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Kako and Totico do way more than jump start the car with this killer collaboration – and really make the record burn brightly with a classic 70s salsa sound! There's lots of dark twists and turns to the set – not just from the horn parts and the way they roll along the grooves easily – but also from Totico's excellent vocals – which, given that he's also a percussionist, seem to have an inherent sense of rhythm right from the start! The sound is nice and raw, and the album is filled with great moments like "Para Ya, Bandolera", "El Trabuco Special", "Atencion Senores", "La Maquina Y El Motor", and "Oye Los Tambores".

It's always a treat to hear from the team of Kako and Totico – and this album's no exception! The pair have a way of coming up with lively interplay right from the start – the energy that would formerly build over time in Kako's early jam session records, nicely brought to the forefront here and combined with Totico's contributions – all to make for an album that grooves strong from the ground up! Titles include "Que Quiere La Nina", "Con Sabor Llego La Rumba", "El Doloroso", "Pongase Duro", "Que Quiere La Nina", and "Ganga Zumba".

An excellent set of Afro-Cuban grooving – done in a really rootsy mode that recalls Totico's recordings from the 60s and 70s! The sound is great – especially considering the date of the recording – a really traditional blend of raw percussion and chanted vocals that comes together beautifully – delivered with the classic, respectful sounds that make the Montuno albums from this period some of the best Latin sides of the time! The group features work from Andy Gonzalez on bass, Jerry Gonzalez on percussion, Puntilla on vocals and percussion, and more percussion from Gene Golden, Pedro Bruzon, Fran Alcaso, and Hector Hernandez. Titles include "Noche Cubana", "Oferere", "What's Your Name", "Arere", and "Mil Gracias".

The Verve vaults are open again – and as with other Remixed sets, they've let in a host of hip talents to change up their classics! This time around, the results seem even better than before – thanks partly to a very strong array of mixers, including some of our own personal funky favorites – but also thanks to a change in remixing styles for this sort of work – an added complexity, and respect for the originals – so that the tunes aren't just simple smatterings of old vocals over contemporary beats! Titles include "Cry Me A River" by Dinah Washington remixed by Truth & Soul, "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" by Roy Ayers remixed by 9th Wonder, "Gimme Some" by Nina Simone remixed by Mike Mangini, "There Was A Time" by James Brown remixed by Kenny Dope, "California Soul" by Marlena Shaw remixed by Diplo, "Take Care Of Business" by Nina Simone remixed by Pilooski, "Bim Bom" by Astrud Gilberto remixed by Psapp, "Dilo Como Yo" by Patato & Totico remixed by Antibalas, "Evil Ways" by Willie Bobo remixed by Karriem Riggins, "I Get A Kick Out Of You" by Ella Fitzgerald remixed by Cinematic Orchestra, and "Tea For Two" by Sarah Vaughan remixed by Chris Shaw.