A series of performances dedicated to the memory of Cuban singer Bola De Nieve – featuring only piano for accompaniment of the vocals, and very dynamic singing overall! Titles include ""Dejame Recordar", "No Ejes Que Te Olvide", "La Flor De La Canela", "Messie Julian", "Mama Perfecta", "Ay Amor", and "Espabilate". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... CD

The cover's a bit stark, but the music is warm and wonderful – a collection of cuts by an obscure Venezuelan group of the 60s – a Latin combo who were originally formed by a bunch of engineering students – hence the name of the group! The music's not the stuff of slide rules and pocket protectors, though – as these guys clearly know how to let their hair down once their books are closed – drawing the best influences from the hippest New York groups of the moment, and presenting them with a lean style and that slightly offbeat approach that can make Venezuelan work of the period such a refreshing change from better-known Latin work on labels like Tico, Fania, or Alegre! There's clearly a no rules approach going on here, as the guys throw in lots of creative touches of their own – on titles that include "Mambo Silbado", "Aefo", "La Bola", "Eso", "Mambo Rock", "Mambo Sancocho", "Extasis", "Dame Boogaloo", and "El Alacran". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes music by Monna Bell, Cheo Feliciano, Los Panchos, Luz, Mina, Lucho Gatica, Bola De Nieve, and Maysa Maiaraso. CD

Includes the beautiful long "Afro Cuban Jazz Suite"! Composed, arranged, and conducted by Arturo (Chico) O'Farrill the Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band. Arturo O'Farrill, piano and musical director with John Benitez, Steve Berrios, Peter Brainin, Sam Burtis, Jimmy Cozier, Andy Gonzalez, Joe Gonzalez, Graciela, Roland Guerrero, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Matt Hilgenberg, Jack Jeffers, Victor Jones, Marshall McDonald, Mike Migliore, Michael Mossman, Mario Rivera, Jon Owens, Jim Seeley, Max Schsweiger, Gary Valente, and Papo Vasquez. CD

Great Joe Cuba set from the mid 60's. This one was recorded slightly before Joe hit it big with his Latin soul hit "Bang Bang", and the sound's a mix of Latin jazz and tracks that have more of a Latin soul sound. The lineup includes the classic sextet, and tracks include "Oye Bien", "Flaco's Cha", "Nina Nina", "Trip To Mamboland", and "I Need You". LP, Vinyl record album

Johnny Pacheco's working here with vocalist Luis Angel Silva Nava – also known as "Melon", hence the title and cover! The album's a crackling batch of straight samba from the 70s – played by a sharp little group with Sonny Bravo on piano, Luiz Perico Ortiz on trumpet, Luis Mangual on bongos, Charlie Rodriguez on tres, and Pacheco himself on both flute and percussion – both of which are handled with a slightly classic vibe. Production is nice and clean – like the best Vaya dates from the time – and the album does a great job of balancing Latin roots with the more youthful energy of the 70s New York scene. Titles include "Don Toribio Carambola", "Compay Anton", "Solo Estoy", "Vera Cruz", "Jicamo y Salsa", and "Nuestra Cita". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent Machito album – with a hard straight ahead sound that's way better than a lot of his other albums from the time! There's loads of great percussion on the record, and plenty of strong Afro-Cuban grooves, recorded in spare arrangements with a bit of echo on the mix to give the set a nice spacious sound. Titles include "Bongo Fiesta", "Mambo A La Savoy", "Ay Que Mate", "Carambola", "Sambia", and "Adios". LP, Vinyl record album