pepanito

Roberto Torres

2008-05-25T22:33:00.034+02:00

Siempre Sonando (2000)
Long time to post! Sorry, I've been away quite often those days but always listening to good salsa dura. I discovered some very good blogs about salsa and Latin Jazz (see "COOL LINKS!"). Now I would like to share with you another SAR release with Roberto Torres and his boys. As always it's SAR and can be trusted with eyes closed. One of the best Roberto Torres projects in years, this son-guaracha-salsa number has drive, swing, and sabor to spare. Mister Torres' vocal ability seems to strengthen over time, and this release provides the kind of arrangements that wonderfully augment his style. The multi-faceted Jesus "Niño" Alejandro penned most of the cuts here, as well as contributed his talents via the piano, bass, tres, and flute. Please don't pass away and take some time to listen to this, you won't regret it...

Enjoy!

Track listings:
Si No Me Quieres
No Aprietes Tanto
Que Lindo El Punto Cubano
El Tiburon
Desde Oriente Al Occidente
Monte Tiene Garabato
Te Estoy Invitando
Avisale A Mi Guajira

Musicians:
Jesus "Niño" Alejandro Areglos, piano, bajo, tres, flauta, coro, y productor musical
Edwin Bonilla Tumbadora, bongo, timbales, maracas, clave, guiro
Kiko Osorio Coro
Cheo Quinones Coro
Roberto Torres Sonero y coro
Eduardo Sanches Trompeta
Lazaro Leyva Bajo
Wilmo Rivera Bajo

La Candela (y Pepanito) en vivo!

2008-04-17T18:54:00.021+02:00

Hey folks, time for me to play the music I love!

If you are around in Paris Saturday April 26th 9PM, please join us at le "Théatre de Verre" 5, Impasse Bonne Nouvelle, Paris 10e.

Composed by 14 musicians (including el famoso Carlos Esposito Kutimba, bascally our boss!) playing salsa music from New York to Puerto Rico passing by el Malecon de la Havana, "La Candela Siempre" is a musical journey through salsa dura and big names like Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Willie Rosario, Ismael Miranda, El Gran Combo, Dimension Latina...Formed in the latin jazz/salsa school "Abanico" in Paris, the flame of "La Candela Siempre" is burning since 4 years for the pleasure of bailadores and salsa lovers!

More info at: http://lacandela.free.fr

See you there!

Tony Pabón

2008-04-05T11:18:00.052+02:00

Sal y Pimienta & Capitan
I have had a very kind comment later this week from one of Tony Pabón's daughter on this post and it made me feel like sharing with you a little more of this great artist's discography! Here are 2 albums, Sal y Pimienta (1975) and Capitan (1974) featuring great singers Sandy Ceron and Nestor Sanchez. This is Salsa I love with a lot of energy and fabulous grooves. Do not miss that ;-)

Enjoy!

About Tony Pabón:
Trumpeter, composer, bandleader, singer, TV host & Latin music distributor Tony Pabón born Santurce, Puerto Rico. He is probably the true originator of the Boogaloo sound, writing Pete's Boogaloo for Pete Rodriguez in early 1966 - commonly cited as the first boogaloo track to get radio airplay.

“Popular Latin bands found themselves creating a musical common ground by introducing the trappings of Black American culture into their performances and thus getting the Black audiences involved and onto the dance floor....Latin boogaloo music in general was intended to constitute this meeting place between Puerto Ricans and Blacks and by extension, between Latin music and the music culture of the United States” (Juan Flores).

Despite having commercial success with his many compositions (some co-compositions) in the boogaloo filed (inc. Michaela, I Like it Like That, Oh That’s Nice, Guagaloo) he left Pete Rodriguez’s band after a fall out and very soon after formed his own band, Tony Pabon y su Estrellas, who released a self titled album in 1970 on Alegre, which featured his preferred singer Nestor Sanchez:

“ Without a doubt the most versatile vocalist that I have ever known. Nestor can deliver a balad in Spanish or English without the slightest trace of an accent in either. He can swing to typical Latin tunes, and for the same token burn a rock tune, need I say more?” (sleeve notes - Tony Pabon introducing his All Stars).

The core of this band went on to become La Protesta, who went on to record five, extremely fine, albums, also with Nestor Sanchez on vocals: La Protesta (1971), Free (1971), On The Right Track (1972), Introducing Nestor Sanchez (1973) & El Capitan (1974).

Linda Leida

2008-03-29T22:16:00.012+01:00

Con Sabor A Montuno (Released in 1991)
Here is another fine release from great label la SAR featuring Linda Leida...this is traditional Son Muntuno which always conforms with this label policy: plenty of spaces for improvisation and amazing solos as always.

One of those rarities in salsa, a woman singer, Linda Leida began her solo career in the mid-'70s and recorded with great latin artists like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Javier Vasquez and many others. She was unfortunately murdered in the late 1980s...

Enjoy!

Tack listings:
1. La Alegria Del Montuno
2. A Comer Chicharron
3. Anita
4. El Guaguanco Y El Son
5. Oye Como Suena
6. Ay! Que Tiene El

Willie Salcedo

2008-02-16T21:10:00.018+01:00

Willy "Salsero" si te deja el tren (1982)
Hey folks, stop here and put your ears onto this LP! Amazing salsa dura de Columbia...don't pay attention to the "cheapy" cover ;-) beleive me this is dynamite for balaidores and salsa dura lovers. The orchestration is just enormous, strong horn section, as well as a tuff rythm section and coros/pregones, in the spirit of the good old time salsa. Anyone have any infos about this guy? Will be much appreciated.

PS: I found this great post on salsadescarga, thanks to you ferocam.

Enjoy!

Track listings:
01. El colao
02. Si te volviera a ver
03. Aunque se vista de seda
04. Arrollando
05. Si te deja el tren
06. Sonerito
07. Pena de amor
08. Lola

Musicians:
Trompetas: Adolfo castro, Carlos arnedo, Edward helbein.
trombon: "yayita" gomez, Armando quintero.
Flauta: "Tico" arnedo.
Piano "Alfredito" Linares, "Joe" madrid, Jorge Guarin.
Bajo: denis Lopez.
Congas: Willy salcedo.
Bongo: Augusto Villanueva.
Timbales: Wilson Viveros.
Percusion: Mauricio Daltaire.
Coros: "Chiqui" tamayo, Gabriel rondon, mauricio daltaire, Hectro viveros.

Louie Romero Y Su Grupo Mazacote

2008-01-22T19:15:00.000+01:00

Timbalero (2006)
Long time no post of Latin Jazz!...here you go with Louie Romero and his Mazacote band. Louie Romero is a hard driving timbalero who has fueled the bands of Willie Colon and others in his hometown of New York City in the 70's. It's a real pleasure for me to see that some legends like him are still active and keep on playing wonderful Latin music with today's sound.

By the way, please check out this YouTube video where you'll see young Louie Romero playing his timbales with Willie Colón and the unforgetable Hector Lavoe, what a groove and energy!

In the San Francisco Bay Area, he has led Grupo Mazacote, the popular Salsa and Latin Jazz Ensemble since 1995 and developed it into one of the top bands in Northern California playing hardcore East Coast Salsa.

Latin Jazz lovers will appreciate the Paul Lyons pieces "Sky Blue" and "Como Se Llama." "Sky Blue" stands out with exceptional solos by trumpeter Steffen Kuehn, trombonist Derek James, baritone saxophonist Peter Cornell and pianist Peter Meredith. Percusison lovers will not be in rest with some powerful timbales solos performed by senor Romero.

Enjoy!

Track listings:
1. Timbalero
2. Si Tu No La Otra
3. Lous Afro Cuban Blues
4. Radio Tinguaro
5. One For Louie
6. Yembere
7. Sky Blue
8. Como Se Llama

Percussion legend Louie Romero has appeared on five gold records and two platinum records. Born in Brooklyn, he began playing percussion at the age of seven, inspired by his father Juan. Louie began appearing on the New York salsa scene in the 1960s. In 1967, famous trombonist and bandleader Willie Colón asked Louie to join his band after seeing him perform at New York's Broadway Casino.

During those 10 years, Louie played with the best musicians from salsa's famed Fania record label, including Hector Lavoe and Ruben Blades. When Colón's band broke up in 1977, Louie continued to record with other Fania groups, eventually recording over 20 albums for the label. He then expanded into folkloric music and latin jazz, playing with greats like Paquito D'Rivera.

Louie moved to California in 1984, seeking a change of pace. In 1994, he formed Mazacote, which quickly gained a reputation as one of San Francisco's finest salsa bands.
More infos here.

Willie Rosario

2008-01-20T12:25:00.000+01:00

Hey folks, here I'am again, Happy New Year and thanks all for your visits and comments on this blog! I 'd like to start this year with a great arranger, band leader, percussionist and timbalero, el senor Willie Rosario de Puerto Rico!

I'am my self a timbales player in a Paris Salsa band called "La Candela" and we are actually playing few tunes of Willie Rosario with a lot of pleasure. I have a lot of respect for this guy that always keeps his orchestra grooving with a fantastic way of arranging and keeping the beat whatever comes up, in a simply way. He's often called "the master of rhythm and swing".

Rosario adds baritone saxophone to his four-trumpet front line which makes his sound very unique.

Here are 4 albums that I could listen to every day, it's pura Salsa that should not keep you seated on your chair. Bailadores, this is Puertorican dynamite and this is for you ;-)

Enjoy!

Tres con cache (1993)

The roaring fifties (1991)

Gracias mundo (1977)

La historia...mis existos (2007)

Fernando Luis Rosario Marin was born in Coamo, Puerto Rico on 6 May 1930, studied guitar bass, and saxophone at the insistence of his mother. He moved with his family to New York in a Manhattan ghetto known as Spanish Harlem when he was 16 years old, where he then studied journalism and public relations.

There was a pivotal event in Rosario’s musical career around that time: a Tito Puente performance at the famous Palladium in New York, where he was mesmerized by Puente’s artistry and felt compelled to study percussion. This was the beginning of his love affair with timbales.

Rosario’s professional career in salsa music started with tres artist, Luis ‘Lija’ Ortiz, who recorded with Panchito Riset. Rosario went on to work with various bands, including Noro Morales before joining Johnny Segui’s Conjunto in 1953. When Segui moved to Puerto Rico in 1958, Rosario set to work to organize his own band. He visited Tito Rodriguez who gave him helpful advice, as well as Tito Puente. They also provided Rosario with music charts. The band’s first club date was at the Broadway Casino at 137th Street and Broadway.

In 1968, Rosario added baritone saxophone to his four-trumpet front line and has retained this combination until the present day which makes his sound very unique.

Many Rosario's albums includs vocalists Gilberto Santa Rosa and Tony Vega, stars in their own right.

More about Willie Rosario here.

Charanga La Tapa

2007-12-28T12:49:00.000+01:00

It's long time since I did not share with you one of my favorite latin music style, Charanga...Here is a little beauty I found along the way on the web (from la SAR again!) and it sounds that this is the only one LP this orchestra recorded in the 80's.

It's traditional Charangas with flutes, violins and impressive solos that should keep you grooving till the last track I hope. Every tune is 8 minutes long or even more and particularly outstanding is the blistering rendition of Eddie Palmieri's "Vamonos Pa'l Monte" (listen to preview), featuring keynote solo from El Pulpo (the squid!) and timbalero Charlie Santiago, hummmm...

Enjoy!

The crew:
Gilberto Colon: Piano
Bobby Rodriguez: Bajo
Rodolfo Gonzalez: Flauta
Feliz Farrar: Violin
Carl Ector: Violin
Charlie Santiago: Timbales
Danny Gonzalez: Conga
Mike Martinez: Guiro
Charlie Rodriguez: Tres
Hector Alomar: Vocals
Pupi Torres: Vocals

Track listings:
1. Papa Montero
2. Oriente
3. Vamonos Pa'l Monte
4. El Platanal de bartolo
5. Presente y Pasado
6. Macorina

Roberto Torres Y Chocolate

2007-12-27T14:27:00.000+01:00

Juntos (1974)
Folks, could not let you without this superb LP in your hands!
This is Roberto Torres y Chocolate together playing salsa in the good old time...the arrangements are just superbs and young Torres' voice is a real pleasure!

As mentioned is my previous post, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros had literally worked with a who's who of Latin luminaries, ranging from Arsenio Rodríguez, through Beny Moré (his cousin!), to Machito, before turning bandleader in 1974.

Roberto Torres had been round the block with names like Orquesta Broadway, José Fajardo and La Sonora Matancera, and was on a roll following the success of "El Caminante" from his 1973 solo debut El Castigador on Mericana Records when he joined Chocolate and his band on Juntos (1974 on Mericana), Armenteros' second album as a leader.

Enjoy!

Track listings:
El Castigador
Ya Mismo
Dejame Tranquilo
Falsas Palabras
Mulato
El Gordito De Oro
La Tierra Del Sabor
Barco Sin Rumbo
Para Que Aprendas
Un Caminante Con Salsa

Musicians include:
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros Lead Trumpet and Musical Director
Roberto Torres Lead Vocals
Frank Rodríguez Conga and coro
Charlie Santiago Bongo
Oscar Hernández Piano
Alex Cruz and Willie Vázquez Trombones
Richard Fernández Trumpet
José Santiago Bass
Willie García Coro

Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros

2007-12-27T11:21:00.001+01:00

Lo Mejor Vol.1 & Vol.2 (1982)
If you liked the recent posts I did of label la SAR such as Senores Lavoy, Papaito or Quintana, then you should really enjoy those 2 releases of great trumpet player Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros!

All tracks conforms with the SAR policy with plenty of spaces for improvisation and amazing solos as always, what else can I say?...Enjoy!

The hoo-ha caused by the deserved international success of the trademarked Buena Vista Social Club over the last decade has eclipsed the significance of a number of major US-based Cuban artists. One example is trumpeter Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, a prominent name during the era of Cuban music Buena Vista nostalgia harks back to, and who actually performed with legends such as Septeto Habanero, Arsenio Rodríguez and Beny Moré, among others.

He took up residence in New York in 1960, and after working as a sideman with numerous luminaries, including Machito, Larry Harlow, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, he became a bandleader in 1974. In 1979 he became a house musician with SAR and the related Guajiro and Toboga labels, recording with Roberto Torres, Papaíto, Henry Fiol, and many others including the SAR All Stars.

In addition, he fronted a conjunto with a trumpet / trombone frontline for three beautiful típico Cuban LPs, Prefiero El Son (1980), Y Sigo Con Mi Son (1980) and Chocolate Dice (1982), all produced by Roberto Torres and predominantly arranged by Alfredo Valdés Jr. The three albums are compiled on Lo Mejor De Chocolate Vols. 1 & 2.

Musicians include:
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros Director, trumpet & flugelhorn
Alfredo Rodríguez Piano
Charlie Romero Lead vocals
Leonel Sánchez Trumpet
Guillermo Edgehill Bass
Juan Mendez Bongo
Roberto Borrell Conga
Charlie Rodríguez Tres
Lewis Kahn Trombone
Jimmy Bosch Trombone
Roberto Torres & Chocolate Maracas, clave, güiro
Jorge Maldonado Coro
Miguel Quintana Coro
Alfredo Valdés Jr. Arrangements

Miguel Quintana

2007-12-20T18:36:00.000+01:00

Son Habanero Con Miguel Quintana (re-issued 1991)
Folks here is another fine release from la SAR, I definitly love the sound of this label and almost all the great artists that recorded with it!

Now let's get into Miguel Quintana's groove, it's pure son, montuno, guajira and guaracha. This is effectively the basis of what makes me enjoy so much latin music, the one played with corazon and tradition...every single sound produced by instrumentists and by great voice of Senior Quintana is just purity and always focusing on keeping you dancing...

Veteran vocalist Quintana who sang with La Conspiracion, Son De La Loma has considerable qualities as a sonero. Quintana has a seasoned, slighly raspy voice that, combined with the coro, campana and tres, hearkens just a bit to the west Senegalese Africando son-charanga sound, luv it...

Enjoy!

Papaito

2007-12-19T13:08:00.000+01:00

Compilation (1980's)
One of the greatest albums released during the early 80's by NYC's "SAR" label was these great Lps of Papaito now re-issued on CD format.

Mario Munoz "Papaito" rise as a sonero surprised many, but not connoseurs who saw him sing and even improvise "sones" and "guajiras" while playing the "timbalitos" as a member of the cuban, legendary "Sonora Matancera". Papaito sings some of the late sones (from Abelardo Barroso and others) with a voice and style somewhat reminiscent of that of the late cuban sonero Cheo Marquetti. I have put all together tracks from 3 CDs I have, "Homenaje A Barroso", "Lo mejor de Papaito Vol. I" and "Retrato Musical".
Enjoy!

Track listings:
A mi Veracruz
Aprietala en el rincon
Bruca Manigua
Caramelo a kilo
El Guarijo de Cunagua
El huerfanito
El Panquelero
En Guantanamo
En mi triste agonia
Fuego en el cuartel de bomberos
Guarija de mis Amores
Hay Comentarios
Mi chiquita quiere
Mi Son te hace sentir
Ni Hits, ni Carrera
Porque me siento cubano
Que no se muere el Son
Sabina Gomez
Sin cana y sin platanal
Sonero
Suavecito
Yo bailo con la mas Fea

The Montuno Sessions

2007-12-10T20:10:00.000+01:00

Charlie Palmieri and others...(1980's)
Here I'am again with another peace of classic root Latin Music: the Montuno Sessions led by senor Charlie Palmieri, featuring Henry Fiol, Orlando Fiol, Jimmy Sabater, Wayne Gorbea and others.

Here you'll hear deep latin spirit rythms playing with Jazz and improvisation. The tracks on this cd were recorded live from a radio station in New York city, Studio 'A'. It's effectively hard to believe that there can be great live music like this on the radio! Listen now to the preview and check out the feeling of it...Enjoy!

Track listings:
1. Tema De Maria Cerantes
2. Tumba Palo
3. Descarga Charanson
4. 6/8 Modal Latin Jazz
5. Talking About The Danzon
6. Paracachero
7. Que No Muera
8. Son De Mi Vida
9. Oriente

About Charlie Palmieri:
Charlie Palmieri was born on 21 November 1926 in New York City of Puerto Rican parents. He was the pioneer of the Palmieri family in the development of the salsa music genre in which his brother Eddie was later successful as well.

Palmieri was, without a doubt, one of the best pianists in latin music circles. By 1943, during World War II, he played in Pupi Campos’ orchestra. At that time, he also directed the orchestra of the Jack Paar show, for a short while.

Use of the flute, previously introduced in New York by Gilberto Valdés and José Fajardo, was accepted by the dance orchestras, thanks to Palmieri. A lover of jazz and Cuban music, Palmieri also directed the bands of Pupi Campo, Rafael Muñoz, Noro Morales, Tito Puente, Xavier Cugat and Moncho Usera.

Palmieri was known as the “giant of the black and whites” for the voluptiousness of his execution and the forceful style on the keyboard. He made more than 20 long-play recordings over the course of his career. These included Electroduro, with Vista Hace Fe. in its song list, and Gigante del Teclado. He lived many years in Puerto Rico; playing at hotels in San Juan, until he decided to return to New York after suffering a heart attack.

Palmieri died on 12 September, 1988 in New York just before his scheduled tour to the United Kingdom and Japan, in which he was to accompany the famous Cuban conga virtuoso Ramón “Mongo” Santamaría.

Orlando Castillo "Watussi"

2007-12-08T19:56:00.000+01:00

Ustedes, Mi Rumba Y yo (1996)
Folks, here is another little pearl I found along the way, trust me, this is salsa you'll like, authentica, pura, dura, bailable, no "chichi"...

The arrangements are superbs (one of the arranger is just Mister Jose Madera!) with a very strong horns section as well as an explosive rhythm background that keeps you grooving till the last track. I found this post in the Zona Latina part of Jazzymusic.org and I'd like to thanks the author of this, thanks Pablo, keep on posting great unknown albums like this!

Venezuelan sonero Watussi made his name in Caracas in the late 60s and 70s as one of several lead vocalists with the country's then-leading salsa outfits, Federico y Su Combo. This comes from his one and only solo LP recorded for Fania.

Enjoy!

SAR Grandes Exitos

2007-11-15T19:03:00.000+01:00

SAR Grandes Exitos
Hey folks, long time no talk and no post...sorry! ;-)
I 'll rapidely share with you this classic of the great label, la SAR, that produced so many great artists in the good old time (you'll find more of la SAR in this blog).

This is basically a "best of" but with la SAR it's always hard to make a choice, they are simply all very good, groovy and with real Latin spirit. Here you'll find tunes from Roberto Torres, La India de Oriente, Laba Sosseh, Henry Fioll, Alfredo de la Fe, Chocolate and others.

Enjoy!

Track listings:
1. Caballo Viejo / Roberto Torres
2. El Fiel Enamorado (Monta Mi Caballo)/ La India de Oriente
3. Anichayi (Salsa Francesa) / Laba Sosseh
4. Chocolate Sabroso / Chocolate Armenteros
5. Ahora Me Da Pena / Henry Fiol
6. El Tractor Amarillo / Roberto Torres
7. Cancion De La Serrania / La India de Oriente
8. Cucho-Cheche-Malo / Linda Leida
9. Don Lengua / Alfredo Valdez
10. Somos Los Reyes Del Mundo / Alfredo De La Fe
11. Cartagena

Tommy Olivencia

2007-10-21T20:20:00.000+02:00

Juntos De Nuevo (1974)
Singer, trumpet player and bandleader Tommy Olivencia was a pioneer in the evolution of Puerto Rican salsa music. His legendary backing combo, la Primerisima, was the launching pad for future stars including Frankie Ruiz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Marvin Santiago. Juntos De Nuevo, produced by Ray Barreto, is one peace of his big discography, I'am listening to it every day those days and strongly recommending it...enjoy!

Personel:
Victor Candelario Trombone
Rafi Rodriguez Trombone
Ray Jorge Trombone
Franck Revilla Piano
Ruben Lopez Bass
Endez Dueno Timbales
Jose R. (Papi) Fuentes Bongo
Jose Sanchez Conga
Kuis Nieves Trumpet
Elias Lopez Trumpet
Angie Machado Trumpet
Paquito Guzman Vocals
Chamaco Ramirez Vocals
Sammy Gonzales Vocals
Tommy Olivencia Musical Director

Track listings:
Doroteo
El Son Cubano
Yo Quiero Darte un Nombre
Pa'Lante Otra Vez
Los Provincianos
Que Hipócrita Somos
Que Viva la Paz
Un Poco Mas

Vilató y Los Kimbos

2007-10-03T19:53:00.000+02:00

Aguacero no me moja (1979)
Master timbalero and percussionist Orestes Vilató is another of Latin music’s unsung heroes whose name turns up all over the genre.

Here is a pure salsa dura release from the late 70's where you'll hear pure montunos, coros/pregones and groovy arrangements. That was the time when Adalberto Santiago, Orestes Vilató, Joe Manozzi and Nelson González left la Típica 73 to form their own band, Los Kimbos. Los Kimbos were reputed to be a tough working band and had a sound reminiscent of both the pre-split Barretto band and Típica 73.

Sound from the good old time, enjoy!

About Orestes Vilató:
Orestes Vilató is acknowledged as one of the greatest Latin percussionists in the world today. Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Vilató moved to New York City with his family at age twelve, having already established himself as an amazing young talent. Although Orestes is a multi-instrumentalist, his prominence is due mainly to his exciting interpretation on the Cuban timbales. He is one of the few modern percussionists who truly knows his tradition and applies it in the contemporary context.

While living in New York for twenty-five years, Orestes was intimately involved with many musical artists and organizations that played seminal roles in the development of Latin music throughout the world, among them the Belisario López Orchestra, José Fajardo, the FANIa All-Stars (as founding member), Ray Barretto, Típica 73, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Rubén Blades, Johnny Pacheco, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Rivera, Joe Cuba and many others. While in New York, he founded his own group - Los Kimbos - and after moving to California for a nine-year stint with Carlos Santana, re-formed the group during the early 90s. An upcoming release of recordings by Los Kimbos 90s is in final production for Fall of '98 under the Rumbeca Music label. His workd has been lauded in the 1994 Grammy Award Winning album, Master Sessions, Vol. 1 with Israel "Cachao" López, and in 1995 he received a Grammy Nomination for Ritmo y Candela.

In demand outside the Latin music field as well, Orestes has also toured, performed and recorded with Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Herbie Hancock, Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne, among others. He also continues to lend his amazing percussive talents to numerous premiere Latin Jazz artists such as McCoy Tyner, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Paquito D'Rivera, the Machete Ensemble and many others.
Vilató was featured in Puerto Rico's "Battle of the Sticks" timbales extravaganza in 1996, and has headlined several jazz festivals there as well as in the United States and abroad. He has recorded hundreds of albums with a virtual who's who of Latin music world. Orestes is regarded by many as the "timbalero's timbalero".

Musicians include:
Orestes Vilató Timbales ,Coro and Vocals on "Por Borracha"
Eddie Montes Conga
Edgar Reyes Bongos y guiro
Enrique Suarez Trumpet
Ruben Lebron Trombone
Tony Borrero Trumpet
Tony Velez Tres-Guitar
Sergio Rivera Piano
Sal Cuevas Bass
Bert Diaz Bass
Pedro Velez Acoustic guitar and 2nd voice on "Reviviendo El Son"
Miguel Angel Lead singer and coro
Adalberto Santiago Coro
Tito Allen Coro
Radames Rojas Coro

Track listings:
1-Aguacero No Me Moja
2-La Cosa
3-Lo Que Tu Digas
4-La Rumba Del Presidente
5-Por Borracha
6-La Llave
7-Reviviendo El Son
8-Fundete

New York Descargas

2007-09-27T08:36:00.000+02:00

From New York, here is a collection of classic salsa music jam sessions led by Charlie Palmieri, Cachao and others.

NB: This comes from an upload by Ibiza on jazzymusic.org, thanks to him!

This is a superb compilation of Cuban Descargas recorded in New York in the 1960s; around a rhythm or sketched riffs or vocal lines, the musicians can soar off at will, with the funkiest grooves as a kind of safety net for some truly inspired improvising.

The Cuban Descarga, after being given birth in Havana by such jazz luminaries as Cachao Lopez, Peruchin, Nino Rivera, was fostered in New York by producer Al Santiago. It was he who produced The Salsa All Stars sessions (making up the first 5 Descargas presented on this release) by bringing together the cream of New York Latin musicians, including special guests such as the legendary Cachao, to jam. These sessions went on to influence many others to do likewise thus defining the direction of 'salsa' music in the sixties and seventies. With such musicians as Charlie Palmieri, Cachao, Louie Ramirez, Kako, Puchi Boulong, and the orquestras of Willie Rodriguez, Raphie Martinez and Joe Cotto this release is easily the best of Latin music New York had to offer.

Enjoy!

The crew:
Charlie Palmieri - Piano
Cachao Lopez - Bass
Kako - Timbales
Puchi Boulong, Victor Paz, Dave Gonzalez, Lionel Sanchez - Trumpets
Mario Rivera, Richie Meza, Morty Lazzar - Saxophones
Pupi Legarretta - Flute
Louie Ramirez, Frankie Malabe, Johnny 'Dandy' Rodriguez, Tito Jimenez, Cortijito, Pedro Perdomo, Chickie Perez - Percussion
Azuquita, Chamaco Ramirez - Vocals
Hector La Voe, Yayo El Indio, Santos Colon, Chivirico Davila - Coros.

Track listings:
1. The Salsa All Stars Descarga De Cueros Y Vientos
2. The Salsa All Stars Eloisa
3. The Salsa All Stars Descarga En "K"
4. The Salsa All Stars Mi Tierra Natal
5. The Salsa All Stars Llora Tu Partida
6. Orquesta Primitivo Santos La Napa De Mani
7. Orquesta Joe Cotto Why Not Me
8. Orquesta Cheo Diaz Cairo
9. Chorolo y su Combo Descarga Atomica
10. Orquesta Willie Rodriguez Descarga 72
11. Raphie Martinez and his National Combo It's About Time
12. Orquesta Joe Cotto Descarga #4

Tony Pabón y la Protesta (1973)

2007-09-24T19:01:00.000+02:00

Introducing Nestor Sanchez
Do you want some salsa dura de los anos 70? Here you go...

Trumpeter Tony Pabon, who wrote, played and even sang several major hits with Pete Rodriguez and His Orchestra launched his own band "La Protesta" in 1971 after being frustrated with the state of latin music at the time.

Assembling a team of top notch musicians and a young albino vocalist named Nestor Sanchez, Pabon y La Protesta would record 5 incredible albums for Rico (Combo) Records.

After 3 successful albums, Nestor Sanchez finally got his name featured on the album...Enjoy!

Track listings:
1. El Tabacon
2. No Te Tires
3. Quasimodo
4. Dicen
5. Clemente
6. Va Llover
7. El Bobito
8. Carnaval En Panama
9. La Carta
10. Los Gatos

Fernando Lavoy

2007-09-14T19:13:00.000+02:00

Here are 2 fabulous releases from la SAR featuring el gran sonero, Fernando Lavoy. This is very fine Son Montuno where you'll have time to feel the beat, all tracks are 6 minutes long or even more...hummm!

Fernando Lavoy y Los Soneros (1982)

Los Soneros canta...Fernando Lavoy (1981)

Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1950, talented sonero and composer Fernando Lavoy (nicknamed "El Montunero") arrived in the USA in 1980. That year he was introduced on Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros' Y Sigo Con Mi Son on SAR performing extended interpretations, arranged by Cuban pianist Alfredo Valdés Jr., of six songs associated with the Cuban bands Sonora Nacional and Conjunto Bolero, the original versions of which were all included on the collection Sones, Rumbas y Guaguancó issued by the Cuban state label Areito. He joined La Sonora Matancera in replacement of Carlos Manuel Díaz Alonso "Caíto" in 1990 and was unfortunately murdered in the mid-'90s in a case of mistaken identity...

Musicians include:
Juan González Jr. Piano
Juan González Trompeta
José M. Trápaga "Chichi" Trompeta
Lionel Duchesne Trompeta
Jorge Galo Trompeta
Jaime Garcia Bajo
Roberto Borrei Conga
Juan Méndez Bongo
Norman A. Rodriguez Tres
Fernando Lavoy Cantante & Coros
Andrés Hidalgo Coros
Norman Rodriguez Coros
Eugenio Pérez Coros

Enjoy!

Latin Dimensions con Roberto Torres (1972)

2007-08-31T09:05:00.001+02:00

Hey folks, long time no post!
Sorry for the silence, but I've been spending quite some time fooling around on the web (and also on vacation!) listening to great stuffs (like Lavoe at Sun of Latin Music). I would like to share with you this little pearl I found along the way, Latin Dimensions.

I did not find so much about this orchestra to tell you about but this LD features Roberto Torres which is one of my favorite sonero. Trust me, you can listen to this LP with your eyes closed and your ears wide opened!...Pure salsa and son montuno.

You'll hear many Latin music styles, many different tempos, slow son in Draculita with flutes and violins, electric guitar in Comparación and in very funky Ri-Ki-Ta-Tun and violins again plus heavy horns section in Tumbando Caña and Aqui Esta Mi Rumba. All this for your pleasure, hopefully...

Enjoy!

Track listings:
1. Draculita
2. Ritmo Caliente
3. Guajiro
4. Aqui Esta Mi Rumba
5. Comparación
6. Son
7. Tumbo Caña
8. Mi Guajeo
9. Ri-Ki-Ta-Tun (Mike Amilin)

PS: more Roberto Torres posts to come...;-)

Alfredo Rodriguez & Los Acereko

2007-08-02T21:56:00.000+02:00

Cuban Jazz (2003)
Here is my second post of Alfredo Rodriguez, Cuban Jazz, where he delights us once again with a state-of-the-art descarga album featuring his contemporaries Bobby Carcassés, Tata Güines and José Luis Quintana (Changuito).

From standards, classic descargas and impressive originals, the jazz group digs in for some serious blowing! Carcassés is Mr. Scat, vocalizing bebop riffs with ease on Blues Guaguancó. Both Güines and Changuito take command of Pa' Gozar.

Yet it is Rodríguez who charges the tunes either with supercharged solos, pounding montunos or chordal harmonies, all with a rich musicality. The concluding interlude, Scene d'enfant--a lullaby dedicated to the children of the world--is stunning, and shows his classical affinities. There are impressive unsung talents gracing this album, such as violinist Rubén Chaviano, saxophonist José Carlos Acosta and trumpeter Manuel Machado.

Enjoy!

Hector Lavoe

2007-07-28T12:03:00.001+02:00

Looking for the real stuff of el maestro del maestro?

Look no further, visit Sun of Latin Music blog here and check out what is in progress! Amazing, this guy has got an incredible Latic Music culture and is probably preparing the best posts even made around Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon. It's always an exiting moment to discover what's coming up there, keep on the good work Julian, for love of Latin Music...THANK YOU!

El Gran Combo in Alaska

2007-07-26T19:35:00.000+02:00

Breaking the Ice
Hey folks, what about some ice to refresh your summer time?...;-)
In 1984 El Gran Combo toured in Alaska, bringing the hot sound of salsa to that snowy clime and producing the album "Breaking the Ice - El Gran Combo en Alaska" which earned them a Grammy nomination.

I will not present El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, it's so famous, but if you wanted to learn more about them, you can do so here.

Their discography is enormous and they are probably known as the best Salsa band in the world...more posts to come.

Enjoy!

Track listings:
1. Carbonerito
2. Creencias
3. Amigo Mío
4. No Es de Pena
5. Amor Brutal
6. Azuquita Pal Cafe
7. Imaginación
8. Mal Pensa

Roberto Roena

2007-07-25T19:46:00.000+02:00

Que Suerte He Tenido De Nacer (1980)
Some of you have asked for some more Roberto Roena...here it is!
This is one of my favorites of Roena, you'll hear great coro/pregon with cantantes Tito Cruz and Carlos Santos.
It's sometime a bit funky but what a groove and energy, hope you'll like it...I'am pretty sure that you'll find some similarity with El Gran Combo, normal, Mr Roeno has been playing with them for years...

Enjoy!

Track listings:
1. El Aplauso
2. Que Suerte He Tenido de Nacer
3. Sigo Buscando un Amor
4. Yo Soy de Ley
5. Trago Amargo
6. Cancion de las Canciones
7. Algun Dia Sera
8. Todos Quieren Saber

Sonora Ponceña

2007-07-21T20:46:00.000+02:00

Birthday Party (1994)
Because it's summer time, I wanted to share with you another excellent Sonora Ponceña release and also its front cover!

This album celebrates the 40th birthday of la Sonora Ponceña with much joy and happyness and, as always, with fantastic grooves made by Papo Lucca and his crew....

Enjoy and have fun!

Roberto Roena

2007-07-21T18:01:00.001+02:00

Gold (1980)
A member of the Fania All Stars since 1973, Roberto Roena is a master of Latin percussion. In addition to performing with his own band, Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound, Roena has played bongos and congas for such top-notch Latin performers as Ruben Blades, Tito Cruz, Papo Sanchez, Adalberto Santiago, Elias Lopes, and Julio "Gunda" Merced. Roena initially attracted attention when he accompanied Ismael Rivera on the popular television show El Show de Cortijo Y Su Combo. Broadcast daily from 1954 until 1955, the show established Roena as one of Puerto Rico's best percussionists. He remained with the group until 1962 when he joined Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. He formed his own band in 1969.

This Roena's second compilation covers the 1971-1977 years, although it is mostly dedicated to the latter three years of that period.

This is exactly the salsa I love, groovy, dura and energizing...if you like Mr Roberto Roena, tell me, I have some more!

Enjoy!

8 y Mas!

2007-07-21T11:47:00.001+02:00

Juega Bailar
8 y Más is one of the hottest new bands to burst onto the Latin music scene. The band is the cooperative effort of internationally recognized Latin musicians/producers, Bobby Allende, Angel Fernandez, Ricky Gonzalez and Marc Quiñones. Although the band is new, its members are anything but new to the industry. Considered by many to be some of the best musicians in NYC and beyond, the band boasts an impressive group of stellar veteran musicians that in addition to Bobby, Angel, Ricky and Marc includes Ray Bayona (lead vocals), Ruben Rodriguez, Willie Alvarez, Raul Agraz, Arturo Ortiz, Jose Tabares and Manuel Ruiz.

Yesterday's Salsa with Today's Sound...

Enjoy!

David Byrne

2007-07-20T19:34:00.000+02:00

Rei Momo
Well folks, some of you may be desappointed by this "non purely Latin" post but I wanted to share with you this first alblum of "David Byrne alone" recorded in 1989 without the Talking Heads...

You'll discover that the guys behind are not out of the Latin spirit! Salsa singer Celia Cruz duets with Byrne on the amusing "Loco de Amor" which originally appeared on the soundtrack for Something Wild, and Willie Colon and Johnny Pacheco both play on the album and co-write songs with Byrne. Members of bands headed by Cruz, Ruben Blades, Tito Puente and Wilfredo Vargas appear throughout. The production by Byrne and Steve Lillywhite is bright and impeccable; each of the many instruments is presented in pristine detail without ever distracting from the overall ensemble effect.

Enjoy!

Alfredo Valdes

2007-07-17T19:45:00.000+02:00

Interpreta Sus Exitos Con El Septeto Nacional (SAR)
Here another fine sample of pure Son Montuno. When you hear a song like "Canto A la Vueltabajera", you can't help but want to hear more songs like it. Alfredo Valdes has released "Interpreta Sus Exitos Con El Septeto Nacional" for your listening pleasure. With 6 tracks, "Interpreta Sus Exitos Con El Septeto Nacional" is sure to become one of your new favorites. Don't hesitate to dance on these tunes, it's smooth as well as very hot especially body to body ;-)

Enjoy!

Track listings
1. Canto A la Vueltabajera
2. Rin Ri Lea
3. Guanajo Relleno
4. Don Lengua
5. Entre Tinieblas
6. Como Voy A Sufrir

Bobby Valentín 35 aniversario (full DVD)

2007-07-13T11:19:00.000+02:00

¡En Vivo!
35 aniversario vuelve a la carcel
Okay folks, are you looking for a world-class salsa performance on DVD? Look no further. This is by far the best straight-up salsa DVD produced to date!

Recorded in Penitenciaria Estatal “Oso Blanco” in Rio Piedras PR, Mr. Bobby Valentin has discovered the real meaning of a captive audience. Jokes aside, this salsa explosion features special guests musicians Roberto Roena, Papo Lucca, Pedro Guzman and Giovanni Hidalgo.

Did I mention the singers? Let’s see, there’s Rubén Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Luigi Texidor, Marvin Santiago, Charlie Aponte, Wichy Camacho, Josué Rosado, and Héctor Iván Rivera. This all-star performance is reminiscent of the killer Descarga Boricua big band assembled by Fran Ferrer a few years back. Nothing in Puerto Rico has matched the magnitude of that ensemble... until now!

Samples here and here...enjoy!

Manny Oquendo y Libre

2007-07-12T18:42:00.000+02:00

Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre
the return...;-)

This excellent compilation includes some of the material (originally recorded for the Salsoul Records) that made the band a household name. The "modernized" conjunto format shows the ability of bandleaders Manny Oquendo and Andy González pushing this outfit with unparalleled skill, careful choice of material, and talented sidemen with incredible improvisational skills. "Goza la Vida," "Que Humanidad," "No Me Echen la Culpa," "Lo Que Se Da No Se Quita," and "¿Por Que Tu Sufres?" are tunes that still sound amazing and do not seem to show age.

Enjoy!

Manny Oquendo Y Libre

2007-07-08T20:04:00.001+02:00

Mejor Que Nunca
Here is my second post of Manny Oquiendo Y Libre. You can find the first one here. Please listen carefully to the trombone section, whaooo!

Manny Oquendo began percussion studes in 1945 and gained drumming experience with the bands of Carlos Valero, Luis del Campo, Juan "El Boy" Torres, Jose Budet, Juanito Sanabria, Marcelino Guerra, Jose Curbelo and Pupi Campo before becoming Tito Puente's bongo player in 1950. Four years later Oquendo was with Tito Rodriquez and with Vicentico Valdes in 1955. For the following six years, Oquendo freelanced and recorded for New York's top bands. In 1962 he settled with the Eddie Palmieri orchestra. Before 1974 ended, Oquendo's Conjunto Libre came into being. Oquendo gained world-wide recognition in 1983 with his recording of "Little Sunflower," considered one of the best recordings of the year.

Manny Oquendo's Libre is an excellent band, but on this CD the musicians are mostly subservient to the vocalists, with the music often being more salsa than Latin jazz. The Libre Trombone Choir (Papo Vasquez, Jimmy Bosch, Leonard Pollara, Dan Reagan, William Cepeda, Orlando Pena, Reynaldo Jorge, and Jose Vidal) gets its spots (especially on "Speak Low"), but this is mostly a Latin dance record.

Enjoy!

Tipica '73

2007-07-08T14:37:00.000+02:00

Tipica '73 was a popular New York salsa band in the 1970s and early 1980s, formed with a number of musicians from Ray Barretto's band. Tipica 73's music was notable for its experimental style, and was the first US-based salsa orchestra to record in Cuba with the album Tipicá 73 En Cuba Intercambio Cultural. Tipica '73 featured several salsa musicians who would go on to become famous as solo artists, including vocalist José "El Canario" Alberto and violinist Alfredo De La Fe. In the nascent and thriving New York latin jazz and salsa scene in the early 1970s, the group began with Johnny "Dandy" Rodriguez Jr and four of Ray Baretto's original band including Adalberto Santiago (who all left Barreto simultaneously to start Tipica 73 in 1972), and, after combining the conjunto percussive style (congas, timbales, and bongos) with a horn section the band became one of the biggest stars of the salsa movement in the US. However, the band's lineup ended up with an almost different cast by the start of the following decade, with several of the original members having left after differences in the late 1970s regarding whether the band would continue to play tipica music, with Santiago and three others leaving to form Los Kimbos. Rodriguez Jr was the only constant in the band, and he and remaining members would split in 1982, but not without a tribute to the charanga style, 1980's Charangueando con la Tipica '73, which included standout versions of Tito Puente's "A Donde Vas" and Cachao's "Chanchullo," among others.

Here are three of my favorites of la Tipica '73, this is the salsa I love, could not live without it...
Enjoy!

Also don't forget to check another fine post at Son Of Latin Music "Tipica '73 - Los Dos Lados De La Tipica '73" ;-)

Cuban Jam Sessions

2007-07-01T21:39:00.000+02:00

Here are some more Descargas Cubanas (Cuban Jam Sessions) from Panart Records recorded in the 50's.
Panart Records was a Cuban record label of the mid 20th century, headquartered in Havana. This label was specialized in popular Cuban music.

Cuban Jam Session Vol.1
On first release in the mid-'50s, the loose, live Julio Gutierrez recordings launched a long-lasting craze for descarga, jazz-type jam sessions. Just about everybody who was anybody took part one way or another, during a marathon studio session.

Cuban Jam Session Vol.2
On this second release (my favorite one!), additionally to Julio Gutierrez Y Su Orchesta, appears Israel ‘Cachao’ Lopez who pioneered the ‘descarga’ in the '50s. A prodigious double bassist (Jaco Pastorius called Cachao "the greatest"), he is also a prolific composer.

On those two wonderfull recordings, you'll hear powerfull Cuban descargas with amazing cha-cha-chas, cha-cha-cha montunos, mambos and so on...it's pure tradition.

Enjoy!

Israel "Cachao" Lopez

2007-07-01T10:24:00.000+02:00

Descarga Cubana
Cuban bass player and composer Israel "Cachao" Lopez began his career in Havana in the 1930s. He and his brother, coming from a musical family noted for bassists, are credited with writing the first Mambo musical arrangements for the Arcano y sus Maravillas. Watching Cachao thump, coax, and tease the strings of his large, upright bass is to see a true master at work.

Perhaps his most notable contribution to the evolution of Cuban music are his classic '50s jam session (or "descarga") recordings, which still serve as advanced music lessons for aspiring musicians. Playing a wide range of Cuban styles, his ensemble's horn players and rhythm section would incorporate jazz elements on these incendiary tracks.

Here is Descarga Cubana featuring Richard Egües on flute, Generoso "Tajo" Gimenez on trombone, Alejandro "El Negro" Vivar on trompet and Tata Guines on congas.

Enjoy!

Orquesta Guarare

2007-06-28T19:51:00.001+02:00

Check out this SUPERBE album at Sun of Latin Music, another pearl!
Salsa brava from the good old time...I love it.

Vitin Aviles - Con Mucha Salsa

2007-06-28T08:53:00.001+02:00

If you have not already checked this great salsa album, please do so and put your ears on this Son of Latin Music's post, you won't regret it!

Machito & His Afro-cubans

2007-06-27T19:22:00.001+02:00

Carambola: Live at Birdland
Because I saw that there are quite a lot of downloads on Arsenio Rodriguez (see previous post), I'd like to share with you another oldie from Machito recorded live in 1951. This is history of Latin Jazz, enjoy!

About Machito:
Machito played a huge role in the history of Latin jazz, for his bands of the 1940s were probably the first to achieve a fusion of powerful Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisation. At its roaring best, the band had a hard-charging sound, loaded with jostling, hyperactive bongos and congas and razor-edged riffing brass. Machito was the front man, singing, conducting, shaking maracas, while his brother-in-law Mario Bauza was the innovator behind the scenes, getting Machito to hire jazz-oriented arrangers.

The son of a cigar manufacturer, Machito became a professional musician in Cuba in his teens before he emigrated to America in 1937 as a vocalist with La Estrella Habanera. He worked with several Latin artists and orchestras in the late '30s, recording with the then-dominant Latin bandleader Xavier Cugat.

After an earlier aborted attempt to launch a band with Bauza, Machito founded the Afro-Cubans in 1940, taking on Bauza the following year as music director where he remained for 35 years.

Track listings
1. Introduction
2. Carambola
3. Esto Es La Felicidad
4. Zambia
5. Picadillo
6. Tanga
7. Blen Blen Blen
8. Mani Picao
9. Zambia
10. Holiday Mambo
11. Tanga
12. Vaya Niña
13. Que Me Pasa
14. Babaratiri
15. Si Si, No No
16. Tanga

Eddie Palmieri

2007-06-26T23:03:00.001+02:00

Palo Pa Rumba
1984's Palo Pa Rumba is more of a dancers' album than most previous albums by Eddie Palmieri, but that does not make it dated or uninteresting to hear.

Rather, it is like the great live Tito Rodriguez at the Palladium album: outdoor-concert, festival-stage music. And the comparison is no coincidence. Palmieri played on Tito Rodriguez at the Palladium and considers it one of the greatest live albums ever recorded. A simpler reason is that Palo Pa Rumba is Palmieri's first album to feature entirely Puerto Rican musicians. Palmieri himself states in the liners, "I hope you enjoy our music. And now let's dance." To do neither is inconceivable...

Enjoy!

Charanga Rubalcaba

2007-06-26T19:20:00.000+02:00

A Corazón Abierto
If you are fed up with Charanga, sorry but here is another one ;-)

Guillermo Rubalcaba is the director and founder of the legendary Charanga Rubalcaba. He is considered - together with Rubén González - to be one of Cuba's best pianists. Guillermo is also a member of a reputable musical dynasty that includes his sons Jesús (piano) and William (bass), who play in his band, and the jazz prodigy Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

The veteran pianist continues to preserve the finest traditions of popular Cuban music. Guillermo at the moment is the guest pianist at most of the live concerts of the Buena Vista Social Club and has also worked with Afro Cuban all Stars and Soneros De Verdad.

Guillermo Rubalcaba was born on January 10, 1927, in Pinar del Río. He has dedicated over 50 years of his life to creating and performing the best Cuban music. While living in his native province of Pinar del Rio he toured with his brother’s Monte Carlo jazz band, Ases del Ritmo, and Eden Pinareño.

In 1962, Guillermo Rubalcaba founded La Charanga Rubalcaba. The current band has not only preserved the original format of the charangas as they were in the decade of the 1930s, but has also maintained the style of performance and the repertoire of the charangas. When the most noted charangueros are talked about, one immediately remembers the name of Guillermo Rubalcaba, one of the biggest charangueros of the last hundred years.

Guillermo Rubalcaba, an exceptionally gifted pianist, combines a refined melodic expression with a sense of rhythm that has pure Cuban flavor. Maestro Rubalcaba’s impressive ability at musical improvisation has made him famous, to the point where he has influenced most contemporary pianists that work in dance bands. From the danzón to the cha cha chá, through the bolero, Rubalcaba, both with his own creations as with the versions of other composers, maintains pure and intact the soul of the Charanga.

The Charanga Rubalcaba’s teamwork is outstanding; the sound balance is underlined by an excellent recording, and the musicians imprint a serene, classical atmosphere, to each of their performances.

Another one of my favorite Charanga's record.

Enjoy!

A Night With Poncho Sanchez Live

2007-06-25T21:42:00.000+02:00

Bailar
Bailar is Poncho's second live recording and is the second part to A Night at Kimball's East. Bailar captures what a studio recording cannot, the dynamics of the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band! This album was recorded at Kimball's East in Emeryville, California on December 8, 1990.

A bailarrrrrr!

Track listings
1. Siempre Me Va Bien
2. Bien Sabroso
3. Alafia
4. A Time For Love
5. Sonando
6. Manteca
7. Tito Medley
8. La Familia

LP's Drum Solos Revisited (DivX)

2007-06-25T08:41:00.000+02:00

Drum Solos Revisited
What a fantastic study tool for congueros, timbaleros and bongoceros!
If you play latin percussions, you'll be interested to watch this one.

Basically what we have here are five tunes each featuring solos for each of the persussion instruments. Each tune is played three times: beginners solos, intermediate solos, and advanced solos.
The soloists are filmed in three different angles so you can really see what the players are doing. Very smart.

Features some of the best New York area percussionists like Jimmy Delgado, Eddie Montalvo, Little Johnny Rivero, Ralphy Irizzary and many others. Good supporting band too, with Ruben Rodriguez on bass and Edwin Sanchez on piano.

Enjoy!

Arsenio Rodríguez

2007-06-24T11:06:00.000+02:00

Como Se Goza En El Barrio
Ignacio de Loyola Rodríguez Scull, known as Arsenio Rodríguez (August 30, 1911 - December 30, 1970) was a Cuban musician who developed the son montuno, other Afro-Cuban rhythms and is often said to be the true creator of the "Mambo."

He was a prolific composer and wrote nearly two hundred songs.

He was born in Güira de Macurijes in the province of Matanzas. As a young child, Rodríguez was blinded when a horse (or possibly a mule) kicked him in the head.

Later, he became a musician, and eventually became one of the most renowned bandleaders on the island earning him the nickname "El Ciego Maravilloso". His music emphasized the Afro-Cuban rhythm as well as the melodic lead of the tres, which he played. In 1928 he played his own compositions with the Sexteto Boston, which disbanded in 1937 because as a blind man he felt unable to be a bandleader, and he joined the Septeto Bellamar of cornettist José Interián. From 1940 to 1947 he led a band again, Arsenio Rodríguez y su Conjunto.

He then went to New York where he hoped to get cured from his blindness but was told that his seeing nerves had been completely destroyed. This experience led him to compose the bolero La Vida es un Sueño (Life is a dream). He went on to play with percussionist Chano Pozo and other great musical artists of what became Latin Jazz like Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and Mario Bauza.

However, what Arsenio Rodrigeuz is known for even more-so than just Latin Jazz, is being the first to add reed and brass instruments to Latin bands and orchestras. Arsenio's bassist and close friend for eight years Alfonso "El Panameno" Joseph as well as other members of Arsenio's band, were one of the very largest and most popular bands that performed at the Palladium Ballroom in New York during the 1960's. He had much success in the US and migrated there in 1952 one of the reasons being the better pay of musicians (García 2006, p. 68).

But at the end of the 1960s the Mambo craze more or less petered out, and Rodríguez showed no interest in modern Latin styles like Guaracha or Boogaloo. He tried a new start in Los Angeles. He invited Joseph to fly out to Los Angeles with him but died only a week later. Arsenio died there as in 1970 and was buried in New York. There is much speculation about his financial status during his last years, however David García (2006, p. 115f) argues that Rodríguez had a modest income from royalties.

Larry Harlow and Ismael Miranda recorded a post-humous song "Tributo a Arsenio Rodriguez", purportedly the first salsa recording using the Cuban tres, in homage to the great composer and tres player.

Jazz guitarist Marc Ribot recorded an album of Rodríguez' music called Marc Ribot y los Cubanos Postizos.

Arsenio Rodriguez is a name often mentioned in a major television production about the era of Afro-Cuban music at the Palladium in New York "La Epoca." The film discusses many of Arsenio's contributions, and features some of the musicians he recorded with such as Alfonso "El Panameno" Joseph and Yomo Toro.

Enjoy!

Track listings
1. Esclavo triste
2. La gente del Bronx
3. Jaguey
4. Meta y guguanco
5. Mulence
6. Pa que gocen
7. Esas no
8. Como se goza en el barrio
9. Yo soy chabelon
10. Arpegio por Arsenio
11. Oiga mi guguanco
12. Se va la comparsa,
13. Swing y son
14. Maye Santa,
15. Oye mi cantar
16. Ahora carpetillo

Sonora Ponceña

2007-06-23T22:22:00.001+02:00

Back to the road (2004)
The classic sound of one of Puerto Rico’s most hallowed dance bands is characteristically bold and brassy on this 13-track feast of salsa pura. Pianist and leader Enrique “Papo” Lucca Jr turns conga player Willito López loose for a nice romp on “Con tres tambores batá” and renders a flashy, salsa-style rework of “Mack The Knife,” and turns the jazz standard “Nica’s Dream” into a stylish Latin jazz foray.

Enjoy!

About la Sonora Ponceña:
Since its inception in 1954, the legendary band Sonora Ponceña, from Puerto Rico, has been one of the most consistent producers of great salsa music. Led by Enrique “Quique” Lucca Caraballo, born in Yauco, Puerto Rico, this group has included many of the most talented in the world of salsa, at one time or another.

The band actually evolved from a group called the Conjunto Internacional, formed by Lucca in 1944. That group included Antonio Tato Santaella on bongos, who would stay with Lucca for many years.

Lucca was a great fan of the famous Cuban band called Sonora Matancera and their musical style that utilized a full percussion section, with only trumpets in the horn section for harmony with the piano and voices. In naming the group, Lucca added the group’s home city of Ponce to that style and thus, Sonora Ponceña.

Enrique “Papo” Lucca Jr was born in 1946 and displayed enormous talent as a small child. Destined to join and make a major contribution to the Sonora Ponceña family.

The group evolved in 1956 in include pianist Vicentico Morales and the young Papo was already at the piano making arrangements. By age 12, Papo had recorded his first piano solo. Other early recordings by the group included other popular vocalists of that time such as Felipe Rodriguez and Davilita.

By 1960, the band had travelled to New York City to perform at the and the Manhattan Center and the Puerto Rico Theater. The band, and especially Papo, were will received. Papo went on to refine his skills at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, emerging as an accomplished musician and arranger.

During these early years, the group was known mostly for their guarachas and boleros. They also utilized many different singers who also sang with other groups. This stabilized when Tito Gomez joined the band and stayed until 1974.

1968 was a notable year for the group as Quique stepped aside as musical director, leaving his son Papo in charge, and the group embraced the new high fidelity LP technology in their recordings. Papo’s musical direction included a fusion of modern style traditional Cuban sounds together with jazz, coupled with improvisations. The group also expanded to use four trumpets in the horn section. Luigi Texidor came on board as a lead singer and Miguel Ortiz who began as timbalero went on to replace Tito Gomez. Lastly, Yolanda Rivera and Toñito Ledee came on as lead singers. These elements would thereafter define the Sonora Ponceña “sound” for many years.

The very next year, the group recorded its first LP album on the Inca label. It included the hit song “Hachero Pa’ Un Palo” and set the stage for then world’s discovery of this seminal salsa band. They recorded an even bigger hit “Fuego en el 23” and went on to record 30 more albums on the Inca label.

By 1980, the group had become a great success but perhaps their best work was still ahead of them. Salsa romantica was hot and the band adjusted to new styles and commercial forces without abandoning the trademarks of their prior success: straightforward salsa, such as this song, Percusion from their 45 Aniversario album. Papo shone as pianist and arranger in great demand. He was featured as an important part of the Fania All-Stars and collaborated with many artists including those in the Fania stable.

The group continues to perform, often reviving the classic songs that made them great. Their recent association with the Salsa Congress has won them new fans that have delighted in the discovery of a group that was instrumental in the genre’s history.

Track listings
1. caprichosa
2. pensandolo bien
3. gracias senor
4. con mana si
5. de la mata son
6. lejania
7. como mango
8. mack the knife
9. el alacran
10. cenizas
11. verde luz
12. con tres tambores bata
13. nicas dream

Mombo Santamaria

2007-06-23T14:14:00.000+02:00

Live At Jazz Alley
This is as close to Latin purist
Mongo as we have heard in the 90', an eight-piece salsa band -- including several members of the 1997 Tito Puente ensemble, like trumpeter Ray Vega, altoist Bobby Porcelli and tenorman Mitch Frohman -- playing a brace of Mongo classics and Latin jazz pieces live before a hushed crowd in Seattle's Jazz Alley. There are no pop covers, one electric instrument (a bass), lots of extended jazz solos (Porcelli and Frohman really burn on the pioneering Afro-Cuban classic "Manteca"), and an unusual (for Mongo) emphasis on the timbales on many tracks, which shoves the rhythms closer to the salsified Puente manner.

However, tracks like "Juan Jose," "Home" and "Bonita" do have the smooth Mongo cha-cha and guajira grooves, and elsewhere, Mongo lifts himself out of the background often enough to deliver some stirring polyrhythmic conga salvos. For a specific jolt from Mongo's own past, there is "Para Ti" and 10 1/2 stimulating minutes of "Afro Blue." Though the general electricity level of the gig could be higher, Mongo's ageless spirit triumphs again.

Enjoy!

Personnel
Mongo Santamaria (congas)
Eddie Rodriguez (vocals, percussion)
Mitch Frohman (flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone)
Bobby Porcelli (flute, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone)
Ray Vega (trumpet, flugelhorn, background vocals)
Bob Quaranta (piano)
Bernie Minoso (double bass, background vocals)
John Andreu Almendra (drums, timbales, background vocals)

Track listings
1. Home
2. Bonita
3. Philadelphia
4. Para Ti
5. Manteca
6. Ponce
7. Come Candela
8. Ibiano
9. Juan Jose
10. Afro Blue

Fania All Stars

2007-06-23T00:36:00.000+02:00

Habana Jam
Fania was the New York City record label that first and foremost promoted Salsa as a new musical form. In the 1970's, they organized weekends of concerts featuring most of the artists on the label playing long jams, or "descargas," of their hits.

Here is "Habana Jam" recorded live in Havana, Cuba, in march 1979. Enjoy!

Track Listings
1. Descarga a Cuba
2. Naci Moreno
3. Tres Lindas Cubanas
4. Llevale
5. Mi Gente/Barbaraso [Medley]
6. Meneame la Cuna
7. Castellanos Jam

Snowboy & The Latin Section

2007-06-22T12:39:00.000+02:00

Descarga Mambito
What a powerfull album! Snowboy is the UK's Ambassador of Afro-Cuban Jazz...
Descarga Mambito from Snowboy & The Latin Section is another legendary album from the Acid Jazz vaults, where Snow calls on the ghost of Machito for seven tracks of great Latin Jazz and Salsa!

Snowboy have a strong 70´s energy that flows nicely through this joint.

A huge classic, enjoy!

Track listings
1. Bella Bella
2. Mambito
3. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
4. Mambo In Two Parts
5. Where's The One?
6. Snow - Snow - Quick,Quick - Snow
7. Descarga Mozambique

Alfredo Rodriguez

2007-06-22T11:25:00.000+02:00

Monsieur Oh La La
Alfredo Rodriguez lived in Paris, which explains the title and some French badinage along the way. But he recorded this album in New York. The basic format is charanga, and any charanga with Art Webb on lead flute and Eddie Drennon/Lewis Kahn on lead fiddle has to be a winner. But Rodriguez doesn't let the charanga formula get in the way of bringing sax-heavy Mario Rivera on board. And he himself is a fine pianist.

A relatively early member of a movement of Cuban jazz players into New York, Alfredo Rodriguez was born near Havana in 1936, where he mainly trained in classical music and French. In 1960, he moved to Manhattan, where he spent some time studying jazz under Albert Dailey and Bill Evans, and then moved into roughly a decade of playing with various Caribbean acts in the big city.

After a brief stint in Miami in the early '70s, he began working as a session player and club performer in New York with notable success, recorded best on the 1976 album Ready for Freddie with Patato Valdes. Rodriguez moved to Paris in 1985, working as a bandleader in a market less saturated with Cuban jazz and gaining his due respect as a pianist.

From that point, his excursions into major-release recordings have met with relative success, from the acclaimed Cuba Linda sessions to early work with ¡Cubanismo! to the meeting of exiled Cuban masters Los Originales. Most recently, he's begun work within Europe with a group of friends from various Cuban groups calling themselves los Acerekó, and dazzling European audiences with heavy doses of Cuban jazz. In 2003 Cuban Jazz was released on Naxos World, marking the first recording with los Acerekó.

Another fine Charanga's post!

Track listings
01. Monsieur Oh la la
02. Si tu me quisieras
03. El boule-boulevard
04. Isora club
05. Mademoiselle yi yi
06. Mamey colorao
07. Dominicanita
08. Guajira mi-do

Eddie Palmieri

2007-06-21T22:11:00.000+02:00

La Verdad (The Truth)
Here is another Eddie's peace recorded with salsa singer Tony Vega in 1987.
This is a late 80s date for the Eddie Palmieri big band featuring a loose and
wonderfully expansive mix of Latin beat, salsa, Cuban son, and rhumba.

The band, featuring Charlie Sepulveda on trumpet, Giovanni Hidalgo on bata, congas, and assorted percussion, along with Anthony Carrillo and Jose Ramirez. Juan Torres also plays trumpet, with his brother Ralph on trombone. Palmieri, of course, in addition to his roles as bandleader and arranger -- as well as composer of four of the album's six tracks -- as always plays a gorgeous piano.

The thing about this man's bands, with their groups of singers, call-and-response (coro/pregon) lyrics, and gloriously uplifting tone, is that they are so musically complex while remaining thoroughly accessible to the listener. The title track, an original with its round of singers taking verse, chorus, and bridge swirling around a plethora of horns and bata drums, moving to underscore the shifting rhythmic signatures and accents that carry the words. It's a weave, and Palmieri is fully in control of its construction and placement.

The furious lower register piano dissonance that opens his solo, "Lisa," is uncharacteristic for Palmieri, and one of his first forays into more classically oriented form, its glissando ushers in a modal framework built on extended minor sevenths and ninths circling around a small fantasia theme that briefly touches upon boogie woogie and "Autumn Leaves." It's all funk and backbeat slip and slide on "Noble Cruise," with its striated piano accents in between the swagger of the warring horns.

This album is highly recommended, enjoy!

Track listing
1. El Cuarto
2. Congo Yambumba
3. La Verdad
4. Lisa
5. Noble Cruise
6. Buscandote

Tito Rodriguez Big Band

2007-06-21T19:40:00.001+02:00

Esta es mi orchesta (1968)
Here is an old style album from Mister Tito Rodriguez. This is, as far as I can remember, one of the first album of Latin misic I bought many years ago. I wanted to share with you this groove that inspired so many latin band leaders like Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez and many others.

Listen carefully to the first track, "Esta Es Mi Orquesta", where Tito himself will present all musicians and instruments. What a gang! Very interesting to learn the role of every section of Tito's big band...

Now a bit of history:
Multi-instrumentalist Tito Rodriguez played an important role in New York's thriving Latin dance scene of the 1950s and '60s. His expressive playing was an important factor in the success of his brother Johnny Rodriguez's band. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rodriguez displayed his talents at a very young age. Accomplished on a variety of instruments, he could interpret popular tunes while still in his childhood. He secured his first contract as a musician at the age of 13. Although he made his first trip to the United States as a member of Cuarteto Caney, his tenure with the band was short-lived. After coming late to an important gig, he was fired by bandleader Noro Morales.

He quickly found employment with the band led by Enrique Madriguera. Following his brother to New York in 1939, Rodriguez accepted a position with the Johnny Rodriguez Orchestra. Although he was tempted by offers to join Xavier Cugart's group, he remained faithful to his brother's group. While in New York, he sharpened his skills as a student of Professor Moe Goldenberg. In 1952, he received a mention of honor award from the Century Conservatory of Music of New York. During the early rock era, Rodriguez played for a while with Leroy Holmes' orchestra and produced albums by El Cuarteto Los Hispanos, Los Montemar, and Teddy Trinidad.

In the mid-'60s, Rodriguez returned to Puerto Rico. In addition to performing frequently in San Juan hotels, he hosted popular television show El Show de Tito Rodriguez. Rodrigues died from leukemia on February 28, 1972.

Orchesta Aragón

2007-06-20T23:38:00.000+02:00

La Charanga Eterna
Recorded in Havana, Cuba, this super album features Orestes Varona, Pablo Santamaria, Cheo Feliciano and the vocals of Omara Portmondo a rare chance to hear these Latin Legends on one Album. Learn more about Orchesta Aragón here.

This album was recorded in 1999, I'll try to post bit later much more older LPs from them...Enjoy!

Javier Vazquez - Javier (1976)

2007-06-20T23:18:00.000+02:00

Please welcome a new comer in the "Latin blogshere" at http://sunoflatinmusic.blogspot.com/ and check this excellent album, it's pure salsa.

I must admit that I never heard about Javier Vazquez before (!) and can't wait to discover more rare pearls like this...;-)

Grupo Galé

2007-06-20T22:20:00.001+02:00

Lo máximo !!!
Grupo Galé plays salsa in its traditional style with a modern twist.

The large group employs three lead singers with exceptional voices who alternate on lead vocals. It is not unusual to hear them using an old style of singing harmony for the chorous and a more modern style in the same song. The group is known for their musical excellence and salsa purity.

Not many contemporary groups use a musician who plays tres, a six-stringed guitar used much more often in days past. Ostwal Serna plays tres with a passion that translates into fiery rhythms that are interwoven into the passages that lead dancers irresistibly to the dance floor. The trombones play sultry lines that become intoxicating especially when interspersed with the trumpets.The flavor of the music is upbeat, highly charged and never quite the same. It has a driving force that is subtle yet intense. It begs to be appreciated, to be delved into, and to be allowed to consume the listener.

Grupo Galé, from Medellín, Colombia is led by musical director and congero, Diego Galé. Diego has a long and distinguished career for a man of a relatively young age. He served as percussionist with Grupo Niche, perhaps the most famous of Colombia’s salsa orchestras and as musical director for another of Colombia’s most respected salsa bands, Grupo Caneo. He played with Sonora Dinamita, La Inmensidad, the late Frankie Ruiz, “El Cantante de los Cantantes,” Hector Lavoe, Alex Leon, Marvin Santiago, and Luis Enrique to name a few of the more recognizable names in the industry.

Enjoy "Lo Máximo !!!" recorded in 2000...a bailar!
Gale

Tito Puente

2007-06-19T23:56:00.000+02:00

On Broadway
Here we are with Tito Puente...How can I start a blog about Latin Jazz and not talk about the Legend, Tito!

The great Latin bandleader Tito Puente has long been one of the pioneers in fusing bebop with very danceable Latin music.

Here is one of my vaforites, "On Broadway". There a lot I love but I wanted to start with this one...I may post some others later.

On this Concord disc, Puente plays vibes and timbales and utilizes an 11-piece band featuring trumpeter Jimmy Frisaura, Mario Rivera on tenor, soprano and flute, pianist Jorge Dalto and an infectious rhythm section. Jazz standards (including "Sophisticated Lady," "Bluesette" and even Freddie Hubbard's "First Light") alternate with Latin numbers.

Track listings
1 T.P.'s Especial
2 Sophisticated Lady
3 Bluesette
4 Soul Song
5 On Broadway
6 Maria Cervantes (A Novo Morales)
7 Jo-Je-Ti
8 First Light

La Son Charanga

2007-06-19T16:40:00.001+02:00

Salsa y Charanga
Here is an album that should be appreciated by salsa lovers...there we have the traditional Charanga orchestra with flute and violin but with an actual sound, with boosted bass like in modern salsa.

We must not forget that the artistic diretion is under Diego Gale's hands, director of the famous Grupo Gale. I'll try to post more of Diego Gale a bit later. He is a multi musician playing on this album congas, bongos, maracas, guiro, campana and keyboards.

10 tracks on this release what should keep you dancing till the last one...what a pleasure to discover tunes like "El pio pio" or "El paso de Encarnacion" but Charanga's way!

Let's shut up now, and listen to "Salsa y Charanga"...Enjoy!

Track listings
01. el pio pio
02. alcatraz
03. nuestro matrimonio
04. salsa y charanga
05. el negro y ray
06. el paso de encarnacion
07. ella sabe
08. ella no baila sola
09. negra sanda
10. el sopon

La Familia Valera Miranda

2007-06-18T20:33:00.000+02:00

Cuba
As indicated in its name, Familia Valera Miranda is a family business (from Oriente region of Cuba): musician oncles, a singing mother and Padre Felix Valera Miranda as band leader.

The Miranda family is a true national treasure perpetuating the tradition of the Cuban Son and Bolero.

Track listings
1 Llora Mi Nena
2 Bambay
3 Tuna, Mayari, Guantanamo
4 Juramento
5 Que Lindo Bayamo
6 ¡Basta Ya!
7 Rita la Caimana
8 Retorna
9 Vuela Como el Aguila
10 Dulce Embeleso
11 Murio Valera en San Luis
12 El Mistero de Tus Ojos
13 El Calvario de un Poeta
14 El Penquito de Coleto

Pupi Legarreta

2007-06-18T20:06:00.001+02:00

Pa' Bailar
Do you want more Charanga? Here you go with another masterpiece from Pupi!

Félix “Pupi” Legarreta is a violinist, flutist, singer, arranger, pianist and guitarist who has participated in several landmark periods of Latin music. He was born in Cienfuegos, the birthplace of a number of prominent charanga musicians such as Rolando Lozano, Rafael Lay and Efraín Loyola. He started his musical career in Cuba in the early 1950s when he was still a teenager, and played with some of the island’s most famous musicians. He experienced the opulent nightclub scene that developed in Cuba after World War II and performed on live television.

Around the beginning of the Cuban Revolution he was given a ticket out of Cuba. In the United States he joined the growing cadre of first-class Cuban immigrant musicians such as Patato Valdez, Mongo Santamaría and Rolando Lozano. After establishing himself as an artist, he began a long and successful association with Fania, the most important Latin music record company of the 1970s, recording under his own name and as a sideman with Johnny Pacheco and Larry Harlow.

Please listen carefully, there are amazing flute and violin solos, always groovy and "bailable"!...Enjoy.

Track listings
1. Sabroso Como El Guarapo
2. Seis Lindas Cubanas
3. Canallon
4. Mulato Rumbero
5. El Niche
6. Me Voy Pa' Abijan
7. Amalia Batista

Do you like Eddie Palmieri?

2007-06-18T14:15:00.001+02:00

If so, then visit ¿Revolución, No? , MetroBase or orgyinrhythm. There you'll find great posts of Eddie and much more!...These blogs are excellent.

Monte Adentro

2007-06-18T08:41:00.000+02:00

In the 1940s Arsenio Rodríguez became the most influential player of son, creating the modern Afro-Cuban sound, the Son Montuno. Later Beny Moré and others helped develop salsa music. Arsenio Rodríguez was especially influential, incorporating improvised solos, toques, congas and extra trumpets, percussion and pianos. Beny Moré (known as the "Barbarian of Rhythm" (El Barbaro del Ritmo*) further evolved the genre, adding guaracha, bolero and mambo influences, helping make him extraordinarily popular.

Here is one of my favorite LP showing Son Montuno style. You'll discover pushing horns section (with saxophone) but also tres and percussion chorus as well as pure son montuno coro/pregon.

This album from la SAR was recorded in 1994 and includes famous artists like Miguel Quintana and Lucila Campos.

Track Listings
1. Igualita Que Tu
2. Monte Ruz
3. Voy Pa' Sierra Morena
4. Lo Que Mas Me Gusta
5. A Comer Chicharrón

Adalberto Santiago

2007-06-16T09:44:00.001+02:00

Adalberto was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico. Throughout his life, was influenced and inspired by the vocal styles of such people as Beny More, Chapottin, Pancho Alonso and Miguelito Cuni. These free-style singers helped him form a style of singing that has turned him into one of the most popular vocalists of Latin music.

He began singing with tríos and added dimension to them by playing guitar and bass. His first orchestral experience came with Chuito Veléz. He then sang with Willie Rodríguez and Willie Rosario and he was also known as the Puerto Rican Elvis Presley. In 1966 Adalberto Santiago became the lead vocalist for the legendary Ray Barretto’s Orchestra. After captivating the Salsa community with a string of hits with Barretto, Adalberto joined Típica 73, where he felt he had a greater chance to express himself in a new musical setting and environment. Perfecting his style of singing, he then joined Los Kimbos, where his popularity reached unimaginable heights.

During this same time period he made he made several recording with such legends as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Louie Ramirez, Roberto Roena and Fania All-Stars. Adalberto has recorded over 50 albums several which have turned Gold. He is one of the most requested back-up vocalists Latin albums and soundtracks.

Adalberto Santiago’s most exciting quality is his ability to draw crowds together with his singing style and make everyone enjoy the love he has for his music. As Adalberto is known for saying "Que Viva La Música Nuestra" which means "May Latin Music Live On".

Here is an album from la SAR with his most popular tunes.

Enjoy!

Poncho Sanchez live! (full DVD)

2007-06-15T19:55:00.000+02:00

A Night at Kimball's East
Now that you have listened to Poncho on one of my previous post, let's see him live! Here is a groovy concert of Poncho and his friends, A Night at Kimball's East, recorded in 1991.

It's a night of fiery music and infectious rhythms with one of Latin jazz's greatest living legends! Grammy Award-winning percussionist Poncho Sanchez performs his biggest hits for a live audience with the joy and intensity which have enlivend his work for over 25 years in the business.

This night is hot, hot, hot!

Tracks: Alafia, Jumpin' with Symphony Sid, Co Co May May, Cinderella, Cold Sweat/Funky Broadway, Half and Half, Baila Mi Gente, Yumbambe, A Night in Tunisia, Se Acabo Lo Que Se Daba, Domitila (Donde Va), Hey Bud.

Preview here (low quality).

The Estrada Brothers

2007-06-13T21:57:00.000+02:00

About Time
In the tradition of maintaining the Latin jazz spirit alive in the West Coast crystallized by the late percussionist/vibist Cal Tjader, and more recently by the likes of Poncho Sanchez, John Santos and Bongo-Logic, comes the music of The Estrada Brothers.

Based out of Oxnard, California, about an hour's ride north of Los Angeles, the group was conceived some 40 years ago by vibist Ruben Estrada. In the past years the band has matured and locked into its own personal style.

Musicians include:
Ruben Estrada: Vibes and percussion
Henry Estrada: Tenor saxophone
Ruben "Cougar" Estrada: Drums, percussion
Malcom Ian Peters: Electric bass
Raul Rico Jr.: Congas, percussion
Joe Rotondi Jr.: Acoustic piano
Adolfo Acosta: Flugelhorn
Ramon Banda: Timbales
Robert Clements: Percussion
Ruben Martinez: Flute and acoustic bass

Fania All Stars

2007-06-13T16:16:00.000+02:00

Viva la Charanga
FANIA RECORDS, the legendary New York label that pioneered salsa, has often been called the Latin Motown. In its heyday, from the late 1960's through the 70's, Fania, like Motown, had a superstar-packed roster, a virtual monopoly on salsa's A-list: Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, Hector Lavoe, Johnny Pacheco, Rubén Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, Bobby Valentin, Larry Harlow and other greats. Like Motown, Fania began as a humble cottage industry — its releases were once sold out of the trunk of a car on the streets of Harlem and the Bronx — and became a multimillion-dollar business that carried a bracing musical hybrid to the nation and the world.

Here is one peace of their enormous discography, Viva la Charanga, recorded in 1986.

Johnny Pacheco

2007-06-13T14:58:00.000+02:00

Que Suene la Flauta Vol.III
Latin jazz composer and saxophonist Johnny Pacheco was born in the Dominican Republic in 1935. After relocating to New York in the late '40s, he learned to play sax, percussion and flute in high school.

After playing with Charlie Palmieri's flute and strings orchestra, he left in 1959 to organize his own group.

With his first recording, Pacheco y Su Charanga, released by Alegre Records in 1961, Pacheco changed the sound of music throughout Latin America and ushered in the "Pachanga" (a strenous dance) era. He then founded the Fania label with attorney Gerald Masucci and proceeded to release some of the best Latin music of the '60s and '70s, helping to kick off the rise of salsa music in New York City and around the country.

Among Pacheco's classic albums are Que Suene la Flauta, Gran Pacheco Te Invita a Bailar and Pacheco at the New York World's Fair (Live).

Here is Que Suene la Flauta Vol.III, a masterpiece of Charanga, enjoy!

Orquesta Aragón live! (full DVD)

2007-06-12T18:24:00.001+02:00

La Charanga Eterna
Here is a fantastic movie of Orquesta Aragón in concert recorded in 2002. I cannot describe the elegance, groove, power and energy of those guys...as you'll see, some of them are not exactly at the begining of their life, another evidence that Latin rythms are good for health!

Preview here (low quality).

Poncho Sanchez

2007-06-11T19:31:00.000+02:00

Poncho Sanchez, master of Latin Jazz!
More than anything else, Poncho Sanchez is a storyteller. And, as leader of the most popular Latin jazz group in the world today, it's his congas and seasoned ensemble that do the talking. Live in concert or on recordings, they spin vivacious tales that pay homage to the glories of a half-century tradition that was born when Afro-Cuban rhythms merged with bebop.
You'll read more about Poncho here.

Chile Con Soul
Once again Poncho impacts the jazz community with another Grammy nomination in 1990 for the performance of "Mama Guela" on Chile Con Soul. "Mama Guela" was written by the great Tito Rodriguez.

This album was recorded at Ocean Way Recording Studios, in Hollywood, California, in Novermber 1989.

A gozar!

Charanga Colonial

2007-06-07T21:47:00.000+02:00

For the one who do not know, Charanga is a genre of Cuban dance music popular in the 1940s and consisting of heavily "Son Cubano" influenced material performed on European instruments such as violin and flute by a Charanga orchestra.

Here is a sample of pure Charanga style with amazing flute and violin parts. This album from "la Charanga Colonial" (SAR label) was recorded in 1998.

Once more, you should not stay on your sofa while listening to this !!

Track Listings
1. No Te Preocupes
2. Juma de Ayer
3. Cali de Salvacion
4. Chontaduro
5. Peletero
6. Me Voy Pa'Sierra Morena
7. Pescadores de Camaron
8. Golpes de Caridad
9. Mi Chiquita
10. Mireya

Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band

2007-06-06T19:19:00.000+02:00

Rumba para Monk
Jerry Gonzalez was born in 1949 in the Bronx Borough of New York City. He grew up with Afro-Cuban and jazzmusic which left a deep impact on his musical appreciation and molding his future work as an artist. As a youth, Gonzalez would listen to his father’s jazz albums, incuding artists such Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.

While studying in junio high school, he began playing the trumpet and later the congas. Gonzalez completed his formal studies New York College of Music and New York University.

Legendary Latin artists such Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri were also important sources of musical inspiration. According to Gonzalez, “The spirit of mother Africa travelled to the Caribbean, South America, North America and ... our music is a reflection of our experience here in New York City and of our consciousness of the cultural roots”.
Known as a percussionist, Gonzalez began his professional career as a conga and trumpet player in 1970, performing his own brand of Latin jazz with the internationally famous, Dizzy Gillespie. With maestro Gillespie’s support and encouragement, Gonzalez was able to fuse the African based rhythms onto jazz elemets without compromising the essence of either. The next year, Gonzalez joined Eddie Palmieri’s band, “El Son” for a brief period before moving on to work with “Conjunto Libre”, the band led by great timbales artist, Manny Oquendo.

Here is one of his masterpiece, Rumba para Monk, recorded in 1989. This album earned the recognition from the French Academie du Jazz with the “Jazz Record of the Year” award. Enjoy!

Orquesta Aragón

2007-06-06T19:06:00.000+02:00

Quien Sabe Sabe
Orquesta Aragón is truly one of the most historic names in Cuban music. Founded in 1939, Aragón has been burning up dance floors around the world with their steamy blend of Cuban roots. One of the pioneer charangas, a type of ensemble that uses violins and flutes over a swinging rhythm section, Orquesta Aragón is responsible for many classics of the Cuban repertoire.
Here is one of my favorite, Quien Sabe Sabe, recorded In 1997. If you are not dancing yet, then sure you will with this groove!

Eddie Palmieri

2007-06-04T22:47:00.000+02:00

Listen here!
Eddie Palmieri is one of the best bandleaders around today, Latin or otherwise, combining characteristics of Latin jazz innovators such as Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente as well as big band leaders like Ellington and Kenton, not to mention top modern jazz composers and pianists such as Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. Palmieri’s two-trombone fueled La Perfecta bands were a serious innovation that changed the sound of salsa and Latin jazz forever. He continues to grow as a pianist. He provides complex, energetic arrangements here with the help of trombonist Doug Beavers. Palmieri is an all-around musician who happens to work in the Latin jazz style.

Listen Here! is an excellent CD that finds Palmieri revisiting some classic jazz material, including the Dizzy Gillespie-Chano Panzo vehicle “Tin Tin Deo,” Monk’s “In Walked Bud,” and Horace Silver’s “Nica’s Dream,” as well as the Eddie Harris-penned title track. Palmieri originals provide the rest of the program, and they are tunes that stand up to the classic material Palmieri has chosen to cover, which is no mean feat. In addition, Palmieri surrounds himself with some of the best jazz players around as special guests. Eddie’s own band, most of which has been with him for some time now, provide an excellent base and perform the arrangements with typical tightness and intensity. The guest stars, which include Regina Carter, David Sanchez, John Scofield, and Nicholas Payton, are all well-integrated into the arrangements, with the result that they sound like part of the music rather than soloists merely laid on top of the band.

Listen Here! Provides plenty of passionate Latin jazz mixed with a program that allows the listener to experience a wide variety of textures and tastes. For Eddie Palmieri it is another jewel in an already impressive recording career.

Celia Cruz and La Sonora Ponceña

2007-06-04T22:16:00.000+02:00

La Ceiba
One of a number of successful 70s pairings of vocalist Celia Cruz with another strong Fania act -- in this case the mighty La Sonora Poncena, who support Celia's vocals with a really full and focused sound! The styles here vary a bit -- from a few rougher numbers to tighter tracks that soar out in a bold and brassy salsa groove -- really pushing up Cruz from the bottom with a flowing sort of style overall, and hitting moments that rank with some of her other big Fania hits of the time. Titles include "Y Volvere", "A La Buena Si", "Raices", "Fina Estampa", "Sonaremos El Tambo", and "Soy Antillana".

Eddie Palmieri

2007-06-04T21:25:00.000+02:00

Sueno
The '80s Sueño, produced by poly-buff Kip Hanrahan, went nowhere much, perhaps because Capitol didn't know what to do with it... But it's another example of what made Palmieri one of the great salsa bandleaders. Quite unknown, this album is one of my favorite of Palmieri. Enjoy!

Timbales' Solos

2007-06-04T09:12:00.000+02:00

Inocente Alvarez with la Orchesta Aragón

Ramon Banda with Poncho Sanchez

Sonora Ponceña

Manny Oquendo Y Libre

2007-06-03T21:25:00.000+02:00

Ritmo, Sonido, Y Estilo
Manny Oquendo Y Libre have the respect of every musician, Latin or otherwise, who know of them. They have been making great music for over twenty years. Artists who have played with Libre are considered to have been through a kind of university — a rite of passage. If you can cut it with Libre, you've achieved something really admirable. This 1991 release is noteworthy, for some of the cuts here have become signature tunes for them when you have the fortune to see and hear them live. A beauty!