Some of Ricardo Ray's earliest work – recorded in New York in the mid 60s, after Ray had "arrived" from the Puerto Rico scene! The set's actually got a groove that points the way towards the famous Ray sound of years to come – a style that has traces of older mambo modes, but which also extends out in a bold, proud, pre-salsa style with plenty of great lead vocals from Bobby Cruz. There's some great descarga elements in the mix too – tight rhythms with loads of jazzy instrumentation that really makes the record cook. Highlights include the jazzy "El Mulatu", the slamming descarga "Viva Richie Ray", the "monkey twist" "Brother Ray", and the shing-a-ling number "Mambo Jazz"! LP, Vinyl record album

A legendary record from one of the most unique Latin groups of their time! In an early 70s world where many Latin combos were going for class and poise, the Ghetto Brothers moved in another direction entirely – working here with a fair bit of electric guitar alongside more familiar Latin rhythms – all to push along some wonderfully soulful vocals! The record's got a very different feel than most east coast Latin work of the time – one that's a bit like some of the Chicano soul of the west coast, but not nearly as smooth, and with a definite nod towards both funk and singer/songwriter work of the mainstream! The guitar's really upfront in the mix – riffing off at the start of most tracks – and the vocals have a slightly sweet quality, supported by harmonies from the rest of the group at times – making for a wicked blend of modes that's extremely compelling. A record that's as filled with soul and feeling as it is with hard-edge groovers – featuring titles that include "You Say You Are My Friend", "Ghetto Brothers Power", "I Saw A Tear", "Girl From The Mountain", "There Is Something In My Hearth", "Got This Happy Feeling", and "Viva Puerto Rico Libre". LP, Vinyl record album

Brilliant work from Pucho and his legendary Soul Brothers group of the 60s – a record that's beyond definition – as it combines Latin, soul, jazz, and even a few funky touches – all into one totally amazing sound! This one really gets all the elements right – and the fantastic Pazant Brothers (Eddie & Al) are on sax and trumpet (respectively), and a young Neal Creque is on piano, really bringing a sharp edge to Pucho's groove that other Latin combos of the time never had – and the set also features some vocals by Jackie Soul on a few cuts, who's a great singer that really helps cross a few cuts over into Latin Soul territory. Titles include the soul jazz cuts "Heat" and "Psychedelic Pucho", plus other great Latin soul cuts, like "Payin' Dues" and "Candied Yam". LP, Vinyl record album

Great stuff from Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers – still grooving hard in the early 70s, with a nice mixture of Latin funk and sweet 70s jazz grooving. The group's as strong as ever – and still features the amazing Pazant Brothers, as well as William Blivins on vibes, Harold Alexander on flute, and Leo Williams on guitar. The best cuts have an uptempo groove that's right in the NuYorica vein – but even the mellower cuts have a strong dose of jazz and soul, very much in the vein of groups like Ocho. Features a version of Neal Creque's "Cease the Bombing", Kenny Burrell's "Chitterlings Con Carne", and a nice mellow version of Coltrane's "Naima". Also includes the great originals "Inside The Corn" and "Hard Hats"! LP, Vinyl record album

Pucho and the gang hit the seventies, and lay down some hard Latin funk in a very blacksploitation mode! The centerpiece of the album is a 15 minute medley of three tunes from Superfly – "Superfly", "Pusherman", and "Freddie's Dead" – all sewn together with a soulful electric groove that's a nice extension from the band's earlier style on Prestige. The Pazant Brothers are still in full force on the horns, and the album features other great work on electric piano, congas, flute, electric guitar, and vibes. The track "S'cusa S'cuas (Why)" features vocals by Marilyn Johnson – and other nice ones include "Judy's Moods", "One More Day", and "Oak Hursts Art". LP, Vinyl record album

Killer Latin soul from Pucho and crew – and an album that's one of their greatest! The record is also one of the earliest by the group, and it features a different lineup than later ones – with William Bivens on vibes, Claude Bartee on tenor, and Vince McEwan on trumpet. There's a bit more of a pop Latin influence here than on some of the funk outings – but the jazz component is equally high, and even numbers like "Goldfinger" and "Walk On By" come off sounding nice and groovy! The real strength, though, is the original material – which includes the tracks "Vietnam Mambo", "Strange Thing Mambo", and "Just For Kicks", all pretty nice groovers. The album also features a good version of Herbie Hancock's "Cataloupe Island", which is always a treat! LP, Vinyl record album

2 excellent funky instrumentals – both of Chicano origin, if we figure right from the title! "Cholo" is a slow funky tune with searing sax and organ over the top – conga beats sneaking in from time to time, but most of the groove laid down by bass. There's a bit of mad Spanish rapping from time to time – and the track has a nice mod groove! "Poquito" has stronger congas and more chants – with a very catchy groove, and a voice that goes "heeeey Chicano!" (Funky 45's, Latin) 7-inch, Vinyl record

A legendary record from one of the most unique Latin groups of their time! In an early 70s world where many Latin combos were going for class and poise, the Ghetto Brothers moved in another direction entirely – working here with a fair bit of electric guitar alongside more familiar Latin rhythms – all to push along some wonderfully soulful vocals! The record's got a very different feel than most east coast Latin work of the time – one that's a bit like some of the Chicano soul of the west coast, but not nearly as smooth, and with a definite nod towards both funk and singer/songwriter work of the mainstream! The guitar's really upfront in the mix – riffing off at the start of most tracks – and the vocals have a slightly sweet quality, supported by harmonies from the rest of the group at times – making for a wicked blend of modes that's extremely compelling. A record that's as filled with soul and feeling as it is with hard-edge groovers – featuring titles that include "You Say You Are My Friend", "Ghetto Brothers Power", "I Saw A Tear", "Girl From The Mountain", "There Is Something In My Hearth", "Got This Happy Feeling", and "Viva Puerto Rico Libre". CD

A legendary record from one of the most unique Latin groups of their time! In an early 70s world where many Latin combos were going for class and poise, the Ghetto Brothers moved in another direction entirely – working here with a fair bit of electric guitar alongside more familiar Latin rhythms – all to push along some wonderfully soulful vocals! The record's got a very different feel than most east coast Latin work of the time – one that's a bit like some of the Chicano soul of the west coast, but not nearly as smooth, and with a definite nod towards both funk and singer/songwriter work of the mainstream! The guitar's really upfront in the mix – riffing off at the start of most tracks – and the vocals have a slightly sweet quality, supported by harmonies from the rest of the group at times – making for a wicked blend of modes that's extremely compelling. A record that's as filled with soul and feeling as it is with hard-edge groovers – featuring titles that include "You Say You Are My Friend", "Ghetto Brothers Power", "I Saw A Tear", "Girl From The Mountain", "There Is Something In My Hearth", "Got This Happy Feeling", and "Viva Puerto Rico Libre". This great deluxe edition from Truth & Soul comes inside a beautifully done, 80-page booklet – full of rare photos of the band in action and behind-the-scenes – plus richly detailed notes. CD

One of the greatest albums by this funky Latin combo! The record differs from some of their earlier Prestige albums in that the tracks are longer, more instrumental, and have a hard fuzzy electric groove. The band jams hard in a way that's more like some of the funk combos of the early 70s, than the Latin groups from which they came – and that's no problem by us, because the results are wonderful! Includes two funky numbers written by Sonny Phillips – "The Spokerman" and "Jamilah" – plus a great extended cover of "Cloud Nine". Great horn work from the funky Pazant Brothers, plus Seldon Powell, who also plays flute and tenor on the album – and other jazz funk stars on the album include Bernard Purdie, Billy Butler, and Neal Creque, Pucho's right hand man! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most soulful albums ever recorded by Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers – a set that really shows the changing sound of Latin music in the late 60s – with some fresh vocals added to the group by Jackie Soul! Jackie only sings on a few cuts, but really brings in a raw Spanish Harlem vibe – one that gives the set a bit more of a Fania/Cotique sort of groove than usual – even when the group are leaping ahead on tight instrumentals – tunes that really sparkle with piano from Neal Creque, vibes from Willy Bivens, and tenor sax from Claude Bartee! Vocal gems include "Shuckin & Jivin", "CC Rider", and "You Are My Sunshine" – instrumental tracks include "Return To Me", "Swing Thing", "Maiden Voyage", and "How Insensitive". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost funky treasure – never issued before! For those not in the know, The Pazant Brothers (Ed & Al) were a duo of funky hornmen that first came to fame working with Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers – and then moved onto cut some great funky records of their own in the 70s. The pair formed a very tight group that had a killer funky sound – one that we'd easily rank right up there with the JBs and The Meters for hard, raw, power – but sadly, they only ever recorded one full album and a handful of singles – which is why this previously unissued concert is even more of an important treat! We have no idea what the folks at MOMA were thinking when they invited the Pazants down to get their groove in gear – but whatever the case, this CD is totally great! Forget the silly cover – which is way too cold and modern to get at the heart of the grooves – and forget the location too, because the tracks on the set sound like they were cut at some smoky club in Harlem, not in the colder midtown setting of MOMA. The whole thing's totally great – a massive batch of instrumental funk that leaves us to wonder why the heck this thing was never issued at the time. Titles include "Groovin", "Skunk Juice", "P Soul", "Fly Vines", "Work Song", "Momma Momma", "We Got More Soul", "Clabber Biscuits", and "Greasy Greens". Totally great! (Soul, Latin) CD

One of Pucho's mid 90s comeback albums – not a bad set of grooves overall, with a number of tracks that almost reach the strength of his earlier work. A few of these numbers fall a bit flat, but overall, things are pretty good – and the Pazant Brothers have returned to working with Pucho, so the set's got some great work in the horn department! Includes covers of "Sex Machine", "Trouble Man", "Milestones", and "Slippin Into Darkness" – plus the cust "Guaguanco", "Pucho's Descarga II", "Zebula", and "Rip A Dip". CD

Well, in our opinion, Cal went Latin right from the start, practically. Still, this "Goes Latin" LP is one of his best of the genre from the old days, and features a host of great players like Lonnie Hewitt, Chombo Silva, Mongo Santamaria, Paul Horn, and Willie Bobo. The album includes Cal's semi-hit "Black Orchid", plus "Mi China", "Bonita", "Contigo", and "Mambo At The M". Very nice, with a sound that would become Cal's trademark in the years right after this album. Cal Tjader Quintet is a great little Latin session from Cal – recorded with extra percussion from Benny Velarde and Luis Miranda, plus rhythm from the Duran brothers, Manuel (piano) and Carlos (bass). The groove's nice and heavy, pretty driving on most cuts, a perfect foil for Cal's jazzy vibes. Titles include "A Minor Goof", "Laura", "Lullaby In Birdland", "Undecided", and Cal's classic reading of Tito Puente's "Philadelphia Mambo". (Jazz, Latin) CD

Wicked funky fusion from Opa – a Brazilian-inspired set, and one with loads of great electric moments! Although originally from Uruguay, Opa are best known for their Brazilian-tinged albums on the soul/jazz Fantasy records label in Cali during the mid 70s – great placement, given that their sound is a bit like Azymuth – with a similar mix of South American roots and contemporary electric grooves! This album is actually their first – captured in America before their two classics on Fantasy – and featuring a sharp quartet that includes legendary pianist Hugo Fattoruso on keyboards – a great talent who'd already made jazz and bossa records in the 60s – working here with George Osvaldo Fattoruso on drums, percussion, and flute – plus Ringo Thielmann on bass. The core trio is also joined for this record by percussionist Pappo Atiles – and although there's some light vocal touches, they've got that breezy style that was often used in Brazilian jazz at the time – almost more instrumental than vocal. Titles include a great take on Edu Lobo's "Casa Forte" – plus "Back Home (The Inner City)", "Brother Rada", "African Bird", "Goldenwings", "Brooklynville", and "One & One & One Is Two". CD also features the bonus track "I Came To This Country". (Jazz, Latin) CD

One of the best compilations of funky Latin tracks we've ever heard! The set continues in the excellent tradition of the Harmless label – and features 14 Latin stunners with a totally hard groove. The groundwork for the material lies amidst the Latin Soul and NuYorica generations – and most of this stuff is on the Spanish Harlem groove, with a mix of soul, Latin, jazz, and funky styles. Titles include "Kako's Boogaloo" by Kako, "I Want A Chance For Romance" by Hector Rivera, "My Shingaling" by Joey Pastrana, "Creation" by The Latinaires, "Use It Before You Lose It" by Bobby Valentin, "Flight To Cuba" by Fire, "Groovetime" by Monguito Santamaria, "So Fine" by Joe Bataan, "Black Brothers" by Tito Puente, "Broasted Or Fried" by The St Vincent Latinaires, and "Sing A Simple Song" by Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound. (Funky Compilations, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album

Funky Latin grooves from Sheila Escovedo – recorded in the decade before she hooked up with Prince and dropped the "scovedo" from her last name – when she was part of a hip Bay Area scene that also included her brother Pete! The album's got a great blend of funky fusion and Latin styles – served up with a sound that's right up there with the best on Fantasy Records from the time – a really unique fusion of modes that shows just how much trading of styles was going on in that scene during the 70s. Billy Cobham produced, with a definite ear for the percussion in the group – and the rest of the group features Mark Soskin on keyboards, Ray Obiedo on guitar, and some added horns to flesh out the sound nicely. Pete plays timbales, Sheila's on congas, and titles include "Bittersweet", "Clean Air", "Solo Tu", and "Fantasy Junction" – plus a nice version of Milton Nascimento's "Vera Cruz". LP, Vinyl record album

The vaults of Fania Records, plumbed by the Jazzman crew – all in a double-strength approach to Latin grooves! The wealth of great music on Fania, Tico, and related labels is well-known to Latin groovers worldwide – but the Jazzman crew have managed to bring a nicely fresh perspective to the labels here – going for cuts that show the labels' appeal to the funky 45 underground, thanks to a healthy dose of soul, jazz, and funk in the mix! Most of these numbers represent the cream of the crop of the New York scene of the late 60s and early 70s – not the mainstream one, but the side that was bubbling under uptown – as influences from Spanish Harlem mixed in nicely with older influences from Cuba and Puerto Rico. CD features 18 tracks in all – most of the numbers that were previously on the expensive 7" box sets that were part of the Fania/Jazzman project – and the set also features all the original notes on each tune too. Titles include "Doug's Room" by Mauricio Smith, "Come An Get It" by Eddie Palmieri & Cal Tjader, "Soana" by Noro Morales, "Hit The Bongo" by Tito Puente, "Geronimo" by Bobby Valentin, "Fever" by La Lupe, "Soul Drummers" by Ray Barretto, "Black Brothers" by Tito Puente, "Mambomongo" by Mongo Santamaria, "Camel Walk" by The Latinaires, "Tighten Up" by Al Escobar, "I Got The Feeling" by Chollo, "Use It Before You Lose It" by Bobby Valentin, and "Never Learned To Dance" by Harvey Averne. (Funky Compilations, Latin) CD