana / Lead Vocals
George Castro / Flute
Barry Rogers / Trombone
Joao Donato / Trombone
Willie Matos / Trumpet
Joe DeMare / Trumpet
Harold Wegbreit / Trumpet
Dave Tucker / Trumpet
Al Dirisi / Trumpet
Joe Rivera / Bass
Mike Collazo / Percussion
Chickie Perez / Percussion
Charlie Palmieri / Percussion
Manny Oquendo / Percussion
George Maysonet / Percussion
Chivirico Davila, Willie Torres, Victor Velazquez / Chorus

Tito Rodriguez Jr with Jose Alberto “El Canario” – Curious?

2008-09-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

Released 1978 TR

Re-issued 2006 Pimienta

Produced by Tito Rodriguez Jr

Available at Descarga, CDBaby, Amazon, etc

1. Borinquen To Hijo Te Canta 4:00 (Mayo Flores)
2. Cantando Voy 5:42 (Johnny Ortiz)
3. Oye Mi Son 5:15 (Ruben Blades)
4. Cancel 5:06 (Johnny Ortiz)
5. Sabor Criollo 5:32 (Johnny Ortiz)
6. Ya No Llores 4:39 (Mayo Flores)
7. Santerita 5:02 (Johnny Ortiz)
8. Se Comienza Por El Uno 4:20 (Ruben Blades)

Arrangements by Marty Sheller and Willie Mullings.

Sabor Criollo made salsanewyork.com list. Descarga.com reviewer likes Oye Mi Son. Neither is exactly the easiest song to dance to - not to say that they are not good.

Musicians:

Tito Rodriguez Jr / Leader, Timbales
Gilberto Colon / Piano
Sal Culvas / Bass
Cachete / Conga
Ruben Figueroa / Bongos
Larry Spencer / Trumpet
Richie Fernandez / Trumpet
John Kelly / Trombone
Charles Lagond / Tenor Sax, Flute
John Purcell / Baritone Sax, Alto Sax, Flute
Adalberto Santiago, Ruben Blades / Chorus
Jose Alberto “El Canario” / Lead Vocals

Jimmy Sabater – El Hijo De Teresa

2008-09-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

Released 1970 Tico

Re-mastered 2008
Fania/E-Musica

Produced by Miguel Estivil

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. La Flauta 4:25 (Marcelino Guerra)
2. Now That You’ve Gone (Ahora Que Te Has Ido) 4:26 (Nick Jimenez)
3. Por Primera Vez 2:26 (Marcelino Guerra)
4. Kool It (Here Comes The Fuzz) 3:13 (G. Redd, G. Brown, R. Westfield, R. Mickens, Ronald Bell, Robert Bell, W. Sparrow, D. Thomas – a.k.a. Kool And The Gang)
5. La Peleona 3:12 (Marcelino Guerra)
6. Dona Teresa 3:19 (Louie Ramirez)
7. Vida 2:56 (Louie Ramirez)
8. Wichita Lineman 3:37 (Jim Webb)
9. Yroco 2:49 (Justi Barretto)
10. El Albanil 3:18 (Marcelino Guerra)
11. Sufre Como Yo Sufri 2:59 (Mildred Sabater)

Arrangements by Louie Ramirez (1,3,5,6,7,9,10,11) & Martin Sheller (2,4,8).

This is a half Latin and half funk/R&B record.

Por Primera Vez made salsanewyork.com list. La Flauta and Vida sound pretty good too and are of nice pace for dancing.

Musicians:

Jimmy Sabater / Lead Vocals, Timbales
others?

my guesses include
Nick Jimenez / Piano
Louie Ramirez / Percussion

Johnny Pacheco with “El Conde” – Tres De Cafe Y Dos De Azucar

2008-09-20T14:37:00.001-07:00

Released 1973 Fania

Re-mastered 2007
Fania/E-Musica

Produced by Jerry Masucci & Johnny Pacheco

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Primoroso Cantar 5:39 (C. Curet Alonso)
2. Cositas Buenas 5:09 (D. R.)
3. Ponle Punto 3:19 (Johnny Pacheco)
4. La Gloria Eres Tu 3:18 (Jose Antonio Mendez)
5. Los Diablitos 3:07 (Johnny Pacheco)
6. El Piro De Farra 5:05 (Hugo Gonzalez)
7. Son Labori (Caminante Y Labore) 5:32 (Arsenio Rodriguez)
8. Harina Con Boniato 3:46 (D. R.)
9. Bajo El Viejo Cristal 2:44 (D. R.)
10. Viralo Al Reves 5:33 (Johnny Pacheco)

Primoroso Cantar made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Johnny Pacheco / Leader, Percussion, Flute, Lead Vocals for track 5
Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez / Percussion, Lead Vocals
Hector “Bomberito” Zarzuela / Lead Trumpet
Victor Venegas / Bass
Charlie Rodriguez “Tribilin” / Tres
Luis Mangual / Bongos
Ray Castro / Conga
Ray Maldonado / Trumpet
Ray Castro, Johnny Pacheco / Chorus

Africando – Vol. 2 Tierra Tradicional

2008-09-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Released 1994
Stern’s Music

Produced by Ibrahima Sylla

Available at Descarga, Amazon, etc

1. Ken Moussoul Guis Li ("El Carretero") 4:31 (Guillermo Portabales)
2. Tierra Tradicional ("Cienfuegos") 4:09 (Beny More)
3. Yay Boy 3:59 (Ismael Rivera?)
4. Sama Rew 4:17
5. Xale Bile 5:33
6. Sama Thiel ("Moliendo Cafe") 4:35 (Hugo Blanco)
7. Sabador (“La Bamba”) 3:02 (Traditional)
8. Ndiabaane 7:04
9. Tierra Tradicional (Remix) 4:09 (Beny More)

Arrangements and musical direction by Boncana Maiga.

Three Senegalese singers (Pape Seck, Medounne Diallo, Nicolas Menheim) work with New York-based musicians to take Salsa back to its African roots. The songs are supposedly Latin classics (e.g. Moliendo Cafe with well-known version by Cortijo Y Su Combo) sung in mix of Wolof and Spanish with new lyrics by the singers.

It's not a consistently great (remix of title song is rather superfluous), but it does have three high quality songs making salsanewyork.com list including Ken Moussoul Guis Li (El Carretero by Guillermo Portabales - here Medounne Diallo joined by Ronnie Baro in lead vocals and with a great tenor Saxophone accompanyment by Chombo Silva), Yay Boy and Sama Thiel (Moliendo Cafe written by Hugo Blanco supposedly with over 800 recorded versions of the song worldwide).

Musicians:

Felix Farrar / Violin & Violin solo
Patmore Lewis / Violin
Lloyd Carter / Violin
Sergio George / Piano
Jose Garcia / Tres
Johnny Torres / Bass
Papo Penin / Conga
Bobby Allende / Bongos
Pablo “El Chino” Nunez / Timbales
Pete Gomez / Guiro
Eddy Zervignon / Flute
Ite Jerez / Trumpet
Hector “Bomberito” Zarzuela / Trumpet
Leopoldo Pineda / Trombone
Jose “Chombo” Silva / Tenor Sax
Mario Rivera / Tenor & Baritone Sax
Adalberto Santiago, Yayo El Indio / Chorus
Pape Seck / Lead Vocals (3,6)
Medoune Diallo / Lead Vocals (1,4,8)
Nicolas Menheim / Lead Vocals (2,4,7,9)
Ronnie Baro / Chorus, Lead Vocals (1)

Africando – Mandali

2008-09-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

Released 2000
Stern’s Africa

Produced by Ibrahima Sylla

Available at Descarga, Amazon, etc.

1. Mandali 5:06 (Super Eagles)
2. Miye Na We 4:38 (Lokua Kanza)
3. Ntoman 5:01 (Salif Keita)
4. Hwomevonon 5:12 (Gnonnas Pedro, Boncana Maiga)
5. Mopao 4:32 (Koffi Olomide, Boncana Maiga)
6. Pepita 5:03 (Boncana Maiga)
7. Sey 5:17 (Thione Seck)
8. Betece 5:03 (Amadou Balake, Boncana Maiga)
9. Carpintero 4:48 (Ronnie Baro, Boncana Maiga)
10. Scandalo 5;01 (Lord, Pinard)
11. Son Fo 4:49 (Skouba Bambino, Boncana Maiga)
12. Doni Doni 8:19 (Bembeya Jazz)

Arrangements and musical direction by Boncana Maiga.

My impression is that Mandali is the most popular Africando album, which is saying something considering Africando is probably the most universally liked Salsa band these days around here. Certainly there are detractors (e.g. "I don't understand what they are singing about" or "I've heard them too much times" or such), but it works out as a fine compromise choice to be acceptable to pretty much all.

Three songs (Miye Na We, Ntoman, Betece) made salsanewyork.com list. Mandali and Sey also seem to get fair bit of play in my local scene.

Musicians:

Oscar Hernandez / Piano
Edwin Sanchez / Piano
Ruben Rodriguez / Bass
Ray Martinez / Bass
Pablo “El Chino” Nunez / Timbales
Papo Pepin / Conga
George Delgado / Conga
Bobby Allende / Bongos, Maracas, Guiro
Pete Gomez / Maracas, Guiro
Luis Rodriguez / Tres
Ozzie Melendez / Trombone
Luis Bonilla / Trombone
Raul Agraz / Trumpet
Ite Jerez / Trumpet
Irvain Years / Violin
Raimundo Penaforte / Violin
Lewis Kahn / Violin
Enrique Orengo / Cello
Mario Rivera / Soprano & Baritone Sax
Nelson Hernandez / Baritone Sax
Eddy Zervigon / Flute
Phillipe Guez / Keyboards (xylophone, marimba) & demo preparation
Adalberto Santiago, Luis Daniel, Hector Casanova, Ronnie Baro / Chorus
Medoune Diallo / Lead Vocals (1,12)
Gnonnas Pedro / Lead Vocals (4,12)
Ronnie Baro / Lead Vocals (9,12)
Sekouba ‘Bambino” / Lead Vocals (11,12)
Roger “ Shoubou” Eugene / Lead Vocals (10)
Amadou Balake / Lead Vocals (8,12)
Lokua Kanza / Lead Vocals (2)
Salif Keita / Lead Vocals (3)
Koffi Olomide / Lead Vocals (5)
Hector Casanova / Lead Vocals (6)
Thione Seck / Lead Vocals (7)
Adalberto Santiago / Co-Lead Vocals (12)

Tito Rodriguez - Live At The Palladium

2008-08-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

Released 1960 United Artists Latino

Produced by Don Costa

Re-issued by WS Latino

Available at Descarga, Prodland and possibly others

1. Mama Guela 2:36 (Tito Rodriguez)
2. Satin And Lace 4:25 (Phil Sunkel)
3. Te Comiste Un Pan 2:27 (Rosendo Ruiz Jr)
4. Liza 4:15 (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin)
5. El Monito Y La Jirafa 3:49 (Rosendo Ruiz Jr)
6. El Pollo De Carlitos 2:23 (Rigual)
7. Double Talk 3:08 (Phil Sunkel)
8. El Sabio 2:09 (Tito Rodriguez)
9. Miedo Al Cha Cha Cha 2:07 (Rosendo Ruiz Jr)
10. El Mundo De Las Locas 5:58 (Aaron Sachs)

Arrangements by Harold Wegbreit, Phil Sunkel, Aaron Sachs, Julio Andino, Eddie Palmieri.

This is one of the most famous Tito Rodriguez albums. Probably the best dance track is the instrumental "Satin And Lace." Despite the venue Palladium in the album title, this album is better understood as a pioneering Latin Jazz album. As such other highlights would include Double Talk, El Mundo De Las Locas, El Monito Y La Jirafa and Liza.

As typical of Tito Rodriguez albums, personnel information on the CD is absent. Unlike in most other cases, I did manage to find many of the musicians involved in making this album with some research.

Musicians include (based upon my research):

Eddie Palmieri / Piano
Phil Sunkel / Trumpet
Bert Collins / Trumpet
Harold Wegbreit / Trumpet
Gabriel "El Chino" Gonzalez / Trumpet
Aaron Sachs / Tenor Sax
Pete Finelli / Alto Sax
Julio Andino / Bass
Manny Oquendo / Bongos
Pat Rodriguez / Timbales
Luis Goicochea / Conga
Tito Rodriguez / Lead Vocals, Percussion
others?

Tito Rodriguez And His Orchestra - Tito Tito Tito

2008-08-14T10:29:00.001-07:00

Recorded 1964 United Artists Latino

Produced by Leroy Holmes

Re-issued by WS Latino

Available at Descarga, Prodland and possibly others

1. Descarga Cachao 5:01 (Israel Lopez)
2. Boco-Boco 3:15 (Chano Pozo)
3. Cosas Del Alma 4:25 (Jose "Pepe" Delgado)
4. Ese Eres Tu 2:00 (J. Valentine)
5. Donde Estabas Tu 3:01 (Ernesto Duarte Brito)
6. Sun Sun Babae 3:00 (D.R.)
7. Descarga Malanga 5:16 (Tito Rodriguez)
8. Tremendo Cumban 3:04 (D.R.)
9. Dudas De Mi 3:33 (M. Gomez)
10. La Toalla 2:48 (Ernest Duarte Brito)
11. Yo Lo Puedes Decir 3:56 (N. Cevedo)

Arrangements by Rene Hernandez.

The album title Tito Tito Tito is probably not official, but it is how it's known by many. Here Tito Rodriguez plays typical Palladium dance music mostly. This album includes the classic Descarga Cachao. Other highlights include Donde Estabas Tu, Sun Sun Babae and La Toalla.

The band is as usual anonymous. In the 50s and 60s, most Latin bandleaders did not give any billing for the musicians - Cal Tjader being a notable exception. In any case, most if not all of themembers from 1960 "Live At The Palladium" had departed for other projects. It is well-known that Israel "Cachao" Lopez was in this recording, however.

Musicians include:

Israel "Cachao" Lopez / Bass
Tito Rodriguez / Lead Vocals

and possibly…
Rene Hernandez / Piano
Jesus Caunedo / Saxophone
Emilio Reales / Trumpet
Rafael "Tata" Palau / Alto Saxophone

Sonora Poncena - Determination

2008-08-05T13:56:00.001-07:00

Released 1982 Inca

Re-mastered 2006 Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Papo Lucca

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Yambeque 6:22 (D.R.)
2. Soledad 5:45 (Adalberto Alvarez)
3. Creo En Ti 4:01 (Jose Antonio Mendez)
4. Herida Cerrada En Falso 5:00 (Tonito Ledee)
5. Date Cuenta 6:27 (Francisco Alvarado Morales)
6. Si La Ven 4:41 (Roberto Anglero)
7. Joldo 4:21 (Duke Jordan)
8. Aunque Te Quiero 6:13 (Joseito Gonzalez)

Arrangements by Papo Lucca (1,2,3,4,6,8), Angel Torres (5), and Luis Ramirez/Papo Lucca (7).

Yambeque made salsanewyork.com list. I also like Si La Ven and Joldo.

Musicians:

Enrique "Quique" Lucca / Leader
Enrique "Papo" Lucca / Piano, Musical Director
Ramon A. Rodriguez "El Cordoves" / Trumpet
Delfin Perez / Trumpet
Angel Velez / Trumpet
Heriberto Santiago / Trumpet
Antonio Santaella / Bass
Efrain Hernandez / Bass
Jessie Colon / Timbales
Vincente Rivero "Little Johnny" / Conga
Angel L. Hernandez / Bongos
Miguel A. Ortiz / Guiro, Maracas, Lead Vocals
Juancito Torres / Flugelhorn (6)
Yolanda Rivera / Lead Vocals
Tonito Ledee / Lead Vocals
Miguelito Ortiz, Tonito Ledee, Edwin Rosas, Adalberto Santiago, Papo Lucca / Chorus

Sonora Poncena - Musical Conquest / Conquista Musical

2008-08-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Released 1976 Inca

Re-mastered 2006 Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Papo Lucca & Louie Ramirez

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Narana Cai 6:04 (D.R.)
2. Bomba Carambomba 5:11 (A. Amadeo)
3. Canto Al Jibarito 4:55 (Castro R. L. Yappy)
4. La Clave 7:45 (Joe Torres)
5. Esta Es Venezuela 5:00 (Cesar Viera)
6. La Pollera Colora 3:58 (Wilson Choperana, Juan Madera)
7. El Tiempo 4:18 (Alfredo Gil, Enrique Caceras)
8. El Pio Pio 4:58 (Luis Demetrio)

Arrangements by Papo Lucca.

I believe this is the first album Sonora Poncena released after Inca label was absorbed by Fania. The knight/warrior motif in the cover by Ron Levine started here.

Narana Cai and El Pio Pio are two of the best-known songs by Sonora Poncena. La Pollera Colora made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Enrique "Quique" Lucca / Leader
Papo Lucca / Piano, Synthesizer
Cuchy Castro / Trumpet
Tony "Cordobes" Rodriguez / Trumpet
Delfin Perez / Trumpet
Johnny Rivero / Conga
Angel L. Hernandez / Paila, Bongos
Edgardo Morales / Timbales
Tato Santaella / Bass
Yomo Toro / Cuatro
Ismael Quintana / Percussion
Miguelito Ortiz / Lead Vocals
Luigi Texidor / Lead Vocals
Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, Tito Allen, Ray De La Paz / Chorus

Ismael Rivera Y Sus Cachimbos - Esto Si Es Lo Mio

2008-08-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Released 1978 Tico

Re-mastered 2006 Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Ismael Rivera

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Las Caras Lindas 7:12 (C. Curet Alonso)
2. Comedia 3:01 (Placido Acevedo)
3. De Medio Lao 3:58 (Javier Vazquez)
4. A Medias No 4:59 (Mario Hernandez)
5. La Perla 5:28 (C. Curet Alonso)
6. Ella No Merece Un Llanto 5:31 (Bobby Capo)
7. Angelica 4:09 (Placido Acevedo)

Arrangements by Javier Vazquez.

Las Caras Lindas is one of the best known Ismael Rivera song and made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:
Javier Vazquez / Piano, Musical Director
Carlos "Rigo" Malcom / Timbales, Quinto
Hector Zarzuela / Trumpet
Manolin Gonzalez / Saxophone
Victor Venegas / Bass
Jose Luis Gonzalez / Conga
Victor Gonzalez / Bongos
Ismael Rivera / Lead Vocals, Clave, Maracas, Guiro
Ruben Blades, Adalberto Santiago, Nestor Sanchez, Hector Lavoe / Chorus

Ismael Rivera Y Sus Cachimbos - De Todas Maneras Rosas

2008-08-05T13:52:00.001-07:00

Released 1977 Tico

Re-mastered 2007 Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Ismael Rivera & Louie Ramirez

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. De Todas Maneras Rosas 4:15 (C. Curet Alonso)
2. Hola 2:56 (Juan Pablo Torres)
3. Si Te Cojo 3:09 (Bobby Capo)
4. Mi Son Sabroson 4:15 (Javier Vazquez)
5. El Mesias 4:13 (Johnny Ortiz)
6. Mi Musica 3:55 (C. Curet Alonso)
7. Profesion Esperanza 3:24 (C. Curet Alonso)
8. La Oportunidad 5:22 (C. Curet Alonso)

Arrangements by Javier Vazquez.

De Todas Maneras Rosas and El Mesias made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Javier Vazquez / Piano
Elpidio Vazquez / Bass
Mario Hernandez / Tres
Hector "Bomberito" Zarzuela / Trumpet
Manolin Gonzalez / Saxophone
Jerry Chamberlain / Trombone
Juan C. Ross / Conga
Vitin Gonzalez / Bongos
Carlos Malcom / Timbales
Sammy Ayala / Percussion
Ismael Rivera / Lead Vocals
Tito Allen, Ruben Blades, Adalberto Santiago, Sammy Ayala / Chorus

New Swing Sextet - Back On The Streets

2008-07-27T09:19:00.001-07:00

Released 2008

Cotique / Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Henry Knowles and Willy Torres

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Che Che 5:25 (Frank Grillo)
2. Bobo Tu Te Quedaras 5:36 (Jesus Santiago)
3. El Raton 4:01 (Jose Feliciano)
4. Sarandonga 4:01 (Lorenzo Hierrezuelo, Francisco Repilado)
5. En El Balcon 7:01 (Tito Rodriguez)
6. The Monster 5:00 (George Rodriguez)
7. Amor Jibaro 6:16 (D.R.)
8. Ay Carino 4:36 (Federico Baena)
9. El Bongo 5:25 (Pedro Ortiz)
10. Flight 4:12 (Jesus Santiago)
11. El Tiroteo 3:20 (Pedro Ortiz, George Rodriguez)
12. Monta Mi Caballito 4:11 (Moises & Bobby Capo)

This is the first album in 38 years for New Swing Sextet. The only band member in common between the musicians from the first four albums and this one is the leader and vibraphonist George Rodriguez. A former band member Jesus Santiago does contribute two new compositions. Three songs (The Monster & El Bongo from "A Taste Of Spanish Harlem", El Tiroteo from "Revolucionando") are new versions of old New Swing Sextet songs. Remainders are covers of classics by likes of Machito, Tito Rodriguez, Cheo Feliciano and Bobby Capo. [note: The liner note credits Tito Rodriguez as composer of Che Che, but Machito claims authorship of the source song Buenas Noches Che Che in his album whereas Tito Rodriguez does not claim authorship in his album]

A very good album all around - I think pretty much all songs are danceable.

All old original NSS albums are currently out of print. These are:

The Explosive New Swing Sextet (1967)
A Taste Of Spanish Harlem (1968)
Swinging Along (1969)
Revolucionando (1970)

A Vampisoul compilation album "Monkey See, Monkey Do" covers approximately half of the material from the original four albums.

Musicians:

Angel Justiano / Conga, Chorus
Harry Justiano / Bass, Chorus
Tomas Martin Lopez / Timbales, Bongos, Bata, Chorus
Joseph Mannozzi Jr / Piano
Jose "Cheo" Medina / Lead Vocals
Hector Ortiz / Timbales, Bongos
George Rodriguez / Vibraphone, Chorus
Joseph Mannozi III, Willy Torres / Hand and Misc. Percussion
Alejandro Rodriguez / Rap

La-33 - La-33

2008-07-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Released 2004

Independent release

Produced by La-33

Available at Prodland, Descarga, Amazon

1. La 33 5:37 (Sergio Mejia)
2. Soledad 4:45 (Sergio & Santiago Mejia)
3. Anny's Boogaloo 3:51 (Sergio Mejia, David Cantillo)
4. La Pantera Mambo 6:14 (Henry Mancini)
5. Que Rico Boogaloo 3:51 (Sergio & Santiago Mejia)
6. Suelta El Bongo 3:41 (Diego Sanchez, Guillermo Celis)
7. La Pelicula 5:11 (Sergio Mejia, David Cantillo)
8. La Vida Se Pasa A Mil 4:23 (Sergio & Santiago Mejia)
9. El Tornillo De Guillo 4:12 (Sergio Mejia, Natalia Cuellar)
10. Manuela 5:29 (Santiago Acevedo, Sergio Mejia)

Arrangements by Sergio Mejia & Lyrics by Guillermo Celis & David Cantillo.

Underground breakout hit. The band is sometimes referred to as Orquesta La 33 although never by the band as far as I know. Salsa dancers who have been around for few years would recognize La Pantera Mambo as the song that was overplayed to death by every other Salsa DJ. It still is a good song and it made salsanewyork.com list. Give it a few years of rest, and I predict it will be perfectly enjoyable again.

Other songs are quite good as well. Better ones include Soledad, Suelta El Bongo, La 33 for Salsa and Que Rico Boogaloo and Anny's Boogaloo for Cha Cha.

Musicians:

Sergio Mejia / Bass, Director
Santiago Mejia / Piano
Guillermo Celis / Lead Vocals (2,4,6,8,10), Chorus
David Cantillo / Lead Vocals (1,3,5,7,9), Chorus
Diego Sanchez / Bongos, Chorus
Cipriano Rojas / Conga
Juan David Fernandez / Timbales
Roland Nieto / Trumpet
Felipe Cardenas / Tenor Sax
Vladimir Romero / Trombone, Chorus
Jose Miguel Vega / Trombone

Francisco Aguabella - H2O

2008-07-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

Released 1986 Olm Records

Re-issued 1999 Cubop Records

Produced by Orlando Lopez

Available at ubiquityrecords.com, Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Short Story 3:30 (Kenny Dorham)
2. Quien Eres Tu 5:12 (Francisco Aguabella)
3. Wood Place 4:24 (Francisco Aguabella)
4. Nena 4:57 (Francisco Aguabella)
5. Cavalie 3:19 (D.R.)
6. Son To Any Kid 4:56 (D.R.)
7. Intensity 4:02 (D.R.)
8. Vencido 4:32 (Francisco Aguabella, Eduardo Reyes)
9. Caito 4:46 (D.R.)
10. Danzonete 4:57 (D.R.)

Arrangements by Julio Raul (1,3,5,6,7,10), Eduardo Borra (2,4,9), Eduardo Reyes (8).

Danceable Latin Jazz album. Many of the songs are purely instrumental. The most obvious danceable track is Quien Eres Tu, which plays like a hard-core Salsa track with full vocals, a lot of breaks and flavor. Wood Place stood out to me as the most obvious purely instrumental dance track with caveat that I never had a chance to try it out (it probably needs to be slowed down too).

Musicians:

Francisco Aguabella / Leader, Conga, Bata, Other Percussion
Joe Rotondi Jr / Piano
Jonathan Pintoff / Bass
Luis Gonzalez / Trumpet
Charles Owens / Sax
Dan Weinstein / Trombone
Nengue Hernandez / Lead Vocals, Timbales
David Romero / Bongo
Ed Smith / Drums
Orlando Lopez, Francisco Aguabella, Nengue Hernandez / Chorus

Orquesta Guayacan - Xtremo

2008-07-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Released 2005

Norte Discos / Sony BMG

Produced by Alexis Lozano

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

1. A Cali 4:46 (Nino Caicedo)
2. Ay Amor, Cuando Hablan Las Miradas 4:16 (Nino Caicedo)
3. Guayacan Bachatas 4:42 (Nino Caicedo)
4. Cambiare Por Ti 4:10 (Nino Caicedo)
5. Con Que Derecho 4:38 (Nino Caicedo)
6. Herencia Musical 4:23 (Alexis Lozano)
7. La Primera Vez 4:33 (Nino Caicedo)
8. La Suerte Mia 4:59 (Nino Caicedo)
9. No Sigas Pensando En Mi 4:16 (Nino Caicedo)
10. Son Cepillao 5:06 (Alfonso Cordoba)
11. Vete 4:21 (Carlos Arroyo)

Arrangements by Alexis Lozano.

Nice album. Ay Amor, Cuando Hablan Las Miradas was such an instant classic that Alberto Barros decided to cover it in 2007 in his tribute CD/DVD album for Colombian Salsa "Tributo A La Salsa Colombiana" a mere 2 years after the original was released!

Musicians:

Alexis Lozano / Director, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
Alberto Barros / Trombone
Jose Aguirre / Trumpet
Wilson Viveros / Campanas
Juan Manuel Murillo / Bongo
Michael Hassed "Possy" / Piano
Julio Cortez / Piano
Hector "Pichi" Perez / Chorus, Minor Percussion
Luisito Carrion, Puppy Santiago, Wichy Camacho / Chorus
Andy Caicedo / Vocals
Pedro Arroyo / Vocals
Geimar Murillo / Vocals

Guest Musicians:

Papo Lucca / Piano (8)
Alexis Lozano Jr / Timbales, Conga (6)
Nina Caicedo / Chorus (2)
Junior Jein / Rap

Marc Anthony - Valio La Pena

2008-07-15T13:20:00.001-07:00

Released 2004

Sony Discos

Produced by Sergio George

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

1. Valio La Pena 4:51 (Estefano, Marc Anthony)
2. Escapemonos 5:32 (Estefano, Julio Reyes)
3. Ahora Quien 5:10 (Estefano, Julio Reyes)
4. Tu Amor Me Hace Bien 5:01 (Estefano)
5. Volando Entre Tus Brazos 5:19 (Estefano, Julio Reyes)
6. Amigo 4:13 (Roberto Carlos, Erasmos Carlos / adaptation to Spanish Buddy & Mary McCluskey)
7. Se Esfuma Tu Amor 4:37 Estefano, Jose Luis Pagan)
8. Lamento Boricano 5:06 (Rafael Hernandez)

Arrangements by Sergio George.

Salsa version of the pop ballad album "Amar Sin Mentiras" with Lamento Borincano added. Three of the songs work fine for Salsa dancing - Valio La Pena, Ahora Quien and Tu Amor Me Hace Bien.

Musicians:

Sergio George / Piano, Keyboards, Chorus
Alex Duque / Bass
Diego Gale / Conga, Bongos, Bata
Roberto Vilera / Timbales, Bata
Kevin Ricard / Bata, Minor Percussion
Tiki Pasillas / Misc Percussion
Alberto Barros / Trombone
Luis Aquino / Trumpet
Bernd Schoenhart / Acoustic Guitar
Grecco Burrato / Acoustic Guitar
William Duvall, Chris Alfinez / Chorus
Luis Damon, Leyla Hoyle, Kevin Ceballo / Chorus (3)
Marc Anthony / Lead Vocals
Jennifer Lopez / Co-Lead Vocals (2)

Musicians for Lamento Borincano:
Los Andinos / Acoustic Guitar & Requinto
Pedro Perez / Bass
Wilfredo Lopez / Percussion

Marc Anthony - Todo A Su Tiempo

2008-07-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

Released 1995

RMM / Universal Music Latino

Produced by Sergio George & Marc Anthony

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Se Me Sigue Olvidando 4:53 (Rudy Amado Perez)
2. Te Conozco Bien 5:14 (Omar Alfanno)
3. Hasta Ayer 4:38 (Omar Alfanno)
4. Nadie Como Ella 4:56 (Omar Alfanno)
5. Te Amare 4:47 (Angel Ramirez Jr)
6. Llegaste A Mi 4:56 (Omar Alfanno)
7. Y Sigues Siendo Tu 4:34 (Guadalupe Garcia Garcia, Eduardo Reyes, Laura Reyes)
8. Por Amar Se Da Todo 4:59 (Salako)
9. Vieja Mesa 4:24 (Victor Victor)

All arrangements by Sergio George except (6) by Sergio George & Angel Fernandez.

Second Salsa album by Marc Anthony and his first to reach #1 position on the US Tropical Chart. Arguably the best known Salsa song is Te Conozco Bien, but Nadie Como Ella probably is easier to play for dancing.

Musicians:

Sergio George / Piano, Keyboards
Ruben Rodriguez / Electric & Upright Bass
Marc Quinones / Percussion
Bobby Allende / Percussion
Luis Quintero / Percussion
Ite Jeres / Trumpet
Pro Rodriguez / Trumpet
Angel Fernandez / Trumpet
William Cepeda / Trombone
Bernd Schoenhart / Acoustic Guitar (3,7)
Lewis Kahn / Trombone & Violin (3)
William Duval, Marc Anthony, Sergio George / Chorus
Gabriela Andres, Sergio / Ooohs and Aaahs
Marc Anthony / Lead Vocals

Edwin Bonilla - Edwin Y Su Son

2008-07-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

Released 1999

SAR Records 1080

Produced by Roberto Torres & Edwin Bonilla

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Las Islas Del Sabor 4:36 (Jesus Perez, Edwin Bonilla)
2. Si Te Vas No Me Muero 6:53 (Jesus Perez)
3. Si Te Busco En El Baile 5:49 (Jesus Perez)
4. Consult En Guanabacoa 5:24 (Jesus Perez)
5. Carmen La Rocca 7:26 (D.R.)
6. Son De Mi Tierra 6:56 (Edwin Bonilla)
7. Mi Son 5:12 (Jesus Perez)
8. Si Tu No Vienes No Bailas 4:32 (Jesus Perez, Edwin Bonilla)

Arrangements by Jesus Perez & Edwin Bonilla.

This is the first solo album for Miami-based percussionist Edwin Bonilla recorded for now Miami-based SAR Records of Roberto Torres.

Two songs (Si Te Busco En El Baile, Si Tu No Vienes No Bailas) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Jesus Alejandro Perez "El Nino" / Lead Vocals, Chorus, Tres, Flute, Bass, Piano
Edwin Bonilla / Timbales, Conga, Bongos, Maracas, Clave, Chorus
Eduardo Sanchez / Trumpet, Chorus
David Grott / Trombone
Mike Fahie / Trombones (1,8)
Gerardo Araujo / Clave (1)
Alejandro D'Armas / Chorus
Lazaro Leyva / Bass & Chorus (1,8)

La Charanga New York: Canta Yesid Perez

2008-06-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Released 2005

Yoyo Music

Produced by Jhon Pazos & "Copetin" Hugo

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. El Yoyo 5:23 (E. Sanchez)
2. El Ajiaco 3:04 (D.R.)
3. Cha Cha Cha Con Pachanga 2:35 (D.R.)
4. Pachanga En La Playa 3:40 (Lou Ramirez)
5. Mi Mambo Rock 3:39 (Alfredo Linares)
6. Lluvia Con Nieve 2:57 (Efrain "Mon" Rivera)
7. Me Voy Pa' Las Villas 3:15 (Tito Rodriguez)
8. Sofrito 5:35 (Neal Creque)
9. Llego La Pachanga 3:27 (Joe Quijano)
10. La Pachaga "Fajardos Charanga" 3:06 (Jose Fajardo)
11. Acuyeye 2:47 (Johnny Pacheco)
12. Conmigo 2:43 (Pedro Florez)
13. Isla Del Encanto 3:59 (Eugenio Hernandez)

Arrangements by Jhon Pazos (1,2,3,4,5,7,9) and "Copetin" Hugo (6,8,10,12,13,14).

The band is named La Charanga New York, but they are neither a true Charanga band (typically dominated by the violins and flute accompanying Latin percussion) nor New Yorkers. They are Colombians presumably making a tribute to the heydays of Charanga in New York, which was at its height in the early 1960s.

The Charanga craze in 1960s New York was headlined by Johnny Pacheco and Charlie Palmieri. Johnny Pacheco hit Acuyeye is represented here. Many of the other songs were not Charanga strictly speaking although they were from the same era. Well-known examples (copied rather well here by La Charanga New York) include El Ajiaco (recorded by Eddie Palmieri as Ajiaco Caliente in the album Mambo Con Conga Is Mozambique (1965)), Conmigo (also recorded by Eddie Palmieri in the album La Perfecta (1962)), Lluvia Con Nieve (recorded by Mon Rivera in the album Que Gente Averigua (1961)). Orquesta Broadway rendition of Isla Del Encanto probably dates from 1960s although the earliest recording I have found thus far was from 1980 album Pasaporte. The tribute is not limited to 1960s either - Sofrito (recorded by Mongo Santamaria in the album Sofrito) is from 1976, and El Yoyo while dating to days of Cortijo Y Su Combo from 1950s seems to be influenced more by the version made by Wayne Gorbea in 2000 (Saboreando… Salsa Dura En El Bronx).

Lluvia Con Nieve made salsanewyork.com list. This version is very similar to the original Mon Rivera version except it is somewhat lighter and brighter in tone.

Musician and/or instrument list is presumably incomplete. Perhaps they could make Trumpet sound like Trombone but I can't imagine how they could have faked violin or string sound in Isla Del Encanto with the instruments listed here.

Musicians:

Yesid Perez / Leader, Vocals
Jhon Pazos / Piano
Flavio Cuta / Bass
Kike Cuao / Timbales, Conga
Hugo Fernandez / Trumpet
Walter Valencia / Flute
Juan Carlos Chavez / Bongo, Campana
Ulises Rodriguez / Guiro, Maracas

Charanga De La 4 - Charanga De La 4

2008-06-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

compilation CD released 1993

cover art from SAR 1010

Produced by Roberto Torres

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

REVISED POST (November 21, 2008)

1. Aqui Hay Un Hombre Gozando 9:04 (Orlando Alonso)
2. Tumba La Cana 7:34 (D.R.)
3. Me Gusta El Son 5:37 (Roberto Torres)
4. Bilongo 10:12 (Guillermo Rodriguez)
5. Consuelate Como Yo 8:52 (Chano Pozo)
6. Seboruco 5:26 (Jose Carbo Menendez)
7. Sabrosona 4:36 (Rafael Lay & Richard Egues)
8. Que Me Digan Feo 5:33 (D.R.)

This CD is a compilation of songs by Charanga De La 4 culled from several vinyl albums with the cover from their second vinyl album from 1980 re-used. The original source of the songs is as follows.

tracks 1-3– from Charanga De La 4 (1979) SAR SLP-1006
tracks 4-5 – from Charanga Del La 4 (1980) SAR SLP-1010
track 6 – from Se Pego (1986) SAR SLP-1044
track 7-8 – from Mas Charanga Que Nunca (1988) SAR SLP-1047

Aqui Hay Un Hombre Gozando and Bilongo made salsanewyork.com list.

According to John Child of descarga.com, Charanga De La 4 was characterized by anonymity of its musicians. Arrangers and directors were sometimes but not always mentioned; they include Raul Alfonso, Alfredo Valdes Jr, Manolo Albo, Pupi Legarreta, Jose Gomez and Frank Bello. Some musicians also talk about being a part of Charanga De La 4 at one point or another of their career; these include well-known violinist Alfredo De La Fe and bassist Marino Solano (late of SonSublime).

Original albums were released as follows.

Charanga De La 4 - untitled (1979, SAR 1006 vinyl)
Las Matancéras Son / Aquí Hay Un Hombre Gozándo / Tumba La Caña / Me Gusta El Son

Charanga De La 4 - untitled (1980, SAR 1010 vinyl)
La Sallita / Bilongo / Pare Cochero / Consuelate Como Yo

Charanga De La 4 - Recuerda A Beni More Vol 1 (1981, SAR 1025 vinyl)
Manzanillo / Soy Campesino / Guantanamo / Adios A Palma Soriano

Charanga De La 4 - Recuerda A Beni More Vol 2 (1983, SAR 1035 vinyl)
Santa Isabel De Las Lajas / Bonito Y Sabroso / Tu Veras Margot / Mulata Con Cola

Charanga De La 4 - Recuerda A Beni More Vol 3 (1983, SAR 1036 vinyl)
Tumba Tumbador / Mata Siguaraya / Guajiro De Verdad / Baila Mi Son

Charanga De La 4 - Se Pego..! (1986, SAR 1044 vinyl)
Cucho / Seboruco / Guantanamo / Soy Campesino

Charanga De La 4 - Mas Charanga Que Nunca (1988, SAR 1047 vinyl)
Que Me Digan Feo / Clavelitos / Suavito / Oyeme Viejito / No Me Mires Mas / Sabrosona

Roberto Torres Con Charanga De La 4 (1993, SAR 1054 - CD)
El Tractor Amarillo / Caballo De Batalla / Nunca Nunca / Se Me Olvido Otra Vez / Nina Hipocrita / Yo Soy El Son Cubano / No Vale La Pena / Un Madrigal / El Alardoso

Charanga De La 4 - Interpreta A Matamoros (1997, SAR 1072 – CD)
Frutas Del Caney / El Que Siembra Su Maiz / Buchi Pluma / Son De La Loma / Lagrimas Negras / El Paralitico / Compay Gallo / La Mujer De Antonio

Other currently available Charanga De La 4 CDs using older vinyl material are as follows.

Lo Mejor De La Charanga De La 4 (uses cover from SAR 1006 vinyl)
- This album contains one track from SAR 1006 (Las Matanceras) as well as two tracks from SAR 1010 (La Sallita, Pare Cochero), SAR1025 (Guantanamo, Soy Campesino – both also represented in SAR 1044), SAR 1035 (Bonito Y Sabroso, Tu Veras Margot), and SAR1044 (Cucho). By purchasing this album along with the album reviewed here, you can complete the first two Charanga De La 4 LPs as well as the two original songs included in SAR 1044 LP.

Recuerda A Beni More (uses cover from SAR 1025 probably)
- This album combines Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Recuerda A Beni More.

Se Pego (uses cover from SAR 1044)
- This album contains entire Recuerda A Beni More Vol 3 (SAR 1036) and four of six tracks from Mas Charanga Que Nunca (SAR 1047). However, this CD DOES NOT contain any material from the original Se Pego LP (SAR 1044), which is very confusing. By purchasing this album along with the album reviewed here, you can complete the original material from SAR 1036 and SAR 1047.

Much gratitudes to anonymous commenters, who drove me to improve this review. Original post is included below (to see how much things changed)

--

Exerpts from OLD EDITION of this post (originally posted on June 30, 2008)

According to John Child of descarga.com, Charanga De La 4 was characterized by anonymity of its musicians. Arrangers and directors were sometimes but not always mentioned; they include Raul Alfonso, Alfredo Valdes Jr, Manolo Albo, Pupi Legarreta, Jose Gomez and Frank Bello. Some musicians also talk about being a part of Charanga De La 4 at one point or another of their career; these include well-known violinist Alfredo De La Fe and bassist Marino Solano (currently of SonSublime). However, there is absolutely no musician, arranger or director credit for this album.

The time of release for this album for me was made quite confusing because of a descarga.com review possibly with many errors. There is a compilation album Lo Mejor De La Charanga De La 4, and descarga.com gives this compilation album the designation SAR/Guajiro 1006. I think that this designation is wrong. The SAR 1006 designation probably belongs to another Charanga De La 4 untitled album (1979), which probably has not been released as a CD. The cover art for these the original 1979 album and the compilation album may be identical.

The Charanga De La 4 album reviewed here has the identifier SAR 1010 (SLP-1010 Serie 0798). I'm dating this Charanga De La 4 release date as 1980 based on the SLP (Stereo Long Playing record album) number. Linda Leida's "Con Sabor A Montuno" (1979) is SAR SLP-1005 or SAR SCD-1005, and Henry Fiol's "Fe, Esperanza Y Caridad" (1980) is SAR SCD-1012. Was the cover art done by Henry Fiol or was it merely inspired by Fiol? In any case the painted cover art is another indication that the album was released as an LP before being re-released as a CD suggesting that the original release date was well before the printed date of 1993 on my CD.

Aqui Hay Un Hombre Gozando and Bilongo made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians include (my speculation):

Alfredo Valdes Jr / Piano
Alfredo De La Fe / Violin

My best guess of Charanga De La 4 original album releases

Charanga De La 4 - untitled (1979, SAR 1006)
Charanga De La 4 - untitled (1980, SAR 1010)
Charanga De La 4 - Recuerda A Beni More Vol 1 (1981, SAR 1025)
Charanga De La 4 - Recuerda A Beni More Vol 2 (1983, SAR 1035)
Charanga De La 4 - Se Pego..! (1986, SAR 1044)
Charanga De La 4 - Mas Charanga Que Nunca (1988, SAR #?)
Roberto Torres Con Charanga De La 4 (1993, SAR 1054)
Charanga De La 4 - Interpreta A Matamoros (1997, SAR 1072)

Mongo Santamaria – Mambo Mongo

2008-06-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Released 1993

Chesky Records

Produced by David Chesky

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Dark Before Dawn 5:42 (Ronnie Mathews)
2. Carribean Sunrise 4:43 (Hilton Ruiz)
3. Mambo Mongo 6:53 (William Allen)
4. Los Ninos Del Mundo 6:02 (Eddie Allen)
5. Cali 5:04 (Eddie Allen)
6. Are They Only Dreams 5:02 (Onaje Allen Gumbs)
7. Cuco Y Olga 6:04 (Nicholas “Cuco” Martinez)
8. Azteca 5:25 (Marty Sheller)
9. La Mogolla 9:32 (Mongo Santamaria)

Arrangements by Marty Sheller (1,6,7,8), Hilton Ruiz (2), William Allen (3) and Eddie Allen (4,5).

This is a sonically very clean recording more typical of outstanding jazz recordings as opposed to many of the classic Salsa or Mambo recordings. In fact the album is also available in SACD format.

The album fits the category of Latin Jazz better than Salsa, and pretty much all songs are without a vocalist. The album as whole is very nice to listen to.

Mambo Mongo made salsanewyork.com list although a more typical version (also a little slower paced and shorter) known for Salsa is from Mongo Santamaria’s 1970’s original rendition of the song from the album “Afro Indio” under the Fania label.

Musicians:

Mongo Santamaria / Conga
Johnny Andreu Almendra / Timbales
Eddie Rodriguez / Percussion & Vocals
Dario Eskenazi / Piano
Guillermo Edghill / Bass
Eddie Allen / Trumpet
Jimmy Cozier / Alto Sax
Craig Rivers / Tenor & Soprano Sax
Jerome Goldschmidt / Cata (8) & Itotele (9)
Hubert Laws / Flute (1,6)
Dave Valentin / Flute (2,4)
Marty Sheller / Musical Director & Conductor

Alfredo De La Fe – Latitudes

2008-06-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

Released 2000

RykoLatino

Produced by Alfredo De La Fe

Available at Descarga, Amazon, etc

1. Latin New York 6:23 (Alfredo De La Fe)
2. Asomate A La Ventura 4:37 (Alfredo De La Fe Sr.)
3. Xiomara 4:45 (Chucho Valdez)
4. Somos El Nuevo Milenio 6:02 (Alfredo De La Fe)
5. Sandra Mora 4:45 (Traditional)
6. Hilda 4:55 (Alfredo De La Fe)
7. Descarga Melao 4:24 (Alfredo De La Fe)
8. Que Manera 4:38 (Manolo De Valle)
9. Ge Ge 5:00 (Cesar Correa)
10. Muneca 4:40 (Eddie Palmieri)
11. Batusalsa 4:38 (Alfredo De La Fe)

Arrangements by Cesar Correa & Alfredo De La Fe.

Latitudes reflect the journey Alfredo De La Fe took from his native Cuba to New York in the 60s and 70s then to Colombia in the 80s. Musical influences ranging from Eddie Palmieri and Tipica 73, both of whom Alfredo De La Fe worked with in the 70s, to Tito Puente in the 80s to Colombian Cumbia is explicit in this album. By the time of this album’s release in London, Alfredo De La Fe had relocated to Italy.

Muneca made salsanewyork.com list.

All songs in this album apparently was re-released in 2006 by Discos Fuentes in the CD "Esta Es Mi Salsa" with two bonus tracks. Check Prodland or Amazon for this CD.

Musicians:

Alfredo De La Fe / Violin, Viola, Cello, Congo Vocals (11)
Cesar Correa / Piano, Accordion (11), Solo Synthesizer (9)
Eduardo “Dudu” Penz / Electric Bass, Baby Bass, Brazilian Percussion & Chorus (11)
Rodrigo Rodriguez / Timbales, Maracas, Guiro, Guira (1), Rap Vocals (5,11), Quinto (3), Chorus and Lead Vocals (2,5,7,11)
Luis Aballe / Conga, Bongos, Cowbell (4)
Nene Vasquez / Bongos, Cowbell, Conga (4), Quinto (1)
Leonardo Govin / Lead Trombone
Don Randolph / Trombone
Carmine Pagano / Trombone
Elvio Ghigliordini / Flute, Baritone Saxophone
Ruth Mery Carvajal / Chorus
Jose Rodriguez / Chorus
Armando Miranda / Chorus, Lead Vocals (3,4,5,8,10)
Carlos Irarragorri / Tres (2,4)
Bruno Genera / Djembe (11)
Francesco Manzoni / Trumpet, Flugelhorn (9)
Gilson Silveira / Brazilian Percussion (11)
Amik Guerra / Trumpet (11)

Afro Cuban All Stars - A Toda Cuba Le Gusta

2008-06-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

Released 1997

World Circuit / Nonesuch

Produced by Nick Gold & Juan de Marcos Gonzalez

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Amor Verdadero 6:35 (Jose "Cheo" Marquetti)
2. Alto Songo 6:42 (Luis "Lili" Martinez)
3. Habana Del Este 6:37 (Juan de Marcos Gonzalez)
4. A Toda Cuba Le Gusta 5:45 (Remberto Becquer)
5. Fiesta De La Rumba 5:51 (traditional)
6. Los Sitio' Asere 5:19 (Silvio Pino)
7. Pio Mentiroso 4:34 (Miguel Ojeda)
8. Maria Caracoles 4:47 (Pio Leyva & Pedro Izquierdo)
9. Clasiqueando Con Ruben 5:12 (Juan de Marcos Gonzalez)
10. Elube Chango 4:02 (Alberto Rivero)

Arrangements by Demetrio Muniz (1), Juan de Marcos Gonzalez (2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10), and Jose Manuel Ceruto (8).

This is one of a trio of 1997 recordings (the other two are "Buena Vista Social Club" and "Introducing Ruben Gonzalez") made during Ry Cooder and Nick Gold's 2-week trip to Cuba to record native Cuban musicians with a great deal of help from Juan de Marcos Gonzalez. These recordings and the accompanying feature film "Buena Vista Social Club" directed by Wim Wenders on a follow-up trip in 1998 arguably had a strong impact in increased public awareness in Cuban music - and probably had an impact in many non-Latinos becoming interested in Salsa among other things in the late 1990s.

It's a great sounding record with Amor Verdadero and Alto Songo being two of the highlights. Another great song is Clasiqueando Con Ruben, which made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Juan de Marcos Gonzalez / Tres and Leader
Ruben Gonzalez / Piano
Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez / Bass
Luis Alemany / Trumpet
Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal / Trumpet
Daniel Ramos / Trumpet
Carlos "El Afrokan" Alvarez / Trombone
Demetrio Muniz / Trombone
Javier Zalba / Baritone Sax and Flute
Miguel "Anga" / Conga
Julienne Oviedo / Timbales
Carlos Gonzalez / Bongos
Alberto Virgilio Valdes / Maracas
Carlos Puisseaux / Guiro
Alberto Virgilio Valdes, Luis Barzaga, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez / Chorus
Ry Cooder / Slide Guitar (2)
Richard Egues / Flute (3)
Barbarito Torres / Laoud (1)
Ibrahim Ferrer, Pio Leyva, Manuel "Puntillito" Licea, Raul Planas, Jose Antonio "Maceo" Rodriguez, Felix Valoy / Lead Vocals

Sonora Poncena - Explorando

2008-06-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

Released 1978
Inca

Produced by Papo Lucca

Re-mastered 2007
Fania / E-Musica

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Jubileo 20 5:03 (Edwin Crespo)
2. Se Formo 5:26 (Rene Marquez Rojo)
3. Te Quiero Tanto 3:47 (Claudio Estrada)
4. Moreno Soy 6:32 (Francisco Alvarado Morales)
5. Sentimiento Jibaro 5:02 (Ramon Luis Morales)
6. Suena El Piano 4:28 (Fernando Arbex & Miro)
7. No Has De Verme Llorar 3:39 (D.R.)
8. Canto Al Amor 6:37 (Yolanda Rivera)

All arrangements by Papo Lucca.

La Sonora Poncena celebrates its 20th anniversary with the first song Jubileo 20. Of course the band had essentially no impact in the recording industry until the boy wonder Papo Lucca joined his father's band and kicked things off with the first album "Hacheros Pa' Un Palo" released under the Fania subsidiary Inca Records in 1969 and followed it up with even bigger "Fuego En El 23!" in 1970. This 1978 album was released at or near the height of a long and prolific history of this band.

Canto Al Amor made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Enrique "Quique" Lucca / Leader
Enrique "Papo" Lucca / Piano
Ramon A Rodriguez "Tony" / Trumpet, Chorus
Luis R Castro "Cuchy" / Trumpet
Delfin Perez / Trumpet
Humberto Godineaux / Trumpet
Angel L Hernandez / Bongo
Vicente "Johnny" Rivero / Conga
Jessie Colon / Timbales
Antonio Santaella / Bass
Yolanda Rivera / Lead Vocals
Miguel "Miguelito" Ortiz / Lead Vocals, Chorus
Humberto "Tito" Gomez / Lead Vocals, Chorus

Angel Canales - Historia De Una Leyenda

2008-05-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

compilation released 2002

Exclusivo

Available at Descarga

1. Locucion
2. Solo Se Que Tiene Nombre De Mujer 5:16 (A. Canales)
3. La Humanidad 5:58 (A. Canales)
4. Dos Gardenias 2:57 (Isolina Carrillo)
5. Soy Del Monte 6:36 (D.R.)
6. Locucion
7. Bomba Carambomba 6:09 (Titi Amadeo)
8. Nostalgia 5:33 (D.R.)
9. Locucion
10. Sandra 5:11 (A. Canales)
11. Locucion
12. Ana Isaocao 6:18 (A. Canales)
13. Locucion
14. Caja De Sorpresas 7:05 (Tommy Sanchez)
15. Locucion
16. Saraguay Santoja 6:05 (A. Canales)
17. Locucion
18. Nina Mele 4:24 (A. Canales)
19. Cha Cha A La Canales 6:03 (A. Canales)

This compilation contains 12 songs and 7 short interruptions for advertisements (locucion). All the songs are seemingly from studio recordings. Some of the 12 songs were released as part of other Angel Canales albums, but not all. Below is the breakdown as best I could make out.

Solo Se Que Tiene Nombre De Mujer, Nina Mele - not released as part of an original album?

Sandra, Ana Isaoco, Cha Cha A La Canales - from El San Juan (1976)

La Humanidad, Dos Gardenias, Soy Del Monte, Nostalgia - from Sentimiento Del Latino En Nueva York (1979)

Bomba Carambomba, Saraguay Santoja, (La Vida Es Una) Caja De Sorpresas - from El Diferente (1981) (studio album, not the live album of the same name)

Some of these songs categorized as not released as part of an original album may make up part of the rumored album Just When You Thought It Was Safe (1982), which is mentioned by Brian Lynch.

Two songs made salsanewyork.com list - Solo Se Que Tiene Nombre De Mujer and Bomba Carambomba. Sandra (another version titled Baby Please Don't Go in Different Shades Of Thought (1982) also exists) and Nina Mele may be worth playing as well.

Machito Y Su Orquesta - Yo Soy La Rumba

2008-05-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

compilation reissued 1994

Polydor / Polygram Latino
(also WS Latino re-issue 1993)

Ten songs released in the 1965 album Mucho Mucho Machito

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. El Guardia Con El Tolete 3:10 (R. Becker)
2. Risque 3:15 (A. Barroso, H. Sanguinetti)
3. Baja El Caballo 3:25 (F. Grillo)
4. Lo Llevo En Mi 3:22 (B. Manrique)
5. Yo Soy La Rumba 3:55 (M. Guerra)
6. Noche De Ronda 2:52 (M. T. Lara)
7. Tanga 3:31 (M. Bauza)
8. Mi Cancion Es Para Ti 3:20 (L. Homes, B. Manrique)
9. Asi No Se Quiere A Nadie 2:45 (M. Guerra)
10. Es Que No Comprendes 3:22 (C. Abreu)
11. Entre Juanito Y Jose 2:57 (F. Grillo)
12. Balanza 3:02 (J. Gonzalez)

Ten of the twelve songs were originally released in 1965 in the album "Mucho Mucho Machito" featuring Graciela and Marcelino Guerra. The two extra songs are tracks 4 and 12 - skip those songs and this CD is identical to Mucho Mucho Machito.

Six of the songs are Boleros with Graciela at lead vocals. These are all the even-numbered tracks.

For me the big reason to get this album was the Marcelino "Rapindey" Guerra songs - especially Yo Soy La Rumba, which has been covered later by among others La Sonora Poncena and re-titled Ahora Si. Asi No Se Quiere A Nadie might be worth playing too - we'll see. The version of Tanga here has better sound quality especially compared to the radio recordings from the 1950s.

Musicians include:

Frank Grillo "Machito" / Lead Vocals, Maracas
Graciela / Lead Vocals
Marcelino "Rapindey" Guerra / Lead Vocals
Mario Bauza / Trumpet
Rene Hernandez / Piano

Linda Leida Y La Bahia - Javier Vazquez Y Su Conjunto

2008-05-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Released 1984
Caiman Records

Executive Producers: Sergio Bofill & Humberto Corredor
Engineer: Sammy Velazquez

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. La Bahia 3:44
2. Quiereme Un Poquitico 3:37
3. De Tumbao 3:49
4. Tumba El Quinto 3:21
5. Defiendeme Santa Barbara 3:47
6. Ojos Malos 4:14
7. Arroz Con Manteca 4:08
8. Donde Estan Los Rumberos 3:35

I have very little information on this album. No songwriter or arranger credits. Tumba El Quinto is an old song; I have a Machito recording of the song from the1940s. I'm not even sure what La Bahia is; my best guess is that Javier Vazquez and his band is being called La Bahia here.

Tumba El Quinto made salsanewyork.com list. I might venture and try playing De Tumbao, Defiendeme Santa Barbara or Donde Estan Los Rumberos at some point in future.

Musicians:

Javier Vazquez / Director, Piano
Pedro "Puchi" Boulong / Trumpet
Felix Vega Jr / Trumpet
Hector "Bomberito" Zarzuela / Trumpet
Raimundo Vazquez / Bass
Mario Hernandez / Tres
Alberto Valdes / Conga
Mario "Papaito" Munoz / Timbales
Yayo El Indio / Guiro, Maracas
Yayo El Indio, Jorge Maldonado, Alberto Valdez / Chorus

Ismael Miranda & Junior Gonzalez - Cantar O No Cantar

2008-05-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

Released 1995
ASEFRA Music Productions

Musical Direction by Louis Garcia & Jose Mangual Jr

Out of print. Best bet might be Amazon.

1. Cantar O No Cantar 5:49 (Jhonny Ortiz)
2. Dame Tiempo 4:36 (Raldy Vasquez)
3. Tu Nuevo Amor 5:17 (D.R.)
4. Flor De Madrugada 4:55 (Mario Diaz)
5. Ole Gitana 4:49 (Elvira Quiles & Jose Mangual)
6. Se Me Escapo El Momento 4:58 (Pedro Azael)
7. Los Caminos De La Vida 5:44 (Omar Geles)
8. Tanto Andar 6:17 (Tite Curet Alonso)

Arrangements by Luis "Perico" Ortiz (1), Lenny Prieto (2), Angel Fernandez (3), Eric Figueroa (4), Lucho Cueto (5), Louis Garcia (6, 8), Isidro Infante (7).

Ismael Miranda is the lead vocalist for tracks 2, 4 and 6. Junior Gonzalez is the lead vocalist for tracks 3, 5 and 7. Ismael Miranda and Junior Gonzalez shares lead vocal duty for tracks 1 and 8.

It's something of an Orchestra Harlow reunion with Larry Harlow as a special guest and Lewis Kahn also participating. The CD liner insert opens up to an amusing photo of Ismael Miranda and Junior Gonzalez lying on the ground barefoot and holding a champagne glass towards each other.

Three songs made salsanewyork.com list - Tu Nuevo Amor, Ole Gitana and Los Caminos De La Vida. Los Caminos De La Vida with accordion and all should be instantly recognizable.

Musicians:

Puerto Rico
Luis Quevedo / Piano
Efrain Hernandez / Bass
Charlie Sierra / Timbales
Sammy Garcia / Conga
Alberto Machuca / Bongo
Ramon Sanchez / Accordion
Elias Lopez / Trumpet
Luis Aquino / Trumpet
Vicente Castillo / Trumpet
Antonio Vazquez / Trombone
Raffi Torres / Trombone
Jorge Diaz / Trombone
Louis Garcia / Tres
Ramon Sanchez / Keyboards
Lenny Priedo / Keyboards
Jerry Medina, Darvel Garcia, Tito Allen / Chorus
Chago Martinez / Minor Percussion
Jesus "Papo" Sanchez, Louis Garcia, Jose Mangual Jr / Mix
Ramon Sanchez / Synthesizer

New York
Isidro Infante / Piano
Larry Harlow / Piano
Lucho Cueto / Piano
Jhonny Torres / Bass
Papo Pepin / Conga
Rey Colon / Bongo, Campana
Chino Nunez / Timbales
Cesar Rivera / Timbales
Jose Mangual Jr / Maracas, Guiro
Yomo Toro / Guitar
Hector "Bomberito" Zarzuela / Trumpet
Ite Jerez / Trumpet
Joe King / Trumpet
Leopoldo Pineda / Trombone
Lewis Kahn / Trombone
Louis Lopez / Trombone
Nestor Sanchez, Joe King, Milton Cardona, Jose Mangual Jr / Chorus

Tommy Olivencia - Plante Bandera

2008-05-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

Released 1975
Inca Records

Produced by Luis "Perico" Ortiz

Remastered 2006
Fania / E-musica

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Plante Bandera 4:34 (C. Curet Alonso)
2. Casimira 4:37 (C. Curet Alonso)
3. Como Novela De Amor 3:59 (C. Curet Alonso)
4. A La Yumbae 2:58 (C. Curet Alonso)
5. Si Estas Herido 4:36 (C. Curet Alonso)
6. Evelio Y La Rumba 5:35 (C. Curet Alonso)
7. El Amor 3:35 (D.R.)
8. A Mi Pai Chango 4:42 (C. Curet Alonso)
9. Trucutu 5:02 (Chamaco Ramirez)

Arrangements by Luis "Perico" Ortiz (1,3,6,8,9), Louis Cruz (2), Cabrerita (4), Jose Febles (5), Maximo Torres (7).

Plante Bandera and Trucutu made salsanewyork.com list. I think this is the second recording of Trucutu made by Chamaco Ramirez and Tommy Olivencia. A La Yumbae is a pretty good Merengue - seems to work fine with today's crowd.

Musicians:

Rafael Rodriguez / Trombone
Victor Candelario / Trombone
Ismael Rodriguez / Trumpet
Luis Ortiz / Trumpet
Hector Zarzuela / Trumpet
Tommy Olivencia / Trumpet
Frank Revilla / Piano
Jaime Ramirez / Bass
David Cortijito / Conga
Julito Morales / Timbales
Jose "Papi" Fuentes / Bongos
Chamacho Ramirez / Lead Vocals
Jose "Pepe" Sanchez / Vocals
Adalberto Santiago, Hector Lavoe, Yayo El Indio / Chorus

Oscar D'Leon - Infinito

2008-05-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

Released 2003

Universal Music Latino

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Como Olvidarte 4:57 (Juan Zambrano, Marcela Cardenas)
2. La Mazucamba 3:56 (Orland De La Rosa)
3. Por Que Sera 4:59 (Jorge Luis Pilito)
4. Senora 4:01 (Franco De Vita)
5. Cualquiera 4:45 (Juan Zambrano, Maria Isabel Saavedra)
6. Amor Verdadero 4:58 (Enrique Barrios, Oswaldo Ponte, Oscar D'Leon)
7. Ya Lo Veras 4:46 (Oscar D'Leon)
8. Tormenta De Amor 5:08 (Sara Luz Caballero, Wilson Rodriguez Molina)
9. Como Olvidarte [Bolero] 3:24 (Juan Zambrano, Marcela Cardenas)
10. Bailando Con Ella 5:00 (Oscar D'Leon, Enrique Barrios, Oswaldo Ponte)

Arrangements by Louis Garcia (1,3,6,9), Yasmil Marrufo (2,4), Louis Garcia & Ramon Sanchez (5), Tomas "Monchy" Bernal (7,8,10).

Cualquiera and Ya Lo Veras made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Puerto Rico (1,2,3,4,5,6,9)
Pedro Perez / Bass
Luis Marin / Piano
Jorge Laboy / Guitar
Ramon Sanchez / Keyboards
Louis Garcia / Tres
Efren Rodriguez / Trumpet
Julio Alvarado / Trumpet
Miguel Rivera / Trombone
Angel Torres / Tenox Sax
Jimmy Morales / Conga
Richard Carrasco / Bongos
Charlie Sierra / Timbales, Conga, Bongos
Robert Rivera / Bateria
Darvel Garcia, Jose Luis Ramos, Hector "Pichi" Perez / Chorus

Venezuela (Salsa) (7,10)
Gustavo Aranguren / Trumpet
Domingo Pagliunca / Trombone
Joel Uriola / Piano
Enrique "Culebra" Iriarte / Solo Piano (7)
Jose "Monrtadelo" Soto / Bass
Eiter "Kiko" Gonzalez / Conga
Denis Vilera / Bongos, Bell, Timbalito
Carlos Romera / Timbal
Wilmer Lozano / Maracas, Guiro
Jose "Cheo" Valenzuela, Gustavo "Pirata" Gerardo, Tomas "Monchy" Bernal / Chorus

Venezuela (Vallenatos) (8)
Kenny Arrieta / Accordion, Bass
Rafael "Tito" Arrieta / Caja, Guacharaca
Jorge Arrieta / Timbal
David Melo / Conga
Andres Briceno / Bateria
Roberto Jiron / Acoustic Guitar
Jesus Chua, Jose "Cheo" Valenzuela, Gustavo "Pirata" Gerardo, Tomas "Monchy" Bernal / Chorus

Willie Colon - La Gran Fuga

2008-05-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

Released 1970
Fania

Producer: Jerry Masucci
Recording Director: Johnny Pacheco

Re-mastered 2007
Fania / E-Musica

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Ghana' E 4:06 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
2. Pa' Colombia 5:52 (C. Curet Alonso)
3. No Cambiare 3:35 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
4. Sigue Feliz 4:15 (Carlos Roman)
5. Barrunto 5:36 (C. Curet Alonso)
6. Abuelita 4:24 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
7. Panamena 5:55 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
8. Cancion Para Mi Suegra 0:59 (D.R.)

Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe's sixth album together. Abuelita made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Willie Colon / Leader, First Trombone
Willie Campbell / Second Trombone
Milton Cardona / Conga
Louis "Timbalito" Romero / Timbales
Jose Mangual / Bongos
Joe "Professor" Torres / Piano
Santi Gonzalez / Bass
Hector Lavoe / Lead Vocals

Willie Rosario - Back To The Future

2008-05-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

Released 1999
Sony Discos

Produced by Willie Rosario & Bobby Valentin

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. La Bomba 4:31 (M. Valle)
2. Busco Olvidarte 4:33 (L. A. Flores)
3. El Apartamento 4:17 (C. Donato)
4. Que Siga El Afinque 4:37 (C. Donato)
5. Medley: Cuando Estoy Contigo (D.R.) & En Cada Beso (H. Urdaneta)
6. Satin Lace 5:34 (Sunkel)
7. Yo Quiero Encontrarme Contigo 4:45 (M. Denis)
8. Un Tipo Como Yo 4:39 (S. Esquivel)
9. Que Pasa Contigo 4:50 (R. Monclova)
10. Juntos De Nuevo 4:43 (C. Robles)
11. Arrepentios Pecadores 4:29 (W. Rosario)
12. No More Blues 5:34 (A.C. Jobim)

Arrangements by Jose Madera (1,8), Bobby Valentin (2,5,7,12), Ramon Sanchez (3,10), Julio Alvarado (4), Humberto Ramirez (6,9), Louis Ramirez (11).

Three songs made salsanewyork.com lists - El Apartamento, Que Pasa Contigo and Arrepentios Pecadores; there is at least one more recording of Arrepentios Pecadores by Willie Rosario elsewhere. Satin Lace is fine and is played at relaxed pace.

Musicians:

Luis Aquino / Trumpet
Jan Decler / Trumper
Efren Rodriguez / Trumpet
Richard Trinidad / Piano
Efrain Hernandez / Bass
Beto Tirado / Baritone Sax
Jimmie Morales / Conga
Carmelo Alvarez / Bongo
Willie Rosario / Timbales
Rico Walker / Lead Vocals (1,8)
Luis Vergara / Lead Vocals (2,7)
Jose Rosado / Lead Vocals (5)
Henry Santiago, Osvaldo Roman, Dalbert Garcia, Chegui Ramos / Chorus

Guest musicians:

Gilberto Santa Rosa / Lead Vocals (3,9)
Tony Vega / Lead Vocals (4,10,11)
Papo Lucca / Piano (6,12)
Bobby Valentin / Bass (6,12)
Roberto Roena / Bongo (6,12)
Wilfredo De La Torres / Saxophone (5)
Tony Rijos / Guitar (5,12)
Humberto Ramirez / Trumpet (6)

Johnny Colon – Boogaloo Bluesman

2008-04-26T11:51:00.002-07:00

Originals recorded 1967 – 1972
Cotique Records

Compilation Released 2004
Vampi Soul Records

CD out of print. Best bet might be Amazon.

1. Boogaloo Blues 6:53
2. Mira Ven Aca 5:54
3. Descarga 6:44
4. You Gotta Love Me 6:15
5. Mayenelle 5:23
6. Oyelo 5:00
7. The Line Dance 5:05
8. What You Mean 3:41
9. Sunny 5:01
10. Cosa Pa’ Ti 2:56
11. New York Mambo 2:32
12. Ya-Ki-Ki 3:21
13. Afincao 2:50
14. Merecumbe 6:17

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (9) by B. Hebb.

Produced by George Goldner except (14) by Larry Harlow.

The listed song length for several songs were erroneously printed and is corrected here.

LP version of the album is still in print and could be obtained from places like Tunes.co.uk and Munster-records.com. The LP version is without Oyelo and Ya-Ki-Ki. Otherwise, it's a potentially long wait as Fania/E-Musica slow goes through remastering their large back catalog. The only other song I have from Johnny Colon is Dejame En Paz obtained in a different compilation CD.

This album has selections from five of six Johnny Colon albums from the 60s and 70s. I have given original album info with song titles only at the bottom of this post. His first three albums are Boogaloo albums at the height of Johnny Colon's popularity (and same for Boogaloo). The last three albums are post-Boogaloo Salsa albums. All are out of print, but his first album Boogaloo Blues is scheduled to be re-issued (with new re-mastering) by Fania/E-Musica on June 3, 2008.

The best known song for Salsa dancers is Merecumbe, which made salsanewyork.com list. The best-selling song when originally released was Boogaloo Blues. Mira Ven Aca made salsanewyork.com list as Cha Cha.

--

Johnny Colon Discography

Boogaloo Blues (1966)
1. Boogaloo Blues
2. Jumpy
3. Mira Ven Aca
4. Descarga
5. Guantanamera
6. Mi Querida Bomba
7. Judy, Pt. 2
8. Canallon

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (2) by Miguel Hernandez, (5) arranged by Johnny Colon and (8) by Felix A. Ferrer.

Johnny Colon / Piano, Trombone, Chorus
Robert Lemus / Trombone
Angelo Rodriguez / Trombone
Walter Oyola / Bass
Joe Venero / Conga
Herman Martinez / Timbales
Luis Mangual / Bongos
Freddy Rivera / Guiro
Milton Cardona, Tony Rojas, Fraternity / Chorus
Rafael “Tito” Ramos / Lead Vocals

Boogaloo '67 (1967)
1. You Gotta Love Me
2. Mayenelle
3. Oyelo
4. Miedo Me Das
5. Line Dance
6. New Cha
7. Echala Pa'Ca
8. Mezclado

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (8) no credit.

Johnny Colon / Piano, Trombone, Lead Vocals
Robert Lemus / Trombone
Angelo Rodriguez / Trombone
Mike Amitin / Bass
Milton Cardona / Conga
Ray Cruz / Timbales
Tony Rojas / Chorus
Rafael “Tito” Ramos / Lead Vocals

Move Over (1968)
1. What You Mean
2. Si Te Fuiste Y Que
3. Sunny
4. Retorno Del Mambo
5. Stand By Me
6. Mensaje
7. Night Is Quiet
8. Consejo

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (3) no credit and (5) by J. Lieber & M. Stoller.

Portrait of Johnny (1971)
1. Cosa Pa Ti
2. Son Montuno
3. Panadero
4. Ya-Yi-Ki
5. New York Mambo
6. Guajira Y Tambor
7. Retorno Del Mambo
8. Afincao

Hot! Hot! Hot!: Caliente De Vicio (1972)
1. Merecumbe
2. No Hace Falta Papel
3. Fantasia
4. Bolitero
5. Dejame en Paz
6. Misty
7. Callo
8. Mala Mujer

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (4) by S. Calderon & J. Colon and (6) by E. Garner.

Johnny Colon / Piano, Lead Vocals, Chorus
Steven Calderon / Trombone
Domingo Pagan Jr / Trombone
Harry DeAguilar / Trombone
Carlos Pino / Conga
Louie Bauzo / Bongos
Carmelo Maldonado / Timbales
Luis Ocasio / Maracas
Ronald Van Cooten / Bass

Tierra Va A Temblar (1975)
1. Cuero Estirao
2. El Mensaje
3. Retorno Del Mambo
4. Echala Pa' Ca
5. Entre Compai Y Comai
6. Son Montuno
7. Si Te Fuiste Y Que
8. Looking In Your Eyes

Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound 5

2008-04-26T11:51:00.001-07:00

Released 1973
International Records

Re-mastered 2006
Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Roberto Roena

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Cui Cui 4:47 (Calixto Ochoa)
2. Oriza Eh 3:44 (Junior Cepeda)
3. Como Tu No Hay Nadie 3:38 (D.R.)
4. Que Se Sepa 3:16 (D.R.)
5. Asuncion 3:51 (D.R.)
6. Avisale A Mi Contrario 3:42 (D.R.)
7. Aquellos Que Dicen 6:02 (C. Curet Alonso)
8. La Marunga 5:16 (D.R.)
9. Solo Contigo Basta 3:52 (D.R.)
10. Ponte Duro 9:32 (Johnny Pacheco)

Arrangements by Jorge Millet except (6) by Mario Ortiz and (9) by Elias Lopes.

I have no idea why the liner notes says authorship of Avisale A Mi Contrario is disputed when it is merely the most famous rivalry tunes written by Tito Rodriguez. The arrangement is quite different from original, but it’s very good in a different way compared to the original and made salsanewyork.com list. Que Se Sepa in this album is a completely different song from Que Se Sepa in Apollo Sound 6.

Musicians:

Dario Morales / Trumpet
Mario Cora / Trumpet
Miguel Rodriguez / Tenor Sax & Flute
Gunda Merced / Trombone
Jorge Millet / Piano
Jappy Castro / Bass
Papo Clemente / Conga
Julito Morales / Timbales
Tito Cruz / Vocals
Sammy Gonzalez / Vocals
Frankie Calderon / Vocals
Roberto Roena / Leader, Bongos

Mark Dimond – Brujeria

2008-04-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

Mark Dimond – Brujeria

Released 1971
Vaya Records

Remastered 2006 Limited Release
Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Larry Harlow & Johnny Pacheco

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Brujeria 4:51
2. Mi Irmata 5:23
3. Aguardiente 5:38
4. Tiene Sabor 5:22
5. Mariquita 7:18
6. Ya No Tengo Pena 6:10
7. El Barrio 5:48

All songs written and arranged by Markolino Dimond.

This album – also released later under Angel Canales name as Mas Sabor upon the success of Angel Canales debut album Sabor – is all about Mark Dimond; the style of the music is distinct from other albums released under Angel Canales name.

All but two of the songs are slow paced – Cha Cha or Rumba speed. Ya No Tengo Pena in my opinion is the most striking of the slow songs – probably more suitable for Rumba rather than Cha Cha. Of two faster paced songs Brujeria and Aguardiente, Brujeria made salsanewyork.com list.

Approximately 5000 CDs were produced for the limited re-release.

Musicians:

Mark “Markolino” Dimond / Piano, Leader
Richie Montanez / Trombone
Fudgy Torres / Trombone
Danny Reyes / Trumpet
Louie Rivera / Bongos
Antonio Tapas / Conga
Eddie “Gua Gua” Rivera / Bass
Andy Gonzalez / Bass
Ismael Quintana, Justo Betancourt / Chorus
Angel Canales / Lead Vocals

Cachao – Master Sessions Volume 1

2008-04-10T06:20:00.000-07:00

Released 1994

CineSon

Produced by Andy Garcia

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Al Fin Te Vi 1:18 [danza]
2. Isora Club 6:38 [danzon]
3. Mambo 3:31 [mambo]
4. El Son No Ha Muerto 7:04 [son]
5. Lindo Yambu 8:33 [rumba]
6. Mi Guajira 9:24 [guajira]
7. Lluvia, Viento Y Cana 7:21 [descarga]
8. Club Social de Mariano 7:29 [danzon]
9. A Gozar Con Mi Combo 6:19 [descarga]
10. Cachao’s Guiro 5:49 [guiro]
11. El Alcaide 6:51 [conga]
12. Descarga Cachao 6:22 [descarga]

All songs composed by Israel Lopez “Cachao” except (1) Ernesto Lecuona, (2) Coralia Lopez & Israel Lopez “Cachao”, (3) Orestes Lopez & Israel Lopez “Cachao” and (5) Ignacio Pineiro. All arrangements by Israel Lopez “Cachao”.

To say that Andy Garcia brought together many great musicians to make this recording with Israel Lopez “Cachao”, who was living in obscurity in Miami at that time, would be an understatement. In one week of recording starting only with four arrangements in pre-existence (Isora Club, Mambo, Lindo Yambu, Descarga Cachao), eight songs were written and arranged along with 12 additional songs released later in Master Sessions Volume 2.

Two songs (Mambo, Descarga Cachao) made salsanewyork.com list. A third (A Gozar Mi Combo) is also reasonably danceable in my opinion.

Musicians:

Israel Lopez “Cachao” / Conductor, Bass, Chorus (all)
Francisco Aguabella / Quinto (5), Chequere (10), Conga (11), Chorus (10)
Justo Almario / Tenor Saxophone (5,6,7,9,10,11,12)
Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros / Trumpet (4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12)
Rafael “Felo” Barrio / Guiro (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,12), Maracas (5), Chorus
Jimmy Bosch / Trombone (5,6,7,9,10,11,12)
Paquito D’Rivera / Clarinet (1,4,7,8,9), Alto Saxophone (5,10,12)
Richie Flores / Conga (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,12), Quinto (11)
Lazaro Galarraga / Chequere (10), Bombo (11), Chorus (5,10,11), Lead Vocals (5,10)
Andy Garcia / Jawbone (6,7), Rain Stick (7), Poetry (11), Chorus
Felicidad Gongora / Chorus (5,10,11)
Nelson Gonzalez / Tres (4,5,6,7,9,10,12), Clave (9), Chorus
Humberto “Nenge” Hernandez / Clave (4), Tres Golpes Conga (11), Box Drum (4), Cowbell (5), Bongos (6,7,9,12), Chequere (10), Chorus (10)
Rolando Laserie / Chorus
Juanito Marquez / Acoutic Guitar (4,9), Acoustic Guitar Solo (6), Chorus
Carlos Montiel / Chorus (4,5,6,9,12)
Cecelia Noel / Chorus (5,10,11)
Daniel Palacio / Chorus, Lead Vocals (4)
Nelson Regueira Marquez / Chorus
Richard Regueira Marquez / Maracas (5), Snare Drum (11), Chorus (5,10,11)
Tony Rosa / Conga (5,11), Bass Box Drum (5), Chequere (10), Chorus (10)
Bill Summers / Clave (5), Chorus (5,10,11)
Nestor Torres / Flute (2,3,4,5,8,10,12)
Alfredo Valdes Jr / Piano (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12)
Orestes Vilato / Timbales (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,12)

String section (2,3,8)
Russ Cantor / Concert Master
Murray Adler, Bette Byers, Marilyn Graham, Ezra Kliger, Jorge Moraga Harry Scorzo, Dan Weinstein / Violin
Jan Kelly, David Shamban / Cello
George Hernandez / Contractor, Assistant Conductor

Additional background vocals
Joe Drago, Iris Ibarcena, William Marquez (5,11)

Cachao – Master Sessions Volume 2

2008-04-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

Released 1995

CineSon

Produced by Andy Garcia

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Los Tres Golpes 1:25 [danza]
2. Bema e’ Cuchara 5:51 [descarga]
3. El Progreso 7:29 [danzon]
4. El Gaupachoso 8:36 [son montuno]
5. Descarga A 8:05 [descarga]
6. Cunde Echa Un Pie 3:57 [guaracha]
7. Romantica Mujer 4:19 [bolero son]
8. Sigue A Paquito Si Puedes 7:54 [danzon]
9. El Timbalero Travieso 5:00 [descarga]
Africa Suite
10. Eleggua (Intro) 1:47 [canto Yoruba]
11. Africa Viva 9:12 [danzon]
12. Juana La Coja 7:36 [descarga]
13. Eleggua Con Cachao (Coda) 2:46 [canto yoruba]

All songs written and arranged by Israel Lopez “Cachao” except (1) written by Ignacio Cervantes, (6) written by Israel Lopez “Cachao” and Rafael Ortiz, (7) traditional arranged by Israel Lopez “Cachao” and Juanito Marquez, (10,13) traditional.

The overtone of the album is very similar to the previous Master Sessions Volume 1 except there aren't any obvious dance tracks as is in my opinion.

Musicians:

Israel Lopez “Cachao” / Conductor, Bass, Chorus, Vocals (2), Cowbell (2), Piano (6), Lead Vocals (6)
Francisco Aguabella / Bata Drum (13), Chorus (10,13)
Justo Almario / Tenor Saxophone (2,5,6,7,9,12)
Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros / Trumpet (2,4,6,7,8,9,12), Flugelhorn (5)
Rafael “Felo” Barrio / Bombo (2), Guiro (3,4,5,6,8,9,12,13), Maracas (7), Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,12)
Jimmy Bosch / Trombone (2,5,6,7,9,12)
Paquito D’Rivera / Clarinet (1), Alto Saxophone (2,5,6,7,8,9)
Richie Flores / Conga (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,11,12)
Lazaro Galarraga / Lead Vocals (6,7,10,13)
Andy Garcia / Conga (2), Bongos (11), Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,12,13)
Felicidad Gongora / Chorus (10,13)
Nelson Gonzalez / Tres (2,4,5,6,7,9,12), Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,12)
Humberto “Nenge” Hernandez / Bell (2), Clave (5,7), Bata Drum (13), Cowbell (4), Bongos (4,5,6,9,12), Chorus (10,13)
Rolando Laserie / Lead Vocals (4), Chorus (2,3,12)
Juanito Marquez / Acoutic Guitar (4,5,7,9,12), Chorus (3,4,5,6,9,12)
Carlos Montiel / Chorus (2,3,5,6,9,12)
Cecelia Noel / Chorus (10,13)
Daniel Palacio / Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,12)
Nelson Regueira Marquez / Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,12,13)
Richard Regueira Marquez / Clave (4), Chorus (10,13)
Tony Rosa / Achere (13), Chorus (10,13)
Bill Summers / Bata Drum (13), Chorus (10,13)
Nestor Torres / Flute (3,7,8,9,11)
Alfredo Valdes Jr / Piano (2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12)
Orestes Vilato / Timbales (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,11,12), Bongos (7), Chorus (3,8)

String section (3,8 and presumably 11)
Russ Cantor / Concert Master
Murray Adler, Bette Byers, Marilyn Graham, Ezra Kliger, Jorge Moraga Harry Scorzo, Dan Weinstein / Violin
Jan Kelly, David Shamban / Cello
George Hernandez / Contractor, Assistant Conductor

El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico – Nuevo Milenio ~ El Mismo Sabor

2008-04-10T06:16:00.000-07:00

Released 2001

Combo Records

Produced by Ralph Cartagena & Derek Cartagena

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. El Amor Es Ciego 4:21 (Rafi Monclova)
2. Se Nos Perdio El Amor 4:51 (Rafi Monclova)
3. Me Libere 4:23 (Julio Castro)
4. Viva Puente 5:18 (Hector Parilla)
5. Amigos 4:48 (Ramon Rodriguez)
6. Dime Que Quieres 4:49 (Antonio Quintero)
7. Me Muero Por Ella 4:40 (Geraldo Flores)
8. Nadie Como Ella 4:36 (Diego Javier Gonzalez)

Arrangements by Tommy Villariny (1,2,3), Rafael Ithier (4,5,6), Ernesto Sanchez (7), Ceferino Pagan (8).

One of the stronger album by the venerable band according to knowledgeable sources like descarga.com. Three songs (Me Libere, Viva Puente, Dime Que Quieres) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Rafael Ithier / Director & Piano
Jerry Rivas / Lead Vocals
Charlie Aponte / Lead Vocals
Luis A. Rosario / Lead Vocals
Eddie Perez / Saxophone
Wilfredo Cruz Miranda / Saxophone
Luis A. Maldonado / Trumpet
Victor E. Rodriguez / Trumpet
Moises Nogueras / Trombone
Wilfredo Rivera / Bass
Miguel Torres / Conga
Richard Bastar / Bongos & Campana
Domingo Santos / Timbales

Louie's Grooves - Latin Soul, Jazz & Boogaloo from Louie Ramirez

2008-04-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

Compilation released 2005

Vampi Soul

Songs originally released between 1961 and 1978.

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Yroco 2:50
2. It's Now What You Say 3:00
3. Chin Chon Chow 2:50
4. Luisito's Mozambique 5:09
5. Times Are Changin' 3:10
6. Cooking With A&J 2:28
7. Azucar En Nueva York 4:17
8. Barrio Nuevo 5:59
9. The Oracle 4:54
10. Violent's Guaguanco 2:48
11. I Dig Rhythm 3:59
12. La Flauta 4:27
13. Rush Hour In Hong Kong 6:12
14. Descarga A&J 4:22
15. Don Maceo 2:54
16. Vitamina 6:17
17. Fat Papa's Descarga 4:01
18. Sid's Groove 2:59

Compilation of songs taken from following artists / albums.

Angel Rene & Johnny Rodriguez Orquesta - Cooking With A&J (1968) (tracks 6,10,14)
Charlie Palmieri - Either You Have It Or You Don't (1967) (tracks 4,17)
Jimmy Sabater - Solo (1969) (track 5)
Jimmy Sabater - El Hijo De Teresa (1970) (tracks 1,12)
Kako's New York After Hours Orchestra - Tribute A Noro (1963) (track 16)
Louie Ramirez & His Conjunto Chango - Vibes Galore (1966) (tracks 3,13,15,18)
Louie Ramirez - Ali Baba (1968) (tracks 8,11)
Louie Ramirez & Pete Bonet - The Beautiful People (1970) (track 7)
Louie Ramirez - Different Shades Of Black (1976) (track 8)
Sabu Martinez - Sabu's Jazz Espanole (1961) (track 9)

Louie Ramirez is credited for arrangement (1,12), musician (all songs), composer (all except track 1 (S. Mendez), 2 (B. Marin), 12 (M. Guerra), 16 (N. Morales) - I'm guessing Bobby Marin, Marcelino Guerra, and Noro Morales but not sure about S. Mendez).

Chin Chon Chow made salsanewyork.com list as Cha Cha. Other good songs for Salsa include Violent's Guaguanco and La Flauta.

Eddie Palmieri / Cal Tjader - Bamboleate

2008-04-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

Released 1967

Tico Records

Re-issued Vampi Soul 2002

Produced by Pancho Cristal

Available at Amazon, etc

1. Bamboleate 3:25 (E. Palmieri)
2. We've Loved Before 2:30 (H. Mancini)
3. Resemblance 5:02 (E. Palmieri)
4. Mi Montuno 5:25 (A. Rodriguez)
5. Samba Do Suenho 5:00 (Cal Tjader)
6. Guajira Candela 5:42 (E. Palmieri)
7. Pancho's Seis Por Ocho 5:42 (E. Palmieri)
8. Come An' Get It 3:03 (M. Weinstein)

This album has been recently re-mastered by Fania/E-Musica. While Vampi Soul reissue CD has fine sound quality, I suspect the Fania/E-Musica version would be as good if not better.

Pancho's Seis Por Ocho might be my favorite track - it's an Afro-Cuban track. The only song I have ever danced to in this album is Mi Montuno with intro cut off.

Musicians:

Eddie Palmieri / Piano
Cal Tjader / Vibes
Bobby Rodriguez / Bass
Barry Rogers / Trombone
Mark Weinstein / Trombone
Ismael Quintana / Lead Vocals

others incl. probably
Manny Oquendo / Percussion
Kako / Percussion

Jimmy Sabater "Mo" Con Son Boricua

2008-04-02T10:26:00.001-07:00

Released 2002

Cobo Records CCD-9053

Produced by Jose Mangual Jr & Jimmy Sabater

Available at Descarga, Prodland, Museo Del Disco, etc

1. Pa' Las Villas 5:16 (Rene Perez)
2. Salchicha Con Huevos 5:43 (J. Sabater)
3. De Enero A Enero 2:51 (Tito Rodriguez)
4. Desconfianza 4:04 (J. Guetirrez, J. Sabater)
5. Cuando, Cuando 4:03 (Renis, Boone)
6. Alafia 4:03 (J. Sabater)
7. Fue En Santiago 5:04 (B. Manrique, J. Sabater)
8. Bailando Con Sabater 5:38 (J. Sabater)
9. El Numero Seis 4:20 (R. Blades)
10. Boozaba Zoo Descarga 5:23 (Cobo Music)

Arrangements by Ricky Gonzalez, Hiram de Jesus, Alfredo Valdes Jr

The sound quality of the album is reminiscent of Jimmy Sabater's days of Joe Cuba Sextet. In fact, Alafia is one of the better known songs by the Joe Cuba Sextet. Salchicha Con Huevos is a remake of the same song from Jimmy Sabater's Solo album from the 1960s - both this version and the 1960s versions by the way made salsanewyork.com list as Cha Cha. A few other songs (Pa' Las Villas, Cuando Cuando for example) in this album are also quite suitable for Salsa dancing.

Musicians:

Ricky Gonzalez / Piano, Strings
Nick Marrero / Timbales
Jimmy Sabater / Timbales, Lead Vocals
Johnny Rodriguez / Bongos
A. J. Mantas / Vibes
Ruben Rivera / Bass
Ray Martinez / Bass
Jose Mangual Jr / Percussion
Walter Reyes / Conga
Jimmy Sabater Jr / Fluge
Jimmy Sabater Jr, Jose Mangual Jr, Ada Chabrier, Ricky Gonzalez / Chorus

El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico – Aqui Estamos y … De Verdad!

2008-04-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

Released 2004

Sony Discos

Produced by Rafael Ithier and Freddie Miranda

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Mi Gorda Bonita 5:20 (Ramoncito Rodriguez)
2. El Matrimonio 4:05 (Ramoncito Rodriguez)
3. Amor Perfecto 4:51 (Charlie Donato)
4. Me Dejo En El Aire 5:05 (Jorge Luis Piloto, Marlow Rosado)
5. Pa’ Arriba No Va 5:10 (Jorge Luis Piloto)
6. Para Querer Un Te Quiero 4:33 (Rafy Monclova)
7. Esa Eres Tu 4:40 (Alberto Rodriguez)
8. El Amor Que Te Di 3:08 (Rafy Monclova)
9. Por Siempre 5:04 (Miguel A. Amadeo)
10. Siete Vidas 4:23 (Rafy Monclova)

Arrangements by Rafael Ithier (1,2,4), Tommy Villariny (3,5,6,7,8,9,10)

El Matrimonio and Amor Perfecto made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Rafael Ithier / Piano
Taty Maldonado / Trumpet
Victor Rodriguez / Trumpet
Freddie Miranda / Saxophone
Eddie Perez / Saxophone
Moises Nogueras / Trombone
Freddy Rivera / Bass
Kuki Santos / Timbales
Miguel Torres / Conga
Richy Bastar / Bongos
Charlie Aponte / Lead Vocals
Jerry Rivas / Lead Vocals
Papo Rosario / Lead Vocals

Azabache

2008-03-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

Released 2000

Leopard Music 001

Produced by Rafael "Ray" Martinez

Available at Descarga

1. Cinco A Diez 5:57 (J. M. Martinez)
2. This Moment 5:54 (J. M. Martinez)
3. Luna Cha-Cha 4:01 (C. Chooljian)
4. Simplemente Complicada 5:51 (R. Martinez)
5. Surrender 5:19 (J. Holiday)
6. Montuno Street 5:05 (R. Martinez)
7. Batman And Spiderman 7:05 (J. M. Martinez)
8. Besitos De Coco 6:53 (J. M. Martinez)
9. Thanks For The Mambo 3:20 (C. Chooljian)

Arrangements by P. Lyons (1,2,4), C. Chooljian (3,9), J. Holiday (5), J. Melendez (6), Azabache (7), J. Alford and P. Lyons (8).

Among other things, this album is notable for a brand new Salsa band releasing their material without a backing of established recording company behind it. This practice is now quite common but not back in 2000 to have a level of impact this album had. As far as I can tell, this is the only album ever released by this band (from the San Francisco Bay area led by the two Martinez brothers) or the record label.

Four songs made salsanewyork.com list - Cinco A Diez, This Moment, Montuno Street and Besitos De Coco.

Musicians:

Rafael "Ray" Martinez / Conga, Bongos, Timbales, Bells, Chorus
Jose "Manny" Martinez / Lead Vocals, Chorus
Cherie "Leopard" Chooljian / Keyboards, Lead Vocals on "Surrender"
Joe Holiday / Bass, Keyboard solo on "Surrender"
Abel Figueroa / Trombones
Roberto Quintana / Timbales on "Luna Cha-Cha", Bongos on "Surrender"
Roman "Ito" Carillo / Bongo solo on "Montuno Street", Guiro and Pandera on "Batman and Spiderman"

The Har-You Percussion Group

2008-03-16T08:55:00.001-07:00

Original Release 1969

Digital Restoration from original pressings 1995

Cubop CBCD 0002

Produced by Montego Joe

Available at Ubiquity Records, Descarga, Amazon, etc

1. Feed Me Good 2:35 (Nick Kirksey)
2. Barrets Bag 4:46 (David Edmead)
3. Ngoma 6:02 (Montego Joe)
4. Oua-Train 5:28 (Montego Joe, Nelson Sanamiago)
5. Welcome To The Party 4:03 (Nick Kirksey)
6. Santa Cruz 5:58 (Dennis Tait, Antonio Santa Cruz)
7. Tico 7:31 (David Edmead)

This one has an interesting history. A government-planned program called "Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited" led to a Conga player Montego Joe to teach Afro-Jazz percussion to a group of black youth of Harlem. After 3-4 years of training, they decided to record an album with the young musicians in this program - aged 16 to 19 years at the time of the recording.

In the Salsa dance community, this group is well-known in large part thanks to Frankie Martinez's choreography to songs in this album. Welcome To The Party is by far the best known song and is anthologized in a number of Jazz compilations. Somewhat less known is that other songs, such as Barrets Bag and Oua-Train have been incorporated into Abakua shows by Frankie Martinez.

My favorite song of the album is Tico, which is played at Cha Cha speed. Most other songs with danceable beat are of ultra fast category.

Musicians:

Myles Matthews / Bongos, Timbales
Gordon "Spider" Jones / Timbales
Samuel "Seguito" Turner / Conga, Timbales
Billy King / Conga
Antonio Santa Cruz / Cowbell, Vocals
Andre Strobert / Drums
John Moody / Electric Bass
Dennis Tait / Guitar
David "Mousie" Edmead / Piano
Nick Kirksey / Piano, Vocals
Joseph Jimenez / Clave
Nelson Sanamiago / Alto Sax
Stafford Osborne Jr / Trumpet
Joffre Marchand / Trumpet
Allen Ray / Flute

Grupo Caribe - Somos Caribenos

2008-03-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

Released 2007

CMS 0056

Produced by Louis Bauzo

Available at CDBaby, Descarga

1. Saludando 4:32 (Juan "Paye" Rodriguez)
2. El Rey 4:34 (Juan "Paye" Rodriguez)
3. Homenaje A Los Bailadores 4:26 (Juan "Paye" Rodriguez)
4. Somos Caribenos 5:57 (Alfredo "Male" Torres)
5. Bobby Capo 5:11 (Juan "Paye" Rodriguez)
6. Tambo La Rumba 4:19 (Lino Iglesia)
7. Negro De Sociedad 5:46 (D.R.)
8. Bongo 4:20 (Chino "Melao" De Jesus)
9. A La Buena De Dios 6:06 (Chino "Melao" De Jesus & Pablo Canti)
10. La Comparsa De Los Rumberos 5:06 (Juan "Paye" Rodriguez)

Arrangements by Sergio Rivera (1), Jose Madera (2,7), Ray Santos (3,5,10), David Forestier (4), Oscar Hernandez (6), Jose Febles (8), Gil Lopez (9).

This album is a strong candidate for the best of 2007. I think almost all of the material is original composition.

Most of the medium-speed danceable songs have Luisito Ayala (of Direct Latin Influence) at lead vocals - Somos Caribenos, Tambo La Rumba, Negro De Sociedad. Herman Olivera sings the other medium-speed song A La Buena De Dios.

Musicians:

Sergio Rivera / Leader, Piano
Louis Bauzo / Conga, Bongo, Bombo, Cowbell
David Forestier / Timbales
Ruben Rodriguez / Bass
Willie Cintron / Bass
Al Acosta / Tenor Sax and Flute
Pete Miranda / Baritone Sax
Roberto Rodriguez Jr / Trumpet
Raul Navarrette / Trombone
Luisito Ayala, Herman Olivera, Liza Bauzo / Chorus
Luisito Ayala / Lead Vocals (1,4,5,6,7)
Herman Olivera / Lead Vocals (3,5,8,9)
Tito Allen / Lead Vocals (2)

Direct Latin Influence - DLI II

2008-03-07T06:19:00.001-08:00

Released 2005

DLI Music

Produced by David Chamberlain

Available at CDBaby, Descarga

1. Pepe Antonio 5:20 (J. Ledo)
2. A Mi Que 3:41 (Jesus Guerra)
3. Tracionera 6:55 (Jose Lado)
4. Besitos De Coco 4:01 (Ismael Rivera)
5. Lagrimas Negras 6:46 (Miguel Matamoros)
6. Bolero Medley 6:14
- Siempre Estas En Mi Corazon (Ernesto Lecuona)
- Abrazame Asi (Mario Clavel)
7. La-La-La 5:46 (Jose Curbelo)
8. La Enganadora 5:19 (Enrique Jorrin)
9. El Negrito Del Batey 3:20 (M. Guzman)
10. Clavelitos 4:08 (Cadenas & Valverde)
11. Tatalibaba 4:42 (F. Santana)

All arrangements by David Chamberlain (except possibly David Chamberlain and Ray Martinez (9))

DLI is an acronym for the first names of trombonist David Chamberlain, vocalist Luisito Ayala and pianist Igor Atalita.

The highlight is the instant classic La-La-La, which made salsanewyork.com list. Lagrimas Negras may be worthwhile as a dance track with the long intro cut off.

Musicians:

David Chamberlain / Leader, Trombone, Flute, Bass Trumpet
Luisito Ayala / Lead Vocals, Chorus, Guiro, Cua, Maracas
Igor Atalita / Piano
Ray Martinez / Bass, Chorus, Guiro
Walter Reyes / Conga, Bongos, Bomba Drums, Chorus
Edwin Vega / Timbales
Marshall Gilkes / Trombone

Jose Curbelo - Live At The China Doll In New York 1946

2008-03-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

plus hits from 1952-1954

Compilation released 1995

Tumbao Cuban Classics

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Rumba Gallega 0:44 (Curbelo-Audinot-Puente)
2. Botamos La Pelota 3:35 (Silvio Contreras)
3. Bruca Manigua 3:09 (Arsenio Rodriguez)
4. Esto Es Lo Ultimo 3:57 (J. Blanco Suazo)
5. Summertime 2:30 (George Gershwin)
6. Repica El Timbal 2:33 (Tito Puente)
7. Deuda 3:20 (Luis Marquetti)
8. Babalu 2:34 (Margarita Lecuona)
9. Rumba Gallega 1:10 (Curbelo-Audinot-Puente)
10. La-La-La 2:27 (Jose Curbelo)
11. Poco Pelo 2:31 (Antonio Sanchez)
12. Guaguanco En New York 2:45 (Barreto Sangroni)
13. Rendezvous 2:30 (Santos Colon)
14. Telarana 2:30 (Rosendo Ruiz Jr)
15. Sun Sun Babae 2:17 (R. Martinez)
16. Guayaba 2:18 (E. Ortiz)
17. Que Se Funan 2:59 (Luis Martinez Grinan)
18. Eque Tumbao 2:38 (Jose Moran)
19. Cha Cha Cha In Blue 2:50 (F.P. Lara)
20. La Familia 3:07 (Jose Curbelo Sr)
21. Rico Y Sabroso 2:26 (Felix Reyna)

Arrangements by Jose Curbelo (13,16,19,20), Tito Puente (18).

Tracks 1-9 by Jose Curbelo and his orchestra (recorded live at the China Doll 1946)
Tracks 10-18 by Jose Curbelo and his orchestra (recorded 1952-1953)
Tracks 19-21 by Jose Curbelo Quintet (recorded 1954)

This is a fun one to listen throughout. The highlights are the bonus recordings from 1952-1954. The live recordings are interesting for historical reasons more than for sonic reasons.

Two songs (Eque Tumbao, La Familia) made salsanewyork.com list as Salsa. Three songs (Telarana, Guayaba, Cha Cha Cha In Blue) made salsanewyork.com list as Cha Cha.

Musicians (partial list):

Jose Curbelo / Piano
Alberto "Mazorca" Armenteros / Trumpet solos (10,14,17)
Robertico / Trumpet solos (20)
Conga / Ray Barretto (19,20,21)
Tito Puente / Timbales (1-9)
Tito Rodriguez / Lead Vocals (2-8)
Tony Molina / Lead Vocals (10,11,12,15,16,18)
Santos Colon / Lead Vocals (13,14,17,18)
Mon Rivera / Lead Vocals (20)
Vitin Aviles / Lead Vocals (21)
Yayo "El Indio" / Chorus (14,17)

Rey Reyes - 12 Super Exitos

2008-03-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

Compilation of recordings from late 1970s to early 1990s?

Released 1996

Rey Reyes Records

Available at Descarga

1. Pa' Borohol 5:16
2. La Libertad 4:33
3. El Divorcio 7:10
4. Vampira 4:14
5. Ven Mi Mora 7;38
6. Son Malas 5:38
7. No Es Lo Mismo 6:38
8. Patios Batelles Y Callejones 5:44
9. Llevare Candela 4:56
10. Dulcinea 4:21
11. Los Santos De Macoris 4:30
12. Morena 6:43

Songs 1,2,4,9 composed by Rey Reyes (pending accuracy of my translation).

There is not much information on Rey Reyes to be found in the internet at this point, and the liner notes in Spanish is only mildly helpful since I'm not fluent in Spanish. What I can gather is that Rey Reyes with his orchestra released his first album in 1976. The material compiled in this album seems to be from six albums. Two of the albums were collaboration with well-known Tres player Charlie Rodriguez - titled simply Charlie Rodriguez Y Su Orquesta (canta: Rey Reyes) and Charlie Rodriguez y Rey Reyes. The other four albums are solo efforts - titled Vampira, El Rey, El Clavo, and La Libertad. My best guess is that all of these albums were released prior to 1994.

Six songs in this compilation made salsanewyork.com list. These are Pa' Borohol, La Libertad, Vampira, Son Malas, Los Santos De Macoris and Morena. I never had the opportunity to dance to any of these songs since I'm the only one around who seems to have and play these songs, and I think these songs are fine - aside from Los Santos De Macoris, which I think might be problematic.

Jose Alberto "El Canario" - Herido (Heartbreak)

2008-03-01T10:10:00.000-08:00

Released 1999

RykoLatino

Produced by Jose Alberto "El Canario"

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Me Dejo Picao 4:41 (Amaury Gutierres, Raul De Sol)
2. Clavado En Un Bar 4:47 (Jose Fernando Olivera Sierra)
3. Vete Y Pregona 4:45 (Tite Curet Alonso)
4. Adonde Vayas 4:40 (Marco Antonio Solis)
5. Enamorado De Mi Pais 3:34 (Fahed Mitre, Miguel Figueroa)
6. Amor Improvisado 4:02 (Jose Virgilio Pena Suazo)
7. La Ultima Palabra 4:51 (Eleazar Lopez)
8. Usted No Me Conoce 4:24 (Reynaldo Hierrezuelo)
9. Dejate Querer 5:14 (Jose Manuel)
10. La Flor De La Caneja 5:35 (Isabel Grande Larco)

Arrangements by Ricky Gonzalez (1,2), Nelson Hernandez (3,7), Isidro Infante (4,8,9), Alex Mansilla (5), Ramon Sanchez (6), Lucho Cueto (10).

Two songs made salsanewyork.com list - Vete Y Pregona and Dejate Querer, the latter is the highlight of this album.

Musicians:

David "Piro" Rodriguez / Trumpet
Luis "Khaki" Ruiz / Trumpet
Pablo Santella / Trombone
Nelson Hernandez / Saxophone
Rafael "Papo" Cadena / Saxophone
Isidro Infante / Piano, Keyboards
Ricky Gonzalez / Piano, Keyboards
Lucho Cueto / Piano
Freddy Valdez / Piano
Jose Tavares / Bass
Carlos Henriquez / Bass
Freddy Valdez / Bass
Alex Mansilla / Bass, Keyboards, Guitar
Pablo "Chino" Nunes / Timbales
Luis Quintero / Timbales
Eric Velez / Conga
Juan "Chocolate" de la Cruz / Conga, Bongos, Tambora
Ray Colon / Bongos
Rafael "Yayo" German / Guiro
Roberto Bolano & Friends / Cajones/Box
Francisco "Poncho" Navarro / Guitar
Carlos Hayre / Guitar
Martinez De Leon / Guitar
Jose Alberto, Jerry Medina, Darvel Garcia, Alex Mansilla, Jose Veras, Agustin Heredia / Chorus
Jose Alberto "El Canario" / Lead Vocals, Maracas, Guiro, Percussion

Ismael Miranda - Asi Se Compone Un Son

2008-03-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

Released 1973

Re-mastered 2006
Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Johnny Pacheco

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Asi Se Compone Un Son 5:33 (Ismael Miranda)
2. Nicolas 5:24 (D.R.)
3. Salvame 3:48 (Atilio Bruni, Lambertucci Roberto)
4. Mulence 5:20 (Arsenio Rodriguez Scull)
5. Me Voy Pa Colombia 4:50 (Ismael Miranda)
6. Cuidate Bien 5:21 (Isaac Fernandez)
7. Ahora Si 5:33 (Ismael Miranda)
8. Las Cuarentas 4:29 (Roberto Grela, F. Govindo)
9. Sonerito 3:56 (C. Curet Alonso)
10. Ahora Que Estoy Sabroso 5:21 (Kalaff Luis)

This one got better after repeated listening for me. Two songs (Asi Se Compone Un Son, Ahora Si) made salsanewyork.com list. At over 45 minutes, this is an unusually long album by the standard of 70s Fania recordings.

Musicians:

Ismael Miranda / Musical Director, Lead Vocals, Chorus, Guiro, Maracas
Oscar Hernandez / Piano
Jose Raul Santiago / Bass
Nelson Gonzalez / Tres, Chorus
Nicky Marrero / Bongo, Timbales
Frankie Rodriguez / Conga
Carlos de Leon / Trumpet
Mariano Rodriguez / Trumpet
Miguel Colon / Trombone

Louie Ramirez - King Of Latin Vibes

2008-03-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

Released 1991

Sugar Records

Produced by Sugar Records Inc.

Available at Descarga, Museo Del Disco

1. Good Night My Love 4:32 (Paul Anka)
2. Geisha Girl 3:55 (Louie Ramirez)
3. Suavecito 5:45 (Ignacio Piniero)
4. Baile De Ochun 6:25 (Louie Ramirez)
5. Seduction 6:58 (Louie Ramirez)
6. Bamboleate 5:25 (D.R.)
7. Midnight Sun 5:43 (Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke, Johnny Mercer)
8. Pare Cochero 4:34 (Marcelino Guerra)

Geisha Girl and Bamboleate were recorded live at the 1988 Montreal Jazz Festival. The other six tracks are studio recordings - presumably from late 1980s or early 1990s.

Arrangements by Ricky Gonzalez (1), Louie Ramirez (2,4,5,6,7), Willie Rodriguez (3,8).

My best guess is that three of the songs here made salsanewyork.com list - Geisha Girl, Bamboleate, and Pare Cochero (pending typos). It's a nice pleasant sounding album. Geisha Girl and Bamboleate have crowd noise, but they're not too bad. Baile De Ochun is re-working of Sid's Groove - one of several example of Louie Ramirez recycling his old songs.

Musicians:

Louie Ramirez / Vibes & Percussion
Ricky Gonzalez / Piano, Synthesizers, African, Percussion
Piro Rodriguez / Trumpet
Tony Barrero / Trumpet
Roberto Rodriguez / Trumpet
Joyce Toth / Trumpet
Delio Harrigan / Trumpet
Mario Rivera / Tenor & Soprano Sax
Pete Miranda / Baritone Sax
Willie Rodriguez / Bass
Edwin Ortiz / Bongos
Jimmy Delgado / Timbales
Carlos "Patato" Valdes / Conga
Felix Cruz / Conga
Jose Mangual / Percussion
Tito Allen, Adalberto Santiago, Sammy Gonzalez / Chorus
"Eon" Ray Orta, Jay Borrero, Robert Remming, Daniel Anderson / Background Vocals

Spanish Harlem Orchestra - Un Gran Dia En El Barrio

2008-02-23T11:45:00.001-08:00

Released 2002

Rykodisc International

Produced by Aaron Luis Levinson

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Mama Guela 3:33 (Tito Rodriguez)
2. Obsesion 5:32 (Pedro Flores)
3. Tambori 3:32 (Hector Rivera)
4. Aprende A Querer 4:18 (Tony Rios)
5. La Musica Es Mi Vida 3:53 (Sandioval and Guajiro Gonzalez)
6. La Banda 4:49 (Willie Colon)
7. Pa' Gozar 5:48 (Oscar Hernandez)
8. Somos Iguales 3:44 (Ramon Rodriguez)
9. Vale Mas Un Guaguanco 4:09 (C. Curet Alonso)
10. Pueblo Latino 4:20 (C. Curet Alonso)

Arrangements by Gilber Lopez (1,2), Marty Sheller (3,6), Oscar Hernandez (4,7,9,10), Angel Fernandez (5,8).

A ground-breaking album when it was released, this still is the best album made by the Spanish Harlem Orchestra because its success led to bands revisiting roots of Salsa/Mambo. I actually bought their second album "Across 110st" prior to buying this album, and I still think this one is much better. Three Salsa (Mama Guela, La Music Es Mi Vida, Somos Iguales) made salsanewyork.com list. The whole album is good for listening and dancing.

Musicians:

Oscar Hernandez / Piano, Musical Director
Ruben Rodriguez / Bass
Ray Vega / Trumpet
Raul Agraz / Trumpet
Jose Davila / Trombone
Ozzie Melendez / Trombone
Mitch Frohman / Baritone Sax
Pablo "Chino" Nunez / Timbales
Bobby Allende / Bongos
George Delgado / Conga
Ray De La Paz / Lead Vocals
Frankie Vasquez / Lead Vocals
Herman Olivera / Lead Vocals
Jimmy Sabater / Lead Vocals

Grupo Gale - Afirmando

2008-02-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

Released 1995

Codiscos

Produced by Diego Gale

Available at Descarga, Museo Del Disco

1. Buscando Olvidarte 4:57 (Luis A. Florez)
2. Parece Mentira 4:22 (Javier Gonzalez)
3. Mirala Que Linda Va 5:07 (Sandy Rico)
4. Volver, Volver 5:32 (Luis A. Florez)
5. Enamorado De Ti 4:54 (Adriana Benitez)
6. Ven A Medellin 5:32 (Diego Gale)
7. Hace Dano 4:56 (Luis Lambis)
8. Rica Combinacion 4:05 (Morist Jimenez, Diego Gale, Javier Gonzalez)
9. Prestame Tu Mujer 4:52 (D.R.)
10. El Virus Del Amor 4:42 (Luis Lambis)

Probably their best album. Three of the highlights (Volver Volver, Ven A Medellin especially and Prestame Tu Mujer) made salsanewyork.com list. The composer of Prestame Tu Mujer is Remberto Bequer according to a Ray Barretto CD I have.

Musicians:

Diego Gale / Conga, Timbales, Bongos, Guiro
Jaime Gale / Timbales
Tato "Tatin" Benitez / Bongos
Pedro Perez / Bass
Pablo Grajales / Piano
Luis Aquino / Trumpet
Tommy Villariny / Trumpet
Angie Machaod / Trumpet
Hugo "Copetin" Fernandez / Trumpet
Antonio "Tonito" Vasquez / Trombone
Jorge Diaz / Trombone
Angel Torres / Trombone
Morist Jimenez / Trombone
Johnny Pavas / Synthesizer
Jorge Cottes / Vibraphone
Oscar Abueta / Maracas
Ostval Serna, Javier Gonzalez, Morist Jimenez, Juan David Grajales, Igor Moreno, Johnny Pavas / Chorus
Javier Gonzalez / Lead Vocals
Cesar Batalla / Lead Vocals
Juan David Grajales / Lead Vocals

Gilberto Santo Rosa - Esencia

2008-02-23T11:42:00.001-08:00

Released 1996

Sony International

Produced by Jose Lugo

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

1. No Quiero Na' Regala'o 4:42 (Perin Vazquez)
2. Amandote 4:41 (Rafy Monclova)
3. Esas Lagrimas 4:48 (Omar Alfanno)
4. Yo No Te Pido 4:39 (Jorge Luis Piloto)
5. Me Falto 4:52 (Manny Benito)
6. … Y Eso Duele 4:27 (Ray Monclova)
7. Para Vivir 4:13 (Pablo Milanes)
8. Siempre Acabo Igual 4:56 (Omar Alfanno)
9. No Ha Pasado Nada 5:09 (Armando Manzanero)
10. Peligro 4:53 (Rafy Monclova)
11. Dolia Menos 4:55 (Omar Alfanno)
12. Yo No Queria Conocerte 4:51 (Rafy Monclova)

Arrangements by Lenny Prieto (1), Jose Lugo (2,9,11), Eddie Garcia (3), Ricky Gonzalez (4,10), Jan Duclerc (5), Louis Garcia (6), Pedro Rivera Toledo (7), Jose Gazmey (8,12).

Three songs made salsanewyork.com list - No Quiero Na' Regala'o, Esas Lagrimas and Y Eso Duele.

Musicians:

Jose Lugo / Keyboards, Piano (2,3,5,6,8,9,12)
Jose Gazmey / Bass
Sammy Garcia / Conga
Santigo "Chago" Martinez / Timbales
Rafael "Tito" Echevarria / Bongos
Jan Duclerc / Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Tommy Villarini / Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Gergie Torres / Trombone
Jose Luis Encanacion / Saxophones, Clarinet, Flute
Jorge Laboy / Guitars
Lenny Prieto / Piano (1)
Ricky Gonzalez / Piano (4,10)
Luis Manolo Tirado / Piano (7)
Hector "Pichi" Perez / Percussion
Beckie Zambrana, Jerry Rivas, Osvaldo Roman, Hector Rivera / Chorus
Gilberto Santa Rosa / Lead Vocals

Jimmy Bosch – Soneando Trombon

2008-02-13T05:46:00.000-08:00

Released 1998

Rykodisc

Produced by Jimmy Bosch & Aaron Luis Levinson

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

All songs written by Jimmy Bosch except track 6 by Hugo Gonzalez

Arrangements by Jimmy Bosch (1,2,5,8,9.10), Oscar Hernandez (3,7), Angel Fernandez (4) and Javier Vasquez (6)

1. Descargarana 6:45
2. Otra Oportunidad 5:43
3. Crisis De Identidad 5:20
4. Muy Joven Para Mi 5:20
5. Gaviota 4:40
6. La Soledad 5:30
7. Padre Soy 5:38
8. Cha Cha Gabriel 5:38
9. Erben On The Phone 5:23
10. Jimmy’s Bop 6:13

Jimmy Bosch’s highly successful debut album as the headliner. Otra Oportunidad still is his best-known song by far and is included in the salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Jimmy Bosch / Trombone (all), Clave (all), Chorus (3,4,5,7)
Alfredo Valdes Jr / Piano (1-8)
Joe Santiago / Bass (1-9)
Jimmy Delgado / Timbales (all), Cua (3)
Louie Bauzo / Bongos (all), Quinto (3)
Pablo Batista / Conga (all)
Mauricio Smith / Flute (2,4,8), Baritone Sax (1,5,6)
Jeff Lederer / Tenor Sax (except 6), Soprano Sax (6)
Junior Vega / Trumpet (all)
Herman Olivera / Lead Vocals (1,2,3,7), Chorus (1-6,8), Clave (2,5), Guiro (3,4)
Frankie Vasquez / Lead Vocals (1,2,4), Chorus (1-6,8), Maracas (1,2,4,5,6,7,9)
William Duval / Chorus (1,2,3,6,8)
Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros / Trumpet (1,6,8)
Arturo O’Farrill / Piano (9,10)
Steve Wilson / Alto Sax (9,10)
Andy Gonzalez / Bass (10)
Jimmy Sabater / Lead Vocals (1,8)
Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez / Lead Vocals (5)
Mary La Rose / Lead Vocals (9)

Jimmy Bosch – Salsa Dura

2008-02-13T05:45:00.000-08:00

Released 1999

Rykodisc

Produced by Jimmy Bosch, Aaron Levinson and Mark Bingham

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

All songs composed by Jimmy Bosch except (8) by Wayne Shorter and (9) by Marco Aurelio Solis Gatica

Arrangements by Jimmy Bosch (2,3,10,12), Ricky Gonzalez (1,6), Mauricio Smith (4), Jimmy Bosch & Louis Bauzo (5), Jimmy Bosch & Nelson Gonzalez (7), Jeff Lederer (8), Felix “Junior” Vega (9), and Alfredo Valdes Jr. (11).

1. La Cacharra 4:55 [guaguanco]
2. Canta Mi Mozambique 5:41 [mozambique/comparsa]
3. Pa’ Mantener Tradicion 4:14 [guajira]
4. La Noticia 4:11 [son]
5. Impacto Tendremos 3:20 [plena]
6. Toco El Trombon 5:10 [conga/son montuno]
7. Viento Frio 5:15 [songo/descarga]
8. Speak No Evil 5:11 [Latin jazz]
9. Amor Por Ti 3:47 [bolero]
10. Vengo De Amor 4:57 [yambu]
11. Sigo Cambiando 4:23 [son]
12. Un Poquito Mas 6:01 [descarga]

Jimmy Bosch’s second album. Un Poquito Mas made salsanewyork.com list. In my opinion, this is the weakest of his three albums.

Musicians:

Jimmy Bosch / Trombone (all), Chorus (1,3,7)
Steve Turre / Trombone (12), Conch Shells (12)
Felix “Junior” Vega / Trumpet (all)
Ricardo Pon / Flute (7,11)
Jeff Lederer / Clarinet (3), Soprano Sax (9), Tenor Sax (all)
David Sanchez / Tenor Sax (2,8)
Ricardo Pons / Baritone Sax (1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10)
Abiud “Humpy” Troche / Bass (all)
Nelson Gonzalez / Tres (3,6,7,10)
Ricky Gonzalez / Piano (1,2,6,8)
Alfredo Valdes Jr / Piano (2,4,5,7,8,11,12)
Jesus “Chucho” Valdes / Piano (3,10)
Jimmy Delgado / Timbales (all)
George Delgado / Conga (all except 5,7), Pandereta Segunda (5)
Richie Flores / Conga (5,7)
Chucky Lopez / Bongos (1,2,6,7,8,9,10,11)
Louis Bauzo / Bongos (2,4,12), Cajones (10), Pandereta Requindo (5)
Pedro Emilio Rodriguez / Guiro (1,2,3,5,10,11), Maracas (4,6,8,9), Clave (6,8,10)
Efrain “Frankie” Vazquez / Lead Vocals (1,10), Chorus (1,2,3,4,5,10,12)
Herman Olivera / Lead Vocals (5,6,11), Chorus (2,4,5,6,7,10,11,12)
Frankie Morales / Lead Vocals (4,9), Chorus (1,2,4,6,7,10,12)
Frankie Seguinot, Cita Rodriguez / Chorus (11)

Jimmy Bosch – El Avion De La Salsa

2008-02-13T05:42:00.000-08:00

Released 2004

JRGR Records

Produced by Jimmy Bosch and Angel Fernandez

All songs composed by Jimmy Bosch

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Angel Fernandez (1,3,5,8,9,11), Gil Lopez (2,6) and Jimmy Bosch (4,7,10)

1. El Avion De La Salsa 5:08 [guaguanco]
2. Barreras Ninguna 5:31 [mambo]
3. El Embajador 6:46 [songo/descarga]
4. Vengo A Cantar 7:17 [cha cha cha/descarga]
5. Medicina No! 4:52 [son/mambo]
6. Que Bonito Es Sonar 5:20 [mambo]
7. Mama Y Papa 4:31 [plena]
8. Mi Cuerpo Tiembla 5:04 [mambo]
9. Que Alivio 5:50 [charanga/son/descarga]
10. Cocosito 4:51 [song montuno/descarga]
11. Llego La Hora 5:04 [mambo/bomba]s

This is Jimmy Bosch’s third album and arguably his strongest effort – or at least his most consistent work. Que Bonito Es Sonar made salsanewyork.com list, and I thought that pretty much all songs categorized as Mambo (and there are five of them here) are danceable upon my first hearing.

Musicians:

Jimmy Bosch / Trombone (1,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,11), Lead Vocals (7)
Dan Reagan / Trombone (2,9)
Edwin Sanchez / Piano (all)
Abiud Troche / Bass (1,8)
Andy Gonzalez / Bass (7)
Hector Maximo Rodriguez / Bass (2,3,4,5,6,9,10,11)
Yomo Toro / Cuatro (7,10)
Alfredo De La Fe / Violin (3,9)
Dave Valentin / Flute (3)
Mauricio Smith Jr / Flute (5,10 solos)
Mitch Frohman / Flute (3,10 parts), Baritone Sax (2,3,5,6,9,11)
Jeff Lederer / Tenor Sax (all)
Carl Corwin / Baritone Sax (1,5,8,11)
Raul Agraz / Trumpet (1,5,8,11)
Pete Nater / Trumpet (3,6,9)
Steve Gluzband / Trumpet (2,4)
Bobby Allende / Conga (1,8), Bongos & Bell (2,3,6,9,10)
Eric Velez / Conga (4,5,11)
George Delgado / Conga (2,3,6,7,9,10), Bongos & Bell (4), Guiro (4)
Pedro Poncholo Segundo / Bongos (5,11)
Ray Colon / Bongos & Bell (1,8)
Luisito Quintero / Bell (5,11), Timbales (5,11), Maracas, Guiro, Clave (5,11)
Marc Quinones / Timbales (1,8), Maracas, Guiro, Clave (1,2,3,4,6,8,9,10)
Roberto Cepeda / Guicharo, Pandereta (7)
Ray De La Paz / Lead Vocals (4), Chorus (2,4,7,11)
Herman Olivera / Lead Vocals (4), Chorus (2,4,7,11)
Willie Torres / Lead Vocals (4), Chorus (3,4,6,9,10)
Marco Bermudez / Lead Vocals (4), Chorus (3,4,6,9,10)
Juan Rey Bayona / Lead Vocals (1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,11)
Ray Sepulveda / Chorus (1,8)
Rey Viera / Chorus (1,8)
Gabriel Bosch / Chorus (7)

German Villarreal Mambo Big Band - Con Permiso De Mis Mayores

2008-02-11T08:17:00.000-08:00

Released 2007

Union Records

Produced and Directed by German Villarreal

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Ediberto Llevano, Luis Medina, Jorge Hugo Alvarez, German Villarreal

1. Tibiri Tabara 3:04 (R. Marks, R. Lew)
2. Fantasia Cubana 3:39 (Rey Briant)
3. Cuando Te Vea 4:04 (Tito Puente)
4. Maracaibo Oriental 3:04 (J. A. Castaneda)
5. Son Para Un Sonero 4:37 (Adalberto Alvarez)
6. Me Gusta Boogaloo 3:16 (Carlos Hayre)
7. El Rincon 3:10 (W. Guevara)
8. Chango Ta Beni 3:40 (Justi Barretto)
9. Almendra 3:09 (A. Valdes)
10. Ran Kan Kan 4:40 (Tito Puente)

This is an excellent dance album from Colombian-based band led by German Villarreal with rearrangements of old classics. The fun highlight is Fantasia Cubana, which made the salsanewyork.com list along with Almendra. Chango Ta Beni and Cuando Te Vea are pretty good too - not necessarily the best versions out there but decent enough as an alternate version. Ran Kan Kan is also serviceable.

Musicians:

Igor Moreno / Lead Vocals
Mauricio Daltaire / Second Vocals (5)
Jorge Hugo Alvarez / Piano
Luis Arroyo / Piano
Ricardo Rosales / Bass
Nestor Garcia / Saxophone
Jorge "Cuper" Bermudez / Saxophone
Ediberto Llevano / Trombone
Wilver Fajardo / Trumpet
Javier Ortega / Conga
German Villarreal / Timbales, Timbalito, Bongos, Campana, Guiro
Angel Onofre / Flute
Igor Moreno, Mauricio Daltaire, Willie Garces / Chorus

Orquesta Flamboyan con Frank Dante - Different Directions

2008-02-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

Released 1968 Cotique

Re-mastered 2007 Fania/E-Musica

Produced by Ralph Lew

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Ay Que Felicidad 3:35 (Frankie Dante, Angel Rodriguez, Ed Edenfield)
2. Pa' Guaynabo 3:28 (Frankie Dante, Angel Rodriguez, Ed Edendfield)
3. La Negra Caridad 3:02 (Javier Vazquez)
4. Paz 3:40 (Frankie Dante, Ed Edenfield)
5. El Jibaro 4:27 (Frankie Dante, Burre Speights)
6. En Caracas 3:38 (Frankie Dante, Angel Rodriguez, Ed Edenfield)
7. Lo Que Quiero Es Gozar 5:07 (Javier Vazquez)
8. Flores 3:11 (Frankie Dante, Burre Speights)

This is Frankie Dante (full name - Lenin Francesco Domingo Cerda) and Orquesta Flamboyan's ~~debut~~ second recording. The band has been described many things - bohemian, colorful, worst-dressed, smelly, a street band. Ay Que Felicidad and El Jibaro are good for Cha Cha, and Paz is fun for Salsa. I would say that this CD is not a bad intro to Frankie Dante's music except that it's the only one of his albums, which is not out of print currently - so it's not like there a choice in the matter.

Musicians:

Ed Edenfield / Piano
Eddie Gonzalez / Bass
Joe "Chickie" Fuentes / Trombone
Angelo Rodriguez / Trombone
Billy "Tata" Baxter / Timbales
"Latin" Joe Colon / Conga
Alex Ojeda / Bongos
Jose "Juicy" Cruz / Percussion, Chorus
Frankie Dante / Lead Vocals

Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri - El Sonido Nuevo

2008-02-09T12:19:00.001-08:00

Original album released 1966
with bonus tracks recorded in 1963 and 1967

Reissued 1993

Produced by Creed Taylor

Verve

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Los Jibaros 2:44 (Ray Rivera, Vin Roddie)
2. Guajira En Azul 3:26 (Eddie Palmieri, Cal Tjader)
3. Ritmo Uni 3:51 (Eddie Palmieri, Jose Rodriguez)
4. Picadillo 7:04 (Tito Puente)
5. Modesty 2:28 (John Dankworth, Adolph Green)
6. Unidos 4:34 (Eddie Palmieri, Cal Tjader)
7. On A Clear Day You Can See Forever 1:53 (Burton Lane, Alan Jay Lerner)
8. El Sonido Nuevo 5:02 (Eddie Palmieri, Cal Tjader)

Bonus tracks
9. Fuji 2:32 (Cal Tjader)
10. Black Orchid 3:10 (Cal Tjader)
11. Los Bandidos 7:16 (Cal Tjader)
12. Poinciana 3:25 (Nat Simon, Buddy Bernier)
13. Yellow Days 2:19 (A. Carrillo, A. Bernstein)
14. Along Comes Mary 3:20 (Tandyn Almer)

Arrangements by Eddie Palmieri (3,4,7,8), Claus Ogerman (1,2,5,6), Stan Applebaum (9,10,12), Chico O'Farrill (13,14).

The main material in this CD is the first of two collaborations between Eddie Palmieri and Cal Tjader - El Sonido Nuevo. Most of the musicians are from Eddie Palmieri's band La Perfecta. The final 6 tracks are from two other Cal Tjader albums.

Picadillo made salsanewyork.com list as Salsa while Guajira En Azul and Poinciana made the same list as Cha Cha. Also of potential interest are the Afro-Cuban tracks Los Jibaros, Ritmo Uni, and Unidos,

Musicians:

original LP El Sonido Nuevo (tracks 1-8)
recorded 1966

Cal Tjader / Vibraphone
Eddie Palmieri / Piano
Barry Rogers / Trombone, Conga
Julian Priester / Trombone
Jose Rodriguez / Trombone
Mark Weinstein / Trombone
George Castro / Flute, Percussion
Bobby Rodriguez / Bass
Ismael Quintana / Percussion
Tommy Lopez / Drums
Manny Oquendo / Drums

from Breeze from East (tracks 9, 10, 12)
recorded 1963

Cal Tjader / Vibraphone, Percussion
Jerry Dodgion / Flute
Lonnie Hewitt / Piano
Dick Hyman / Organ
Stan Applebaum / Celeste, Conductor
two unknown / Guitar
George Duvivier / Bass
unknown / Timbales
unknown / Drums

from Along Comes Cal (tracks 11, 13, 14)
recorded 1967

Cal Tajder / Vibraphone
Al Zulaica / Piano (11)
Chick Corea / Piano (13, 14)
Stan Gilbert / Bass (11)
Bobby Rodriguez / Bass (13,14)
Ray Barretto / Conga (11,13,14)
Armando Peraza / Bongos (13,14)
Carl Bernett / Drums (11)
Grady Tate / Drums (13,14)
Derek Smith / Organ (13,14)
Chico O'Farrill / Conductor (13,14)

Son Boricua

2008-01-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

Released 2001

Cobo Music
CCD-9041

Available at Descarga, Amazon, etc

1. Buen Boricano 4:43 (Rafael Hernandez)
2. Oye Listen 3:28 (Joe Cain)
3. Mambo Diablo 3:53 (Tito Puente)
4. Bomba Carambomba 4:35 (Alberto Amadeo)
5. Blues For Louie 7:35 (Sonny Rivera)
6. Descarga 4:43 (D.R.)
7. Lejos De Ti 4:56 (Angel Canales)
8. Boleros Medley 3:46 (Rafael Hernandez)
9. El Jibarito 5:47 (Jose Mangual Jr)
10. Que Gente Averigua 4:36 (Mon Rivera)

Vibraphone-based all-star band from Cobo Records (previously Caiman Records) led by Jose Mangual Jr. Their rendition of Angel Canales classic Lejos De Ti made salsanewyork.com list. Another song I liked is Bomba Carambomba with Jimmy Sabater on lead vocals. All but two of the songs are covers.

Musicians:

Jose Mangual Jr / Musical Director, Lead Vocals, Chorus, Percussion
Jimmy Sabater / Timbales, Lead Vocals
Frankie Morales / Lead Vocals
Hiram de Jesus / Piano
Papo Pepin / Conga
Willie Amadeo / Chorus
Sonny Rivera / Vibraphone
Ray Martinez / Bass
Ruben Rodriguez / Bass
Ray Colon / Bongos, Conga
Erick Velez / Conga
Ada Chabriel / Lead Vocals
A. J. Mantas / Vibraphone
Lucho Cueto / Piano
Anthony Alaiprantis / Electric Guitar

Sonora Poncena - 45 Aniversario Live

2008-01-23T09:18:00.000-08:00

Released 2000
BMG Latin

Director - Enrique "Quique" Lucca
Musical Director, Producer, Arranger - Enrique "Papo" Lucca

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

CD1
1. Introduccion 0:55
2. Fea 7:52 (Pedro Flores) Cantante - Hector "Pichie" Perez
3. Percusion 9:02 (Roberto Blades) Cantante - Danny Davila
4. Cancion 5:54 (Pablo Milanes) Cantante - Mannix Martinez
5. Sola Vaya 7:17 (Justi Barretto) Cantante - Mannix Martinez, Sammy, Pichie
6. Remembranzas 6:19 (Jose Torres, Papo Lucca) Cantante - Omar Ledee
7. Borinquen 6:48 (Johnny Ortiz) Cantante - Yolanda Rivera
8. Canto Al Amor 7:11 (Enrique Lazage) Cantante - Yolanda, Wito, Miguelito Ortiz
9. Pio Pio 5:42 (Luis Demetrio) Cantante - Luigi Texidor
10. Ahora Si 16:21 (Marcelino Guerra) Cantante - Andy Montanez

CD2
1. Homenaje A Tres Grandes Del Teclado 5:17 (Papo Lucca)
2. Boranda 13:32 (Eduardo Lobo) Cantante - Cano Estremera
3. Tu Y Yo 6:12 (D.R.) Cantante - Ismael ~~Rivera~~ Miranda
4. Hachero Pa' Un Palo 10:42 (Arsenio Rodriguez) Cantante - Wito Colon
5. Todo Tiene Su Final 6:47 (Willie Colon) Cantante - Rafi Santana
6. Timbalero 10:20 (Ramon Rodriguez) Cantante - Miguelito Ortiz
7. Despedida 45 Aniversario 1:08 (Francisco Alvarado)
8. Jubileo 45 5:13 (Ramon Rodriguez) Cantante - Pichie, Danny, Wito, Edwin Rosa
9. Fuego En El 23 8:49 (Arsenio Rodriguez) Cantante - Pichie Perez

This is a live recording with canned crowd noise added, which I found annoying. Sometimes the live aspect of the recording makes some songs painful to listen to. Such is most evident in over 13 minute long rendition of Boranda where the lead singer is trying to engage the audience to sing along - except there is no recording of the actual audience.

Many of the songs are big hits, and whopping 8 songs (Cancion, Remembranzas, Borinquen, Canto Al Amor, Ahora Si, Homenaje A Tres Grandes Del Teclado, Boranda, Fuego En El 23) are mentioned in the salsanewyork.com list - with caveat that not all of the songs in this album are playable. Obvious unplayable songs include aforementioned Boranda and Ahora Si (over 16 minutes long although I did find this one nice to listen to), and I would almost certainly pass on the versions of Homenaje A Tres Grandes Del Teclado and Fuego En El 23 and possibly others as well. In fact the original studio versions of the songs are preferred in my opinion where I have heard both the original and this live recording.

Musicians

Enrique "Papo" Lucca / Piano, Synthesizer
Freddie del Valle / Trumpet
Delfin Perez / Trumpet
Jose Madera / Trumpet
Ricky Zayas / Trumpet
Felix Torres / Conga
Willito Lopez / Conga
Domingo "Tito" Gutierrez / Bongos
Jessie Colon / Timbales
Edgardo Morales / Timbales
Manolito / Timbales
Japhet Rodriguez / Timbales
Alexander "Cano" Rosa / Bass
Kriptonite Texeira, Darvel Garcia, Hector "Pichie" Perez, Daniel "Danny" Davila, Edwin Rosas, Fernando "Wito" Colon / Chorus

Grupo Niche - Huellas Del Pasado

2008-01-20T14:02:00.002-08:00

Released 1995
Sony Discos

All songs written and arranged by Jairo Varela
Produced by Jairo Varela

Available at Amazon and many other vendors

1. Gotas De Lluvia 5:59
2. Balseros: Testimonio De Libertad 5:35
3. Lo Bonito Y Lo Feo 4:57
4. Es Mejor No Despertar 5:07
5. Se Me Parte El Corazon 5:02
6. Verdades Que Saben 5:35
7. Solamente Tu 4:56
8. Bajame Uno 5:55

Two songs (Gotas De Lluvia and Lo Bonito Y Lo Feo) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Daniel Silva / Bass
Carlos Vivas / Piano & Keyboards
Julio Abadia / Piano (track 6)
Douglas Guevara / Percussion & Effects
Jose Aguirre / Trumpet 1-2-3
Leo Aguirre / Trombone 1-2
Andres Viafara, Diana Serna, Willie Garcia, Richie Valdes, Javier Vasquez, Jairo Varela, Daniel Silva, Carlos Guerro / Chorus

Grupo Niche - Un Alto En El Camino

2008-01-20T14:02:00.001-08:00

Released 1993
Sony Discos

All songs written by Jairo Varela
Arrangements by Alberto Barros, Jose Aguirre, Juan V. Zambrano, Jairo Varela
Produced by Alberto Barros and Jairo Varela

Available at Amazon and many other vendors

1. Un Alto En El Camino 4:52
2. La Gallinita De Los Huevos De Oro 4:52
3. Duele Mas 5:41
4. Sin Palabras 4:59
5. Colombia Tierra De Todos 5:46
6. Ave De Paso 4:56
7. Las Tres Son Caribe 5:04
8. Somos Guerros 5:07

Two songs (Un Alto En El Camino and Duele Mas) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Daniel Silva / Bass
Julio Abadia / Piano
Carlos Vivas / Piano
Juan V. Zambrano / Keyboards
Douglas Guevara / Percussion, Conga, Bongos, Timbales
Alberto Barros / Trombone 1-2-3
Jose Aguirre / Trumpet
Oswaldo Ospino / Trumpet
Carlos Guerro / Maracas & Guiro
Jairo Varela, Daniel Silva, Richie Valdes, Javier Vasquez, Carlos Guerro, Charlie Sa, Diana Serna / Chorus
Charlie Cardona, Javier Vasquez, Carlos Guerro / Lead Vocals

Grupo Niche - Cielo De Tambores

2008-01-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

Released 1990
CBS Discos

All songs written by Jairo Varela
Arrangements by Jairo Varela, Andres Viafara, Sergio George
Produced by Grupo Niche

Available at Amazon and many other vendors

1. Cielo De Tambores 5:41
2. Una Aventura 5:30
3. Se ParecioTanto A Ti 5:30
4. Dona Pastora 4:56
5. Busca Por Dentro 5:57
6. Deberia Olvidarla 4:25
7. Sin Sentimientos 4:57
8. Cali Aji 4:36

Four songs made salsanewyork.com list - Cielo De Tambores, Una Aventura, Sin Sentimientos and Cali Aji.

Musicians:

Raul Umana / Bass
Pelusa / Piano
Sergio George / Piano & Keyboards
Danny Jimenez / Trumpet
Osvaldo Ospino / Trumpet
Jhonny Gonzalez / Trombone
Gonzalo Palacio / Trombone
Andres Viafara / Trombone
Dennys Ibarguen / Conga
William Valdez / Timbales
William Ospino / Bongos, Campana
Javier Vasquez, Charlie Cardona, Richy Valdez, Jairo Varela / Chorus
Charlie Cardona, Javier Vasquez, Richy Valdez / Lead Vocals

Grupo Niche - 20 Exitos Originales

2008-01-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

Released 2005
Sony Discos

Available from Amazon and many other vendors

I'm not completely sure every song was written by Jairo Varela, who wrote pretty much all of the Grupo Niche songs by the 1990 album Cielo De Tambores.

1. La Canoa Ranchaa 4:40
2. Culebra 4:25
3. Cielo De Tambores 3:48
4. Han Cogido La Cosa 4:42
5. Duele Mas 3:43
6. Busca Por Dentro 3:02
7. Hagamos Lo Que Diga El Corazon 3:18
8. Mi Machete 5:29
9. Una Aventura 3:17
10. Sin Sentimientos 4:22
11. Etnia 4:33
12. Mi Pueblo 3:53
13. La Negra No Quiere 3:12
14. Cali Aji 3:14
15. La Gallinita De Los Huevos De Oro 3:17
16. Ana Mile 5:00
17. Gotas De Lluvia 3:27
18. Un Alto En El Camino 4:49
19. Se Parecio Tanto A Ti 3:49
20. Cali Pachanguero 3:19

Every song in this compilation with possible exception of Un Alto En El Camino is truncated; some of the songs cut by nearly 2 minutes from the original. These same shorter versions of the songs were used in some other Grupo Niche compilation CDs.

Nine songs (Culebra, Cielo De Tambores, Duele Mas, Una Aventura, Sin Sentimientos, Etnia, Cali Aji, Gotas De Lluvia, Un Alto En El Camino) are included in the salsanewyork.com list.

Track 20 from No Hay Quinto Malo (1984)
Track 16 from Se Paso (1985)
Tracks 3,6,9,10,14,19 from Cielo De Tambores (1990)
Tracks 7,12 from Llegando Al 100% (1991)
Tracks 5,15,18 from Un Alto En El Camino (1992)
Track 17 from Huellas Del Pasado (1995)
Tracks 1,11 from Etnia (1996)
Track 6 from A Prueba De Fuego (1997)
Track 4 from A Golpe De Folklore (1999)
Tracks 2,8 from Imaginacion (2004)
Track 13 - original album unknown to me but it certainly was released before 1993 and probably before 1988.

Latin Giants of Jazz - Trip To Mamboland

2008-01-15T07:42:00.001-08:00

Released 2007

Gigante Records

Produced by John Rodriguez Jr and Jose Madera

Orchestrations by Jose Madera

Available at Descarga, Amazon, etc.

1. Cuero Na' Ma 5:21 (comp. Tito Puente. arr. Jose Madera)
2. Mientras Yo Viva 4:21 (comp. Marcellino Guerra. arr. Jose Madera)
3. No Me Molesto 5:56 (comp. Jorge Zamora. arr. Sonny Bravo)
4. Trip To Mamboland 4:47 (comp. Nick Jimenez. arr. Jose Madera)
5. Chao Chao 5:30 (comp. Rosendo Ruiz Jr. arr. Harold Wegbreit)
6. Mambo Is Here To Stay (comp. Gil Fuller & Frank Grillo. arr. Oscar Hernandez)
7. My Best Friends 5:32 (comp. Mitchell Frohman. arr. Joe Manozzi)
8. Everything Happens To Me 6:37 (comp. Matt Dennis & Tom Adair. arr. Marty Sheller)
9. Guaguanco Del Pueblo Nuevo 4:22 (comp. Horacio de la Lastra. arr. Tito Puente)
10. Flamenco Mood 5:29 (comp. & arr. Ray Santos)
11. Alex Mambo 5:36 (comp. & arr. Rene Hernandez)
12. En Francia 4:27 (comp. Justi Barretto. arr. Frank Colon)
13. Michito's Boogaloo 5:55 (comp. Mitchell Frohman. arr. Jose Madera)

Latin Giants of Jazz is made up of late Tito Puente's band and is headed by Jose Madera. With 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and 5 saxophones, what you get is a real big band sound. Considered one of the best albums of 2007, there's a lot to choose from here. With some caveats (speed of some of the songs primarily), I would consider playing songs like Cuero Na' Ma, Trip To Mamboland, Mambo Is Here To Stay, Guaguanco Del Pueblo Nuevo, Flamenco Mood and Alex Mambo (and possibly En Francia) - which is essentially half the album!

Musicians

Raul Agraz / Trumpet
John Walsh / Trumpet
Pete Nater / Trumpet
Richie Viruet / Trumpet
Sam Burtis / Trombone
Reynaldo Jorge / Trombone
Joe Fiedler / Trombone
Noah Bless / Trombone
Bobby Porcelli / Saxophone
Todd Bashore / Saxophone
Mitch Frohman / Saxophone
Peter Brainin / Saxophone
Pete Miranda / Saxophone
Sonny Bravo / Piano
Gerardo Madera / Bass
George Delgado / Conga
John Rodriguez Jr. / Bongos & Percussion
Jose Madera / Timbales, Musical Director & Conductor
Frankie Vazquez / Lead Vocals
Cita Rodriguez, Willie Ruiz & Willie Martinez / Chorus
Willie Torres / Chorus (replacing Willie Martinez in tracks 1, 9, 12)
Tom Harrell / Flugelhorn (track 7)
Bobby Porcelli / Alto Sax (track 8)
Randy Brecker / Trumpet (track 11)
Mario Rivera / Soprano Sax (track 10)
Kevin Bryan / Trumpet (track 10)

Willie Colon - El Juicio

2007-12-21T15:39:00.000-08:00

Produced by Willie Colon & Jerry Masucci
Recording Director: Johnny Pacheco
Arrangements by Willie Colon

Released 1972

Re-mastered Fania E-Musica 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Ah-Ah/O-No 3:47 (Willie Colon)
2. Pirana 5:16 (C. Curet Alonso)
3. Seguire Sin Ti 2:56 (D.R.)
4. Timbalero 8:17 (Willie Colon)
5. Aguanile 6:09 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
6. Sonando Despierto 4:03 (Rafael Angel Ramos, Juan Juse Quiros Rosado)
7. Pan Y Agua (Bread & Water) 5:16 (Willie Colon)

Willie Colon’s seventh album. Ah-Ah/O-No, Pirana, Timbalero and Aguanile are all fairly well known although I don’t think any of them are obvious slam dunk dance tracks.

Musicians

Willie Colon / Nose Flute
Hector Lavoe / Lead Vocals
Jose Mangual / Bongos
Santi Gonzalez / Bass
Louis Romero / Timbales
Joe “Professor” Torres / Piano
Eric Matos / Trombone
Milton Cardona / Conga
Gene Golden / Percussion
Justo Betancourt, Johnny Pacheco / Chorus

Willie Colon – Crime Pays

2007-12-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

Released 1972

Re-mastered Fania / E-Musica 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Che Che Cole 3:29 (Willie Colon)
2. El Malo 4:00 (Willie Colon)
3. Guisando 3:59 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
4. Jazzy 4:04 (Willie Colon)
5. Juana Pena 5:36 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
6. Guajiron 5:56 (Mark Dimond)
7. El Titan 5:20 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
8. Que Lio 4:35 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Joe Cuba)
9. Eso Se Baila Asi 5:18 (Willie Colon)

This very first compilation album released by the Fania label is also the first compilation album for Willie Colon. The songs were taken from Willie Colon’s first four albums – El Malo (1967 represented by El Malo and Jazzy), The Hustler (1968 represented by Guajiron, Que Lio, Eso Se Baila Asi), Guisando (1969 represented by Guisando and El Titan), and Cosa Nuestra (1970 represented by Che Che Cole and Juana Pena). Juana Pena made salsanewyork.com list recently.

Musicians (incomplete)

El Malo

Dwight Brewster / Piano
James Taylor / Bass

The Hustler

Mark Dimond / Piano

Guisando

Mark Dimond / Piano
Charlie Cotto / Timbales
Santi Gonzalez / Bass
Chucky Lopez / Bongos
Barry Rogers / Trombone
Gilbert ? / Conga
Justo Betancounrt, Johnny Pacheco / Chorus

All albums

Willie Colon / Trombone
Hector Lavoe / Lead Vocals

Lebron Brothers - Criollo

2007-12-14T09:30:00.001-08:00

Produced by Angel Lebron

Cotique 1982

Re-mastered Fania / E-Musica 2007

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Yo Te Cante (Jose Lebron) 4:07
2. Siempre Sera (Jose Lebron) 5:07
3. Voy A Caminar (Jose Lebron) 4:05
4. Esposa Y Querida (Angel Lebron) 5:07
5. Madre (Angel Lebron) 3:34
6. Son Diez Lagrimas (Angel Lebron) 5:09
7. Sabor A Mi (Alvaro Carillo) 3:14
8. Sin Negro No Hay Guaguanco (Angel Lebron, Aura M. De Velazquez) 3:33
9. Abran Camino (Angel Lebron) 4:18

This album (their 16th) was released after Pablo's stroke in 1981, which led to his retirement and a fairly long lull in new album releases for the band thereafter. I mention this because I originally thought the band stopped recording because their last few albums were no good. This is far from true because Criollo might be the best Lebron Brothers album for Salsa. The classics are Sin Negro No Hay Guaguanco and Diez Lagrimas. Esposa Y Querida is pretty good too.

Musicians

Angel Lebron / Bass and chorus
Jose Lebron / Piano and chorus
Carlos Lebron / Bongos and chorus
Frankie Lebron / Conga
Ruben Lebron / Trombone
Joseph Trapaneses / Trumpet
Willie Rodriguez / Trumpet
Edwin Acevado / Timbales
Osvaldo Acevado / Percussion
Louie Cruz / Percussion
Pablo Lebron / Lead Vocals

Lebron Brothers - Salsa Y Control

2007-12-14T09:23:00.000-08:00

Released 1971
Cotique 1049

Remastered Fania / E-Musica 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Tu Llegaste A Mi Vida (Pablo Lebron) 2:56
2. Salsa Y Control (Jose Lebron) 3:47
3. Que Pana (Jose Lebron) 3:22
4. Regresa A Mi (Jimmy Webb) 3:32
5. Piensalo Bien (Jose Lebron) 3:46
6. Bongo Loco (Angel Lebron) 3:00
7. Estoy Loco (Javier Vazquez) 4:46
8. Sabor Tipico (Angel Lebron) 2:02

The best-selling album by Lebron Brothers. The best-known hit is Salsa Y Control, which has been re-recorded by many other artists. Another good song for Salsa dancing is Bongo Loco. This album marks the debut of Frankie Lebron.

Musicians

Angel Lebron / Bass and chorus
Pablo Lebron / Lead Vocals and chorus
Jose Lebron / Piano and chorus
Carlos Lebron / Bongos and percussion
Frankie Lebron / Conga
Gabe Gill / Alto Saxophone
Herman Sandana / Tenor Saxophone
Louis Maldonado / 1st Trumpet
Pete Maldonado / 2nd Trumpet
Tito Ocasio / Timbales

Lebron Brothers - Psychedelic Goes Latin / The Brooklyn Bums

2007-12-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

Psychedelic Goes Latin 1967
Cotique 1008
The Brooklyn Bums 1969
Cotique 1015

Produced by Barry Goldiner

Re-mastered by Nascente

Out of print - best bet is to hope for Fania / E-Musica to reissue the two albums individually

Psychedelic Goes Latin

1. Summertime Blues (Lebron) 4:41
2. Suena (Lebron) 5:51
3. Tall Tale (Lebron) 4:24
4. Mi Mambo (Rivera) 5:01
5. Mary Mary (Lebron) 4:25
6. My Cool Boogaloo (Lebron) 3:54
7. Mala Suerte (Lebron) 3:08
8. Descarga Lebron (Lebron) 5:21

The Brooklyn Bums

9. You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (Mann/Weil/Spector) 3:57
10. The Village Chant (Rivera) 3:15
11. Boogaloo Pa Mi San Juan (Lebron) 2:59
12. Vacilon (Lebron) 3:189
13. Let's Get Stoned (Lebron) 2:49
14. Apurate (Lebron) 5:13
15. Son Sabroson (Lebron) 4:24
16. El Cantante (Lebron) 3:29
17. Money Can't Buy Love (Lebron) 2:02

Lebron Brothers originated as Angel Lebron and Orchestra back in 1965 when Angel was 15 with brothers Pablo (then age 29?), Jose (age 17?), and Carlos (age 13?). Nascente does a very sensible job of offering their first two albums in a single CD. These albums are mostly boogaloo with a few tracks good for Salsa dancing such as Descarga Lebron and Vacilon. Descarga Lebron in fact is included in salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians include

Pablo Lebron / Lead Vocals
Jose Lebron / Piano and chorus
Carlos Lebron / Bongos and chorus
Angel Lebron / Bass and chorus
others

Willie Colon - Asalto Navideno Deluxe Edition

2007-11-25T10:08:00.000-08:00

Originally released as

Asalto Navideno (1972)
Asalto Navideno Vol 2 (1973)

Deluxe Edition released 2007 Fania / E-Musica

Recording Director: Johnny Pacheco

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Disc 1
1. Introduccion (D.R.)
2. Canta A Borinquen (Flor Morales Ramos)
3. Potpourri Navideno (Public Domain)
- Estrellas De Oriente
- Noche De Paz
- La Virgen Maria
- La Tierra Mia
4. Traigo La Salsa (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
5. Aires De Navidad (Roberto Garcia)
6. La Murga (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
7. Esta Navidad (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
8. Vive Tu Vida Contento (Flor Morales Ramos)

Disc 2
1. Pescao (Potpourri Sambao) (D.R.)
- Si Se Quema El Monte (Etelvina Maldonado)
- Coje El Pandero (D.R.)
- Pescao (Samba) (D.R.)
2. Recomendacion (Hector Lavoe)
3. La Banda (Willie Colon)
4. Dona Santos (Roberto Garcia)
5. Cantemos (Roberto Garcia)
6. Pa' Los Pueblos (Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
7. Arbolito (Jose Barros)
8. Tranquilidad (Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colon)

This album combines two Christmas albums by Willie Colon and featuring Hector Lavoe and Yomo Toro. As far as the content and sound quality, these should be identical to Fania / E-Musica's 2006 remastered versions of Asalto Navideno and Asalto Navideno Volume 2. Production errors led to a confusing listing of songs - two different medleys in each album has components of the medleys listed as individual songs whereas there is no subdivision in the CDs themselves. The best known songs from each are La Murga (which made salsanewyork.com list) and La Banda.

Musicians

Disc 1 (Asalto Navideno)

Willie Colon / Trombone, Leader
Yomo Toro / Cuatro
William "Sweet" Campbell / Trombone
Milton Cardona / Conga, Percussion
Jose Mangual Jr / Bongos, Percussion
Johnny Pacheco / Percussion
Professor Joe Torres / Piano
Louie "Timbalito" Romero / Timbales
Santi "Choflomo" Gonzalez / Bass
Roberto Garcia / Cuatro
Miguel "El Tunel" Matos / "band boy", Minor Percussion
Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, Justo Betancourt / Chorus
Hector Lavoe / Lead Vocals

Disc 2 (Asalto Navideno Volume 2)

Willie Colon / Trombone, Leader
Yomo Toro / Cuatro
Milton Cardona / Conga, Percussion
Jose Mangual Jr / Bongos, Percussion
Johnny Pacheco / Percussion
Louie "Timbalito" Romero / Percussion
Professor Joe Torres / Piano
Santi "Choflomo" Gonzalez / Bass
Eric Matos / Trombone
Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, Adalberto Santiago / Chorus
Hector Lavoe / Lead Vocals

Cal Tjader - Descarga

2007-11-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Produced by Ed Bogas

Originally released as

Agua Dulce 1971 (Fantasy 8416)

Live At The Funky Quarters 1972 (Fantasy 9409)

Digital Remastering 1995 Fantasy

Available at Amazon, etc

1. Agua Dulce (Cool-Ade) 4:08 (Otis, Otis, Love)
2. Curacao 5:38 (Cal Tjader)
3. Somewhere In The Night 4:23 (May, Raskin)
4. Gimme Shelter 2:52 (Jagger, Richards)
5. Ran Kan Kan 3:00 (Tito Puente)
6. Descarga Cubana 3:05 (Osvaldo Estivill)
7. Invitation 3:01 (Bronislau Kaper)
8. Now 5:25 (Dave MacKay)
9. Morning 3:29 (Clare Fischer)
10. Leyte 6:25 (Tjader, Hewitt)
11. Mother And Child 5:57 (John Heard)
12. Cubano Chant 4:50 (Ray Bryant)
13. Soul Sauce III 5:56 (Gillespie, Pozo)
14. Philly Mambo 6:36 (Tito Puente)
15. Davito 4:22 (Tjader)
16. Manteca 8:09 (Gillespie, Fuller)

The first part of the album - Agua Dulce (1971) - is fairly laid back. The only track inviting for dancing is Descarga Cubana, but it's good one. The arrangement of Ran Kan Kan by the Escovedo brothers on the other hand is good for listening only, and much of the rest is as much Jazz as Latin. The second half - Live at the Funky Quarters (1972) - is more intense. It is a live recording and with authentic crowd noise throughout but still with excellent sound quality. Philly Mambo made salsanewyork.com list - minimal background noise for this song. One song from Funky Quarters "Theme" was deleted because a single CD could not accommodate the length of both albums.

Musicians

#1-9 (Agua Dulce)
Cal Tjader / Vibes, Bongos, Guiro
Luis Gasca, Pat Houston, Frank Snow / Trumpet
Bill Perkins / Saxophone
Gerry Gilmore, Mel Martin / Saxophones and Flutes
Rita Dowling / Moog Synthesizer
Al Zulaica / Fender-Rhodes Electric Piano
Jim McCabe, Ron McClure or Phil Escovedo / Bass
Dick Berk or Lee Charton / Drums
Pete Escovedo / Bongos, Conga, Guiro, Percussion, Vocals
Michael Smithe / Bongos, Conga, Guiro, Percussion
Coke Escovedo / Timbales, Vocals

#10-16 (Live at the Funky Quarters)
Cal Tjader / Vibes and Percussion
Al Zulaica / Fender-Rhodes Electric Piano
John Heard / Bass
Dick Berk / Drums
Michael Smithe / Conga

Joe Cuba Sextet – Bang! Bang! Push, Push, Push

2007-11-15T10:02:00.001-08:00

subtitled Wanted Dead Or Alive

Produced by Pancho Cristal

Released 1966 Tico

Fania / E-Musica Re-mastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Bang Bang 4:04 (Joe Cuba, Jimmy Sabater)
2. Mujer Divina 4:32 (Jimmy Sabater)
3. Oh Yeah 3:20 (Jimmy Sabater)
4. La Malanga Brava 3:05 (Jimmy Sabater)
5. Que Son Uno 4:15 (Joe Cuba, Jimmy Sabater)
6. Sock It To Me 2:20 (Jimmy Sabater, Hector Rivera)
7. Asi Soy 3:04 (Joe Cuba, Jimmy Sabater)
8. Triste 2:27 (Nick Jimenez)
9. Alafia 3:25 (Jimmy Sabater)
10. Push, Push, Push 2:15 (Joe Cuba, Jimmy Sabater)
11. Cocinando 9:00 (Joe Cuba, Hector Rivera, Henny Alvarez)

Follow-up to Estamos Haciendo Algo Bien (We Must Be Doing Something Right). Bang Bang is one of the best-known boogaloo of 1960’s. My favorite tracks from this album are Mujer Divina, Que Son Uno and Push Push Push – all three of them can be considered Cha Cha (or boogaloo).

The line-up for this album is not clear to me, and I don't know all the members by their face on the album cover. The original Joe Cuba Sextet line up circa 1954 is Joe Cuba (Sonny Calderon), Jimmy Sabater (Jaime Sabater), Willie Torres, Nick Jimenez, Ray Rosa and Tommy Berrios. Jules Cordero replaced Ray Rosa very early. Cheo Feliciano, who was with the band from 1957-1966, left to pursue a solo career before this recording was made. Willie Torres the original lead vocalist replaced Feliciano for this album.

Musicians (best guess)

Joe Cuba / Conga
Jimmy Sabater / Timbales, Lead Vocals
Nick Jimenez / Piano
Jules Cordero / Bass
Tommy Berrios / Vibraphone
Willie Torres / Lead Vocals

Bobby Valentin - La Boda De Ella

2007-11-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

Released 1978

Produced by Bobby Valentin

Bronco 107

Available at Descarga, Prodland, etc.

Arrangements by Bobby Valentin (1,2,3,5,6,8) and Ray Santos (4,7)

1. La Boda De Ella 5:26 (Roberto Anglero)
2. Massa - Massa 5:38 (D.R.)
3. Ingratitudes 6:22 (Margarita Rivera)
4. Mas Bajo 4:52 (Tito Puente)
5. Libro De Amor 5:42 (Israel Perez)
6. El Muneco De La Ciudad 6:03 (Adrian Perez)
7. Post Data 3:19 (Roberto Anglero)
8. Canta Mi Gallo 6:46 (D.R.)

Bobby Valentin had in my opinion an annoying habit of releasing untitled albums. One might suspect this is another one of those, but fortunately everyone refers to this one by the first song on the album - La Boda De Ella. La Boda De Ella is also the standout song of this album and made salsanewyork.com list. Another song of note is Ingratitudes, which gets played only for birthdays.

Musicians

Bobby Valentin / Bass
Luis S. Garcia / Trumpet
Agustin Antomattei / Trumpet
Edwin Cintron / Trombone
Freddie Miranda / Baritone Saxophone
Justino "Tino" Labour / Alto Saxophone
William D. Thompson / Conga
Hector Faberlle / Bongos
Rafael "Koki" Rivera Martinez / Timbales
Charlie Aponte, Johnny Vazquez, Cano Estremera, Bobby Valentin, Leo Pacheco / Chorus
Johnny Vazquez / Lead Vocals
Carlos "Cano" Estremera / Lead Vocals