A set that really gets at the full spectrum of the boogaloo groove – not just the Spanish Harlem sounds of the Latin Soul generation – but also the deeper roots of the style from across the USA! "Boogaloo" is a term that most folks use to refer to that New York uptown fusion of Latin rhythms and soulful vocals – and while the NYC styles were key to its fame, the music also burst forth from lots of points west, too – and came together in a flurry of fast rhythms, jazzy instrumentation, and hard-driving vocals that made for a completely infectious blend! This package is a fantastic testament to that mad musical moment – and is overflowing with a selection of gems that goes way past the obvious – not the Fania Records catalog that usually shows up on other boogaloo releases, but a huge batch of tracks from small labels and indie singles too. Titles include "Skate Boogaloo & Karate Too" by Lee Harris, "Block Party" by Jimmy Castor, "Boogaloo #3" by Roy Lee Johnson, "Do The Boo-Ga-Loo (part 1)" by Tom & Jerroo, "Playing It Cool" by Hector Rivera, "Ready Steady Go" by Prince & Princess, "Bar Kays Boogaloo" by The Bar-Kays, "What I Feel" by Richie & The PS 54 School Yard, "Have Some Boogaloo" by Timmy Thomas, "Bugalu" by Charlie Palmieri, "Boogaloo (part 1)" by The Bob & Earl Band, "Me & You Doing The Boogaloo" by Lou Courtney, "Boogaloo Zoo" by Shirley Butler, "Bugaloo Party" by Harold & Connie, "Boogaloo Investigator" by The Exotics, "Funky Funky Boogalo" by Jimmy Brown, and "Let's Do The Funky Boogaloo (part 1)" by Barry Jones. (Funky Compilations, Latin) CD

One of the most fantastic collections we've ever heard from DJ Amir – a set that may well blow away his classic On/Off Track sets for the depth of its spirit and feeling! Amir's been well-known as a crate digger for many years – and while digging for funk, soul, and hip hop on the New York scene, he's also come across plenty of rare Latin nuggets – not familiar salsa or crossover Latin Soul, but instead some much deeper numbers that show just how much spirit and imagination the music had when it was at its best! Most of the numbers here are from late 60s and 70s vintage – and many have this jazzy energy that goes way past just simple grooves, and which instead features the richer colors and complicated motions of some of Eddie Palmieri's music, especially in the 70s. Titles include the previously unreleased "Salsa (parts 1 & 2)" by Fito Foster – plus "Picadillo" by La Moderna Of New York, "Bomba" by Dax Pacem, "Paranoia" by Wayne Gorbea Y Su Conjunto Salsa, "Rogelio Tiene La Salsa" by Chino Y Su Conjunto Melao, "Yo No Bailo Con Juana" by Cortijo Y Kako, "Vete De Aqui" by Joey Aponte, "Asi Asi Descarga" by Mike Hernandez Y Su Sonora Casino, "Tembelque" by Louie Colon, "El Ritmo Soledad" by Orchestra Soledad, and "El Pulpo" by Joey Pastrana. (Funky Compilations, Latin) CD

A landmark album from Joe Bataan – so great, that it made the entire record company change its name from their original Mericana to the better-known Salsoul – which would later rule the world with a host of disco classics! The record has Joe really bursting out after his seminal Latin Soul work of the late 60s – blending Latin rhythms and American soul into a whole new style of music – one that Joe called "Salsoul", because of it's mixture of salsa and soul – upbeat, funky, and definitely a precursor to the later sound that Salsoul would release with soul and funk groups. The blend is fantastic, a real milestone in the NuYorican scene – and handled perfectly by Joe on every cut! There's some massive Latin funk on here, including the tracks "Latin Strut" and "Aftershower Funk", plus some straighter Latin jazz, like "Sunny Gets Blue Mambo", and a great Latin Soul cut with English vocals called "Johnny". CD features bonus tracks – "Continental Square Dance", "Latin Strut (mono single)", "Peace Friendship Solidarity (mono single)", "Aftershower Funk (mono single)", and "Fin (mono single)". CD