Willie Colon - El Juicio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bobby Valentin – Rey Del Bajo

Released 1974

Produced by Bobby Valentin
Recording Director: Johnny Pacheco
Arrangements by Bobby Valentin

Fania / E-Musica Remastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

1. Hay Craneo 3:54 (Tito Rodriguez)
2. Arenas Del Desierto 4:02 (Rafael Colon)
3. Guaraguao 3:30 (D.R.)
4. Mi Ritmo Es Bueno 5:43 (Bobby Valentin)
5. Codazos 3:59 (Bobby Valentin)
6. Cuando Te Vea 5:26 (Tito Puente)
7. Esperame En El Cielo 4:45 (Paquito Lopez Vidal)
8. La Vibora 4:19 (Tony Ramos)
9. Aqui No Me Quedo 3:50 (Roberto Anglero)
10. Coco Seco 3:37 (Luis Reyes Bacallao)

Rey Del Bajo is Bobby Valentin's 8th album (out of 9) with Fania label and is considered one of his best. Cuando Te Vea with Frankie Hernandez in lead vocals made salsanewyork.com list. The other big standout is Hay Craneo with Marvin Santiago in lead vocals. Some people I know think Mi Ritmo Es Bueno is one of Bobby Valentin's best - it's good but I wouldn't go that far.

Musicians

Bobby Valentin / Bass
Oscar Colon / Timbales & Traps
Juan Torres / Trumpet
Randolfo Gonzalez / Trumpet
Humberto Ramirez / Baritone Sax
Emilio Sanchez / Tenor Sax
William P. Thompson / Conga
Edwin Rodriguez / Piano
Hector Faberlie / Bongos
James Adames / Trombone
Ismael Quintana / Maracas
Elliot Randall / Guitar
Ismael Quintana, Bobby Valentin, Marvin Santiago, Frankie Hernandez / Chorus
Marvin Santiago / Lead Vocals
Frankie Hernandez / Lead Vocals

Kako Y Totico - Siguen Pa' Lante Y Pa' Lante

From early 1970s (1972?)

Produced by Al Santiago

Disco Hit 2039

Available at Descarga (review available), Prodland, Disco Hit, and possibly Amazon

1. Con Sabor Llego La Rumba (C. Curet Alonso) 3:20
2. La Mujer Que Yo Quiero (Joan Manuel Serrat) 3:43
3. El Doloroso (C. Curet Alonso) 3:24
4. Pongase Duro (Carlos Valdez, Eugenio Arango) 3:39
5. Que Quiere La Nina (Eugenio Arango) 4:00
6. Si Me Fuera De Tu Lado (C. Curet Alonso) 3:32
7. Del Agua Brava (C. Curet Alonso) 3:04
8. Volvera (D.R.) 4:02
9. Los Dicharachos (Carlos Valdez, Eugenio Arango) 3:52
10. Ganga Zumba (C. Curet Alonso) 4:19

This is second album by Francisco "Kako" Angel Bastar (timbales) and Eugenio "Totico" Arango (lead vocals & conga). This album has many nice slow Salsa songs such as Que Quiere La Nina, El Doloroso, and Del Agua Brava. It's not flashy but it is highly listenable throughout. Unfortunately, there isn't very much information about this album - no musician listings, not even the year of release!

Ray Barretto – Soy Dichoso

Released 1992

Produced by Ray Barretto

Fania / E-Musica Remastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Angel Fernandez (2,4,6,8), Ricky Gonzalez (1,7), Hector Martignon (5), Barry Olsen (3)

1. Soy Dichoso 4:50 (Hugo Gonzalez)
2. Lo Que Me Paso En La Guagua 5:05 (Mercelino Guerra)
3. Los Ejes De Mi Carreta 5:16 (Atahualpa Yupanqui, Romildo Risso)
4. En Entierro Del Feo 4:53 (D.R.)
5. Tal Vez 4:14 (D.R)
6. Café Con Leche 4:41 (D.R.)
7. Flor De Los Lindos Campos 4:42 (C. Curet Alonso)
8. Diganme La Hora 4:46 (Ray Barretto)

Ray Barretto's final Salsa album. Four songs (Soy Dichoso, Los Ejes De Mi Carreta, En Entierro Del Feo, Flor De Los Lindos Campos) made salsanewyork.com list, which makes the album appear better than it is. It's a solid album, but I wouldn't call it a standout.

Musicians

Ray Barretto / Leader, Conga
Tito Gonzalez / Maracas, Guiro
Ricky Gonzalez / Piano
Hector Zarzuela / Trumpet
Angel Fernandez / Trumpet
Steve Gluzband / Trumpet
Jimmy Delgado / Timbales
Carlitos Soto / Bongos
Jimmy Bosch / Trombone
Adalberto Santiago, Tito Allen, Tito Gonzalez, Felo Barrios, Saba / Chorus

Other players in (2,3,5)

Hector Martignon / Piano
Jose Jerez / Trumpet
Christ Anderson / Trumpet
Tim Ouimette / Trumpet
Jeffery Lopez / Timbales
Jorge Gonzalez / Bongos
Jaime Moreno / Bass
Barry Olsen / Trombone

Ray Barretto – Rican / Struction

Released 1979

Produced by Ray Barretto

Fania / E-musica Remastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Oscar Hernandez (1,2,7), Eddie Martinez (3,4), Gil Lopez (5), Dick “Taco” Mesa (6)

1. Al Ver Sus Campos 5:36 (Johnny Ortiz)
2. Un Dia Sere Feliz 5:27 (D.R.)
3. Piensa En Mi 4:43 (Agustin Lara)
4. Ya Vez 5:38 (D.R.)
5. Adelante Siempre Voy 6:01 (C. Curet Alonso)
6. Algo Nuevo 6:53 (Dick Mesa)
7. Tumbao Africano 7:10 (Ray Barretto)

A Grammy winner. Some consider it more experimental or avant garde. To me it sounds fairly conventional Ray Barretto. Two songs (Al Ver Sus Campos, Adelante Siempre Voy) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians

Jose Jerez, Puchi Boulong, Hector “Bomberito” Zarzuela, Jose Febles / Trumpet
Papo Vazquez / Trombone
Todd Anderson / Tenor and Soprano Saxophone, Flute
Oscar Hernandez / Piano
Sal Cuevas / Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass
Jose Fajardo / Flute solo (6)
“Little Ray” Romero / Lya Bata drum (7)
Eddie Rodriguez / Ltotele Bata drum (7)
Luis Gonzalez / Bongos and Cencerro and Chorus
Ralph Irrizary / Timbales, Snare drum, Floor tom-tom, Bass drum, Cymbals set up
Tito Allen / Chorus (2,3,4,7)
Ray De La Paz / Chorus (1,5,6)
Adalberto Santiago / Lead Vocals and Chorus
Ray Barretto / Conga

Ray Barretto – Indestructible

Released 1973

Produced by Ray Barretto

Fania / E-Musica Remastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Louie Cruz (1,2,6,7), Eddie Martnez (3,5,8), Louie Ramirez (4)

1. El Hijo De Obatala 5:02 (C. Curet Alonso)
2. El Diablo 5:21 (Bienvenido Julian Guetirrez)
3. Yo Tengo Un Amor 5:03 (Rafael Hernandez)
4. La Familia 3:49 (Julia Gunda Merced)
5. La Orquesta 4:32 (Roberto Rodriguez)
6. Llanto De Cocodrilo 3:54 (D.R.)
7. Ay No 6:06 (D.R.)
8. Indestructible 4:11 (Ray Barretto, Joseph Roman)

This arguably is one of the more popular Ray Barretto album for a rather large number of Salsa dancers. The best known song is Indestructible - perhaps best played slowed down. Next is El Hijo De Obatala - also arguably better played slowed down. The one song that did make salsanewyork.com list is La Familia.

[note added March 7, 2008 - The composer credit for La Familia is a little strange in my opinion. I have a Jose Curbelo CD which gives the composer credit to Jose Curbelo Sr. In any case, La Familia was one of big hits for Jose Curbelow in the early 50s.]

Musicians

Ray Barretto / Conga, Clave, Musical Director
“Little” Ray Romero / Timbales
Tony Fuentes / Bongso and Cencerro
Edy Martinez / Piano
Julio Romero / Baby Bass
Art “Artie” Webb / Flute
Roberto Rodriguez / Lead Trumpet
Joseph “Papy” Roman / Second Trumpet
Manuel “Manny” Duran / Third Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez / possibly Maracas
Felo Barrio / Guiro (3,5)
Menique (2,3,4,6,7,8), Hector Lavoe (1,2,3,4,6,7,8), Roberto Rodriguez (5), Felo Barrio (5), Willie Colon (1) / Chorus
Tito Allen / Lead Vocals

Ray Barretto – Carnaval

Released as double-album in 1973
Original albums released 1961 and 1962

Produced and engineered by Ray Fowler

Fantasy

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Selections 1-8 originally released as Latino! (Recorded Sep 20, 1962). Selections 9-18 originally released as Pachanga With Barretto (Recorded Jun 1 and 2, 1961)

1. Manha De Carnaval 4:25 (Bonfa-Peretti-Creatore-Weiss)
2. Sugar’s Delight 3:23 (Ray Barretto)
3. Exodus 5:20 (Ernest Gold)
4. Descarga La Moderna 4:26 (Gil Lopez)
5. Summertime 2:57 (Gershwin-Heyward)
6. El Negro Y Ray 5:54 (Barretto)
7. Mira Que Linda 2:31 (Pedro Calzado)
8. Cocinando Suave 6:01 (Barretto)
9. Pachanga Oriental 2;42 (Hector Rivera)
10. Barretto En La Tumbadora 3:04 (Hector Rivera)
11. Cumbamba 2:47 (Hector Rivera)
12. El Paso 2:49 (Hector Rivera)
13. Linda Mulata 3:03 (Hector Rivera)
14. Oye Heck 2:44 (Hector Rivera)
15. Los Cueros 3:07 (Hector Rivera)
16. Pachanga Suavecito 3:38 (Hector Rivera)
17. Ponte Dura 3:59 (Hector Rivera)
18. Pachanga Para Bailar 2:55 (Hector Rivera)

I had this album for quite some time yet I had only a few listening for the second half of the album, which is Ray Barretto's debut album as a leader and is all Pachanga and Charanga and has a distinctive sound. From the second album (or the first half of this album), two Salsa (Descarga La Moderna, El Negro Y Ray) and two Cha Cha (Summertime, Cocinando Suave) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians

Ray Barretto / Conga, Bongos (2), Timbales (6)
“El Negro” Vivar / Trumpet
“Chombo” Silva / Tenor Saxophone (1-8)
Frank Mercado / Tenor Saxophone (9-18)
Jose Canoura / Flute
Mike Stancerone / Violin
Alfredito Valdez Jr / Piano
Ricky Jackson / Bass
Ray Mantilla / Timbales
Wito Kortwright / Guiro
Willie Rodriguez / Percussion
Rudy Calzado / Percussion

Hector Lavoe – El Sabio

Released 1980

Produced by Willie Colon
Musical Director – Jose Febles

Fania / E-Musica Remastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Jose Febles (1,3,5,6,7), Alberto Garcia (2), Hector Lavoe Orchestra (4)

1. El Sabio 4:28 (Tito Rodriguez)
2. Plazos Traicioneros 3:34 (Luis Marquetti)
3. Noche De Farra 5:59 (Armando Dwolff)
4. Para Ochun 6:33 (D.R.)
5. Alejate 7:05 (Raul Rene Rosado)
6. Llore 6:20 (Jose Febles)
7. Ceora 5:45 (Lee Morgan)

Two songs (Para Ochun, Llore) made salsanewyork.com honor list. El Sabio and Alejate are also danceable, which means more than half of the album is usable – rather unusual for a 70’s Fania album.

Musicians

Eddie Montalvo / Conga
Edgardo Reyes / Timbales
Jose Mangual Jr / Bongos
Luis Mangual / Bongos
Danny Rosado / Bass
Eddie Rivera / Bass
Joe “Professor” Torres / Piano
Gilberto “Pulpo” Colon / Piano & Fender Rhodes
Ray Maldonado / Trumpet
Puchi Boulong / Trumpet
Harry D’Aguiar / Trombone
Reynaldo Jorge / Trombone
Papo Vasquez / Trombone
Willie Colon / Trombone, Vocals (background), Chorus
Milton Cardona / Vocals (background), Chorus
Hector Lavoe / Lead Vocals

Hector Lavoe – Comedia

Released 1978

Produced by Willie Colon

Fania / E-Musica Remastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Willie Colon (1,3), Luis Ortiz (2), Jose Febles (4,5,6), Edwin Rodriguez (7)

1. El Cantante 10:23 (Ruben Blades)
2. Comedia 3:28 (Jose A Espinoza)
3. La Verdad 5:30 (Freddy Molina)
4. Tiempos Pasados 4:26 (D.R.)
5. Bandolera 9:32 (Victor Cavalli)
6. Porque Te Conoci? 4:47 (D.R.)
7. Songoro Cosongo 7:50 (Eliseo Grenet, Nicolas Guillen)

El Cantante is one of the most famous Hector Lavoe songs – it just might be my favorite Hector Lavoe song. Although it is very long, it is very danceable. Bandolera is slightly shorter but becomes considerably faster. Songoro Cosongo is a bit slower in pace but still quite good.

Musicians include

Gilbert “El Pulpo” Colon / Piano
Reynaldo Jorge / Trombone
Jose Febles / Trumpet
Luis “Perico” Ortiz / Trumpet
others

Hector Lavoe – De Ti Depende

Released 1976

Produced by Willie Colon

Fania / E-Musica Remastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Willie Colon (1,3,8), Louie Ramirez (4), Luis “Perico” Ortiz (5,7), Jose Febles (2), Edwin Rodriguez (6)

1. Vamos A Reir Un Poco 7:34 (Perucho Torcat)
2. De Ti Depende 4:34 (Miguel Angel Amadeo)
3. Periodico De Ayer 6:47 (C. Curet Alonso)
4. Consejo De Oro 2:43 (Arquimedes Arcidiacono)
5. Tanto Como Ayer 3:42 (D.R.)
6. Hacha Y Machete 5:32 (Enildo Padron)
7. Felices Horas 6:05 (Luis A Perez)
8. Mentira 6:38 (D.R.)

Two songs (Vamos A Reir Un Poco, Hacha Y Machete) made salsanewyork.com honor list. Vamos A Reir Un Poco should be played slowed down perhaps by about 5% if same pitch can be maintained. Periodico De Ayer is one of the best-known Hector Lavoe songs. Some consider it better for listening than dancing, but I personally like dancing to it. Felices Horas is another possibility albeit a bit long and fast. I have read some complaints on the net about the sound quality of the E-Musica remastering, but I don’t think there’s a big problem (with caveat that I have not heard “better” LP sound). For whatever it’s worth, I like this album the most out of the four Hector Lavoe albums I have – and I like all four.

Musicians

Hector Lavoe / Lead Vocals & Maracas
Jose Mangual Jr / Bongos, Percussion & Chorus
Milton Cardona / Conga, Percussion & Chorus
Jose “Professor” Torres / Piano
Angel “Papo” Vazquez / Trombone
Ray Feliciano / Trumpet
Santi “Choflomo” Gonzalez / Bass
Yomo Toro / Tres Guitar
Willie Colon / Chorus
Ruben Blades / Chorus

Hector Lavoe – La Voz

Released 1975

Produced by Willie Colon

Fania / E-Musica Remastered 2006

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

Arrangements by Willie Colon (1,2,6,8), Jose Febles (3,5), Louie Ramirez (4,7)

1. El Todopoderoso 4:20 (Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe)
2. Emborrachame De Amor 2:57 (Mario Cavagnaro)
3. Paraiso De Dulzura 4:33 (Hector Lavoe)
4. Un Amor De La Calle 3:21 (Orlando Brito)
5. Rompe Saraguey 6:31 (Virgilio Gonzalez)
6. Mucho Amor 2:08 (Roberto Garcia)
7. Tus Ojos 3:33 (Jose Luis Delgado Perez)
8. Mi Gente 5:29 (Johnny Pacheco)

Hector Lavoe’s debut solo album. Paraiso De Dulzura made salsanewyork.com honor list. Other well-known songs include El Todopoderoso (okay for dancing), Rompe Saraguey (Cha Cha) and Mi Gente (not as good for dancing).

Musicians

Tom Malon / Trombone
Jose Rodriguez / Trombone
Ray Maldonado / Trumpet
Hector Zarzuela / Trumpet
Milton Cardona / Conga
Jose Mangual Jr / Bongos
Eddie “Guagua” Rivera / Bass
Nicky Marrero / Timbales
Mark Dimond / Piano
Ruben Blades, Willie Colon, Willie Garcia / Chorus
Hector Lavoe / Lead Vocals

Tito Puente – Mambo Birdland

Released 1999

Dedicated to Mario Bauza

RMM Records

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

All songs arranged by Tito Puente except (5,9) originally arranged by Tito Puente and adapted by Jose Madera

1. Mambo Birdland 5:36 (Tito Puente)
2. Juventud Del Presente 5:39 (Silvestre Mendez)
3. Ban Ban Quere 5:36 (C. Varela)
4. Como Esta Migue 5:43 (Felipe Neri Cabrera)
5. Cha Cha Cha Mambo 8:53 (Tito Puente)
6. Guaguanco Margarito 7:22 (Silvestre Mendez)
7. Mi Mamita 6:22 (Tito Puente)
8. Mambo Gozon 4:56 (Tito Puente)
9. Oye Mi Guaguanco 7:57 (Tito Puente)
10. Ran Kan Kan 6:26 (Tito Puente)
11. Oye Como Va 5:54 (Tito Puente)

Three Salsa (Mambo Gozon, Oye Mi Guaguanco, Ran Kan Kan) and one Cha Cha (Oye Como Va) made salsanewyork.com honor list. This live recording also contains some conversations between Puente, the band and the audience lasting up to about half minute on most of the tracks. It’s even better than Live At Birdland.

I believe this is Tito Puente's second to last album containing all new recording. Essentially all of Tito Puente recordings were made with Tico (from 1949 to 1955, 1961 to 1981), RCA Victor (1955-1960), Concord Picante (1982-1996 - there is a 2002 release of a 1994 recording), and RMM (1991-2000). Tito Puente's RMM discography of original material is as follows in reverse chronological order.

Tito Puente - RMM albums
2000 Obra Maestra (with Eddie Palmieri)
1999 Mambo Birdland
1998 Live At Birdland (Dancemania '99)
1996 Jazzin' (with India)
1995 Tito's Idea
1992 Live At the Village Gate
1991 The Mambo King: His 100th Album

Musicians

Tito Puente / Timbales and Chorus
Reynaldo Jorge / Trombone
Lewis Kahn / Trombone
Chris Washburne / Trombone (1,5,6,7,8,9,11)
Juan Pablo Torres / Trombone (2,3,4,10)
Peter Yellin / Alto Sax
Mitchell Frohman / Alto Sax (1,5,6,7,8,9,11)
Bobby Porcelli / Alto Sax (2,3,4,10)
Mario Rivera / Tenor Sax and Flute
Pedro Miranda / Baritone Sax (1,5,6,7,8,9,11)
Mitchell Frohman / Baritone Sax (2,3,4,10)
Kevin Bryan / Trumpet
Ray Vega / Trumpet and Flugelhorn
John Walsh Jr. / Trumpet
Hector Colon / Trumpet
Sonny Bravo / Piano
John Rodriguez Jr / Bongo and Congas
Jose Madera / Congas
Luis Bauza / Bata (1,5,6,7,8,9,11)
Thomas “Chuckie” Lopez / Percussion
Bernard Minoso / Bass (1,5,6,7,8,9,11)
Ruben Rodriguez / Bass (2,3,4,10)
Carlos Henriquez / Bass (2,3,4,10)
Pedro Rodriguez / Chorus (1,5,6,7,8,9,11)
Nilsa Rodriguez / Chorus (1,5,6,7,8,9,11)
Frankie Morales / Lead Vocals

Tito Puente – Dancemania ’99 Live At Birdland

Released 1998

Dedicated to Jimmy Frisaura & Santitos Colon

RMM Records 82270

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

All songs arranged by Tito Puente except (7) arranged by Sonny Bravo and (4,5,6) originally arranged by Tito Puente and adapted by Jose Madera

1. Lullaby of Birdland 1:10 (George Shearing)
2. Mambo Inn 8:24 (M. Bauza, E. Sampson, G. Woodland)
3. Cayuco 8:13 (Tito Puente)
4. Complicacion 6:31 (Francisco Aguabella)
5. Mambo En Blues 7:13 (Tito Puente)
6. Babarabatiri 8:16 (Antar Daly)
7. A Donde Vas 10:18 (Tito Puente)
8. Flauta Y Timbal 6:45 (Tito Puente)
9. Mas Bajo 7:44 (Tito Puente)
10. Cua Cua 8:06 (Jesus Guevara)

I believe this is Tito Puente's third from final album of all new recordings.

Three Salsa (Mambo Inn, Babarabatiri, Cua Cua) and two Cha Cha (A Donde Vas, Mas Bajo) made salsanewyork.com honor list. This live recording includes conversations between Puente, the band and the audience lasting up to about half minute between each track. It’s fabulous.

Musicians

Tito Puente / Percussion and Chorus
Peter Yellin / Alto Sax
Bobby Porcelli / Alto Sax
Mitchell Frohman / Baritone Sax
Juan Pablo Torres / Trombone
Reynaldo Jorge / Trombone
Lewis Kahn / Trombone
Kevin D. Bryan / Trombone
Raymond Vega / Trumpet
John Walsh / Trumpet
Thomas Lopez / Trumpet
Sonny Bravo / Piano and Chorus
John Rodriguez / Bongo
Chucky Lopez / Percussion
Jose Madera / Congas
Ruben Rodriguez / Bass
Carlos Henriquez / Bass
Frankie Morales / Vocals
Joe King / Chorus
Dave Valentin / Flute

Bobby Valentin - 25 Aniversario del Rey del Bajo

con sus cantantes originales

Released 1991

Bronco Records 159

Available at Descarga, Prodland, Amazon, etc


1. Introduccion
2. Que Pollito
3. Margarito
4. Huracan
5. Cuando Te Vea
6. Pirata De La Mar
7. Papel De Payaso
8. Soy Boricua
9. El Caiman
10. Linda Teresa
11. Jurame
12. Cantare Con Una Orquesta
13. Ramo De Flores
14. Tantos Deseos De Ella
15. Complicacion

The selections in this CD are taken and reordered from a 1991 live concert celebrating Bobby Valentin's 25 years as a bandleader - a DVD (En Vivo Desde Bellas Artes) of 2 hour 57 minute long concert is available with 14 additional tracks. I like the lack of crowd noise in between songs in this CD. Three songs (Margarito, Cuando Te Vea, Linda Teresa) made salsanewyork.com honor list. I'm not sure who the lead vocalist for all songs (aside from Frankie Hernandez for Cuando Te Vea and Marvin Santiago for Pirata De La Mar, Papel De Payaso and Soy Boricua) - so I listed every lead singer involved in the concert.

Musicians include:

Jose Manuel Lugo / Piano
Luis Quevedo / Piano
Cuto Soto / Trombone
Tommy Villarini / Trumpet
Jose "Jochi" Rodriguez / Trumpet
Jesus Caunedo / Alto Sax
Sammy Velez / Baritone Sax
Chago Martinez / Timbales
Pedro Hernandez / Bongo
Wilfredo "Willito" Lopez / Conga
Primi Cruz / Chorus
Pedro Brull / Chorus

Marvin Santiago / Lead Vocals
Frankie Hernandez / Lead Vocals
Johnny Vazquez / Lead Vocals
Giovani Lugo / Lead Vocals
Rafael "Rafu" Warner / Lead Vocals
Luigi Texidor / Lead Vocals
Marcelino Morales / Lead Vocals
Vincentico Valdes / Lead Vocals
Ramsey Rios / Lead Vocals
Luisito Carrion / Lead Vocals
Joaquin "Tato" Pena / Lead Vocals

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico - 35 Years Around the World

35th anniversary album
Released 1997

Produced by Ralph Cartagena & Derek Cartagena

Available at Combo Records, Descarga, Prodland, Amazon, etc

CD1
1. Guaguanco del Gran Combo 3:51 (Justi Barreto)
2. Lirica Borinqueña 4:33 (Johnny Ortiz)
3. Carmencita 4:38 (Kito Velez)
4. La Curandera 4:30 (Harry Suarez)
5. No Quiero Llanto 4:02 (D.R.)
6. Esta Bueno Ya 3:27 (Victor Rodriguez)
7. Potro Amarrao 4:34 (Johnny Ortiz)
8. El Maceta 3:30 (Benjamin Muniz)
9. Licor De Tu Boquita 4:03 (Placido Acevedo)
10. Te Vas Arrepentir 4:15 (Roberto Anglero)
11. Gotas De Lluvia 4:12 (Luis A. Maldonado)
12. Aguacera 4:13 (Raquel Velasquez)
13. Asi Son 3:46 (Claudio Ferrer)
14. Si Me Muero 4:38 (Rafael Hernandez)
15. Patria 4:39 (Perin Velasquez)
16. Tatalibaba 4:01 (F. Santana)
17. No Necesito Nada 3:29 (Jerry Rivas)
18. Los Celos De Mi Compay 3:48 (Claudio Ferrer)

CD2
1. Con Eso 4:06 (Juan Carlos Rueda)
2. Quince Años 4:10 (Reynaldo Armas)
3. Que Cosas Tendran 4:15 (Arsenio Rodriguez)
4. Te Deseo 4:57 (Angel Santiago)
5. Carbonerito 4:59 (Peter Velasquez)
6. A La Reina 4:34 (Pedro Flores)
7. La Loma Del Tamarindo 5:19 (Angel Santiago)
8. Poniendo el Grito en el Cielo 4:51 (Mike Amadeo)
9. Se Me Fue 4:56 (Perin Velasquez)
10. Los Tenis 4:55 (Enrique Feliz)
11. Lamento Jibaro 3:26 (J. Tano)
12. Amor Brutal 4:49 (Benjanmin Muniz)
13. Buena O Mala 4:56 (Eric Figueroa)
14. Gracias 4:08 (Charlie Aponte)
15. Resignacion 4:58 (Benjamin Muniz)
16. Cunabiche Adentro 5:19 (Ali Primera)

For Salsa DJs, this has to rank as one of those must-have CDs. You will have to pay full price - no Amazon bargains for this one. Salsanewyork.com honor list includes 8 Salsa tunes (Guaguanco Del Gran Combo, Gotas De Lluvia, Aguacero, Asi Son, Con Eso, La Loma Del Tamarindo, Se Me Fue, Gracias) plus one Cha Cha (Que Cosas Tendran). Other possible songs for dancing include Lirica Boriquena and Quince Anos.

As for the source material, I'm not sure. It's possible that El Gran Combo re-recorded some of these songs for this album. Some of the songs were recorded in different setting for sure though - Que Cosas Tendran has a recording quality very different from the songs preceding and following it. In any case, this album makes a perfect companion for their 30th anniversary album, which has a completely different lineup of songs.

Musician line-up is not given except for the lead singers for each song. The liner note has signature of band members, whose names I deciphered in most but not all cases.

Musicians include

Rafael Ithier / Director & Piano
Andy Montanez / Lead Vocals (1,5,10,14 & 3,11,16)
Charlie Aponte / Lead Vocals (2,4,7,9,12,15,18 & 1,4,7,9,12,14)
Jerry Rivas / Lead Vocals (3,6,11,13,17 & 2,6,10)
Pellin Rodriguez / Lead Vocals (8 of CD1)
Andy Montanze & Pellin Rodriguez / Lead Vocals (16 of CD1)
Papo Rosario / Lead Vocals (5 of CD2)
Charlie Aponte & Jerry Rivas / Lead Vocals (8,13 of CD2)
Charlie Aponte & Papo Rosario / Lead Vocals (15 of CD2)
Eddie Perez / Saxophone
Freddie Miranda / Saxophone
Luis A. Maldonado “Taty” / Trumpet
Victor E. Rodriguez / Trumpet
Moises Nogueras / Trombone
Jose Miguel Laboy “Mitchell”? / Bongo & Campana
Cuqui Santos / Timbales
Miguel Torres / Conga
others

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico - 30 Aniversario

Bailando Con El Mundo
Released 1992

Produced by Ralph Cartagena & Derek Cartagena

Available at Combo Records, Descarga, Prodland, Amazon, etc

CD1
1. La Muerte 4:19 (E. Farrai)
2. Acangana 3:45 (Chiquitin Garcia)
3. Ojos Chinos 4:17 (Kito Velez)
4. La Calle Dolor 3:26 (Ramon Rivera)
5. Milonga Sentimental 2:11 (H. Manzi/S. Piara)
6. Ponme el Alcolado Juana 3:50 (Rafael Ithier)
7. Caballo Pelotero 3:08 (Bobby Capo)
8. Falsaria 3:58 (M. T. Vera)
9. Por el Pecho No 3:58 (Rafael Ithier)
10. Sube, Nene, Sube 3:36 (Rafael Ithier)
11. Don Goyo 4:02 (G. Arrango)
12. Tiembla 3:06 (C. Ferrer)
13. Julia 3:29 (Yin Carrizo)
14. Los Zapatos de Manacho 3:37 (Rafael Ithier)
15. El Barbero Loco 4:30 (Mariano Merceron)
16. La Salsa de Hoy 3:37 (Roberto Angiero)

CD2
1. Un Verano en New York 4:56 (Justi Barreto)
2. El Son de Santurce 3:36 (E. Vigoreaux)
3. Vagabundo 4:46 (Richie Giraldez)
4. Brujeria 3:24 (Jorge Borrego)
5. El Menu 4:11 (Perin Vazquez)
6. Timbalero 4:21 (Rafael Ithier)
7. Telefono 5:03 (Perin Vazquez)
8. Y No Hago Mas Na' 5:00 (Chiquitin Garcia)
9. Azuquita Pa'l Café 4:10 (Perin Vazquez)
10. No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente 4:32 (Flor Morales Ramos)
11. Mundy Baja 4:14 (Kito Velez)
12. La Fiesta de Pilito 3:55 (Luis Pilito Cruz)
13. Garantia 4:02 (Charlie Donato)
14. Cupido 4:30 (Luis Lopez Caban)
15. Amame 5:33 (Palmer Hernandez)
16. Me lo Conto Tu Papa 5:03 (Jerry Rivas)

For Salsa DJs, this has to rank as one of those must-have CDs. You will have to pay full price - no Amazon bargains for this one. Salsanewyork.com honor list includes 8 quality Salsa tunes (La Muerte, Ojos Chinos, Brujeria, El Menu, No Hay Nago Mas Na', Azuquita Pa'l Cafe, Mundy Baja, and La Fiesta De Pilito) plus one questionable inclusion in the list for Salsa (Timbalero - I think this version is no good because it's way too fast) plus one Cha Cha (El Son De Saturce - I'm not crazy about this one). Other popular songs include Un Verano En Nueva York and No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente. Don Goyo and Telefono are pretty catchy for listening - not sure about dancing because I never got a chance.

As for the source material, I'm not sure. It's possible that El Gran Combo re-recorded these songs for this album (or possibly for one of earlier anniversary albums). In any case, this album makes a perfect companion for their 35th anniversary album, which has a completely different lineup of songs.

Musicians

Rafael Ithier / Director & Piano
Jerry Rivas / Lead Vocals
Carlos Aponte / Lead Vocals
“Papo” Rosario / Chorus
Eddie Perez / Saxophone
Freddie Miranda / Saxophone
Luis A. Maldonado “Taty” / Trumpet
Victor E. Rodriguez / Trumpet
Moises Nogueras / Trombone
Jose Miguel Laboy / Bongo & Campana
Cuqui Santos / Timbales
Miguel Torres / Conga
Freddie Rivera / Bass

BPMs of selected songs

I decided to tackle on a side project of determining the speed of some interesting songs (and possibly worth playing for Salsa or Cha Cha) in my collection. The songs are organized by primary artist and grouped by albums (original album over compilation when I have duplicates). The format is a bit messy right now - hopefully I could think of a better format. Also I plan to add songs to this list in future. After each song title BPM (beats per minute) of the song is given - it was determined manually and allow for some error. Notice that many songs speed up towards the end.

Africando - Baloba, Mandali, Tierra Tradicional

Aicha 193
Mandali 173
Miye Na We 203
Ntoman 192
Sey 182
Betece 191
Ken Moussoul Guis Li 180 - 188
Yay Boy 193 - 191
Sama Thiel 195 - 199

Afro Cuban All Stars - Toda Cuba A Le Gusta

Pio Mentiroso 208 - 220
Clasiquendo Con Ruben 193 - 202

Alex Leon - Salsa Fresca

Acabo De Llegar 190

Alfredo De La Fe - Latitudes, La Llave De Oro

Latin New York 178
Muneca 192 - 205
Ritmo Sabroso 207
Sibanicu 178

Angel Canales - Sabor Con Angel Canales, Different Shades Of Thought, El San Juan, Historia De Una Leyenda

Sabor Los Rumberos 205 - 214
Perico Macona 190 - 201
Hace Tiempo 189 - 200
Lejos De Ti 192 - 205
El Cantante Y La Orquesta 195 - 204
Tenemos Que Echar Pa’Lante 192 – 212
A Usted 208 – 228 – 218
Nadie Como Tu 212 – 226
Baby Please Don’t Go 188 – 210
La Sombra 192 – 197
La Realidad 182 - 190
Sandra 192
Arrepentida 190 - 213
Solo Se Que Tiene Nombre De Mujer 193 – 199
Bomba Carambomba 218 – 230
Nina Mele 202 – 206

Azabache - Azabache

Cinco A Diez 183
This Moment 182 - 187
Montuno Street 199
Besitos De Coco 189

The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra - Live At The Blue Note

Cuban Fantasy 201 - 204
Mambo Inn 201 - 204

Bobby Montez - Jungle Fantastique, A Gozar! Grooves On Blue Note

African Fantasy 236 - 248
Swinging At the M 228 - 235
Carioca 185
Titoro 199 - 202

Bobby Valentin - La Boda De Ella, Rey Del Bajo, Siempre En Forma, 25th Anniversary

La Boda De Ella 180 - 183
Ingratitudes 193 - 200
Hay Craneo 200 - 193
Mi Ritmo Es Bueno 188 - 183 - 190
Cuando Te Vea (RDB) 188 - 190
Que Te Paso 188 - 198
Cuando Uno Se Enamorado 194 - 199
Tu Rica Boca 183 - 186
La Tinajita 177 - 182
Margarito 190 - 195
Cuando Te Vea (25th) 191 - 189
Pirata De La Mar 191 - 197
Papel De Payaso 190 - 187
Linda Teresa 190 - 199
Complicacion 198 - 201

Cachaco - Con Distincion

Decia Que Me Queria 193 - 190
Mejor Me Muero 180 - 181
Pa' Los Salseros 198 - 199

Cachao - From Havana To New York, Master Sessions Vol 1

Trombon Criollo 192
Malanga Amarilla 191
Mambo 201
A Gozar Con Mi Combo 211 - 223
Descarga Cachao 194 - 212

Cache - Blended

Sacala A Bailar 210 - 214
Contigo 175 - 172
Delta Mambo 196 - 198
Descarga Cache 220

Cal Tjader - Black Orchid, Latin Concert, Descarga, Fried Bananas, Latino, Los Ritmos Calientes, El Sonido Nuevo

Philadelphia Mambo 207 - 215
Viva Cepeda 207 - 215
Mood For Milt 196 - 201
Tu Crees Que? 228 - 259
Descarga Cubana 200
Philly Mambo 209
Alonzo 186 - 193
Bludan 164
Mambo Moderno 164
Poinciana Cha Cha 128
Picadillo (w/ Eddie Palmieri) 190 - 204
Poinciana 130

Celia Cruz – Duets, Latin Music’s First Lady, Tremendo Cache, Tremendo Trio, A Lady And Her Music

Usted Abuso (w/ Willie Colon) 199 – 210
Celia Y Tito (w/ Tito Puente) 218 - 232
Caballero Y Dama (w/ Willie Chirino) 195 - 199
Sun Sun Babae (w/ Sonora Matancera) 195
Cao Cao Mani Picao (w/ Sonora Matancera) 182 - 184
Yerbero Moderno (w/ Sonora Matancera) 121
Mi Soncito (w/ Sonora Matancera) 158
Cucala (w/ Johnny Pacheco) 200 - 202
Tres Dias De Carnaval (w/ Johnny Pacheco) 199 - 205
La Sopa De Botella (w/ Johnny Pacheco) 190 - 198
Nadie Se Salva De La Rumba (w/ Ray Barretto & Adalberto Santiago) 201 - 212
Debes Callar (w/ Ray Barretto & Adalberto Santiago) 182 - 187
Ya No Puede Ser (w/ Ray Barretto & Adalberto Santiago) 191
Soy Antillana 189 - 191 (w/ La Sonora Poncena)
El Chisme 209 (~30 sec intro at ~220)

Cesta All-Stars - Vol 2

El Quinto De Beethoven 215 - 221

Charanga De La 4 - Charanga De La 4

Aqui Hay Un Hombre Gozando 172 - 197
Bilongo 170 - 189

Cheo Feliciano - Cheo, Pura Salsa

Anacaona 185 - 199
Esto Es El Guaguanco 219 - 233
Yo Soy Un Angel 178 - 182
Mentira 186 - 194
Lindo Yambu 198 - 205

Chivirico Davila - Exitos con Orquesta De Joe Cotto

Silencio 195 - 207
Traigo Mi Guaguanco 207 - 201
Ven Guajira 127

Conjunto Imagen - Ayer Hoy Y Manana

Sueltala 181
Ave Maria Lola 185 - 188

Conjunto Yumuri - La Paella

Se Me Fue 174
Pastorita 174
Camina Y Prende El Fogon 165

Crystal Sierra - Morena

Playa No More 186

Cubanoson - Recordando A Cuba

Cubanoson 186
Recordando A Cuba 188
Mujeres De Mayari 184
Lagrimas Negras 185

Dark Latin Groove (DLG) - Lo Esencial

Quiero A Morir 198
Juliana 191
Volvere 208 - 216
Que Locur Enamorarte De Ti 196

Direct Latin Influence - DLI II

Lagrimas Negras 185 - 187
La-La-La 176

Don Perignon - Distincto Y Diferente

Distincto Y Diferente 186 – 190
Tu Musica Popular 178 – 180

Eddie Palmieri - Azucar Pa’ Ti, Best of Eddie Palmieri, Champagne, Echando Pa'lante, El Rumbero Del Piano, Gold 1973-1976, Mozambique, La Perfecta, Sugar Daddy, Superimposition, Vamonos Pa’l Monte

Mi Sonsito 134
Busca Lo Tuyo 199 – 219
Cuidate Compay 111
El Tema Del Apollo 110
El Cuarto 196 - 215
Ay Que Rico 133
Cinturita 144
Tu Tu Ta Ta 198 - 205
Café 84
Café (ERDP) 101
Malaguena Salerosa 186 - 202
Nunca Contigo 195 - 220
Puerto Rico 202 - 222
Un Puesto Vacante 202 - 230
Nada De Ti 191 - 195
Justicia 217 - 228
Sujetate La Lengua 174 - 178
Ajiaco Caliente 189 - 196
Estamos Chao 186 - 193
No Critiques 199 - 201
Conmigo 192 - 194
Mi Pollo 184 - 188
Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso 203 - 227
Muneca 195 - 205
La Malanga 240 - 249
Pa’ Huele 126
Bilongo 187 - 193
Chocolate Ice Cream 126
Vamonos Pal Monte 205 - 243

Eddie Santiago - Salsa Fresca

Lluvia 170 - 164

Eddie Torres and His Mambo Kings Orchestra - Dance City

Arinanara 205 – 210
Remember Me 193 - 199
Caravan 195 - 201
Llevatela 196 - 205
Tu Me Estas Volviendo Loco 177 - 188
Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso 194 - 202
Mulato Rumbera 203 - 208

Edwin Bonilla - Edwin Y Su Son, Pa' La Calle

Si Te Busco En El Baile 200
Si Tu No Vienes Bailas 199
Busca Haber 197 - 199
Se Le Ve 199 - 200

Erick - Aquel Cantor

Aquel Cantor 191 - 196
Dame Ese Placer 175 - 179
La Guitarra 187 – 188

Estrellas Caiman - Descarga Brava, Descarga Del Milenio

El Verdadero Son 183
Café 133
Soulsa 186
Cuban Fantasy 203

EuroCuban Project - Salsa.IT Vol 2

Get It Up 200

Fania All Stars - Salsa Caliente De Nu York, NYC Salsa 2

Chanchullo 139
Bamboleo 193 (canta: Celia Cruz)
Coro Miyare 250
Borinquen Tiene Montuno 199 – 215 (canta: Ismael Miranda)
Ublabadu 194 - 203 (canta: Hector Lavoe)

Francisco Aguabella - Cubacan, H2O

Agua Linpia Todo 205 – 235 ???
Noche Azul 133 – 135
Short Story 198
Quien Eres Tu 195 – 205
Caito 203 – 208

Frankie Dante - Different Directions

Ay Que Felicidad 124
Paz 207
El Jibaro 124

Frankie Ruiz - Exitos Eternos, Gold, Pura Salsa (Tommy Olivencia)

La Rueda (w/ La Solucion) 201
Como Lo Hacen (w/ Tommy Olivencia) 187
Tu Con El 190
La Cura 188
Esta Cobardia 187
Desnudate Mujer 195
Para Darte Fuego 197
Mirandote 191
Puerto Rico 209
Bailando 185
Nunca Que Quedas 177
Hablame 195
Quiero Llenarte 184
Lo Dudo (w/ Tommy Olivencia) 187 - 189

Freddy & Sus Afro Latinos - Panama: Latin, Calypso and Funk (compilation)

Maltrato 183-200

Fruko Y Sus Tesos - La Verdadera Historia De, Greatest Salsa Classics Of Colombia Vol 1

El Preso 210
La Fruta Bomba 211
El Swing De Fruko 216
Cachondea 230
Barranquiellero Arrebatao - 182

Galileo Y Su Banda - Greatest Salsa Classics Of Colombia Vol 1

Cali Pachanguero - 201

German Villarreal - Con Permiso De Mis Mayores

Fantasia Cubana 201
Cuando Te Vea 182 - 184
Me Gusta Boogaloo 198
Chango Ta Beni 195
Almendra 176
Ran Kan Kan 204

Gilberto Santa Rosa - Dos Tiempos De Un Tiempo, Esencia, Punto De Vista

Mama Guela 217
El Que Se Fue 196
No Quiero Na’ Regala’o 194
Esas Lagrimas 187
Y Eso Duele 210
Perdoname 158

Gloria Estefan - Mi Tierra

Mi Tierra 200
Ayer 169 - 180

El Gran Combo - Aqui Estamos Y De Verdad, Nuevo Millenio, 30th Anniversary, 35th Anniversary

El Matrimonio 193
Amor Perfecto 189
Me Libere 197
Viva Puente 201
Dime Que Quieres 190
La Muerte 193
Ojos Chinos 189
Ponme El Alcolado Juana 180
Tiembla 174
Un Verano En Nueva York 204 - 228 - 221
Brujeria 187
El Menu 176
Timbalero 250?
Y No Hago Mas Na’ 182
Azuquita Pa’l Café 176
No Hay Cama Pa’ Tanta Gente 213
Mundy Baja 184
La Fiesta De Pilito 202
Guaguanco Del Gran Combo 196
Lirica Boriquena 182
Gotas De Lluvia 177
Aguacero 181
Asi Son 172
Con Eso 176
Quince Anos 174
Que Cosas Tendran 125
La Loma Del Tamarindo 153
Se Me Fue 187
Gracias 181

Grupo Caribe - Somos Caribenos

Saludando 218 - 222
Somos Caribenos 192 - 204
Tambo La Rumba 192
Negro De Sociedad 195 - 203
A La Buena De Dios 178 - 185

Grupo Gale - Afirmando

Volver Volver 175
Ven A Medellin 192 - 198
Prestame Tu Mujer 179

Grupo Latin Vibe - All That Vibe, Mambo City

Pa’ Los Bravos 186
Ritmo Pa’ Borinquen 196
La Llave 165
All That Vibe 205
Maria Cervantes 170
Mambo City 201
Descarga Latin Vibe 218

Grupo Niche - Cielo De Tambores, Huellas Del Pasados, Un Alto En El Camino, 20 Exitos Originales (not recommended)

Cielo De Tambores 175 – 181
Una Aventura 174 – 179
Sin Sentimiento 169 – 167
Cali Aji 203 – 205
Gotas De Lluvia 194 – 197
Lo Bonito Y Lo Feo 180
Un Alto En El Camino 176
Duele Mas 178 - 180
Etnia 192
Cali Pachanguero 202

Har You Percussion Group

Barrets Bag 234 – 246
Welcome To The Party 246
Tico 129 – 117

Hector Lavoe - Comedia, De Ti Depende, El Sabio, La Voz

El Cantante 182 - 197
Bandolera 185 - 217
Songorocosongo 160 - 180
Vamos A Reir Un Poco 215 - 230
Periodico De Ayer 187 - 195
Hacha Y Machete 206 - 210
Felices Horas 203 - 215
Para Ochun 202 - 195
Alejate 208 - 220
Llore 191 - 220
El Todopoderoso 214 – 230
Paraiso De Dulzura 198 - 215

Hector Tricoche - The Greatest Salsa Ever

Macho Perez 187 - 192
Yo Puedo Tu Puedes 187
A Corazon Abierto 178
Periquito Pin Pin 184 - 186 (w/ Tommy Olivencia)
Silencio 162 - 161

Henry Fiol - El Secreto, Fe Esperanza Y Caridad

Trecero De Manigua 188 - 199
Si Tu Cocinas Como Caminas 177 - 186
El Secreto 121 - 131
Tiene Sabor 189 - 209
Ahora Mi Da Pena 172 - 182
Oriente 131

Hilton Ruiz - RMM 20th Anniversary Vol 9

Mambo For Vibes 175 - 180

Isidro Infante - Dancemania

Songo Soron 196
Celia Y Tito 200
Salsa Y Control 191
El Pito 182

Ismael Miranda - Asi Se Compone Un Son

Asi Se Compone Un Son 162 - 154
Ahora Si 196 - 194

Ismael Miranda & Junior Gonzalez - Cantar O No Cantar

Dame Tiempo 182
Tu Nuevo Amor 189
Ole Gitana 182
Los Caminos De La Vida 176

Ismael Rivera - De Todas Maneras Rosas, Esto Si Es Lo Mio

De Todas Maneras Rosas 178 - 180
Las Caras Lindas 177 - 180

Javier Vazquez - Salsa Y Montuno, NYC Salsa 2

El Verdadero Son 207
Don Anastacio 191

Jimmy Bosch - El Avion De La Salsa, Salsa Dura, Soneando Trombon

Barreras Ninguna 200
Que Bonito Es Sonar 192
Un Poquito Mas 187 - 198
Otra Oportunidad 183

Jimmy Sabater - El Hijo De Teresa, Con Son Boricua - Mo

La Flauta 197 - 202
Por Primera Vez 202 - 198
Vida 198 - 217
Pa’ Las Villas 196 - 206
Salchicha Con Huevos 119
Cuando Cuando 203 - 209
Bailando Con Sabater 225 - 244

Joe Arroyo - Echando Pa' Lante, Greatest Salsa Classics Of Colombia Vol 1

Mary 184 - 192
Yamulemau 163 - 161
Ban Ban 207 - 232
Rebelion 198

Joe Cuba Sextet - Bang Bang Push Push Push, Best of Joe Cuba Sextet Diggin’ The Most, “Extras”

Mujer Divina 99
Que Son Uno 124
Push Push Push 122
El Raton 86
El Pito 155
Arinanara 247
Aprieta 143
Mambo Of The Times 210
El Hueso 232
Siempre Sea 193
Ya No Tengo Amigo 234
La Palomilla 198 - 203
Clave Mambo 205 - 213

Johnny Colon - Boogaloo Bluesman, NYC Salsa 2

Mira Ven Aca 118
New York Mambo 229 - 224
Merecumbe 204 - 219
Dejame En Paz 186 - 196

Johnny Pacheco - El Maestro, Tres De Cafe Y Dos De Azucar

Agua Del Clavelito 171 - 169
Caramelo 168 - 170
Pare Cochero 189 - 196
Soy Guapo De Verdad 221 - 227
Alto Songo 177 - 180
Acuyuye 231
Recuerdos De Arcano 162 - 165
La Esencia Del Guaguanco 172 - 180
Guaguanco Pa'l Que Sabe 169 - 180 - 188
Primoroso Cantar 183 - 206

Jose Alberto “El Canario” - Back To The Mambo/Tribute To Machito, Herido, Serie 32

El As De La Rumba 192 - 193
La Paella 191
Como Quiera 198 - 200
Oye La Banda 179
Que Bonito Es Puerto Rico 179
Sarabanda 201 – 196
Vete Y Pregona 216
Dejate Querer 196
Con Sandra En La Cama 201 - 209
Quien Como Tu 181
Baila Que Baila 205
La Gitana 193 - 203
Bailemos Otra Vez 195 - 204
La Critica 203 - 213

Jose Curbelo - Live At The China Doll

La-La-La 180 – 190 (back and forth)
Guaguanco En New York 182 - 185
Sun Sun Babae 212
Eque Tumbao 187 - 194
La Familia 198
Telarana 120
Guayaba 120
Cha Cha Cha In Blue 118

Jose Mangual Jr. - Tribute to Chano Pozo

Campanero 188

Kako Y Azuquita - NYC Salsa 2

La Fiera 198 - 214

Kako Y Totico - Siguen Pa’ Lante Pa’ Lante

La Mujer Que Yo Quiero 205
El Doloroso 170 - 174
Que Quiere La Nina 163 - 170 (swings a few times)
Si Me Fuera De Tu Lado 154 - 161
Del Agua Brava 165
Los Dicharacho 184

La 33 - La 33

La 33 215
Soledad 191
La Pantera Mambo 201
Suelta El Bongo 200
El Tornillo De Guillo 184 - 186

La Charanga New York - Canta Yesid Perez

El Yoyo 220
El Ajiaco 201
Lluvia Con Nieve 199 - 202
Me Voy Pa' Las Villas 180
Conmigo 187 - 196
Isla Del Encanto 189 - 202

La Excelencia - Salsa Con Conciencia

La Lucha 194 - 204
Sentencia 201
La Salsa Y El Guaguanco 212 - 220
La Lucha (feat. Shanny) 194 - 204

Laba Sosseh - Laba Sosseh

Diamoule Mawo 194 - 207
Errante Y Bohemio 156 - 168

Latin Giants of Jazz - Trip To Mamboland

Cuero Na’ Ma 218
Trip To Mamboland 196 – 190
Mambo Is Here To Stay 184 - 176
Guaguanco Del Pueblo Nuevo 210
Flamenco Mood 208
Alex Mambo 214

Lebron Brothers - Criollo, Psychedelic Goes Latin, Brooklyn Bums, Salsa Y Control, Super Hits Vol 2, “Extras”

Esposa Querida 183 - 189
Son Diez Lagrimas 179 - 184
Sin Negro No Hay Guaguanco 193 - 201
Descarga Lebron 210
Vacilon 196 - 200
Salsa Y Control 188 - 186
Bongo Loco 182 - 178
El Balcon Aquel 183
Tengo Testigo 195 - 204
Mi Fracaso 182
La Agonia 163 - 161
Dulzura 197 - 193
Lo Tuyo Llegara 178 - 195

Lenny Kravitz - Thinking Of You (EP)

Thinking Of You 167

Linda Leida - Con Sabor A Montuno, Linda Leida Y La Bahia

La Alegria Del Montuno 172 - 178 d
El Guaguanco Y El Son 198 - 207 d
Oye Como Suena 153
Tumba El Quinto 202 – 215
De Tumbao 187 – 202
Defiendeme Santa Barbara 198 – 206
Donde Estan Los Rumberos 194 – 203

Los Nemus Del Pacifico - Historia Musical De Los Nemus Del Pacifico

Me Gusta Todo 172
Castigala 185 - 187
Para La Luna 183 - 187
El Mundo Y El Nino 180
Las Mujeres 184

Los Van Van - Llego Van Van Is Here, Vanvaneate, Y Van! 1969-1989

Temba Tumba Timba 204
La Bomba Soy Yo 189
El Negro Esta Cocinando 222
Disco Azucar 220
Sandunguera 186

Louie Ramirez - King Of Latin Vibes, Louie's Grooves, Exitos con Ray De La Paz

Geisha Girl 186
Bamboleate 198 - 194
Pare Cochero 180
Chin Chon Chow 158
Violent's Guaguanco (Johny Rodriguez & Angel Rene Orquesta) 199 - 208
Mentirosa (w/ Ray De La Paz) 182
Lluvia (w/ Ray De La Paz) 205 - 225
Ladron De Tu Amor (w/ Ray De La Paz) 191
El Titere (w/ Ray De La Paz) 193
Noche De Salsa 183

Luisito Rosario - Rumba Del Barrio

Rumba Del Barrio 212
1-800-Quiereme 205

Machito - Ritmo Caliente, Relax and Mambo, Rumba At The Palladium (compilation), Yo Soy La Rumba

Picadillo (radio recording) 201
Relax and Mambo 121
Tanga 200 - 203
Mambo Sentimental 176
El As De La Rumba 184
Yo Soy La Rumba 208
Tanga 207 – 212
Asi No Se Quiere A Nadie 188 – 195

Mana - Por Fin Mana! Comenzo La Fiesta

Azucare 193 - 195
No Hay Mal Que Por Bien No Venga 175
Tremendo Coco 188 – 184

Mandingo Y Su Son - Salsa Fever

Coco Seco 190
Swing A La Moderna 176

Manny Oquendo - Con Salsa Con Ritmo, Nunca Que Mejor

No Critiques 174 - 188
Alabanciosa 206 - 215
Speak Low 191 - 198

Marc Anthony - Valio La Pena, Grandes Soneros De Ayer Y Hoy

Valio La Pena 197 – 202 – 207
Ahora Quien 168 – 173 - 179
Tu Amor Me Hace Bien 195
Nadie Como Ella 183 - 193

Mark Dimond - Beethoven's V, Brujeria

Sabroson (w/ Frankie Dante) 188 - 208
Los Rumberos (w/ Frankie Dante) 192 - 194
Ahora Si (w/ Frankie Dante) 128
El Quinto De Beethoven (w/ Frankie Dante) 218 - 235
Maraquero (w/ Frankie Dante) 138
Yo No Tengo Amigo (w/ Frankie Dante) 203 - 210
Por Que Adore (w/ Frankie Dante) 166 - 180
Brujeria (w/ Angel Canales) 174 - 186
Aguardiente (w/ Angel Canales) 178 - 197

Marvin Santiago - Exitos Eternos

Fuego A La Jicotea 207 - 210
Vasos De Colores 206 - 210
El Mangoneo 221 - 227

Massimo Scalici – Salsa.IT Vol 2

Es La Musica 211
Fragile 200

Maximo Rodriguez & Sus Estrellas Panamenas - Panama: Latin, Calpyso and Funk (compilation)

Mambologia 171

Michael Jackson

You Rock My World Berna Jam Rmx 191

Michi Sarmiento Y Sus Bravos - Colombia: The Golden Age of Discos Fuentes (compilation)

Hong Kong 200-197

Miles Pena - Torbellino De Amor

No Dejemos Que Muera El Amor 178
Me Dices Que Te Vas 175 - 173
Mirame A La Cara 178

Mon Rivera - Que Gente Averigua

Monina 212
La Cuca 209
Lluvia Con Nieve 200

Mongo Santamaria - Mambo Mongo, Best of Fania Years

Mambo Mongo (Chesky) 216 - 226
Cuco Y Olga 199 - 222
Mambo Mongo (Fania) 193 - 200
Sofrito 118

N’Klabe - I Love Salsa (Special Edition)

I Love Salsa 222
Amor De Una Noche 185

New Swing Sextet - Monkey See Monkey Do

My Favorite Things 209 - 203
Revolucionando 202 - 208

Ocho Y Mas - Juega Bailar

Vamos A Reir Un Poco 204
Toro Mata 210

Orchestra Harlow - Best of Orchestra Harlow, Live In Quad, Salsa

Abran Paso 198 - 205
La Cartera (Salsa) 190 - 196
Abandona Fue 139
Arsenio 212 - 203 - 208
Gracia Divina (Live) 141
La Cartera (Live) 184 - 187
No Hay Amigo 204 - 225

Orquesta Aragon - Heart Of Havana Vol 2

Ven Morena 198 - 206 - 210

Orquesta Broadway - La Charanga Que Manda ... A La Cabeza En Los 40

Isla Del Encanto 171 - 181

Orquesta Cheo Diaz - New York Descargas

Cairo 207 - 222

Orquesta De La Luz - Lo Esencial

Salsa Caliente Del Japon 206 - 208
Mambo De La Luz 236 - 249
Salsa Es Mi Energia 203 - 211
Salsa Tiene No Frontera 204 - 206

Orquesta Guayacan - Xtremo, VIP Edition

Ay Amor, Cuando Hablan Las Miradas 179-181
Muchachita 174 - 179
Torero 195-197
Yolanda 155

Orquesta Willie Rodriguez - New York Descargas

Descarga 72 224 – 232

Oscar D’Leon - Infinito, Collecion De Oro, Esenciales Vol 1, Las 32 Mas Grandes

Cualquiera 186
Ya Lo Veras 191
Me Prendiste Velas 203 - 220
Me Dejo 183 - 196
La Mano 186 - 190
Tu Son 188 - 190
Mi Bajo Y Yo 202 - 216
Lloraras 191 - 196
Sientate Ahi 172 - 175
Que Bueno Baila Usted 185
A El 179
Mentiras 201 - 205
Mi Mujer Es Una Bomba 181
Llego El Sabor (w/ Jose Alberto) 207 - 210
Me Voy Pa’ Cali 188
Mi Gente 199 - 203

Perez Prado - Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom

Mambo No. 5 171
Mambo En Sax 131

Pete Rodriguez - I Like It Like That

I Like It Like that 136
El Hueso 143 - 139
Micaela 136
Si Quieres Bailar 185
Soy El Rey 221

Poncho Sanchez - Baila Baila

Sonando 126
Cal’s Pals 201 - 195 - 201
Yumbambe 203 - 220
Subway Harry 120

Pucho and His Latin Soul Brothers – Heat, The Hideout, How’m I Doin?, Rip A Dip, Tough!

Heat 121
El Abaniquito 206
Vietnam Mambo (HID) 208 - 213
Caravan (RAD) 202 - 218
Vietnam Mambo (60s) 233
Caravan (60s) 230 - 250

Pupy Santiago - Salsa Fresca

Pa’ Bravo Yo 182

Raphy Leavitt - Somos El Son

Chiquilla 196 - 197
Somos El Son 194 - 199

Ray Barretto - Carnaval, Descarga Criolla, Indestructible, A Man And His Music, Rican/Strucion, Salsa Caliente De Nu York, Soy Dichoso, Together, Salsa Legende

Descarga La Moderna 223 - 229
Summertime 109
El Negro Y Ray 201 - 209
Cocinando Suave 136
Descarga Criolla 217
Trompeta Y Trombon 205 - 208
Rareza En Guajira 101
El Hijo De Obtala 212 - 220
La Famila 192 - 196
Indestructible 214 - 220
Acid 161 - 158
Arrepientete 209 - 234
La Pelota 239 - 261
Guarare 189
Prestame Tu Mujer 174
Aguadilla 195 - 192
Al Ver Sus Campos 194 - 204
Adelante Siempre Voy 194 - 214
Quitate La Mascara 182
Cocinando 131
Soy Dichoso 197 - 205
Los Ejes De Mi Carreta 153 - 161
El Entierro Del Feo 188 - 185
Flor De Los Lindos Campos 184 - 182
Vive Y Vacila 203 - 212
Swing La Moderna 185

Regina Carter - Rhythms of the Heart

Mojito 189 - 195 - 200

Rey Reyes - 12 Super Exitos

Pa’ Borohol 190 – 195
La Libertad 188 – 190
Vampira 186 – 196
Son Malas 188 – 196
Los Santos De Macoris 192
Morena 188 – 184

Rey Ruiz - Grandes Soneros De Ayer Y Hoy

Luna Negra 174

Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz - Comejen, El Bestial Sonido, NYC Salsa 2

Si Te Contara 99
Suavito 108
Comejen 130
Sonido Bestial 218 - 228
Senora 152 - 148
Aguzate 208 - 227

Roberto Roena – Lucky 7, Y Su Apollo Sound 5, Y Su Apollo Sound 6

Mi Desengano 169 - 172
Avisale A Mi Contario 193 - 186
El Que Se Fue 188 - 181
Traicion 212 - 247
Que Se Sepa 212 - 219

Roberto Torres - Retrato Musical

La Muy Muy 162 - 169
Caballo Viejo 187 - 185
Ave Maria Lola 202 - 213
Meneame La Cuna 191 - 190

Ry Cooder - Buena Vista Social Club

Chan Chan 161 - 168
El Cuarto De Tula 204 - 212

Santana - Salsa Magic

Oye Como Va 129

Santiago Ceron - Exitos Vol 1

Lindo Yambu 177 - 185
La Loma De Belen 193 - 206
Espiritu Burlon 164
Don Lengua 183 - 195
Momposina 169 - 167
Sirena 188 - 181

Son Boricua – Son Boricua

Lejos De Ti 194 - 195

Sonora Carruseles - Espectacular, Heavy Salsa

Vitamina 214
Ave Maria Lola 191
Linda Cubana 209
Micaela 180
El Pito 172

Sonora Matancera (???) - En Grande

En La Casa De Mi Compay 184 - 193
Ritmo Tambo Y Flores 191 - 196
Tu No Me Has Visto Miguel 179 - 189 (Javier Vasquez)
Besitos De Coco 205
Merengue Del Pichoncito 137

Sonora Poncena - Determination, Explorando, Musical Conquest, On Target, La Herencia (Papo Lucca), 45 Aniversario

Yambeque 172 - 173
Si La Ven 190 - 192
Joldo 184 - 176
Canto Al Amor 176 – 194
Bomba Carambomba 189 - 201
La Pollera Colora 196 - 197
El Pio Pio 179 - 186
Celoso 196
Fuego En El 23 183
Boranda 181 - 188
Night In Tunisia 181 - 184
Borinquen (second half - studio) 168 - 167
Cancion 179
Remembranzas 174 - 177
Canto Al Amor 181 (45th) - 178
Borinquen (45th) 165 - 167
Pio Pio (45th) 184
Ahora Si 168 – 172
Fuego En El 23 (45th) 179 - 184

SonSublime - Bailando Con SonSublime

Casita De Margot 190 - 207
Macusa 194 - 205
Mi Charanga 193 - 200

Spanish Harlem Orchestra - Across 110st, Un Gran Dia En El Barrio

Un Gran Dia En Barrio 213 - 222
Cuando Te Vea 193
Como Lo Canto Yo 202 – 208
Mama Guela 226
La Musica Es Mi Vida 188 - 189
La Banda 219 - 229
Pa' Gozar 138
Somos Iguales 193 - 198
Pueblo Latino 208 - 211

Tabaco Y Ron – Paquete Salsera, Tumbando Cabeza

Sonero De Barrio 176
Acabo De Llegar 192 - 195
Tumbando Cabeza 178

Tito Puente - Absolute Best - Mambo, And His Concert Orchestra, Dancemania Vol 1, Dancemania Vol 2, Doctor Feelgood, King of Kings, King Of Timbales, Live At Birdland, Mambo Birdland, Mambo Of The Times, Oye Como Va: The Dance Collection, The Rough Guide, 50 Years of Swing, Obra Maestra

Caravan Mambo 165 - 162
Mambo Diablo (50s) 158 - 154
Mambo Gallego (50s) 192
Mambo Diablo (70s) 168
Picadillo (70s) 217 - 214
El Cayuco (DMv1) 128
Cuando Te Vea 175 - 180
Hong Kong Mambo 183
Mambo Gozon (DMv1) 210
Agua Limpia Todo 192
Cua Cua (DMv2) 200
Mambo Diablo (80s) 192 - 196
Fiesta A La King (80s) 215 - 220
Guajira Soul 118
Ran Kan Kan (80s) 210 - 242
Oye Como Va (80s) 134
Picadillo A Lo Puente 216 - 213
Ode To Cachao 134
Mambo Gallego (80s) 194 – 192
Oye Me Guaguanco (50s) 156
Abaniquito 230 - 240
Picadillo (50s) 190 - 192
Cao Cao Mani Picao 181
Lare Lare 241
Swinging The Mambo 176
Mambo Inn 209 - 215
Cayuco (90s) 127
Complicacion 201 - 203
Babarabatiri (90s) 197 - 205
A Donde Vas 120
Mas Bajo (90s) 133
Cua Cua (90s) 196 - 203
Mambo Gozon (90s) 201 - 212
Oye Mi Guaguanco (90s) 164
Ran Kan Kan (90s) 203 – 216
Oye Como Va (90s) 126
Japan Mambo 180 - 195
Maria Cervantes 199 - 210
Tito’s Colada 194 - 198
Mas Bajo (RoughG) 133
Pachito Eche (w/ Celia Cruz) 172
Ran Kan Kan (50s) 200 - 208
Asia Mood 199 - 203
Babarabatiri 200 - 205
Dejame Sonar (w/ Tony Vega) 199 - 208
Nina Y Senora 193 - 186
El No. 100 180 - 190
Fiesta A La King (70s) 207 - 220
Oye Como Va (90s) 127
Picadillo Jam (w/ Eddie Palmieri) 197 - 220
Paris Mambo (w/ Eddie Palmieri) 220 - 225

Tito Rodriguez - El Doctor De La Salsa, The Legend’s 30th Anniversary, Tito Tito Tito, Un Retraro El Hombre Su Musica Y Su Vida, Live At The Palladium

Buenas Noches Che Che 189
En El Balcon 194
Hay Craneo 186
El Hueso De Maria 184
Esa Bomba 189
La Ley Del Guaguanco 178
Mama Guela (30th) 221 - 231
Avisale A Mi Contario 211 - 216
El Que Se Fue (30th) 208 - 213
Bilongo 198
Alma Llanera 200
Descarga Cachao 227 - 240
Donde Estabas Tu 141
Sun Sun Babae 220 - 222
La Toalla 209
Mama Guela (Retrato) 242 - 247
Yambu 208
El Que Se Fue (Retrato) 206 - 217
Perico Perejil 147
El Mulato Rumbero 218
Satin And Lace 196
El Sabio 195 – 201

Tito Rodriguez Jr - Curious

Sabor Criollo 180 – 183

Tommy Olivencia - Plante Bandera, Salsa Fresca, Pura Salsa

Plante Bandera 198 - 206
Trucutu 186 - 194
No Tires La Primera Piedra 192 - 196
Como Lo Hacen (w/ Frankie Ruiz)
Periquito Pin Pin 182 - 186
Lo Dudo (w/ Frankie Ruiz) 187 - 189

Willie Chirino - Duets, Salsa Magic

Caballero Y Dama (w/ Celia Cruz) 195 - 199
Rumbera 191

Willie Colon - Asalto Navideno, Crime Pays, El Juicio, La Gran Fuga, Lo Mato, Salsa Fresca, Siembra

La Murga 180
El Malo 215 - 227
Jazzy 218 - 239
Juana Pena 199 - 214
Eso Se Baila Asi 123
Ah-Ah/O-No 192
Pirana 199 - 203
Aguanile 262 - 272
Pan Y Agua 104
Barrunto 196 - 201 (with odd bits)
Abuelita 191 - 185 - 193
Todo Tiene Su Final 188 - 198
Calle Luna Calle Sol 184 – 178
Idilio 189
Plastico (w/ Ruben Blades) 218
Pedro Navaja (w/ Ruben Blades) 181 - 209
Ojos (w/ Ruben Blades) 208 - 235

Willie Rosario - Afincando, Back To The Future, Nuevos Horizontes, Pura Salsa, The Roaring Fifties, Viva Rosario, Salsa Fresca

Botaron La Pelota 201 - 215
Estoy En Ti 190 - 197
El Apartamento 192 - 198
Que Pasa Contigo 182 - 180
Arrepentios Pecadores 190 – 200
Lluvia 201 - 210
Chango Ta Beni 199 - 206
Babarabatiri 188 - 193
El Flamboyan 179 - 186
Cuando Se Canta Bonita 197 - 204
Atizame El Fogon 182 - 193
Rubias De Nueva York 187 - 190
Preparen Candela 180 - 182
Los Salseros Se Van 187 - 189
Anuncio Clasificado 179 - 170
Falso Amor 187 - 193
Esa Muneca 185 - 187

Last modified January 15, 2009

Tito Rodriguez - The Legend's 30th Anniversary (2 CD set)

Released 2003
(presumably for 30th anniversary of his death)

WS Latino 5001

Available at Descarga and Prodland

Disk 1 "Los Boleros"

1. Inolvidable 3:10 (Julio Gutierrez) Rec. 11/63
2. En La Oscuridad 3:52 (Rafael Solano Sanchez) Rec. 12/67
3. Bello Amanecer 4:30 (Tito Henriquez) con Cheo Feliciano y La Rondalla Venezolana (posthum.)
4. Sabor A Nada 2:33 (Palito Ortega) Rec. 6/65
5. Tiemblas 3:34 (Catalino Curet Alonso) Rec. 7/69
6. La Tarjeta 2:38 (Chico Novarro) Rec. 3/68
7. La Casa 2:42 (Armando Manzanero) con Cindy Rodriguez y La Rondalla Venezolana (posthum.)
8. Fiesta De Besos 3:22 (Tito Henriquez) Rec. 4/62
9. Olvidame 2:39 (Roberto Cole) Rec. 11/64
10. Vieja Luna 2:21 (Orlando De La Rosa) Rec. 6/64
11. Llevatela 2:15 (Armando Manzanera) con La Rondalla Venezolana (posthum.)
12. Ven Aqui A La Realidad 3:25 (Ernesto Duarte Brito) Rec. 12/65
13. No Te Importa Saber 3:22 (Rene Touzet) Rec. 10/69 con Los Montemar
14. Don Fulano 3:04 (Catalino Curet Alonso) Rec. 5/70
15. Palabras De Mujer 3:37 (Agustin Lara) Rec. 11/66

Disk 2 "Los Bailables"

1. Mama Guela 2:36 (Tito Rodriguez) [Descarga] Rec. 12/59 Live at the Palladium
2. Avisale A Mi Contrario 3:51 (Ignacio Piñeiro) [Guaracha] Rec. 10/64 Carnaval of the Americas
3. El Que Se Fue 3:51 (Tito Rodriguez) [Guaracha] Rec. 3/61 Returns to the Palladium
4. Bilongo 3:16 (Guillermo Rodriguez Fiffe) [Guaracha Afro] Rec. 10/68 Estoy Como Nunca
5. Cara De Payaso 2:02 (H. Barbosa, L. Reis) [Guaracha] Rec. 4/62 Tito's Hits
6. Descarga Cachao 5:00 (Israel Lopez "Cachao") [Descarga] Rec. 8/65 Tito Tito Tito
7. El Vive Bien 5:00 (Tito Rodriguez) [Guaguanco] Rec. 10/69 El Doctor De La Salsa
8. Alma Llanera 3:12 (Pedro Elias Guetirrez) [Joropo Mambo] Rec. 5/63 En Puerto Azul, Venezuela
9. Un Pato "O Pato" 2:11 (Neuza Teixeira, Jaime Silva) [Bossa Nova] Rec. 11/62 Let's Do The Bossa Nova
10. Vamos Ya 2:50 (Noro Morales) [Rumba] Rec. 12/44 unknown album released by Noro Morales Y Su Orquesta
11. Mi Carinito 2:37 (Tito Rodriguez) [Merengue] Rec. 2/69 album unknown to me
12. El Latigo 2:26 (Florencio Hernandez, Mercerdez Alvarez) [Charanga] Rec. 2/61 Charanga, Pachanga
13. Matrimonio Feliz 2:45 (Simon Esquijarrosa) Rec: 10/61 [Guaracha Cha] West Side Beat?
14. Un Domingo Sin Ti 2:45 (Eduado Davidson) [Bossa Nova] Rec. 11/62 album unknown to me (seemingly not Let's Do The Bossa Nova)
15. Cuando Estoy Contigo 1:47 (Tito Rodriguez) [Guaracha] Rec. 2/69 album unknown to me

All songs in this 2 CD set were recorded between 1959 and 1970 with the exception of Vamos Ya, which was recorded in 1944 for Noro Morales. I tried to find the source album for all songs in the second disk, but I was only partially successful.

I'm not a big fan of bolero so I only listened to them once and never went back. Tito Rodriguez is pretty good bolero singer, but it was not enough reason to listen to a CD full of nothing but boleros over and over again. Three of the boleros have been "tempered" with - meaning some musicians decided to record over original recording and re-release it. This trend with Tito Rodriguez recording was started with Gilberto Santa Rosa in A Dos Tiempos De Un Tiempo.

The second disk "Los Bailables" has a lot of good stuff for dancing - the first eight tracks are all very good. El Que Se Fue made salsanewyork.com honor list. Other songs worth checking out for playing for Salsa dance crowd are Mama Guela, Avisale A Mi Contrario, Bilongo, Descarga Cachao and Alma Llanera.

Tito Rodriguez - Un Retrato, El Hombre, Su Musica Y Su Vida

Compilation of recordings from 1969-1972


Disco Hit Productions DH2063


Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Mama Guela 2:27 (Tito Rodriguez) Palladium Memories
2. Si Tu Supieras [Si Te Contara] 2:36 (Celio Alva) Palladium Memories / En La Soledad
3. Yambu 4:09 (Mongo Santamaria) Palladium Memories
4. Me Faltabas Tu 3:01 (Jose A. Mendez) Algo Nuevo / En La Soledad
5. Ahi No 3:34 (M. Alvarez, F. Hernandez) Algo Nuevo / Reliquas De Tito Rodriguez
6. Cuando, Cuando / Cara De Payaso 2:43 (C. Boone, E. Cesar & D.R.) 25th Anniversary Performance (medley made for this album)
7. A Los Muchachos De Belen 3:05 (Eduardo Davidson) Palladium Memories
8. Tu Mi Delirio 3:37 (Cesar Portillo de la Luz) Inolvidable
9. Amor No Es Solo Sexo 4:01 (Maria Ruffino Villaverde) Inolvidable
10. El Que Se Fue 4:40 (Tito Rodriguez) Palladium Memories
11. Perico Perejil 4:01 (Augustin Ribot) Algo Nuevo
12. En La Soledad 3:40 (Puchi Balsero) En La Soledad
13. El Mulato Rumbero 3:52 (Alejandro Rodriguez) Algo Nuevo
14. La Batea 3:58 (Mercedes Segredo) Algo Nuevo
15. Hay Mucho Que Olvidar 3:06 (Bobby Capo) Reliquias De Tito Rodriguez
16. Como Canto Yo 3:43 (Justi Barretto) Algo Nuevo
17. No Lo Recuerdas 3:22 (Maria Ruffino Villaverde) Inolvidable

The songs in this compilation CD is from recordings made between 1969 and 1972. There are no liner notes or musician information. Apparently this absence is true for all albums of Tito Rodriguez from this period.

Trying to figure out where all the songs came from this compilation was quite tricky. This is my best guess. All of the songs came from recordings done with Tito Rodriguez's own label, TR Records. All recordings from TR records became part of another label called Disco Hit Productions (a.k.a. Top Ten Hits). It would appear that at least four original LPs were released before Tito Rodriguez died. These are most likely Inolvidable (DH2061) in 1969, Palladium Memories (DH2064) in 1971, Algo Nuevo (DH2065 with Louie Ramirez), and 25th Anniversary Live Performance (DH2066) about a month before his death (presumably 1973). Additional material not released in these four albums were included in two other albums - Reliquias De Tito Rodriguez (DH2062) and En La Soledad (DH2067), which borrowed songs from other albums.

The best material for dancing are all from two albums - Palladium Memories and Algo Nuevo. El Que Se Fue made salsanewyork.com honor list. Other songs worth checking out include Mama Guela (though too fast to consider dancing), Yambu, Ahi No, A Los Muchachos De Belen, Perico Perejil and El Mulato Rumbero.