All Categories — All Formats  

A beautiful little record from Hector Lavoe – one deepens his sound and emotion, but manages to do so without going into any schmaltzy territory! Some tracks here are full-on groovers, and others are mellower – but even these have a depth of feeling that really commands our attention – a style that's perhaps almost a re-emergence of a new Latin soul aesthetic in the mid 80s – one that's certainly far more Latin than soul, but a new level of expression that's filled with feeling, and which really puts things on the line. Jose Madera, Isidro Infante and Luis Ramirez share arranging credits and Johnny Pacheco directed the recording – with a groove that's somewhere in the trombone-led style of Hector's work with Willie Colon, but which also has some rootsier elements in the guiro and guitar used on the set. Players include Joe Torres on piano, Milton Cardona on percussion, and Lewis Kahn on trombone – and tracks include "De Que Tamano", "Don Fulano De Tal", "La Fama", "Cancer", and "Porque No Puedo Ser Feliz".

A great little 80s album by Manny Oquendo's Libre group – recorded after their classic Salsoul LPs, but every bit as great! The group are in incredible form – very tight, with loads of jazzy touches, and an approach to the groove that won't quit. Players include Andy Gonzalez, Jerry Gonzalez, Steve Turre, Dave Valentin, and Milton Cardona – and the tracks are all long enough to allow the players plenty of space to express themselves. Arrangements are by Marty Sheller, Andy Gonzalez, and Manny Oquendo – and tracks include "Que Humanidad", "Elena Elena", "Bailala Pronto", "Llora Timberto", and a great version of "Little Sunflower".

A landmark in 70s jazz and Latin – one of 2 legendary sets cut during the decade by composer/arranger Bobby Vince Paunetto – easily one of the most unique voices of his generation! Bobby's got an approach to melody that's all tied up in the rhythms – one that has most of the instruments in the group vamping along with the grooves, while solos take off in wonderful flights that soar to the skies on waves of sound and soul – echoing a sense of joy and life that few other albums of the period can match, and hitting a groove that's complex, yet instantly moving and deeply personal. Players include Tom Harrell on trumpet, Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax, Billy Drewes on soprano sax, and Bobby himself on vibes – sounding wonderful throughout the album, matching the 70s brilliance of Roy Ayers or Bobby Hutcherson! Also features percussion by Manny Oquendo, Jerry Gonzale, and Milton Cardona – and titles include "Osiris", "Fenway Funk", "In Time's Time", "Spanish Maiden" and "Brother Will". Essential!

An amazing package of Latin Rhythms – 2 CDs worth of work recorded by the Latin Percussion label in the 70s! Volume 1 is one of the very first sessions recorded by the Latin Percussion label – a groundbreaking record that features very heavy rhythms throughout! The group's co-led by Jose Mangual and Carlos Patato Valdez – each of whom handle plenty of percussion, alongside Manny Oquendo on timbales, Milton Cardona on clave, Bobby Rodriguez on bass, and a few other percussion players as well! The sound is tight and jamming – very much in the best LP mode – recorded with a crisp edge that keeps the live, spontaneous sound of the record wonderfully fresh after all these years. One track features a bit of vocals by Ada Charbrier, but all other tunes are instrumental – and titles include "Masacote", "Guaguanco", "Bomba", "Guaguanco", "Mambo", "Shekere", and "Son Montuno". Volume 2 is quite compelling too, and really just features spare percussion jams, mixed with a bit of electric piano – a really cool blend that's unlike anything else we can think of! The session features spoken introductions to different Latin rhythm styles – then moves into percussion interplay between Nelson Gonzalez and Charlie Santiago, plus very stark electric piano lines by Joe Mannozzi – on a keyboard that's quite different than the usual Fender Rhodes. Titles include "Timbale", "Bongo Drum", "Conga Drum", and "Rhythm Ensemble". Also comes packaged with a cool full-sized booklet of notes, photos, and musical notations.