Frankie Ruiz – Gold

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

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

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

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)

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

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

Vinyl released 1980 and/or 1981
Caney Records 8003 and 8004

CD issued 1991
SAR 803

Arrangements by William Sanchez

Musical Director: Chano Montes (8003) and William Sanchez (8004)

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 original material is culled from two different LPs produced by Caney Records in 1981 with an overlapping group of musicians. The first album has the same cover as this CD except with the napkin on the top left labeled Caney Records CR LPS-8003/Stereo Serie 0798. Songs in this first LP includes La Paella, Rosa Oriental, Se Me Fue along with three songs not included in this CD (Al Montuno, La Vueltabajera, Guampanpiro). The second album CR LPS 8004 cover has a drawing of a restaurant, a bar or perhaps a bodega with the name "Cafe 3 Kilos" and possible album title "Estampos de mi Tierra" includes the songs Dime Adios Carmelina, Pastorita, Comete Tu Pinol, Camina Y Prende El Fogon and Mi Querer.

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.

Musicians:

Jorge Cabrera / Tres
Israel “Cachao” Lopez / Bass
Paquito Echevarria / Piano
Tony Concepcion / Trumpet
Stewart Brennan / Trumpet (8003 only)
Al de Gooyer / Trumpet
Benny Cabreras / Trumpet solo (8004 only)
Tony Saydai / Bongos, Tumba, Campana (8003 only)
Candido Tunidor / Bongos, Tumba, Campana (8004 only)
William Sanchez / Guiro, Maracas, Clave (8003 only)
Tony Columbia / Maracas, Guiro (8004 only)
J. Cordo / Chorus
M. Chino / Lead Vocals, Chorus

last updated April 3, 2013

Angel Canales & Sabor – El San Juan

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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