EditorsPick: New high-powered Cuban dance music: timba, salsa, and a bit of pop-fusion too. Also with Amaury Pérez, Cristobal Verdecia, Tony Rodriguez, Rodney Iyarza Barreto, Guillermo Del Toro and others. Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Simply amazing, and long overdue, compilation of work by the legendary Puerto Rican composer Tite Curet Alonso. Alonso's work has been interpreted by just about every singer or band of note, especially in salsa, with deep associations with Fania artists — many of whom are featured on this exemplary 2-CD set: Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Roberto Roena, Cheo Feliciano, Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez, Ray Barretto, Ismael Rivera, Tommy Olivencia, Bobby Valentin and others. Alonso's best works have become iconic classics. Included here are "Piraña," "La Esencia Del Guaguanco," "Las Caras Lindas," "Peródico De Ayer," "La Tirana," and "El Hijo De Obatalá." This pristine 2-CD set has thirty-one tracks, and sports liner notes by Aurora Flores edited by Ernesto Lechner. A must-have: Very Highly Recommend ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: Wow! Here's a big-bucks production with timba playing a big role. A gaggle of talent here, including seven singers, some of whom are Liliane Del Castillo Troya, Wilmer Muñoz Pérez, René Suárez Zapata, Ernesto Bacallao and guest Adalberto Alvarez. Listen to the gem "Por Gustavo." A bit of well done traditional charanga is also in there ("Almendra") to clear the palate. There's also a superb rendition of "El Manicero." This is a major piece of work. With guests Jesus "Chucho" Valdes and Papo Lucca. Includes a DVD, too. Very Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Great Cuban orchestras never die, they reinvent themselves. Here is the latest incarnation of the venerable Charanga orchestra created by Ninón Mondejar in 1942. These days the band is led by pianist Emilio Aranzola and, while their repertoire borrows from the book of Cuban classics, the sound is fresh and totally infectious. A big nod to violinists Judith Deuglofeu Suarez, Reinold Miret Mendoza and Oscar Ponce Benitez who help to make Siempre a Punto a transformative experience. Listen to them work on sumptuous "Bailando Estaba." And the timeless groove established on the gem "Carmelina" clearly underscores how this is charanga of the first order. Also with vocalists Gerardo Mayeta Granda, Alfredo Caballero Campos and Alberto Gomez Mora. The flautist is Manuel Fco. Sanchez Wanbrug. Very ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Highly swinging Puerto Rican salsa from the '60s and '70s by leader and timbalero Agustin Arce. With tracks like "Sangrando Por La Herida," "Cabio Sile Ye Yeo," "Paseando Por La Calle," "Canto A Los Santos," and many others. Arrangements by Bobby Valentin, Carlos Rioc and Papo Lucca. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Arguably the timba release of the year (so far). Bassist Arnaldo Jimenez is joined by singers Tirso Duarte, Armando "Mandy" Cantero, Lester Ciarreta Hernandez (ex. Maikel Blanco), and Wilmer Lorie Napoles (Azucar Negra). With pianist Roig Sáiz, conguero Mariano Enriquez, timbalero Jorge Félix Bravo, bongocero Oswaldo Huerta and others. Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Those of us who love Linda Leida and La India del Oriente can’t help but going nuts over Nuviola. She’s a long time singer from Cuba — arguably the woman who put “Que Manera Que Quererte” on the map — and on Corazon she breaks out a bunch of her own writing. The band makes some pretty fine modern sounding salsa, somewhere between the Cuban and Puerto Rican models, and really, joy reigns on the record. The arrangements, full of little feints and rhythmic tricks, set off her voice. And she can sing, a big-throated sonera with a ton of swing. The coro is just magnificent, and full of street stuff, rhymes you’ve heard, and it all works, the sort of thing that gets lodged in the car stereo for six months. Music to live with. Highly Recommended. ... continues (Peter Watrous)

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EditorsPick: Whoa! Just in time to turn this summer into the Season of the Party it was meant to be. Here, folks, is Power-Salsa at its maximum. From the timba-fide opening track "Rumbannakumbi" onward, this modern Philly-Rican hybrid seamlessly fuses elements of salsa, timba, reggaeton and r&b with superb instrumentation that satisfies on many levels. The band is led by pianist and singer David Colón, who is joined by singers Anthony Crespo Jr. (also the cuatrista here), Anthony Colón, and a bunch of guests too: Julio Voltio, Pirulo, Sino, Myzta and Mola. This is a highly charged offering of salsa that should be considered must-have material. Listen to the horns weave on "No Te Metas" a track that also features veteran singer Antonio Caban Vale "El Topo." In for the ride is percussionist extraordinair ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: ***Best of 2008 Editors Pick Award*** The multi-talented Alberto Barros has a lot of “juice” on the salsa scene – you can tell by who his rather impressive friends are – Oscar D’Leon, Cali Alemán, Wilson Manyoma, La India, Issac Delgadpo, Lalo Rodríguez, “El Canario,” Gabino Pampini, Sergio George, Giovanny Hidalgo, “Perico” Ortiz, Alfredo De La Fé, Luisito Quintero, Diego Galé, Jimmy Bosch, and Sal Cuavas, to mention just a few. This is a high powered, teflon coated South American turbo-powered salsa affair, and if you know your Grupo Niche and Sonora Carruseles, this will fit right in with your typical Colombian instant dancefloor recipe for success. The first three staight up salsa dura tracks that introduce us to the album. The concept for the rest of the tracks is pitting one classic ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: Here's a fitting follow-up to band-leader, arranger and trombonist Alberto Barro's 2007 Tributo A La Salsa Colombiana (Vol. 1). The first one won rave reviews, including mine... "If you had any doubts about Colombia being the new epicenter of salsa, the DVD-CD combo Tributo A La Salsa Colombiana will be sure to set you straight. The power and intensity of a grand-scale production has been concentrated to accommodate a smaller venue, and the resulting effect is that you feel like you are part of the dynamics of this show. And, man, what a show." We'll here's Part II, a *great* surprise that features singers Cali Aleman, Carlos Mario, Saulo Sanchez, Daniel Silva, Alvaro Granobles, Carlos Guerrero, Harold Peláez, Jairo Andrade, Arnold Moreno, Luis Lambis Jr., M ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Now here's a gem of a release by the story-master of salsa, Ruben Blades. How 'bout a song about a guy and his magnificent "manhood"? You'll find it here. Cantares is packed with humor, soul and a sincere reverence for the icons of the Puerto Rican barrio, Ismael Rivera and Tite Curet Alonso, as well as for the deep musical roots of Cuba. This one, folks, is a must-have. Very Highly Recommended. Here's Ruben in his own words... "Estas son canciones hechas originalmente como muestras. Con ellas señalamos la simpleza y el poder de nuestra música popular. Esta producción es tan básica como lo es la vida en nuestros barrios populares: honestidad, valor y esperanza, aún frente a la dificultad o a la mayor decepción. En nuestras calles, la vida y la muerte bailan con la cerveza en la mano. E ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Live from Calí, Colombia... a 2-DVD set! There's a *lot* of classic material here... "Caminando," "Juan Pachanga," "Buscando Guayaba," "Plastico," "Amor Y Control," "Pedro Navaja," "Tiburon," and "Patria." Highly Recommended. A multi-faceted singer/songwriter and salsa pioneer who has also rose to prominence as a successful activist, lawyer, and politician, versatile musician Ruben Blades shifts between ballroom rumba, intense salsa, and mellow, folk-style ballads in a concert that truly spans the spectrum of his diverse abilities. With twenty-two memorable tunes including "Juan Pachanga," "Hag at the Churn," "Ligia Elena," "Mastra Vida," and "Patria," this release offers fans an opportunity to enjoy Blades' unique brand of musical storytelling without having to wait for his next internat ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: This is a really fabulous album from the Hendrix of trombone, Mr. ‘Descargarana’ Jimmy Bosch. “¡ A Million!” references some Spanish expressions that allude to something being great, and also to something that speeds by you with energy to burn at a million miles an hour – and that just about sums up this release. With Mr. Bosch’s recordings, you know you can never go wrong: Jimmy puts his all into the productions, giving you hard-core salsa with a jazz heart – plenty of room for the musicians to cook, with clear sound, hot rhythms, scintillating charts, diverse formats, lyrics that mean something (with sentimiento and humor), and old-school chops for all involved. This record is that and more – watch out, there are some crazy mambo moñas here, with all kinds of reeds and brass galore, and ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: Cachao's Mambo All Stars, an orchestra led by Germán Piferrer, is here to keep that deep Cachao swing burning bright. The band consists of a lot of great talent, with many musicians that were associated with the late, great Israel "Cachao" López. Some notables include violinist Federico Britos, guitarist Juanito Márquez, timbalero Edwin Bonilla, and pianist Jorge Luis Sosa. Taking the role of bassist here is Ramses Colon (Tropicana All Stars, Juan Palblo Torres, Roberto Torres etc.) and the lead singer is Tony Columbié. Guest singer on "Como Mi Amigo No Hay Dos" is Alexis Valdés. A beautiful and welcome tribute. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: If you are familar with Calambuco's debut release Como En El Barrio, you are, without a doubt, ready for their killer new release Rompiendo El Cuero, a hard-boiled, highly combustible brew of salsa dura that is designed to animate even the most resistant dancers. This one is a DJ-Alert first pick. Most compositions are by pianist and leader Andrés Felipe Succar. And with tracks like "No Estás En Ná," "Si Me Mirara," and "Guarachando" (listen to the audio clips, folks!), Succar is all we really need. This guy is good. Mention, though, should also be made of Francisco "Pachito" Echavarría's primo piece simply called "Bongó." This stuff has sabor dripping out of every note. Very Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Timba-Dura lives in ...Sweden! Here's the second release by the highly regarded orchestra from Stockholm. Forward thinking Detlef Engelhard of Termidor Music was smart to pick up Calle Real, an orchestra that leads the pack of international groups that push the timba genre beyond the borders of Cuba. Led by talented tresero Patricio Sobrado, Me Lo Gané simply rocks. Vocalist and conguero Thomas Sebastian Eby does a great job here. Zero filler. Here's a timba album that's jammed with ...timba! This is the stuff that late night danceclub DJs pine for. I'm lovin' the tracks "El Amigo José" and "Ábreme La Puerta" with its sophisticated tempo changes. Great stuff, and... Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Here's the highly anticipated new release from Cuban the timba pioneers. Has it been 20 years? Woah! This one is going to fly off the shelves, folks, so place your order asap. Full review to follow shortly. [from the label's website] David Calzado y Su Charanga Habanera, is the Timba orchestra for cuban youth and dancers of all the world. This year they celebrate 20 years of successes with the release of the 15th album named “No Mires La Carátula”. The CD is all to dance and very “charanguero”, a Cd the fans cannot miss! ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Italy is in the house! This deeply swinging power-salsa release might have DJ Ricky Campanelli's name on the cover (and he is part producer), but this project can best be described a Jesus "El Niño" Alejandro project, and that's fine by us. El Niño arranged all of the tracks and is lead vocalist on most. Those in the know will immediately realize the implications: El Niño is a killer in the field of highly-combustible salsa. And so is guest conguero Edwin Bonilla, a frequent collaborator. Both of their releases on the Miami-based SAR label are considered classics (get them), and their participation here makes this one an instant DJ Alert and big-time Must-Have. The track titles will give you an indication of the sensibility here: "Mi Ritmo Te Llama," the classic "Mani Picao," Willie Colón' ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Cuban salsa-timba doesn't get much better than this. Mandy Cantero sports pretty darn good credentials: former singer for Charanga Forever (a spin-off of Charanga Habanera) and then for Pupy y Los Que Son Son. On this, his debut project as a leader, he's joined by primo bassist Pedro Pablo who is also the project's musical director. And the Pedro Pablo stamp is clearly embedded: with smart arrangements that underscore the importance of excellent musicianship, this project is much more than your typical timba fare. Hay Que Luchar features all original tracks, mostly by Cantero, and is backed by pianist Karina Gutierrez, conguero Frank Ramirez, timbal player Jorge Felix Bravo, trumpeter J.A. Chappottín "El Niño" as well as corositas Tirso Duarte, Mario Gavilán, Michel Pérez, and Jesus Made ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Thanks to this Colombian import collection of the bandleader’s Fiesta material from the late 50s – early 60s, I have discovered a real gem. This is a fun set of hard mambo, jazzy guaguanco, and funky cha-cha-cha, with some nice electric guitar, perky percussion, and a boisterous party atmosphere (lots of shouts, loud cowbell, and hand-clapping). It makes me think of the bugalú sound that would come a little later, but with a more Sonora Matancera or La Plata Sextet arrangement. Again, the combo of the brass charts and prominent electric guitar makes it really different, and the vocal numbers are great fun. Though this is undoubtedly mastered off various slabs of vintage vinyl, the sound quality is decent enough, and the song selection is superb. So if you don’t have his out of print record ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: While “de la calle” may mean different things depending on who you ask, it generally means ‘from the street’ – i.e. hardcore, hip, and not too fancy. Vocalist Luisito Carrión, with help from the likes of the respected timbalero Diego Galé and his crew of Colombian salseros, has cooked up just that; a nice little burner of an album with crisp arrangements and lots of playful, up tempo numbers. There is nothing ambitious or left field, not too much variation from song to song, and the brass is not going to win any awards for innovation, but it is nice to have a solid salsa album these days that is not drenched in syrup or pretentious over-production. Carrión is a seasoned vocalist, having cut solo albums that date back more than a decade, and he is in demand as a coro singer for the likes of ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: Yes, one of my favorite Cerón albums (early '80s) finally makes it to cd! With arrangements by Marty Sheller, Sonny Bravo, and Luis "Perico" Ortiz (who also performs on this session), the band features some of the best New York players: Pedro Bulong (trompet), Lewis Kahn (trombone), Eddie Montalvo (congas), Luis Mangual (bongo) and others. Ah, the long awaited third album by acclaimed sonero Santiago Cerón. Finally out, and it sounds superb. Get this one now! Highly Recommended. Here are the oringinal sleeve notes: "Stars are not born overnight, it's only through perseverance, sacrifice and faith that the talent in the struggling artist slowly evolves into a beautiful reality. Santiago Ceron is a classic example of a true sonero. Already this young man has won a Gold Record for his first ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Dominican sonero Santiago Cerón is a well-seasoned vocalist with many decades under his belt, a gentleman who continues in the fine 1970s Nuyorican tradition of combining salsa sensibilities (trombones, prominent bell patterns) with the less commercial Afro-Cuban conjunto sound of Arsenio Rodriguez and Miguelito Cuní. This hybrid sound was originally promoted by Fania, SAR, Salsa International, Sacodis, and Salsoul. It became very popular in Africa and Colombia, and continued to find some success in New York in the 80s (despite the encroaching pop salsa romantica trends), with artists like Chico Alvarez, Roberto Torres, Armando Sanchez, and Henry Fiol carrying the torch. Santiago Cerón fits right into that scene, but unlike say Monguito’s high nasal sound, “Mr. Cool” Cerón sings in a lower ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: Here's a special treat. It's a two-cd, thirty-year, retrospective of material by the venerable New York salsa band and features all of their top-tier singers: Tito Nieves, Johnny Rivera, Rafael De Jesus, Tito Allen, Tempo Alomar, Daniel Santos, Jose Bello, and Raulin Rosendo. "Señora Ley," "Vamanos De Rumba," "Felicitaciones," "Los Rodriguez," "Mentirosa," "Ramona" and a ton more. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Just in! Sizzling hard salsa volcanic lava, Puerto Rico style, from timbalero Edwin Clemente. Complete review to follow shortly, but here's what we said about Clemente's 2005 Timbal Pa'l Bailador... "Direct from Puerto Rico, here's a high voltage crate-full of hard-hitting Salsa Durisimo led by Edwin Clemente, the veteran timbalero who has played with the likes of Pupy Santiago, Ray Barretto, Plena Libre, Protagonitas De La Salsa, Kim De Los Santos, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz and many others... Salsa, folks, doesn't get much harder than this. With terrific vocals by Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Wilfredo Otero, tracks like "Te Oí Papá" and "El Timbal" come off like a raised clenched fist — a relentless wall of rhythm and coro that doesn't take "no" for an answer. Positioned comfortably near the ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: ***Best of 2008 Editors Pick Award*** A recording like this will probably be overlooked today, though not tomorrow. The greatness of the groove, the explosion of the Puerto Rican/New York style so late in the day will be appreciated in historical terms — you know, a work of genius after the genre had flowered, etc. My suggestion: buy some of these now, give them away to friends and neighbors, get insistent with them, make them pay attention as the recording, essentially a descarga led by the ferocious montunos of Colon’s piano, is a celebration of all the best things that have happened in what’s called salsa. And Colon’s a mean pianist, taking the band down to a whisper in some of his solos, and setting up all sorts of tricky tempo changes — listen to "Tirandote Flores" — to take the recor ... continues (Peter Watrous)

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EditorsPick: ***Best of 2008 Editors Pick Award*** Willie Colón’s “Asalto Navideño” franchise is a well-known, beloved institution, and in 1993, Colón went all out to put on a great live show in Puerto Rico’s Coliseo Roberto Clemente featuring the best of his Christmas output from the 70s and 80s. Colón is backed by an ace big band, many excellent guests, and a visual spectacle complete with dancers dramatizing the Navidad party scenes and Barrio vignettes depicted in the songs (I bet those dancers in ski hats, overcoats, and scarves sure worked up a sweat – best was the “lechon asado” roasting over the “fire” of dry ice on stage). The ubiquitous maestro and musical director Isidro Infante is on keyboards, Rubén Rodríguez holds down the bass, and Johnny Almendra goes wild on timbales. Colon did not ski ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: Here is a masterwork of Cuban finesse and sabor. Aaron Singer, longtime Descarga.com patron and connoisseur of all things Cuban, wrote most of the music on Del Pasado Al Presente. Singer gathered some of the Cuban musical elite to bring his project to life. Renaissance man Bobby Carcasses supplied many of the lyrics and arrangements and sings here too. But there is such a wealth of talent here that it's impossible to credit but a small percentage in this review. Here are the singers: Ernesto Bacallao, Bobby Carcasses, Lisset Caro Farquenson, Ernesto Gatell (Gato), Lazaro Galarraga, Alberto "Tamayo" Gonzalez, Sixto Llorente "El Indio," Pedro Lugo Martinez "El Nene," Ariel Monterecy, Aaron Singer and Diana Caro Farquenson. Whew. I'll highlight a few notables: violinists Rafael Lay Bravo, Dag ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: ***Best of 2008 Editors Pick Award*** The second product of the great Cuban singer Issac Delgado’s stay in Miami has arrived in time for Christmas, and per usual with Delgado, it’s a masterpiece. Produced by Delgado and Sergio George and recorded in Puerto Rico with a cast of the best Puerto Rican musicians (Cano Estremera shows up on coro!), it’s a non-stop blast of pleasure. Delgado ventures on the tune "La Fiesta" into deep party music, mixing up some reggaeton with salsa; on title tune "Asi Soy," the percussion goes home-wrecking, the musicians are so excited (actually, the percussion, turned up and placed high in the mix is pretty much brilliant all album long; no fear of percussion in this mix). And while Delgado was there at the inception of timba, his music has long been a sophisti ... continues (Peter Watrous)

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EditorsPick: The West Coast orchestra takes on East Coast salsa, borrowing people from both sides of the country, including Oscar Hernández on piano and Art Webb on flute. This stuff’s really good, with fine singing, arranging, and playing. Led by the percussionist Carlo Lopez, the band blasts right into swinging salsa and doesn’t stop, a perfect party album, local and good. Highly Recommended. ... continues (Peter Watrous)

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EditorsPick: Terrific new salsa release -- a Cd and DVD set -- by Luis Enrique. Produced by Bob Benozzo and Sergio George. Milton Salcedo on piano, conguero William "Cachiro" Thompson, bassists Ruben Rodriguez and Eduard Magdariaga, trombonist Alberto Barros and many others. Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Wow. Doesn’t take but about a second to hear the heated nature of this rumba, which just rocks from beginning to end. The first tune’s an often heard chant for Elegua; the six member group then works through originals and Los Dias Pasan, by Gilberto Santa Rosa and a bunch of tributes to Carlos Embale, Elio Reve and Merceditas Valdes (and Chano Pozo, though he’s not given credit in the liner notes). There’s tons of arranging here, rhythmic feints and accents to leave big chunks of open space. The coro, which includes a woman, Arianna Saboriu Martinez (who takes the lead on a tune), just tears up the music, completely unafraid to supercharge the proceedings. Not that the percussion lays back, either; this is not a sleepy recording, this stuff just takes the paint off the room. Anybody lookin ... continues (Peter Watrous)

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EditorsPick: Unless something completely loco happens in the coming months to prove me wrong, I can honesty say this is the best salsa release of 2009, and I actually heard it first in 2008! It’s like when The Spanish Harlem Orchestra first burst on the scene – I ‘m feeling the same sense of discovery and excitement at hearing a recording with such loving attention to detail, realism, lack of attitude, and just enough rough edges and grit to give you those chills that only classic Latin music gives. There is a lot of classic 70s retro Nuyorican feeling here in the hard-core trombones, acoustic piano, and diversity of traditional dance genres (remember when albums used to list the styles of each song on the back of the LP?). Their rhythm section has that essential ‘fundamento’ – the African foundation ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: Oomph! Smoldering, finely crafted capital "S" Salsa release by the talented percussionist Steve Guasch and crew. To perform original material, yet to capture the feel of classic '70s salsa from the likes of Barretto, Pacheco, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, Roena and Ismael "Maelo" Rivera was Guasch's aim here, — and he has succeeded with high marks. There's a lot of talent here including pianist and composer Julio Jáuregui, bassists Jeff Norwood and José Soto "Mortadelo." Also with congueros Paoli Mejias and Johnny Conga, three trombonists: Will Martin, Dan Marcus, and Eliel Rivero and many others. A fine job by vocalists Joe De Jesús and Marcial Isturiz. Influencias is a salsa collectors Must-Have, and a big DJ Alert as well. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: This is some explosion of creativity here, a double cd that tracks the Cuban percussionist through nearly 40 years of a recording career. In a way, the set contains a history of modern Cuban music, and it’s a way into the heaving, huge world of the music. Starting with descargas recorded with Cachao in 1957, the seminal Cuban Jam Session in Miniature — with shout outs to Güines and the best transfers I’ve heard of the material, the collection then moves into some more descargas, work with the pianists Bebo Valdez, Peruchin, and Frank Emilio Flynn. In 1970, we hear him at the head of his own band, then with Orquesta Tipica 73’s Cuba meets USA project. The second cd moves into more seminal material including the Estrellas De Areito, Peruchin Jr., and material he recorded with the late percu ... continues (Peter Watrous)

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EditorsPick: Bassist Pedro Pablo Gutierrez, a founding member of Charanga Habanera and the force behind a huge number of successful modern Cuban salsa and timba projects, is the musical director of Havana Salsa Team. The concept here is to combine elements of salsa and timba and pump their combined essence into well known ballads. To accomplish the task, three vocalists were called upon: Tirso Duarte (from Pupy Pedroso, Charanga Habanera, NG La Banda), Alexander Acosta (Chispa, Charanga Forever, Reve, Arnaldo y la Cosmopolita) and Evelia Jaz (Havana Power Band). The result is danceclub and radio-ready, with catchy hooks and uptempo timba styled arrangements. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Ernie, Angelo, Junior and the boys have been working hard, fine-tuning their sound over these last 20 years. At this point they have reached the pinnacle of their powers, and “Afinando” should help them break through, while keeping the dancers happy. This CD is like a beam of light shining in the darkened salsa scene in La Gran Manzana. What is great about their sound is the unique combination of influences — it’s as if the tight, Afro-Cuban conjunto sound of Arsenio Rodriguez; the punchy, up-beat attack of Sonora Matancera (those crisp trumpets), and the classic Pacheco sound of Fania (flute and tres) were interpreted through the dance-conscious, full orchestral approach of Puerto Rican salsa in the El Gran Combo or Willie Rosario style (lots of baritone sax, multiple vocalists, prominent ... continues (Pablo Yglesias)

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EditorsPick: Late '70s and early '80s salsa with compositions by Enildo Padron, José Febles, Jorge Cabrera, Sixto Hernandez, Ramon Monchi Estevez and Fredy Cruz. With "Una Rumba En Mi Barrio," "Historia De Mi Son," "Guapeando" and much more. Review to follow shortly. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: It takes literally a minute for the first tune to go into timba breaks, which means only good things. Carlos Joel’s a 35 year old singer from Cuba, and the album is totally fresh, old-school timba, as good as it gets; he’s a rhythmically intense singer who acts like an instigator, getting the band to crank. Produced by Manolito Simonet, the record doesn’t stop, and shows no fear of admitting that it comes from the street, no sweetening, no acoustic guitars, no pan-Caribbeanism, no ballads. It’s also filled with really cool musical details, things that could only be worked out on the road, little melodies in the coro, rhythmic ideas in the breaks. Hard, hard core timba, amazing rhythm section (which is moving into new territory, albeit just a bit), good singing, good tunes, real world arran ... continues (Peter Watrous)

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EditorsPick: Wow -- Here's a killer! It's a funkified son record con cojones from one of Cuba's most highly regarded roots bands. Take a listen to "Tiene Brillamba," "El Chivo" or "Son Manigüero" to get a sense of the fire that these guys can generate. Zero filler, every track is priceless. Led by singer Pedro Gomez Rodriguez, Los Jubilados' pristine, crackling, instrumentation (bongo, bass, tres, trumpet, tumba, guitar), fronted by additional singers Emilio Robert and Mario Carcassés is a timeless, near-perfect, Cuban gem that you will be playing again and again. Very Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Wow! Here's a very highly sought-after collector's classic finally out on cd! And what a fabulous and highly swinging Peruvian salsa-descarga project from the '60s this is. Featuring the veteran singer Melcochita who's backed by a band of incredible musicians who jam like there's no tomorrow. Listen to the superb "Peruvian Boogaloo." Some of this stuff is simply wild, like the track "Booga Jazz" a jazzy scat infused number that is unlike anything else you've heard. But it's *all* great stuff -- highly percussive and uptempo dance material with frenetic jams. Listen to the electric guitar on "Elvira Se Vira" followed by the conga and bongó blowout of "Dale A Los Cueros." This material is nothing but pure, spirited, and just plain fun stuff of the best vintage. In the '60s and '70s, the Peru ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: The deep, rich wealth of Peruvian salsa from the '60s and '70s was, arguably, best archived by the Mag Record label. Here is some frenetic and funky dance music by Los Kintos and Sonora Nelson Ferreyra. Two albums on one disk. Some of this stuff is pure killer. Listen to the descarga Orgullosa Mujer followed by the rhythm of Por Que Vas. If you liked Karamanduka y Melcochita with MAG Peruvian All Stars’ Extra: Acabo Con Lima Huyo Pa' New York, you're gonna love this one. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Primo new salsa dura release from Panama with some additional Colombian muscle. A big DJ-Alert. Very Highly Recommended. Full review to follow shortly... "Oscar y Rey - Los Hermanos Cruz, como se les conoce en el ambiente musical panameño - formaron parte de muchos grupos y orquestas locales, llegando a participar en la histórica producción " La Rosa de los Vientos", de Ruben Blades, la cual fuera premiada con un Grammy. Este labor, entre otras los llevaría hacia un futuro altamente promisorio, y que les permitiría compartir tarima o acompañar a grandes figuras de la música afro caribeña. El nombre de este compacto " Guerreros de Barrio", lo dice todo, pues Los Hermanos Cruz de verdad se han fajado en el competitivo mundo de la música en Panamá, donde las buenas oportunidades son escasas ... continues (DR)

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EditorsPick: Woah! Sizzling dance material big band mambo style! The former Tito Puente Orchestra returns with their third release: a knock-out project featuring the great New York singer Frankie Vazquez. Vazquez belts out highly charged compositions like "Lo Que Traigo Es Salsa," "Cookin' The Mambo," "Gua Cha Rumba," and "Cuando Suenan Los Cueros." Also with pianist Sonny Bravo, timbalero Jose Madera, conguero George Delgado, trumpeters Pete Nater and John Walsh, trombonists Lewis Kahn and Reynaldo Jorge and many, many others. And expect a very strong showing by vocalist Cita Rodriguez, daughter of legendary singer Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. Her coro work top notch, and she takes the lead on "Ahora Mismo." A killer release... and DJ Alert. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Produced in Colombia, New York and Puerto Rico with a great lineup of singers: Frankie Vazquez, Junior Gonzalez, Rafu Warner, Papo Cocote, Rafael Andino, Manolo Lezcano. Here's was we said about Volume 1: "Just in time to remind you of what classic, essential, salsa sounds like, here's an in-the-pocket salsa release by the brothers Lebrón ...This is prime urban old-school salsa the way it ought to be — no unnecessary frills: just a crate-full of strength, grit and swing. Highly Recommended." ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Here's a lovely, lavishly produced tribute to the classic Cuban compositions. Former Anacaona singer Lucrecia takes on such beloved tracks as "Siboney," "Guantanamera" (with the participation of Cuban music advocate Andy Garcia), "Son de La Loma," "Capullito de Alheli" and others. Listen to "El Manisero" morph from a polite dance number into an unrestrained sizzler. Yum... I only wish it were longer. And when you listen to "Qué Bueno Baila Usted" you'll be reminded, once more, why you love this stuff. A gem, and Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: ***Best of 2008 Editors Pick Award*** In one of the most ambitious projects of the year, pianist Jose Lugo has crafted a near perfect sequence of hard salsa dura with additional Latin jazz compositions and an intoxicating rumba, "Acá Y Allá," that will leave you in percussive euphoria. Lugo, whose piano mastery is associated with the bands of Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentin, Gilberto Santa Rosa and other salsa superstars, has enlisted singers of the highest caliber: Herman Olivera, Isaac Delgado, Cano Estremera, Victor Manuelle, and Gilberto Santa Rosa. This type of inspired project does not appear that often and, to top it off, it was engineered by the legendary Jon Fausty who is known for his exemplary work with Fania. The CD comes with a bonus three track DVD featuring behind-the-scene ... continues (BP)

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