Latin — All Formats  

A Latin soul party – beyond compare! The album's a completely wonderful live set that really captures the energy, excitement, and warm sociability of the hip New York scene at the end of the 60s. The music is stunning – a freewheeling blend of jazz, soul, and Latin themes – played with effortless ease by a lineup that includes Joe Bataan, Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Bobby Quesada, Louie Ramirez, Ralph Robles, and some of the other heavy-hitters of the Latin soul years. (Just imagine trying to get so many jazz or rock talents together on one stage – it would never happen!) The album's incredible – and even the spoken introductions and crowd noise really help set the feel of the era's mighty magic power! Titles on this second volume include "Kikapoo Joy Juice", "If This World Were Mine", "Richie's Bag", "Red Garter Strut", and "Son Cuero Y Boogaloo". Firey stuff, and one of their best records!

This famous Latin combo hits the early 60s, and lays down a stock session of pachanga and charanga cuts, infused with lively guitar parts, and some lovely female vocals. Tracks include "Yo No Se", "Cafe Y Pan", "The Don Jose Pachanga", "Pachanga Pa'Gozar", and "Bilongo".

A wonderful batch of Latin Jazz grooves – played by a group who more than deserved the right to call themselves the Latin Jazz Quintet! The core sound features vibes and piano jamming away nicely, really hitting some great modal rhythms – but this album's also got an added bonus in the presence of alto player Bobby Capers, an old bandmate of Mongo Santamaria, and a real killer of a player on a hard Latin groove! Capers really makes this album shine – cutting in some hard-edged sax solos amidst the warmer pulse of the vibes and piano – and titles include some hard grooving classics like "Rip a Dip", "Dilly Dali", "Blues Waltz", "Milestones", "Red Top", and "Sunday Go Meetin'".

A really special record from a really special group – one of two sublime 70s gems from Azteca – a wicked blend of jazz, funk, Latin, and soul – all put together by a young Coke Escovedo! Coke's ostensibly the leader of the group, but there's also a richly collaborative feel going on – a style that brings together jazz players like Tom Harrell on trumpet, Mel Martin on saxes, George Muribus on Fender Rhodes, and Flip Nunez on organ – and Latin players like Victor Pantoja on congas, Coke Escovedo on timbales, and Pete Escovedo on added percussion. In fact, the set's a key early example of the strength of the Escovedo family – and like their best later efforts, the set really stretches out and pushes the boundaries of conventional genres. There's also some great guest work from Lenny White on drums, Mike Nock on keyboards, and Neal Schon on guitars – and vocals are by a range of singers who really keep things fresh. Titles include "Red Onions", "Mazatlan", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "Mexicana, Mexicana", and "Love Is A Stranger".

A stellar box set of live Fania All Stars – recorded around the world and spanning the decades – on 4CDs that organize sets recorded Live In NYC, Live From El Barrio To San Juan, Live Around The World and a bonus for 4th disc of Studio Recordings – Three Decades! Includes tracks from some of our favorite live Latin albums of the 60s & 70s, including the classic Live At The Red Garter, Live At The Cheetah and Live At Yankee Stadium sets, plus albums such as Latin-Soul-Rock, San Juan 73 and more – including some unreleased mid 70s live recordings of the group doing their thing with Stevie Wonder and other sweet surprises. 52 tracks on 4CDs and includes a thick booklet of notes! Tracks include "Noche", "Guatacando", "Richie's Bag", "Anacaona", "Quitate Tu", "Estrellas De Fania", "Bemba Colora", "Soul Makossa", "Congo Bongo", "Guantanamera", "Ponte Duro", "Toro Mata", "Quitate Tu/Hang On Sloopy" with Stevie Wonder, "Country Girl-City Man", "Dinamita", "Back To My Roots", "Bamboleo", "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" and many more.