A really rare slice of work from the great Bobby Pauneto – easily one of our favorite artists on the New York Latin scene of the 60s! Bobby's best known for a rare album on the Mardi Gras label in the late 60s, and two groundbreaking 70s albums of Latin jazz – and the material here predates both of those, as it features early sessions done in relative obscurity for the Seeco label – but already showing Pauneto as one of the most unique talents of his time! Bobby uses vibes on most tracks, and has this way with downturning grooves that creates a balance of melancholy and joy – mixing with plenty of percussion and piano ringing out next to the vocals – maybe carrying the torch forward a bit from the earlier work of Bobby Montez! The set features eight tracks that Paunetto recorded for Seeco in 1965 – including "Mi Paso", "Guajira Dulce", "Algo Para OM", "Aguantando", and "Olvidado" – plus related tracks from the time, including "Pauneto's Point" by Cal Tjader, "Mambo Of The Times" by Joe Cuba, and "La Culpa La Tiene El Gallo" by Joe Cotto. LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal early work from the legendary Joe Cuba – highly percussive Latin tracks, served up in a small combo mode that really helped pave the way for the Latin Soul generation! Joe's shaking off most of Latin tradition here – going for a tightly focused sound that features plenty of timbales and congas, and which also introduces a bit of English language to their repertoire – thanks to vocals by Jimmy Sabater on the track "To Be With You". Cheo Feliciano sings on a few other numbers, but a number of tracks are really cooking instrumentals! Titles include the great "Wabble Cha", plus "Oriente", "Callejero", "Salsa Y Bembe", "Cachondea", and "To Be With You", a big early hit for the group. LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A mixture of French and English tunes, all with a slightly sexy vibe – set to arrangements by Nick Perito! LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Que Linda", "Canonazo", "En El Bajio", "Este Cha Cha Cha", "Mi Redencion", "Cuartito 22", "Las Muchachas", and "Por Que Te Empenas En Decir". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

Great postwar material from his years recording for Seeco – with titles that include "Mambo Infierno", "Chango Ta Beni", "Te He Venido A Buscar", "Escucha Mi Canto", "Zambia", "Novio Mio", and "Consternacion". CD

Lots of upbeat mambo tracks – and titles include "Cha Cha Charinette", "Bananas", "El Jamaiquino", "Feedin The Chickens", "Dragnet", "Mamboscope", and "Sentimental Mambo". LP, Vinyl record album

A collection of hit singles by Celia, most with backing by La Sonora Matancera – her most frequent collaborators back in the early days. Titles include "Poco A Poco", "Chango Ta Viene", "Bajo La Lune", "Que Voy Hacer", and "Lost Ritmos Cambian". CD

... CD

Fantastic work from the 50s New York scene – and a legendary set that offers up its own interpretation of Santerian rhythms! The groove on the set is very percussion-heavy – and done with that rich sort of vibe you might get on some of the classic Sabu Martinez records – or maybe even some of the percussion projects that were handled by jazz labels of the time – although with a definite rootsy feel, too – as all instrumentation is focused on the rhythms. There's vocals on the set – which give it a slightly spiritual sort of energy – alongside the heavy work on maracas, bongos, claves, cow bell, and an assortment of other percussion instruments. Titles include "Obanlaese", "A Bailar Oriza", "Africa", "Laye, Laye", "Nueva Oriza", and "Malambo". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record