The frenzied piano of Carmen Cavallaro gets a nice does of Latin rhythms on this set – and the set's a great example of the way that cocktail piano and Latin were strongly linked in the New York scene of the 50s! Carmen's style here is certainly different than that of Joe Loco, Noro Morales, or others who skirted the same territory – but the difference is also not that great, and it was Cavallaro's earlier sense of drama and color that often helped inspire piano work in players who followed. The rhythms are especially great here too – not straight Latin all the time, but a nice mix of inventive and exotic touches from bass and percussion that really liven things up, and make the tunes come across with modes that are quite different than their familiar readings. Titles include "Dolores My Own", "Frenesi", "Andalucia", "Maria La-O", "Perfida", "Adios", and "Poinciana". (Now Sound, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Cool cuts from 60s Spain – all pulled from a musical moment when the Spanish scene was exploding with the same sort of new female pop energy that was taking place in France and England! Like those more familiar modes of 60s girl pop, the style here is upbeat, groovy, and undeniably powerful – quite a change from some of the bluer, weepier modes of the decade before – and a way of infusing the female voice with new energy through lively arrangements, and great use of jaunty rock styles! Lyrics are in Spanish throughout, but there's a universal appeal to the music that really bridges boundaries – excellent small combo instrumentation, often romping along with a pretty great groove – on titles that include "Creo En Ti" by Rico Durcal, "Corazon Contento" by Marisol, "Si Llegara El Amor" by Rosalia, "Aqui En Mi Nube" by Sonia, "Molino Al Viento" by Los Stop, "Prima O Poi" by Silvana Velsasco, "No Se Por Que" by Massiel, "La Verdad" by Soledad Miranda, "Pon Un Anillo En Mi Dedo" by Las Chic, and "Voy A Pintar Los Paredes Con Tu Nombre" by Los Mismos. (Rock, Latin) CD

Amazing sounds from Peru – the kind of really mindblowing music that will grab your ears, no matter where you're from – and really knock you over with a weird and wonderful blend of styles! The rhythms definitely have some of the cumbia promised in the title, most of these numbers are electrified, and touched with plenty of influence from 60s instrumental and psychedelic rock – a special blend cooked up down in Peru, and originally issued on labels like Dimsa and Infopesa – beautifully collected here in a stunning set of tracks that are presented with richly detailed notes on the music! Many numbers are instrumental, but some are vocal too – and the package has a hefty 34 tracks in all, with titles that include "Mi Choza, Mi Chacra Y Mi Mujer" by Manzanita, "Boogaloo Del Perro" by Los Destellos, "Baila Flaquita Baila" by Los Ecos, "Illimana" by Los 5 Palomiullas, "Recordando A Fachin" by Juaneco Y Su Combo, "Sin Exito" by Grupo Celeste, "Selva, Selva" by Juanaco Y Su Combo, "Colegiala" by Los Ilusionistas, "El Panadero" by Los Beta 5, and "Peti Pan" by Los Demonios Del Mantaro. (Global Grooves, Latin) CD

A smoking third volume in this mighty look at the Peruvian cumbia scene of the 70s – music that often shares the same blend of guitar, percussion, and keyboards that makes some of the chica grooves from that time so great! The music here maybe owes a bit more to Latin sounds from up north, but the overall execution is very strongly in the modes put forth by Peruvian labels and producers at the time – often with great use of echo, especially in the guitar lines and keyboards – which make things sound very different than anything coming from Colombia or New York at the time! Yet there's also plenty of salsa elements at play here, too – the kind of percussive interplay that might be driving a Cuban or Puerto Rican combo – but nicely different in this setting too. Titles include "Chola Ingrata" by Los Ecos, "Manzana Verde" by Los Tantos, "El Saltamontes" by Silvestre Montez Y Sus Guantanameros, "La Manzanita" by Los Gitanos, "Descarga Oriental" by Los Orientales De Paramonga, "Larga Espera" by Los Sanders De Nana, "Lamento Moyobambino" by Sonido Verde De Moyobamba, and "La Narajadita" by Grupo Siglo XX. (Global Grooves, Latin) CD

A smoking set from Eddie Lebron – a singer and pianist who worked with a variety of other groups, but who really shines here on this rare date up front in the spotlight! The set was one of a handful issued on the tiny Ghetto label, and features production from Joe Bataan – and a nicely gritty vibe that really lives up to the cover image – the best spirit of the Latin Soul generation, sliding into the New York 70s salsa years – with raw instrumentation throughout, and a vibe that may well beat the best on Fania Records at the time! The group features alto and tenor sax, both of which upscore the soulful quality of the grooves – and titles include the great "Eddie's Guaguanco", plus "Fui Sincero", "Yo Te Lo Dedico", "Rico Son", and "Pena". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the tightest funky 70s jamming ever – a lost gem from Ray & His Musical Court, a group that perfectly fuses JB/Horny Horns funk with beat-heavy Afro-Cuban groove! Ray and the group are one of the more obscure funky combos of the era, and it's a damn shame, because the group's tight-as-can-be amalgam of JB's style horn riffing and thumping Afro-Cuban percussion is some of the absolute best of its kind. This group seriously smokes any of the current funk bands on the road! On these sessions Ray wrote, produced, played "organ flute" and provided some vocals in a large group that includes three trumpets, bass clarinet, sax, two drummers, congas, electric bass, and a line of mostly Spanish vocalists. Amazing 70s super funk with a very proud Latin edge – and featuring tracks that include "Sunny", "Soul Freedom", "Cookie Crumbs", "De Eso Nada Monada", "Lo Sabia", "Venimos Acabando", "La Pena", and "La Senorita Lola". (Soul, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty sweet Latin jazz session from Mongo – recorded with the same electric groove as his 70s recordings on Vaya, plus touches of a more classic Latin jazz sound that are very nice! The group's very nice – and there's some excellent reed work by Sam Furnace and Tony Hinson, which gives the record a sharp edge and a off-beat tone that really keeps the tracks interesting. Marty Sheller did some of the arrangements – and titles include "Power Struggle", "Con Hache", "Zimbabwe", "Espiritu Libre", and "Manana Wilson". CD