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Excellent compilation of some of the best tracks recorded by the Alegre All Stars. One of the greatest recording projects in Latin music, the Alegre All Stars was a loose collective of great talents like Charlie Palmieri, Bobby Rodriguez, Chombo, Jo Quijano, Kako, Johnny Pacheco, and lots of others – and the records they made were laidback sessions full of lots of fire, communication, and laughter. Few groups matched their ability to lay down a tightly swinging Latin groove, and you'll hear the proof on tracks like "Manteca", "Estoy Buscando A Kako", "El Sopon", and "El Manicero".

A smoking descarga session from the 60s – one of the best albums ever by percussionist Kako! The album explodes with wonderful jazzy playing, and features 4 very long tracks that are stuffed with great solo work on piano and sax – bubbling over in heavy percussive excitement, with the best Latin jam session feel of the 60s! Tracks include "Descarga En Puerto Rico", "Abaniguito", "La Tombola", and "El Pollo" – and the whole thing's stormin' – a must-have album in any book!

An amazing album that's one of the greatest-ever descarga sessions to come out of the New York scene! The album's supposedly a tribute to pianist Noro Morales – but it's got a fire and energy that goes way beyond even Morales' best work, one that has the group recording in a long-format approach that was very different, and much harder-jamming than any of Morales' recordings from the 50s. The tracks are mostly Morales originals, but you'd hardly recognize them in the way the band takes off from their simple structure – using the room of the full recording to groove hard on the album's best long tracks – "Mi Guajira", "Ponce", and "Vitamina" – all of which are the kind of Latin jammers you buy reissues like this for! Players include Louie Ramirez, Charlie Palmieri, Cachao, and Hector Rivera – and other tracks include "Perfume De Gardenia", "Desvelo De Amor", and "Malditos Celos".

Features arrangements by Joe Cain and Javier Vasquez!

Ruben Blades's first album – recorded shortly after his arrival in New York from Panama, with top-notch backing by the band of Pete Rodriguez! The album's an interesting one, in that it catches Ruben shortly before the salsa era, singing in a mix of styles that reminds us of some of Jimmy Sabater's work with Joe Cuba's group – doing mid and uptempo numbers in Spanish, and laying down a few mellower moments with the occasional English vocal! The style's not entirely Latin Soul, but not far off either – and the work is a nice contrast to the later work of Ruben. Titles include the lively groover "Descarga Caliente", the soulful "When", and the cuts "El Bravo", "De Panama A New York", "Donde", and "Hey Man".

Oh That's Nice – indeed! Pete Rodriguez and crew serve up one of their best albums ever – a non-stop boogaloo party that gets you from the word "go"! The title track kicks off the set with an incredibly catchy hook dancing over these dark piano parts – and the rest of the album follows up with a killer mix of foot-stomping groovers that will never, ever let you down! A stunner throughout, with lively tracks that include "Oh That's Nice", "Let's Get Together", "Que Mania", "Bobby", and "Asi, Asi".

One of the few albums ever recorded by Vladimir Vassilieff – an obscure late 60s piano player who's best known for his groovy album The Aquarians! The record's a really wonderful set that really lives up to its title – a haunting set of Latin jazz numbers played with a hip group that includes Many Duran, Bobby Rodriguez, and the great Bobby Porcelli on alto. The groove is light and free – a blend of 60s Latin, hardbop, bossa, and more – handled with the kind of modern touches that few other Latin leaders were using at the time, save for the great Bobby Vince Paunetto. Leo Morris makes a surprising guest appearance on the groover "Baby Boo Boogaloo", and other cuts include "Suzy's Bossa Nova", "Mambito", "Camelot Cha Cha", "Mambo at the Cave", and "Mombo Moderno".

A masterpiece of Latin jazz – and one of the truest expressions of the genre we can think of! The album's quite unique, especially for the time – a spare, stripped-down presentation of Latin-influenced jazz – a sound that has its roots in the cubop experiments of a decade before, but which comes off here with even more dynamic energy! Sabu's sound is quite different from the more staid styles of the cha cha/charanga generation at the time of this recording – and thanks to his own heavy conga, percussion from Louie Ramirez, trumpet from Marty Sheller, and alto sax from Bobby Porcelli, the whole album bristles with electricity and excitement. The horn solos are given plenty of room to do their thing – space you might find more on Blue Note or Prestige – and Sabu adds in some great sparer percussion bits too. Titles include "The Oracle", "Breakin' It In", "Flipping", "Nica's Dream", "Otra Vez", and lots lots more great ones!

A 60s bossa classic from Johnny Alf – a set that really showcases the bluer side of bossa at the time! The set's got a rich, sophisticated sort of sound – right up there with the best Elenco or Forma vocal sessions of the 60s, thanks to orchestrations by Jose Briamonte, which move along with this really dark undercurrent. Alf's vocals and piano contrast nicely, with these oddly-turning notes that are really unique – a distinct approach that made Johnny one of the most standout talents of this new generation. This album's easily one of his greatest efforts – and titles include "Gismi", "Kao Xango", "Cancao Pra Disfacar", "Ceu Alegre", "Eu So Sei", and "Bossa So".

A 60s bossa classic from Johnny Alf – a set that really showcases the bluer side of bossa at the time! The set's got a rich, sophisticated sort of sound – right up there with the best Elenco or Forma vocal sessions of the 60s, thanks to orchestrations by Jose Briamonte, which move along with this really dark undercurrent. Alf's vocals and piano contrast nicely, with these oddly-turning notes that are really unique – a distinct approach that made Johnny one of the most standout talents of this new generation. This album's easily one of his greatest efforts – and titles include "Gismi", "Kao Xango", "Cancao Pra Disfacar", "Ceu Alegre", "Eu So Sei", and "Bossa So". CD features the bonus track "Eu E A Brisa".

By the mid 70s, the New York Latin scene was boomin' so large it could easily fill venues like Yankee Stadium – as you'll hear on this excellent live set from the Fania All-Stars, a monster record that easily ranks with the best live Latin sides of the time – like Eddie Palmieri at Sing Sing, the Tico-Alegre All Stars at Carnegie Hall, or Mongo Santamaria at Yankee Stadium! Tracks are nice and long – a real mix of soul and Latin, with slight funk and electric touches – and players include Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Bobby Valentin, Mongo Santamaria, Ricardo Ray, and Roberto Roena. Vocals are by a host of singers that include Santos Colon, Hector Lavoe, Ismael Rivera, and Celia Cruz – and titles on this first volume include "Pueblo Latino", "Mi Gente", "Diosa Del Ritmo", and "Soy Guajiro".

Amazing sounds from Genesis – a cool Colombian group who blend folkloric elements with psych styles, all in a sound that's completely unique! The group have a really haunting mix of wood flutes and guitars – underscored by a bit of organ and rootsy percussion, and woven through with some harmonized vocals that bring a nice sort of sweetness to the sound! Things are pretty earthy throughout – almost equal parts folk and psych, but very different than any American efforts of this type – and the whole thing almost feels as if Manuel Of The Mountains caught Os Mutantes in a playful mood one day, and they all sat down to work together in the studio. Titles include "Sebastian", "Que Sientes", "Raquel", "Alegre Pescador", "Tu Y Tus Frutos", "Un Dia", "Plena Como La Luna Llena", and "Los Amantes Son Eternos".

An excellent session of exotica-tinged Latin jazz – put together by pianist Don Ralke, and featuring some great work from flute player Buddy Collette – in a spirit that's very similar to Collette's own classic Jazz Heat Bongo Beat album! The set's also got some great bongo work by Jack "Bongo" Burger – plus congas from Tom Wofford – and although both players aren't the most autentico of Latin percussionists from the west coast scene at the time, they've got a really evocative approach here that makes for a great little set. Colette's flute is wonderful too – really shading in some great tones and colors –a nd titles are all fresh originals that include "Afro Mambo Alegre", "Mgombo", "Pasion Calienta", "Bembe Negro", "Calypso Cubano", and "Afro Bop".

Incredible third coast salsa from the late 70s – amazing stuff from the orquestras of Carlos Ruiz and his Ebirac label – made by singers and players in Chicago's Puerto Rican community of the period that stands up just as well today! Chicago salsa, unlike more nationally popular styles, was rooted in the city's rich Puerto Rican community. They cover material adapted from traditionals and more, done with less pan-Caribbean derived sounds than the Cuban-rooted salseros of NYC and Miami. As fondly remembered as the players of the Chicago salsa scene are by the older Puerto Rican community, records by Orquestas La Justicia, La Solucion, Juventad Tipica '78, Tipica Leal '79 and others are terribly hard to find. Not only has Numero managed to compile a terrific batch of songs, the sound quality is impeccable, too! Titles include "Plena Matrimonial" by Ebirac All-Stars featuring La Calandria & Ramito, "Stone Flower", "Alegre Jibarito", "Guaguanco Coroco" and more by La Justicia, "Afro Theme" and "Ano Nuevo Y Reyes" by Juventud Tipica '78, "A Bailar Son Montuno", "El Gordo Y El Flaco" and "Mini Minoso" by La Solucion, "Mozambique" by La Solucion featuring Mongo Santamaria, "Donde Estabas" by Tipica Leal '79 and more, plus the bonus "Ebirac Radio Spot". The booklet is lavish, too – full of notes and photos that that make it all the more revelatory – providing a historical perspective that can't be overpraised!

Incredible third coast salsa from the late 70s – amazing stuff from the orquestras of Carlos Ruiz and his Ebirac label – made by singers and players in Chicago's Puerto Rican community of the period that stands up just as well today! Chicago salsa, unlike more nationally popular styles, was rooted in the city's rich Puerto Rican community. They cover material adapted from traditionals and more, done with less pan-Caribbean derived sounds than the Cuban-rooted salseros of NYC and Miami. As fondly remembered as the players of the Chicago salsa scene are by the older Puerto Rican community, records by Orquestas La Justicia, La Solucion, Juventad Tipica '78, Tipica Leal '79 and others are terribly hard to find. Not only has Numero managed to compile a terrific batch of songs, the sound quality is impeccable, too! Titles include "Plena Matrimonial" by Ebirac All-Stars featuring La Calandria & Ramito, "Stone Flower", "Alegre Jibarito", "Guaguanco Coroco" and more by La Justicia, "Afro Theme" and "Ano Nuevo Y Reyes" by Juventud Tipica '78, "A Bailar Son Montuno", "El Gordo Y El Flaco" and "Mini Minoso" by La Solucion, "Mozambique" by La Solucion featuring Mongo Santamaria, "Donde Estabas" by Tipica Leal '79 and more, plus the bonus "Ebirac Radio Spot". The booklet is lavish, too – full of notes and photos that that make it all the more revelatory – providing a historical perspective that can't be overpraised!

The long-awaited Latin issue of Wax Poetics – a treasure trove of features on some of the hippest Latin music of the 60s and 70s! The issue's got a great cover feature on Eddie Palmieri – plus long takes on Cal Tjader, Harlem River Drive, Fania All Stars, Alegre All Stars, and Lowrider Oldies – plus the legendary Speed Records – one of our favorite record labels ever! As usual, the writing is totally top-shelf, the packaging is great, and there's as many wonderful images as there are thoughtful words on the page!

One of the deepest digs we've ever seen into the rich array of grooves from Colombia – a double-length page that covers a much wider range of sounds than you might expect! Colombia's unusual amongst Latin American nations, in that it's got kind of a "crossroads" sort of role – a place where other South American sounds come into contact with music from North America, the Caribbean, and even Africa as well – resulting in some mighty heavy styles that are perfectly summed up on these 2CDs! The package is way more than just an armchair look at Colombia – and is heavy on the sorts of funk and offbeat grooves we've come to expect from the Analog Africa label – a key imprint in bringing the sounds of the globe to Anglo groove diggers like us. Rhythm is definitely at the core – as promised in the title – but the package also has plenty of great notes to help us understand the rich cultural history as well. Titles include "Calambre" by Conjunto Barbacoa, "Lumbalu" by Calixto Ochoa & Los Papaupas, "Schallcarri" by Grupo Abharca, "El Caterete" by Wganda Kenya, "Enyere Kumbara" by Julian Y Su Combo, "Wasamaye" by Wasamaye Rock Group, "Bajo El Troupillo Guajiro" by Sexteto Manaure, "Pegale A La Nalga" by Fuentes All Stars, "Juipiti" by Grupo Folclorico, "Shakalode" by Wganda Kenya, "Santana En Salsa" by Crecencio Camacho, "La Motilona" by Los Alegres Diablos, "Pajaro Madrugador" by Alfredo Gutierrez, "La Bulla" by Los Curramberos De Guayabal, "Busca La Careta" by Andres Landero, "La Cascada" by Pianonegro, "Eco En Stereo" by Sonora Dinamita, "La Veterana" by Peyo Torres, "Lluvia" by Sonora Tropical, and "Agoniza El Magadlena" by Ramiro Beltran. 32 tracks in all – and it comes in a great hardbound package with a 60-page booklet.

One of the deepest digs we've ever seen into the rich array of grooves from Colombia – a double-length page that covers a much wider range of sounds than you might expect! Colombia's unusual amongst Latin American nations, in that it's got kind of a "crossroads" sort of role – a place where other South American sounds come into contact with music from North America, the Caribbean, and even Africa as well – resulting in some mighty heavy styles that are perfectly summed up on this LP! The package is way more than just an armchair look at Colombia – and is heavy on the sorts of funk and offbeat grooves we've come to expect from the Analog Africa label – a key imprint in bringing the sounds of the globe to Anglo groove diggers like us. Rhythm is definitely at the core – as promised in the title – but the package also has plenty of great notes to help us understand the rich cultural history as well. Titles on the first volume include "Santana En Salsa" by Crecencio Camacho, "La Motilona" by Los Alegres Diablos, "Pajaro Madrugador" by Alfredo Gutierrez, "La Bulla" by Los Curramberos De Guayabal, "Busca La Careta" by Andres Landero, "La Cascada" by Pianonegro, "Eco En Stereo" by Sonora Dinamita, "La Veterana" by Peyo Torres, "Lluvia" by Sonora Tropical, and "Agoniza El Magadlena" by Ramiro Beltran.

Soundway Records delves deep into the great history Colombian cumbia and porro – beautifully putting together an expansive set that traces the evolution of the sounds throughout 3 decades – and keeping it coming feverishly and furiously well paced the whole way through! They do a terrific job of making this set reverent of the history – it was very well researched by Will "Quantic" Holland – with one half featuring earlier Columbian cumbia and one half of the evolving sounds and instrumentation that came into play over the years. The sound is beautiful, even on the earliest recordings, and it's heated, intensely rhythmic all the way. Holland and Soundway's Miles Cleret here deliver as exciting and informative a set of benchmark cumbia as we could have hoped for – and it includes nice set of notes and photos. CD 1 features material culled from original Colombian 78s and CD 2 features original 45 & LP cuts: titles include "Cumbia del Puerto" by Conjunto Los Rumberos, "Judith" by Lucho Perez, "Senbrando Café" by Alberto Pacheco Y Su Conjunto, "Samoria" by Los Alegres Del Valle, "La Maragarita" by Los Ases Del Ritmo, "Cumbia Del Mar" by Los Hermanitos Ferreyra, "Sangria Goajira" by Los Indigenas, "Cumbia Del Carnaval" by Betoyep, "Rosa Y Mayo" by Andres Landero, "Guayabita Colora" by Alberto Pacheco, "Elionora" by Miguel Duran, "El Secuestro" by Celia Estremor Y Su Grupo De Baile Cantalo, "La Gaita Del Pato" by Lucho Yepez, "Tambo, Tambo" by La Cumbia Soledena and many more. 55 tracks in all!

Soundway Records delves deep into the great history Colombian cumbia and porro – beautifully putting together an expansive set that traces the evolution of the sounds throughout 3 decades – and keeping it coming feverishly and furiously well paced the whole way through! They do a terrific job of making this set reverent of the history – it was very well researched by Will "Quantic" Holland – with one half featuring earlier Columbian cumbia and one half of the evolving sounds and instrumentation that came into play over the years. The sound is beautiful, even on the earliest recordings, and it's heated, intensely rhythmic all the way. Holland and Soundway's Miles Cleret here deliver as exciting and informative a set of benchmark cumbia as we could have hoped for! Vol 1 of the vinyl features original 78s – with 29 titles that include "Judity" by Lucho Perez, "San Jacinto" by Anibal Velasquez, "Samaria" by Los Alegres Del Valle, "Me Quedo Con El Viejo" by Cresencio Salcedo, "Dulce Lamento" by Nacho Paredes, "Sangre Goajira" by Los Indigenas, and "La Muerte" by Tono Fernandez.