Gift Certificates
Best of 2007

EditorsPick: This piece of Cuban high octane art comes in a disguise, a disguise of a son/salsa recording, dressed up with a tres and a bit of folk. In fact, this is explosive, modern Cuban dance music, the sort that will be part of the definition of our times. In theory this is a collaboration between Janne Bogdan, a Swedish tresero and the Cuban geniuses Pupy Pedroso and Bombon Reyes; the collaboration is the dress up part. When the songs are dispensed with, and the montunos check in, the collaboration heads out the window and what we get is pure Pupy, driven by the overwhelming and beautiful drumming of Reyes. Which places it in the terrain of Van Van and Pupy's own groups, which is to say in a strange world linked to salsa and timba, but really a place of its own, where the singers sing over percussive coros, and through the distinct landscape of Pupy's rhythms and harmonies, bitter and tumultuous and often heroic in their ability to alleviate the drudgery of the normal. That's a long way to say you've never heard anything like this. The singers include Mandy Abreu, El Sinsonte, Maria Cristina Garcia and Pepito Martinez, and they get tons of space to stretch out as both musicians and singers; the horns included Julio Padron, and they rock. Like most Pupy recordings, this one's a bit murky; there's so much going on it's hard to hear individual parts; instead there's a wall of sound, thumping and realistic, with the coro and the lead singers adding ribbons of melody on top of it all. Pretty amazing, and way up on the top ten list of the year, so far.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
SONG TITLES:
1. El Maraquero (4:04) 2. Tumba, Bongó Con Las Pailas (4:38) 3. Gloria Eterna (4:48) 4. Conciencia (4:35) 5. Babalocha Y Yalocha (3:55) 6. Para Oshosi Un Tambó (6:11) 7. Salí A Buscar Un Corazón (3:13) 8. Besos De Miel (3:46) 9. De Esa Manera (4:20) 10. El Congo Francisco (5:36)
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EditorsPick: The year after relocating to London in 1995 from his native Cali in Colombia, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer Dorancé Lorza organised Sexteto Café with a line-up inspired by the great vibes-led Latin combos of the '50s and '60s, such as the Joe Cuba Sextet and New Swing Sextet. In Cali, Colombia's third largest city and self-styled "world capital of salsa", he led his own highly successful group Renacer Antillano between 1983 and 1989. During the 1990s he worked on many Colombian salsa productions as a performer, arranger or producer, or all three, by such key names as Kike Harvey, Santiago Ceron, Los Niches, Los Del Caney, Los Titanes, Los Nemus del Pacifico, Fruko y sus Tesos, Conjunto Son del Barrio, Proyecto Omega and Cali Aleman, among others.
...Hand-picked by Dorancé, 10 Years of Salsa compiles material recorded by Sexteto Café between 1994 and 2003, 10 tracks of which first appeared on the albums Café Salsa (PCP Records, 1997) and Salsa Pa' Ti (Candela, 2004); the remaining six cuts are drawn from the "lost" 2000 album Latin DNA. The set opens with "El Chontaduro y Borojo", a folkloric tune about two fruits that grow in Colombia's Pacific region revived by Lilián Rosero. Dorancé's arrangement breaks up the traditional salsa structure and injects elements of cumbia, Colombia's national rhythm. Supplying the lead vocals is Sandro Barragán, who recorded with Sarabanda, Los Niches and Octava Dimensión, singing on their 1988 hit "Mentiras". It was one of nine tracks Dorancé recorded in Cali in 1994 issued three years later as Sexteto Café's debut album Café Salsa. The subsequent Latin DNA and Salsa Pa' Ti projects were made in London.
...Over the 1999 Christmas period I was invited to predict who I thought would be the most influential Latin producers, musicians and key players for the coming decade. I included Dorancé in my shortlist of three names. I am looking forward to 10 Years of Salsa becoming part of the evidence to vindicate my forecast.
Highly Recommended. (John Child)
SONG TITLES:
1. El Chontaduro Y Borojo (4:17) 2. El Titere (3:08) 3. Verdad Amarga (4:24) 4. La Runidera (4:36) 5. Once Upon A Time...There Was A Story (5:41) 6. Guaguanco En Mi Barrio (3:41) 7. Arriving At 9# (3:53) 8. Mango Mangue (4:36) 9. Step One (4:25) 10. El Negro Bembon (5:04) 11. Mambo City (4:43) 12. Sabroso (5:11) 13. Lullaby For A Queen (5:56) 14. La Chica De La Minifalda (4:01) 15. Circles Of Time (5:14) 16. El Gloton (4:01)
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EditorsPick: Here's another great New York local band, and a new one at that, putting together music at the intersection of charanga and salsa. Led by Joe De Jesus, a trombonist turned flautist, the band is full of salsa veterans, including Pito Castillo, Lewis Kahn, Ernie Acevedo (of Conjunto Imagen) and Julio Salgado, and they take the old form and make it sound fresh. This is music for Saturday night, local music at its best, a form of New York folklore that's rapidly disappearing. Support the culture and buy the cd, and let the music ring and make your life better.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
SONG TITLES:
1. Charansalsa Llego 2. No Dicen Nada 3. La Salsa New Yorkina 4. Porque 5. Me Lo Llevaron Todo 6. Tumba La Caña 7. El Anillo 8. Dentro De Mi Piel 9. Se Quemo El Lechon 10. Last Dance
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EditorsPick: Here's a nice idea that works: take a bunch of the talent in Miami and get them to record a passel of great tunes, in this case the music of the Cuban composer Eliseo Grenet. Starting with Roberto Torres, of SAR fame (and this project reminds me a bit of something his label might have done), singing "Mama Ines," moving through Carlos Manuel, Malena Burke (with Cachao on bass), Albita and Aymee Nuviola, the project maintains its balance, even through a bit of reggaeton on the part of Manuel. The backing music's son for the most part, and when it needs to it moves into salsa, and even some pop for Albita singing "Drume Negrita." Totally amiable.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
SONG TITLES:
1. Mama Ines (3:44) 2. Negro Benson (3:50) 3. Papa Montero (4:32) 4. Drume Negrita (3:48) 5. Songoro Cosongo (4:12) 6. Habanera (4:10) 7. Felipe Blanco (3:59) 8. Espasilate (4:05) 9. Cusa De Mi Vida (3:32) 10. Las Perlas De Tu Boca (4:12) 11. Rica Pulpa (3:32) 12. Mirala Que Linda Viene (4:52)
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EditorsPick: Wow, more timba from Havana, and this one's a mix of Charanga Habanera and let's say Paulito. It has a boy band thing going on, like Charanga, and some of the melodies are out of their school of timba, and clearly there's an attempt to get the El Boni vibe. The singers do a bit of falsetto singing like in Charanga, and owe a bit to Paulito. While there's a bit of pop overlay here (castanets, the dreaded acoustic guitar), when things start to swing, watch out, there's a heavy dance impulse that makes you wonder what the band would sound like live stretching the tunes out for half an hour. Funny you should ask: included is a DVD, with sort of live performances, showing off how the band moves, with tons of choreography, and dancing and uh, dancing. The rhythm section, including the bass, knows how to bang, and behind the pop stuff there's that Cuban rhythm section genius.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
SONG TITLES:
1. La Habana Se Esta Mudando (4:46) 2. A La Viceversa (4:57) 3. La Maquinita (4:42) 4. Kilates (4:26) 5. Un Amor De Verdad (4:28) 6. Macho.com (4:19) 7. La Vida Es... (4:39) 8. Quitate (3:54) 9. Vivir Para Ver (3:27) 10. Amantes De La Vida (4:03) 11. El Deporte Nacional (4:52) 12. Saca Tu Mal (4:35) 13. Mano Pa' Rriba (3:36)
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EditorsPick: Finally back in stock, this absolute classic 2-CD set from 1993 features Puerto Rico's most accomplished salsa musicians and vocalists. Burning hot from beginning to end. This is a must-have, and is now a collector's item. Highly recommended. (BP) "The best all-star conglomeration ever assembled out of Puerto Rico, producing top-rate tropical music and Latin jazz." (Rudolph Mangual, 98/99 Catalog)
"Puerto Rico's finest musicians and singers in an explosion of creativity. You get two CDs produced by the eclectic Frank Ferrer who has been responsible for the progressive music movement in Puerto Rico over the last fifteen years, as well as documenting it on recordings. This 1993 release is centered around legendary Puerto Rican percussionist Angel 'Cachete' Maldonado and his hand picked colleagues performing in a variety of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Rican genres. ¡Gracias Frank y Cachete!" (Bobby Sanabria, 98/99 Catalog)
"A must-have double album of vocal and instrumental gems. An abundance of jazzy touches, both brazen and subtle, in an explosive all-star session that literally throbs with vitality and takes the music to the next level." (Mark Holston, 96/97 Catalog)
"Talk about an all-star cast! This project was a delightful surprise, considering the rareness of a non-commercial concept in the world of 'salsa romántica.' It's like Batacumbele on steroids! In spite of the unfortunately out-of-tune piano, Eric Figueroa manages to bypass the producer's obvious lack of attention to this matter, and churn out some of his best piano work on record. Percussionists Cachete, Anthony Carrillo and Endel Dueño, together with drummer Alex Acuña, create a powerful and free-flowing groove. The horn section features the brilliant work of Juancito Torres and Piro Rodríguez on trumpets, Papo Vázquez on trombone and Mario Rivera on saxophones. And the combination and variety of the singers on this record gives each piece a unique spark - Jerry Medina's voice, in particular, still blows me away!" (Rebeca Mauleón, 96/97 Catalog)
"Gather up Puerto Rico's cream-of-the-crop soneros and musicians, package their superb performances in a double CD set and the result is sheer exhilaration for the listener. This effort is also mastered beautifully, and producer Fran Ferrer deserves acclaim and congratulations." (Vicki Solá, 96/97 Catalog) (BP)
Description: Awesome two CD. Highly recommended. Cantantes: Justo Betancourt, Ismael Miranda, Jerry Medina, Wichi Camacho, Carlos Esteban Fonseca, Antonio Cabán Vale, "El Topo."
SONG TITLES:
1. Descarga Boricua (15:58) 2. Me Pongo Yo (9:00) 3. Canto A Eleguá (9:50) 4. Homenaje A Cachao (7:29) 5. Entra Derecho (6:36) 6. Another World (4:26) 7. La Ultima Conga (5:07) 8. Bomba Pa' Juan (4:51) 9. ¡Esta Si Va! (5:18) 10. Me Curo Con Rumba (8:00) 11. Contra Mar Y Mareo (5:24) 12. La Rumba Esta Buena (5:58) 13. Children With No Pain (7:40) 14. Controversia Caribeña (5:23) 15. Espiritu De La Verdad (11:04)
Price: $24.98
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EditorsPick: Back in stock! Review to follow shortly. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Caballo Viejo 2. Ansiedad 3. Mambo Zaoco 4. No Te Muerdas Los Labios 5. A Sunny Ray 6. Ay Bendito 7. Broadway Cha Cha Cha 8. Tumbao 9. Romance En Carnaval 10. Yalel Yalel 11. Mambo Timbal 12. Vestida De Novia 13. Mambo Leon 14. Ondina
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EditorsPick: Back in stock! Straight from Venezuela, here's a head-spinning big-band mambo-jazz release that hearkens to the heyday of the Tito Puente orchestra. In fact, several of Puente's big hits are included here. Mr. Hernandez continues to hold the torch way up high. His timbale playing is tight and tasty, and does justice to the classic "Ran Kan Kan." (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Bravo Pavo (3:20) 2. Donna Lee (5:32) 3. Ran Kan Kan (4:59) 4. Afroblue (5:56) 5. 'Round Midnight (5:01) 6. Energia (5:03) 7. Compota Para El Bebé (5:24) 8. Mitch's Mambo (5:31) 9. Rock Island Rocket (5:54) 10. Catch The Feeling (6:07) 11. El Rey Del Timbal (4:19)
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EditorsPick: This is a really fun video that shows you what the Cecilia Nöel experience is all about - sexy, soulful, sabroso music, fronted by a beautiful lady with zesty vocals, plus alluring female back up singers and dancers, entertaining visuals, and a crack big band that really cooks, whether it's funk, disco, rock, salsa, cumbia, boogaloo, samba, balada, or a mix of any and all. Listening to her studio CDs only gives you some of an idea of her spirit and commanding presence; the sound quality on the DVD is great, and tracks like "Everybody's Mambo" and "La Habana Nunca Será la Misma Sin Tí" are infectious and ring true. At first, her frequent use of English on the studio recordings got a little under my skin, but once I saw the video I understood. She's kind of like a more modern version of La Lupe, a Peruvian Joe Bataan if you will, with plenty of fire and tenderness, and she's expressing the multicultural world of the Global Village as we live it today. As if that weren't enough, she calls her band The Wild Clams, and her husband (and sometime collaborator) is Colin Hay, the man behind all the classic tunes of Men At Work, and a fine vocalist and songwriter in his own right. If you think there are not enough Salsa Divas around today, Ms. Nöel is certainly a front-runner for the title of Latin Soul Queen.
Highly Recommended. (Pablo Yglesias)
SONG TITLES:
1. Intro "Crazy" 2. Oparateo 3. Everybody's Mambo 4. 9069 5. La Habana Nunca Sera La Misma Sin Ti 6. Carlitos Way 7. Dip It 8. Monkey 9. Mambo 10. Axe (The Power) 11. Tu Condena 12. La Culebra 13. Pronto Salsa 14. Down Under 15. Rain 16. Slam The Clam
Price: $21.98
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EditorsPick: A theme record, featuring some mighty trumpeters from Puerto Rico, including Mario Ortiz, Perico Ortiz, Charlie Sepulveda, Humberto Ramirez and more. The groups are small, and the music's jazz; some, like Perico Ortiz's "Isabel Anna," soft instrumental music good for well, um, supermarkets and such, even with some nice improvising thrown in. Charlie Sepulveda's "Bomba Pa Carmen" takes a bomba rhythm, with a real rhythm section and lets Sepulveda blow some nice lines above it all.
Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
SONG TITLES:
1. Spanish Connection 2. Isabel Anna 3. Bomba Pa' Carmen 4. Alma Adentro 5. Juansinfron 6. Don Humberto 7. Cool Heat 8. Sin Ti 9. Asora
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EditorsPick: A 'must-have' for any serious fan of great music - not just Latin music. Rubén Blades and Willie Colon were a team that transcended the sometimes narrow confines of the salsa world. Poetry, politics, and dance? Those two could pull it off, though several of the compositions on this album make you listen more than just shake your booty. "La Mora" and "Pablo Pueblo" are the standouts, while "La Maleta" makes you laugh and shake your head knowingly. In a way, the music is not particularly challenging, unlike some of Willie and Rubén's other efforts; as a result, Blades really gets to shine for the first time as an interpreter of the Latino experience. The record is definitely a precursor of things to come, but what I like the most about it is that it is still simple and humble, without the showy dramatic arrangements and overly ambitious sound of later collaborations. Don't get me wrong, I love parts of "Siembra" and "Maestra Vida," but unlike those bigger productions, "Metiendo Mano" is lean and mean, and thus light on its feet, like a welterweight boxer. The re-mastering is better than on "Bohemio y Poeta," which is a relief.
Highly Recommended! (Pablo Yglesias)
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Willie Colón and Rubén Blades.
SONG TITLES:
1. Pablo Pueblo (6:13) 2. Según El Color (6:00) 3. La Maleta (4:41) 4. Me Recordaras (3:42) 5. Plantacion Adentro (5:08) 6. La Mora (6:10) 7. Lluvia De Tu Cielo (5:41) 8. Fue Varon (5:32) 9. Pueblo (7:05)
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EditorsPick: If you have never heard the classic 50s and 60s recordings of Mexican duo Lobo y Melon, especially the famous "Amalia Batista," don't waste any time, go out there and get yourself some. But don't stop there, because you will be sure to want to get this fabuloso reissue of "Llegó Melón," the first collaboration between Pacheco and incredible vocalist Luis Angel Silva Nava, better known as "Melón." The material is all killer salsa - mostly Cuban in sound, with that typical Pacheco arrangement and coro. There is also an innovative cover of "Don Toribio," a ditty made famous by Spain's King of The Gypsy Rumba (and my favorite flamenco artist), Peret. As if that weren't enough, there are two velvety boleros that will knock your socks off, and the record finishes with an incredible eight-minute jam, "Solo Estoy," that takes things out with a bang. According to the informative liner notes, the album only took two days to record, so these two must have been natural partners in the studio - it shows!
Highly Recommended. (Pablo Yglesias)
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SONG TITLES:
1. Don Toribio (4:46) 2. Pacheco Y Su Tumbao (4:30) 3. Esto Si Se Llama Querer (2:54) 4. Quiero Llegar A Puerto Rico (5:51) 5. Vera Cruz (5:18) 6. Compay Anton (5:42) 7. Jicamo Y Salsa (5:31) 8. Nuestra Cita (3:16) 9. Solo Estoy (8:03)
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EditorsPick: This record is a lot of fun; it reminds you of a far off time when the salsa industry was in its infancy in New York, when bugalú and Latin Soul were the rage, when mixing cultures and experimentation was in the air, and kids opened fire hydrants for relief from the intense heat of the ghetto. Harlow and Miranda were a couple of fresh-faced young guys who were highly ambitious, sure of themselves, but liked to have a goof now and then. Smoking piano, great vocals, an unbeatable team - but also a pairing that was destined to split. The record is chock full of killer material, with classic proto-salsa dura tunes like "La Contraria" and "Yo Me Voy" - still dance floor standards today - while "Horsin' Up" (featuring humorous banter from Joe Bataan) and a groovy Spanish version of Hugh Masekela's "Grazin' In The Grass" keep it funky and soulful. A somewhat gritty, raw street sound on the one hand, but on the other, some real típico Cuban flavors - son montuno, guaguancó, lyrics about the people of Cuba, guajiros, etc. It's what the New York sound was all about. Decent liner notes too.
Highly Recommended. (Pablo Yglesias)
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SONG TITLES:
1. Horsin' Up (3:54) 2. La Contraria (3:54) 3. Mi Manera De Sur (2:40) 4. Jaguey (3:46) 5. Yo Me Voy (4:23) 6. Grazin' In The Grass (Una Maradita De Amor) (3:15) 7. Lamento Cubano (4:44) 8. Quiero (Bobby's Boogaloo) (3:16) 9. Rumba A La Vida (4:54) 10. Mi Guajira Si (3:55)
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EditorsPick: This is a really fine album, an essential snapshot of one of the most exciting and dynamic salsa bands from Puerto Rico, ever. Diverse styles, charismatic vocalists Luigi and Tito), classic compositions with intelligent lyrics, entertaining arrangements - it's all here. From the excellent pop art cover by Walter Velez (that started as a humorous concept by Izzy Sanabria), to the special chemistry of a band that threatened to blow itself apart, "Sonora Ponceña" is a must have. Papo Lucca was just 26 the year this LP came out; his playful solos that quote classic Latin jazz, the fact that he also played vibes and tres on the record, all point to his virtuosity. Top it off with some good liner notes and decent sound, and what's your excuse for not buying this disc right now?
Highly Recommended! (Pablo Yglesias)
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SONG TITLES:
1. Changuiri (3:28) 2. Suena Tu Bongo (4:43) 3. Imploracion (3:11) 4. Tu Y Yo Na Ma (4:50) 5. Tu Son Mi Soro (3:26) 6. Yo Vengo Del Monte (4:21) 7. Espejismo (3:45) 8. Nacio Cansao (3:13) 9. Cariño Mentiroso (3:45) 10. Como Mango (5:38)
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EditorsPick: Not one of my overall favorite F.A.S. albums because of its over-produced sound and patchy song selection, nonetheless this one includes two of their all time best, so it's well worth purchasing. Cheo Feliciano's powerful interpretation of Justi Barreto's santería-themed classic "Nina" will send chills down your spine and have you dancing like a possessed spirit. The other welcome surprise is Ismael Rivera's version of the old Cuban standard, "Bilongo," which cooks almost as if he were back with Cortijo in the bad old days, though it was recorded during the late period in his career when he was not well. Lavoe's "Semilla De Amor" sounds jumpy, hurried and overstuffed with strings, though his little vocal asides do make you chuckle. Throughout the record Sal Cuevas plays crazy funk bass, and some of the arrangements are pretty progressive. Louie Ramirez plays some mean snare drum here and there, Celia sings in the Papiamento language of the Dutch Antilles (!), and Roena's fiery percussion is a standout on his reunion with 'Maelo.' Willie Colon sings about ambition and seeking fame in his composition "Vivir Para Siempre," and the cocaine references on the album cover lead one to suspect that in the 80s, things were getting out of hand and over-inflated in the salsa world.
Recommended. (Pablo Yglesias)
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SONG TITLES:
1. Semilla De Amor (7:07) 2. Dime Que Te Pasa (4:52) 3. Voy A Vivir Para Siempre (7:05) 4. Nina (5:42) 5. Bilongo (5:44) 6. Mi So Den Boso (3:28) 7. El Caminante (7:14) 8. La Montaña (4:14) 9. Rosa En El Fango (7:51)
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EditorsPick: Back in stock! Limited quantities. Hard to find collector's item. Instrumental Latin dance band from the '70s featuring heavyhitters Larry Harlow, Nicky Marrero, Orestes Vilato and Eddie Gua-Gua Rivera. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Maria Bonita 2. Capullito De Aleli 3. More 4. Pancho Piloncho 5. Piccalo 6. Peanut Vendor 7. Mambo Mongo 8. Wachi Wada 9. Misirlou 10. Philadelphia Mambo
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EditorsPick: Bronx Orquesta was founded in 2006 in Bogotá, Colombia, gaining popularity in the Festival del Verano in Calí soon after. The sound is that of double trombones, prominent percussion, and multiple vocalists. Though they wish to emulate Bronx natives Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colon, this album is not at that caliber, and it seems a bit muddled in its attempt to balance hot salsa dura on the one hand and squishy romantic pop salsa on the other (there are some really bad synthesizer bits here). That said, the up salsa brava numbers are quite strong, though there is that characteristic Colombian penchant for breakneck speed and hyper nasal coros. Stand out DJ cuts are the bone-crushingly hard "Goza La Vida" and the nice guaguanco "Muchachita de Ojazos Negros," with its funky hand claps. "Me Gusta La Rumba" is a fast number that will burn holes in your dancin' shoes, while "Mi Negra" gives you a chance to take it slower with a tasty son montuno. The rest is not so good, but the high quality packaging, hard salsa tunes, prominent 'bones, and overall diversity save it. Recommended. (Pablo Yglesias)
SONG TITLES:
1. Goza La Vida 2. Corazon Herido 3. Salsa Latina 4. Mirame 5. Muchacha De Ojazos Negros 6. Un Nuevo Amor 7. Me Gusta La Rumba 8. Dime Que Harias 9. Canto A Cali 10. Mi Negra 11. Razon
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EditorsPick: Features four videos by the veteran salsero. "El Gran Varon," "Atrapado," "No," "Idilio." (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. El Gran Varon 2. Atrapado 3. No 4. Idilio
Price: $9.98
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EditorsPick: Back in stock! Excellent 2-CD compilation of Cugat material. "Rumba Rhapsody," "Chop Sticks," "Walter Winchell Rumba" and more. Recommended. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. The Continental (1:27) 2. Rumba Rhapsody (2:23) 3. Amor (3:10) 4. La Negra (2:47) 5. Etude For Latins (2:20) 6. Duerme (2:19) 7. Rumba Rumba (2:22) 8. Besame Mucho (2:44) 9. Chop Sticks (1:45) 10. Ali Baba (2:02) 11. Linda Mujer (2:19) 12. Night Must Fall (Over All) (1:49) 13. Tiera Va Tembla (Earth With Tremble) (2:12) 14. Chiu Chiu (2:38) 15. Temptation (2:44) 16. Mi Sombrero (1:50) 17. Oye Negra (1:33) 18. Brazil (2:24) 19. Jarabe Tapatio (Mexican Hat Dance) (2:23) 20. Misorlou (3:07) 21. Dark Eyes (2:14) 22. Bruca Manigua (2:28) 23. Walter Winchell Rumba (2:13) 24. Rain In Spain (2:17) 25. Minsang Lamang (Promise To Remember) (2:28)
Price: $19.98
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EditorsPick: This release is notable specifically for the song "Tu Bien Lo Sabes," which, although recorded in 1981, has never before been released. Collectors of Lavoe should jump on this one. The rest of the CD is filled out by Lavoe standards, and will not disappoint. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Tu Bien Lo Sabes (4:10) 2. Sombras Nada Mas (4:04) 3. Soñando Despierto (4:06) 4. De Ti Depende (4:35) 5. Emborrachame De Amor (3:00) 6. Consejo De Oro (2:45) 7. Juventud (2:17) 8. Llore (6:23) 9. Comedia (3:32) 10. Seguire Sin Ti (2:57) 11. Ausencia (5:06) 12. Un Amor De La Calle (3:24) 13. Tus Ojos (3:35)
Price: $13.98
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EditorsPick: Back in stock! This late '80s concert from New York's Central Park brought together all, or most, of La Sonora Matancera's great singers: Welfo, Alberto Pérez, Vicentico Valdez, Carlos Argentino, Alberto Beltran, Nelson Pinedo, Jorge Maldonado, Roberto Torres, Leo Marini, Bobby Capó, Daniel Santos, and Celia Cruz. But the highlight for me was the performance of "Besito De Coco" by the lanky and debonaire Celio Gonzalez. This guy, who must have been in his mid '60s at the time, simply rocked. Originally released on VHS, the conversion to DVD does expose some quality issues like color fringing and softness -- like a televised broadcast transferred to video. But the performances are fun and the camera, panning the audience and the park, makes an interesting visual snapshot of the time. 90 minutes, multizone DVD-5, NTSC. Also comes with an audio CD that has twelve tracks that aren't included on the DVD. Recommended. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. DVD Video: Anacaona - Welfo 2. El Chivo - Alberto Perez 3. Las Muchachas - Carlos Argentino 4. En El Mar - Carlos Argentino 5. Besito De Coco - Celio Gonzalez 6. El 19 - Alberto Beltrán 7. El Negrito Del Batey - Alberto Beltrán 8. Quien Sera - Nelson Pinedo 9. Me Voy Pa' La Habana - Nelson Pinedo 10. Mala Mujer - Jorge Maldonado 11. Nunca Jamas - Roberto Torres 12. No Te Bote - Roberto Torres 13. Maringa - Leo Marini 14. Asi Son - Bobby Capó 15. Piel Canela - Bobby Capó 16. Carolina Caro - Daniel Santos 17. Panama Tombe - Daniel Santos 18. Yerbero Moderno - Celia Cruz 19. Burundanga - Celia Cruz 20. Feliz Encuentro - Celia Cruz 21. Happy Birthday - La Sonora Matancera 22. CD: La Sopa En Botella - Celia Cruz; Ipso Calipso - Celia Cruz; Ay Que Rico Amor - Carlos Argentino 23. Cruel Indiferncias - Carlos Argentino; Y No Me Engañes Mas - Celio Gonzalez; Guaguanco #3- Celio Gonzalez 24. Conoci A Tu Papa - Nelson Pinedo; Hablame Claro - Nelson Pinedo; Ayer Y Hoy - Carlos Argentino 25. El Novio Celoso - Carlos Argentino; Consuelame - Chito Galindo; Queridos Padres - Chito Galindo
Price: $19.98
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EditorsPick: See all of the new remastered Fania classics Here! We are happy to offer the new digitally remastered reissues from the classic salsa label, Fania. Brought to you by Emusica, which, over time, will be reissuing the entire catalog with improved sound and superb liner notes too - some of which are written by Descarga.com's own virtually resident scholar, John Child. Many of these new reissues have been remastered by Jon Fausty or Bob Katz, so even if you already own the older CD version you might want to consider upgrading to the new improved edition. They're even less expensive than the originals were! Good news all around. Highly Recommended. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Arrepentios Pecadores (4:14) 2. Echame La Culpa A Mi (4:58) 3. Todo Y Nada (2:58) 4. Ajiaco Caliente (4:38) 5. Tumbao Revolucion (3:44) 6. Juventud Siglo 20 (4:12) 7. Soy Rumbero (5:08) 8. Lagrimas Y Tristeza (3:20) 9. Amigo De Que (3:28) 10. Last Tango In Paris (4:41)
Price: $13.98
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EditorsPick: This is a very good commercial salsa album with touches of Cuba and Colombia, a fitting mix as the album was recorded in Miami and Medellín and features musicians from Cuba and Colombia, as well as Peru. There is little original material here, however; the tune "Homenaje" says it all - this is a homage to classic Latin music, and there is a mix of mambo, son montuno, cumbia, and 70s Nuyorican salsa, with a particularly hot version of Cortijo's "El Chivo de La Campana." Quite a few dance floor burners here, the best being the opener "Me movió El Piso" that reminds you of the best Sonora Carruselles; "Que No Muera El Son," which is paced just right for dancers and sports a great arrangement; and the slamming cover of "Ay Que Bueno." I am always excited when a baritone sax is in full effect, and the muscular trombone lines help propel things along nicely - overall a very bright, fast, snappy sound. With Dante Vargas, Alberto Barros, Alex Duque, Pablo Grajales and others. Recommended. (Pablo Yglesias)
SONG TITLES:
1. Me Movio El Piso 2. La Casa De Cuco 3. Un Buen Amigo 4. Cuando Un Cariño Se Va 5. Que No Muera El Son 6. Homenaje 7. El Chivo De La Campana 8. Son Montuno Sibanicu 9. Ay Que Bueno 10. Mosaico Cumbias: Cumbia Candelosa 11. La Pollero Colora
Price: $15.98
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EditorsPick: Special DJ remixes of classic Fania hits like "I Like It Like That" - Pete Rodriguez (Aaron Jerome Remix), "Mi Gente" - Hector Lavoe (Louie Vega EOL Remiz), "Take Five" - Roberto Roena (Nicola Conte Remix), "Happy Soul With A Horn" - Dave Cortez (DJ Format Remix), "I Didn't Want To Have To Do It" - Rali Pagan (4 Hero Remix), "Plastico" - Willie Colón & Ruben Blades (Bugz In The Attic Remix) and much more. Recommended. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Intro (:18) 2. I Like It Like That - Pete Rodriguez (Aaron Jerome Remix) (6:29) 3. Happy Soul With A Horn - Dave Cortez (DJ Format Remix) (3:10) 4. Mi Gente - Hector Lavoe (Louie Vega EOL Remiz) (11:34) 5. Plastico - Willie Colón & Ruben Blades (Bugz In The Attic Remix) (6:07) 6. Saona - Noro Morales (Gilles Peterson & Simbad Remix) (7:13) 7. Alejate - Hector Lavoe (Joaquin "Joe" Clausell Sacred Rhythm Remix) (10:42) 8. O Elefante - Ray Barretto (SHH Remix) (8:39) 9. Take Five - Roberto Roena (Nicola Conte Remix) (5:22) 10. Boogaloo De Johnny - Johny Pacheco (Quantic Remix) (4:17) 11. I Didn't Want To Have To Do It - Rali Pagan (4 Hero Remix) (6:44) 12. Morris Park - Lenni Sesar (Bondé De Role Remix) (2:55) 13. Fever - La Lupe (Sinden Remix) (3:53)
Price: $14.98
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EditorsPick: The subtitle here is featuring Bobby Sanabria and Ascension, and what has been produced is one of the more fertile musical projects I've heard in the last year, a meeting between Rudd, on of the great figures of the jazz avant guard on trombone, the master quatro player Yomo Toro and the imposing drummer Bobby Sanabria and his group. The music, well there's nothing like this around, at times a descarga working out on pieces by Rudd and Toro, at times more composed. There's a pile of polyphony, with horns climbing all over each other. The band, often but not always Sanabria's band, works wonders on cumbias and more, and there's shouting and coros and modern jazz harmonies, dissonance and deep, deep rhythm and a butt-load of joy and pleasure. At times it sounds Mingusian, uproarious, and at times almost like the music of Astor Piazolla. A work of genius, a full throated shout of appreciation and interest and pleasure. Amazing.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
SONG TITLES:
1. Poochie & The Bird (7:34) 2. Tango For Chris (6:44) 3. Tres, Cuatro (8:20) 4. Preludio (3:52) 5. El Amor (11:08) 6. Bamako (4:44) 7. Loved By Love (5:46) 8. Inspiracion (5:55) 9. Mayor G (7:03) 10. Este Es Yomo Toro!
Price: $16.98
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EditorsPick: Here's a huge, huge surprise, a thrilling masterpiece of modern Puerto Rican salsa, with plenty of hits and a big, big D.J. alert. The band, really two singers, has put out a showcase of coro writing, with monster coros powering through the tunes - check out "Dejame el Camino Libre." And while these projects have a sense of formula to them, the two throw carnival into the proceedings on "Ella Menea," open with percussion on "Mi Salsa Se Respeta," and do a ton of soneando. And they can sing, sometimes in harmony, sometimes in between the turbocharged blasts of the coro. Great band, rocking coros, high level pop salsa production, and great singing. Big commercial appeal, with very little downside to the proceedings.
Highly recommended. (Peter Watrous)
SONG TITLES:
1. Buscando Amor (4:12) 2. Por Amarte (4:21) 3. Dejame El Camino Libre (4:31) 4. Ella Menea (4:30) 5. Mi Salsa Se Respeta (4:23) 6. Reclamo Por Tu Cuerpo (3:53) 7. Pero Ya Cambie (3:48) 8. Si Tuviera Que Elegir (4:31) 9. Si Tu Sabes Que Te Quiero (3:27) 10. Por Amarte (version Balada) (3:31)
Price: $15.98
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