... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

(Now Sound, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album

(78 RPM, Latin) 78 RPM, Vinyl record

Titles include "Guarachita", "Si Me Pudieras Querer", "Los Cinco Sentidos", "Amor Antillano", "Sun Sun Babae", "Mi Bambalaye", "Barin Bareta", and "Rumba A La Vida". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the first international collections to showcase the genius of Francisco Fellove Valdes – a singer and percussionist who first rose up on the scene in Havana in the 50s, but who made an undeniably strong contribution to the Mexican scene of the late 50s and early 60s – with the sort of material showcased in this set! Fellove's got a very unusual style of singing – influenced a bit by scatting in jazz, but also given more of the prouder, louder calls that you'd hear on an Afro Cuban jam session – a great balance with the heavy percussion and jazzy instrumentation used on these tracks, almost all of which were recorded for RCA down in Mexico. The track selection is wonderful, and the notes do a great job of introducing the world to this sometimes-overlooked figure in Latin music – presented here with 21 tracks that include "Mango Mangue", "Baile Mi Rumba", "Te Quiero Corazon", "El Yoyo", "San Jose", "Alejate De Mi", ""Mata Siguaraya", "Baile El Minuet", "Baila Mi Guapacha", and "Guapacheando". CD

One of the most hard-hitting early albums from the legendary Fruko – a set that really lives up to the powerful image on the cover and the title of the record – almost as if Fruko's trying to answer the badass energy of Willie Colon on the New York scene! The record definitely burns as hard as any of Willie's best from the time, but with that earthier groove that Fruko did so well – that quality that made his music from the time such a fresh, powerful new voice that showed the world that Colombia had plenty of great sounds of its own to offer – served up with styles that owned nothing to NYC or PR at all! Vocals are by Joe Arroyo and Wilson Saoko – and titles include "Salsa Na Ma", "Alma Navidena", "Mosaico Matancero", "La Nueva Bamba", "Vamos Pa'L Campo", "Rumba En Navidad", "Tronco Seco", "El Violento", "Nadando", and "Tu Solo Tu". LP, Vinyl record album

A record with a cover that's a lot more hard-hitting than some of the later global efforts from The Latin Brothers – and one with a sound that definitely matches that image too! There's a raw sound here that's right in keeping with the best of Discos Fuentes at the time – music that clearly draws inspiration from the combo of Willie Colon up in New York, but which features backing from Fruko Y Sus Tesos, who have a style that's even more raw – with all sorts of great percussion next to the jazzy piano and soaring trombone lines! Piper Pimienta Diaz handles lead vocals – and titles include "Y Tu Que", "Echa Pa'Lante Camara", "La Perla", "Que No Pare La Rumba", "San Juan De Puerto Rico", "Son Dolores De Cabeza", and "El Picotero". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare early album of Merengue tracks on the Gema, recorded by Joseito Mateo, the self-proclaimed King Of Merengue – with titles that include "El Timacle", "Atacala", "Bailaba", "El Loro", and "Mi Silencio". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Dame Un Cacho", "Tu Regreso", "Walter Winchell Rumba", "Noro In Rumbaland", "Vamos Ya", "La Reina", and "Mambo". LP, Vinyl record album

A contemporary Cuban group, but one who fit easily in the long cultural legacy of Havana – as the combo have a way of taking timeless modes and making them come alive again in all new ways – often really stripping things down to their roots, with an intimate, earthy presentation that you wouldn't even find on classic Cuban records from many years back! In a way, the style here is similar to some of the recent Gilles Peterson/Brownswood Records projects from Havana – really tapping into the overlooked richness that still flows from the city's corners with a group like this – heavy on percussion, working in a variety of rhythms, often with guitar or tres in the mix – and topped with some wonderfully soulful vocals. Titles include "Caridad", "Na Na Saguey", "Devuelvame La Voz", "Rumbarimbula", "Gaston's Rumba", and "Chichiribako". CD

Bold rays of sunlight from Orquesta Akokan – a contemporary group, but one who recorded this set in Havana's legendary Egrem Studios – which is part of the very classic vibe throughout! There's plenty of younger Latin combos that have been serving up old school modes in recent years – but Orquesta Akokan are easily one of the best, and mix in plenty of inspiration from descarga sessions to the album – using their instrumentation with all sorts of fantastic jazzy flourishes on the saxophone and trumpet parts, while percussion, bass, and piano never stop moving in the rock-solid rhythm department! There's a bit of vocals on the set, but much of the energy is instrumental – on titles that include "Guajira Del Mar", "El Inflador", "Mi Conga Es De Akokan", "16 Rayos", "Llegue Con Mi Rumba", and "Fiebre De Mambo". LP, Vinyl record album

A percussion heavy Latin set from the start of the 80s – one that has a very classic Cuban descarga approach to the instrumentation, yet which also sparkles with some more contemporary arrangements as well! Chico Alvarez handles most of the vocals, and plenty of percussion too – but there's also some great players in the mix on other instruments too – including Felix Vega and Chocolate Armanteros on trumpets, Jose Rodriguez on trombone, and Xavier Lynch on some mighty nice soprano sax and baritone – really giving the whole record a nicely jazzy vibe! Yet the percussion persists too, and with a bit of tres from Victor Trias, there's plenty of very rootsy elements to the record too – on titles that include "Chino's Yambu", "Rumba En El Solar", "Con El Ritmo Del Tambo", "El Eden De Los Roncos", "Pineiro", "Esa Brujeira", and "Yo Tengo A Chango". LP, Vinyl record album

Darn nice record by Tito – and one with a soulful 60s feel, hinted at by the "en Harlem" in the title. The record's not really a Latin soul album, but it's got certain groovy 60s elements that are done very very nicely. Includes great Latin versions of "Downtown" and "Jumpin With Symphony Sid", plus the tracks "Mi Trompeta Tropical", "Rumba En El Patio", "Bluesette", and "Carnaval En Harlem". Also features Santos Colon on vocals on a number of tracks. LP, Vinyl record album

The great Joe Quijano was still cutting some killer music in the 80s – as you'll hear on this cooking set with lots of great arrangements from Paquito Pastor! Features flute and baritone from Mario Rivera, and flute and alto from Bobby Nelson – both of whom bring in some nice jazzy currents – on titles that include "Me Hace Falta", "El Muerto Se Fue De Rumba", "Alla En Mi Tierra", and "La Media Vuelta". LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty sweet late 70s salsa set from Chamaco Ramirez – a wonderful singer best remembered for his work in the 60s & 70s for bandleader Tommy Olivencia – and this is the one-and-only solo album to Chamaco's name! Alive & Kicking was released in 1979, and in a bit of sad irony, came out just a few years before Ramirez was killed, but sad history aside, it's a nice little record! Arrangements are by Javier Vazquez – and the group features lots of strong trumpet from Chocolate Armanteros, and tenor from Mario Rivera. Titles include "San Agustin", "Rumba Moderna", "Cuando Manda El Corazon", "Kikiriki", "Respetala", "No Es Vacilon", "Fania" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

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

That's not Santa, as in Santa Claus – but a nickname for Santiago Salas, who works here in a very cool, jazzy mode! The album's got plenty of Latin roots, mixed with hipper 70s touches that include some key electric elements as well – all served up in a sparkling groove that's mighty unique, and which makes the record a real standout on the South American scene of the time! Some tunes are quite funky, with great electric piano lines over the rhythms – while others have more of a warmly glowing groove, one that seems to borrow a bit from Brazilian jazz of the time – yet make things into a style that's all its own. Some of these numbers have a bit of vocals, but the instrumental interplay of the album is much stronger overall – especially the Fender Rhodes lines that make the album well worth owning for any fan of 70s electric funk! Titles include "El Salero", "Colores", "Murumba", "La Muneca", "Niebla", "Pajaros En El Jardin", and "Triangulo Espanol". (Jazz, Latin) CD