Fantastic funky keyboard work from Malik Alston – an artist we loved when he first rose up from the Detroit scene earlier in the century, and who seems to have only gotten better as the years move on! Malik's music has a sophistication here we didn't hear at the start – still largely rhythms and keyboards, but augmented with jazzy contributions from collaborators, and taken into much more spiritual territory overall – definitely with the richness that you might expect from the "painted pictures" title! There's vocals on a few cuts, but the keyboards and other instruments really take the lead – on titles that include "Butterfly", "Where Do We Go", "Linwood", "Rise Up", "Air", and "Almost On The One". LP, Vinyl record album

A searing compilation of NYC Latin grooves from the golden age of the 70s – some of the best raw, percussive greatness from the Fania label proper – plus the Tico, Alegre, Cotique, Inca and other subsidiaries – 30 tracks on 2CDs! The set does a terrific job of blending the far-reaching sounds of the boroughs & Barrio – with loads of percussive jams with incredible solos, rootsy material and a few jazzier turns. Great tunes all around – with a nice mix of big names and lesser known combos! Titles include "Sonaremos El Tambor" by Tipica 73, "Los Rumberos" by Mark Dimond & Frankie Dante, "El Destino" by Latin Tempo, "Tumba La Cana Jibarito" by Sonora Poncera, "Guasasa" by Larry Harlow Orchestra, "Todo Tiene Su Final" by Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe, "Mama Guela" by Fania All Stars, "Ahora Es El Tiempo" by Louie Ramirez, "Toro Mata" by Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco, "Sin Ti" by Lebron Brothers, "Bilongo" by Eddie Palmieri, "Vengo Del Monte" by Tommy Olivencia and more! CD