Jerry Gonzalez on trumpet, flugelhorn and congas, Javier Masso "Caramelo" on piano, Kiki Ferrer on drums, Alberto "Chele" Cobo on claves, and Alain Perez on bass. (Jazz, Latin) CD

Features Jerry Gonzalez on trumpet, Nino Josele on flamenco guitar, Israel Sandoval on electric guitar, and Isreal Suarez "Pirana" on cajon, and the whole group on hand claps and vocals. (Jazz, Latin) CD

Features Jerry Gonzalez on trumpet and congas, John Stubblefield on tenor, Joe Ford on alto and soprano sax, Larry Willis on piano, Andy Gonzalez on bass, and Steve Berrios on drums, bells and percussion. (Jazz, Latin) CD

Trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez cooks away nicely with his Fort Apache band – swinging in that hip mix of Latin and jazz that's always made the combo so great! This sweet set was recorded live, which gives the band lots of long, open-ended tunes on which to really open up and do their thing – rhythms cooked up beautifully by the trio of Larry Willis on piano, Andy Gonzalez on bass, and Steve Berrios on drums and percussion – topped with magnificent hork work from Jerry on trumpet, John Stubblefield on tenor, and Joe Ford on alto and soprano sax. The live setting gives the production a really classic no-nonsense feel – and titles include "Isabel The Liberator", "Today's Nights", "Elegua", "Ugly Beauty", and "Verdad Amarga". (Jazz, Latin) CD

An 80s classic from one of the hippest Latin jazz ensembles of its time – the wonderful Fort Apache band of trumpeter/percussionist Jerry Gonzalez! As with other albums from the group, the key strength here is Jerry's choice of compadres – a great lineup of jazzmen who understand both Latin rhythms and more open, expressive soloing – which really allows them to stretch way way past any sort of obvious cliches for their genre. Some of the tunes get quite modern at points – and players include John Stubblfield on tenor, Angel Papo Vasquez on trombone, Larry Willis on piano, Edgardo Miranda on guitar, and Steve Berrios, Nicky Marrero, and Milton Cardona on percussion. Titles include "Nefertiti", "Eighty One", "Siempre Junto A Ti", "Evidence", and "Jackie-ing". (Jazz, Latin) CD

Trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez doing what he's always done best – effortlessly bridging the worlds of jazz and Latin – with long tracks that rely more on the the strengths of the soloists than the rhythms to keep them moving along – even though the rhythms of the tunes are pretty darn great overall too! Jerry blows both trumpet and flugelhorn – and the set features superb tenor from John Stubblefield – plus more great work from Joe Ford on alto and soprano, and Larry Willis on piano – all given rock-solid support from Andy Gonzalez on bass and Steve Berrios on drums, marimba, and percussion. Jerry plays a bit of congas at points – and titles include "So Near So Far", "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing", "Midnight Train", "Give It Some Thought", "Jungle Plum", and "Dance Cadaverous". (Jazz, Latin) CD

The river is deep and the sound is wide – as the set features wonderful work from the Fort Apache Band of trumpeter/percussionist Jerry Gonzalez – recorded at a point when the group was really starting to cook! The music has its roots in Afro-Cuban styles, but stretches out with plenty of jazz as well – thanks to work from a lineup that includes both Steve Turre and Papo Vasquez on trombones, plus Wilfredo Velez on alto sax – all players who have a bold force in the lead, then soar of on great solos of their own! There's plenty of percussion on the group – played by Gonzalez with five other group members – and the set also features Jorge Dalto on piano and Andy Gonzalez on bass. Titles include "Elegua", "Bebop", "Rio Esta Hondo", "Parisian Thoroughfare", and "Guiro Apache". (Jazz, Latin) CD

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A contemporary legend in Latin music – one that was done in collaboration with the film of the same name – organized by Ry Cooder, directed by Wim Wenders, and put forth as a reminder to America that Cuban culture was still going strong, even decades after we turned our backs on the nation! The "social club" in the title is well-put – as there's a relaxed, easygoing approach to the music here – warmly collaborative efforts from some of the greats of the scene in Havana – many of whom were able to enjoy renewed global attention, thanks to the efforts of the record and film. The lineup features Ruben Gonzalez on piano, Eliades Ochoa on guitar, Cachaito on bass, and Guajiro on trumpet – plus famous vocal contributions from Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo. Titles include "Chan Chan", "Dos Gardenias", "El Carretero", "Candela", "Viente Anos", "El Cuarto De Tula", "De Camino A La Vereda", "Murmullo", and "Orgullecida". 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

Orchestra Harlow's answer to the Who's Tommy – Hommy, a Latin Opera, and one of the few concept albums we know from the New York Latin scene of the time! The tracks are fairly short, and they're separated by short "interludes" throughout the album that feature some cool spoken bits that trace the story of the record, but which also have the humorous touches of some of the older Alegre All Stars albums from the 60s. And although Orchestra Harlow borrow the name of the Who's album, the work here is all original – not covers – two long "acts", spread out over the sides of the record with a sophisticated approach that shows the Harlow group moving into much deeper territory at the time. Lead vocals are by Junior Gonzalez, and you'll also hear Adalberto Santiago, Cheo Feliciano, Justo Betancourt, and Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. Tracks include "Gracia Divina", "Mantecadito", "El Doctor Y La Razon", "Es Un Varon", "El Dia De Navidad", and "Soy Sensacional". CD

The legendary Omara Portuondo is one of those Cuban music greats from years back – and one of a handful who were finally given some larger exposure to the American market during the Buena Vista Social Club project of the late 90s! It's not as if Omara had stopped performing – but because of the embargo on Cuban goods in the US for decades, which also led to an embargo on culture as well, Portuondo hadn't seen a standard release on our shores for many years – something that's nicely corrected by this set, which has Omara stepping away from the larger Buena Vista ensemble, and working in a nicely intimate mode, with work from Ruben Gonzalez on piano, Guajiro Mirabal on trumpet, and Cachaito on bass. Titles include "No Me Vayas A Enganar", "Ella Y Yo", "Canta Lo Sentimental", "Donde Estabas Tu", "La Sitiera", "He Perdido Contigo", and "El Hombre Que Y Ame". CD

Features Steve Berrios on timbales, Ignacio Berroa on drums, Andy Gonzalez on bass, Tito Puente on vibes and timbales, David Sanchez on tenor, Steve Turre on trombone, and Carlos Patato Valdes on congas. (Jazz, Latin) CD