(Funky 45's, Latin) 7-inch, Vinyl record

A darn tough one to find – and one of Charlie Palmieri's best records from the 60s! The session is an obscure one-off done for Atlantic in 1968 – and for some reason, the record was never issued as widely as some of Charlie's other sides for smaller labels during the time, making it one of the most hard-to-find chapters of his career. The tracks are played by a tight little Latin jazz combo – with Charlie on piano, Julian Priester on trombone, and Louis Ramirez on timbales – and the set is filled with some great original tunes that mix together boogaloo rhythms and straight ahead Latin jazz. Tracks include "Bugalu", "Mambo Show", "Panama's Boogaloo", and "Bitter Sweet" – plus a Latin soul instrumental reading of "Up Tight". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful collaboration between vibist Gary Burton and the legendary Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla – a key US release for Astor in the 80s, and a record that helped bring his talents to a whole new audience! The record's actually one of the most sensitive sides that Piazzolla ever recorded – and the presence of Burton's vibes really helps shape a whole new sound for the record – one that still holds onto some of Astor's "new tango" modes, but which also opens up with a freer sense of exploration on both instruments. The group appears to be Astor's own – with piano, guitar, violin, and bass alongside the two main players – and titles include "Vibraphonissimo", "Nuevo Tango", "Laura's Dream", "Operation Tango", and "Milonga Is Coming". (Jazz, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album

A rare bit of Latin jazz from this mighty percussionist – the man also known to the world as Mr Bongo! The date's Jack's only one for Atlantic Records – and the cuts are short, hard, and fast, with Jack's nimble hands on the bongo highlighted on most cuts, with tight backing behind, keeping the groove nice and fresh! Tracks include "Jack Jack Jack", "Bonco", "Atu", and "Que Dicho E". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest solo albums ever issued by Latin jazz trumpeter Luis Gasca – a set that really expands on his debut for Atlantic Records, and which brings in a whole host of early 70s west coast Latin influences! The style here is very laidback and open – a bit like some of the Chicano funk coming out of the LA scene at the time, but a fair bit more jazz oriented overall – with long lean solos from both Gasca on trumpet and Joe Henderson on tenor sax, set up in a half-electric set of rhythms laid out on guitar, organ, keyboards, bass, and plenty of percussion! Other players here are all top-shelf too – and include Carlos Santana, George Cables, Stanley Clarke, Coke Escovedo, and Lenny White. The album features 4 long tracks – "Spanish Gypsy", "Street Dude", "La Raza", and "Little Mama". (Jazz, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album