I just had a chance to preview this 2-hour DVD and I can attest that it is packed with terrific salsa, New York style. Ernie Acevedo's Conjunto Imagen and Willie Villegas' Entre Amigos are both highly respected salsa bands in this area and they rock this live performance in Brooklyn. Watch out for some sizzling timbale action from Villegas ...he's a monster. There are two amazing guests: Sammy Ayala, a veteran singer from Cortijo and Ismael Rivera, and the legendary cuatro player Yomo Toro (Fania All Stars). Also worth mentioning is that singer Frankie Otero from Wayne Gorbea's band is an invited guest on Villegas' set. And there's a special number devoted to the Caribbean Soul Dancers, as led by Ismael Otero, that should not be missed. Gorgeous. 2 hours of salsa power. Get it!
Very Highly Recommended.

EditorsPick: Here's an absolute gem of a folkloric session, celebrating the percussive roots of both Puerto Rico and Cuba. Angel "Cachete" Maldonado, a highly respected percussionist who has recorded with just about every major Latin band (Batacumbele, Descarga Boricua, Larry Harlow, Tipica '73, Plena Libre, Tito Puente and on and on...) is a national treasure in Puerto Rico, and can play congas and batá like no other. This session, Maldonado has called upon a dozen or so percussionists to create one of the best bomba-plena-rumba folkloric releases in recent memory. Some of the players are: Israel "Junito" Cruz, Alberto Gallardo, Luisito Rivera, Anthony Carrillo, Tito De Gracia and many others. Jerry Medina plays trumpet and even Tego Calderon shows up for the session. This is a first-class project that should not be missed.
Very Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Straight from Bogotá comes this fine new salsa release from La Diferente. Led by Luis Fernando Cerón, this young 'bone based band (there are four trombonists in the band, including Mr. Cerón) performs all original material ranging from típica classic salsa to pop salsa, and it's all good club-ready material. Features the singers Julio Pantoja, Alvaro Jimenez and Roberto Morales. Check out tracks like the fiery "Como Un Angel" (L. F. Cerón) or "Chocolate" (Daniel Olarte) which hits the sweet spot. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: I just had a chance to preview this 2-hour DVD and I can attest that it is packed with terrific salsa, New York style. Ernie Acevedo's Conjunto Imagen and Willie Villegas' Entre Amigos are both highly respected salsa bands in this area and they rock this live performance in Brooklyn. Watch out for some sizzling timbale action from Villegas ...he's a monster. There are two amazing guests: Sammy Ayala, a veteran singer from Cortijo and Ismael Rivera, and the legendary cuatro player Yomo Toro (Fania All Stars). Also worth mentioning is that singer Frankie Otero from Wayne Gorbea's band is an invited guest on Villegas' set. And there's a special number devoted to the Caribbean Soul Dancers, as led by Ismael Otero, that should not be missed. Gorgeous. 2 hours of salsa power. Get it! Highly Recommended.

From the liners...
"All Out Salsa" at the Kumble Theatre on the L.I.U. campus in Brooklyn, NY was an incredible and magnificent concert featuring two of Brooklyn's hardest working salsa bands.
Ernie Acevedo's Conjunto Imagen celebrating their 20th Anniversary featuring Arelis Beato & The Tropical Image Dancers and Willie Villegas y Entre Amigos featuring Fania All Stars cuatro legend Yomo Toro and the first bolero singer for Cortijo y su Combo in 1954 and original member of Ismael Rivera's Los Cachimbos ...Sammy Ayala.
Singing for Willie Villegas is special invited guest Frankie Otero of Wayne Gorbea's Salsa Picante fame and dancing are the Caribbean Soul Dancers under the direction of Ismael Otero.
This 2 hour DVD showcasing the talents of Brooklyn born salsa bands who are keeping the Classic Salsa tradition alive and preserving the culture of this infectious music that we love so much is a must-have.
Musically Yours,
Willie Villegas ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Former lead singer for DLG (Dark Latin Groove) returns with a smart pop salsa release with a lot of catchy numbers. There's definitely a "club" feel here, a sound that extends beyond straight ahead salsa and imbues it with a very modern sensibility. Dunbar assembled a top-notch crew including pianist Efrain "Junito" Dávila, bassist Sal Cuevas, trombonists Alberto Barros and Hernan "Teddy" Mulet, trumpeter Richie Viruet and percussionists Ricardo Bravo and Roberto Vilera. Guianko Gomez, Lilian Garcia and Dunbar fill out the coro section.
Highly Recommeded. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Wow, here's a nice surprise. Peruvian-born singer Markóz (Marco Izquierdo), now living in New York, has made a well-produced salsa project that features some of salsa's finest: pianists Junito Davila, Lucho Cueto, Miguel Bonilla, Rey Fuentes, bassists Ruben Rodriguez, Edwin Benavides, Walter Chavez, Abraham Saenz, percussionists Bobby Allende, Diego Camacho, Roberto Quintero trombonists Pablo Santaella, Jose Cruz, Daniel Lopez and others. The band can boast one of the best coro sections assembled, and includes, in part, Joe King, Maximo Rodriguez, Willie Torres, and Manny Mieles. Listen to them on "Te Lo Dire" and on Markóz' interpretation of Juan Formell's "Guararé," a track that also features Tito Gomez. There's a good mix of original and borrowed compositions, one of the best being Lazaro Valdez' "Ta No Hace Falta," a track first introduced by Cuba's Bamboleo. Also in all, an impressive second release from Markóz.
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Attention collectors! New old-stock discovered of Arroyando, the late Martin Arroyo (of Soneros Del Barrio) 1998 salsa release that also featured bassist Jerry Madera, conguero-bongocero Roberto Quintero, timbalero Luis "Angel" Velazquez, trumpeters Hector "Bomberito" Zarzuela and Luis Columna. The singers are Jesus "Chuito" Rivera and Harry Rosado with coro singer Aris Martinez. This one, folks, is hard to find. Very limited quantities. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: The 11th Annual Los Angeles Salsa congress has been documented on two DVDs and are now available in one special package. There are 138 performances that total 8 hours (yes, 8) of pure salsa dance competition. The contestants come from all parts of the world including Italy, Japan, Venezuela, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, and, of course, the USA. These DVD are typically produced in limited quantities, so order as soon as possible. While supplies last.
For every salsa dancer, and for those who simply enjoy watching amazing dancing, this is a Must-Have and Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Colombian singer and pianist Rodrigo Rodriguez a/k/a Rodry-Go! mixes up a selectionof reggaetón, dancehall, merenguetón, cumbiatón as well as a salsatón track "Comenzo La Rumba" that features José Alberto "El Canario."
Recommended.
From the artists website:
BIBOMUSIC announces that the Colombian Salsa star Rodrigo Rodriguez, singer and timbalist of MERCADONEGRO Orchestra, has just finished the recordings of his second solo tropical and urban album with his alias name of RODRY GO!. The new album’s title is CON CLASE, and it will bring exciting electric waves to the lovers of all kind of Latin music, from Reggaeton to Merengue, from Bachata, to Vallenato, including Latin dance and, obviously a “Tremenda Rumba” for the Salseros. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Nice primer to the work of highly regarded pianist-composer Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso. The former Los Van Van member is known for his highly charged timba-powered compositions. This compilation of four dynamic tracks is a good place to start. Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Back in stock, and now in the Bargain Basement! Review from 2006 below...
Can it really be eight years since Infante’s name has been on the cover of a CD? (The last was the ‘98 “Licencia Para Engañar.”) He’s been busy lending his considerable talents to the projects of others: most recently Einllo, Orquesta Salsa Gorda, Juicy & Eric, and Brenda K. Starr to name a few.
Well, a few of Isidro’s friends were brought in and together they brewed this explosive, long awaited new salsa release by master pianist, producer and arranger. This project features a stellar cast of singers including Herman Olivera, Domingo Quiñones (who does a remarkable job on the killer track "Celia y Tito"), Johnny Rivera — who interprets the classic “Salsa y Control,” José Alberto (El Canario), Johnny Ventura, Sergio Vargas, Paquito Guzmán, Tito Allen, Wichy Camacho, and members of La Corporación Latina. Also features Johnny Torres, Carlos Henriquez, Luisito Quintero, Piro Rodriguez, Angie Machado, Elias Lópes, Nelson Gonzalez and others. A smoker.
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Now featured in the bargain basement!
Salsa and mambo together again! Bongocero Rigoberto "Rigo" Rodriguez and his band mix a tasty blend of rich rhythms to satisfy the dancers. This new release features singer Jose Cassanova, timbalero Julio Albino, trumpeter David "Piro" Rodriguez and coro singers Jaime "Megui" Rivera and Ruben Suarez. Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Back in stock...
Celebrating an amazing career in salsa, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz got together once again to give the people what they want — killer crescendo building anthems that reverberate with hooks from the golden age of salsa. With tracks like "La Zafra", "Bomba Camara", "Richie's Jala Jala", "Sonido Bestial", "Soy Boricua" and "Mi Bandera" a more history filled show would be hard to imagine. 2 disks in all. With a cracker-jack band that features Edwin Clemente on timbales and a coro section with Primi Cruz, Darvel Garcia, Carlos Llamosa, Charlie Torres and others. Recorded live at the Sala Antonio Paoli in the Centro Bellas Artes in Puerto Rico in San Juan on June 25th, 2006, the concert is a landmark in that it also marks the 25th anniversary of the famed concert hall.
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: ***Best of 2008 Editors Pick Award***
Wow, here's a nearly overwhelming 2-CD set selection of the supergroup's best, almost anthemic, material compiled by John Child who also wrote the in-depth and insightful liner notes. An interesting read, especially as you listen to the music. Child allows us to understand the powers, egos and other forces that supported the Fania empire from it's beginnings in the late '60s through it's gargantuan rise in the '70s — and through it's downturn in the '80s and '90s. What a blast of salsa history is packed within these two disks. Here are just the featured singers: Monguito, Cheo Feliciano, Adalberto Santiago, Santos Colón, Rubén Blades, Ismael Quintana, Héctor Lavoe, Bobby Cruz, Celia Cruz, Ismael Rivera, and Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. Campeones: Fania All Stars is the perfect primer for those wanting to get much more than a just a sense of the salsa explosion and it's cast of stars. Here you have it's essence. Very Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Here's the best distillation of Ruben Blades tracks that I have come across. Compiled by Nelson Abreu, this selection will win over anyone who doubts just how important Blades is in the history of Latin music; he created a genre of salsa for the "thinking man." The David Byrne of salsa. Liners by Jaime Torres Torres. With "Plástico" (with Willie Colón), "Juan Pachanga," "Paula C," "Canto Abacuá" (with Ray Barretto), "El Cantante" and many other pivotal tracks.
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Ok, don't confuse this Angel Lebron, conguero, with the Lebron Brothers' bassist. That said, get ready to dance to some of the best renditions of classic salsa you've heard in a while. This is the nitty-gritty, high voltage renditions of material by Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Tite Curet, Tony Pabon and Manny Rodriguez. Each track a hand picked danceclub gem: tasty morsels of salsa history. Listen to the vibes-based Puente track "Picadillo." It's all pure dance bliss. Some other tracks? How 'bout a killer "Mama Guela"? Check the audio clip for this one, folks. Irresistible.
Lebron, a Nuyorican, grew up in Da Bronx. His grandfather, Antonio "El Mosquito" Camacho, sang with Davilita and Machito, so there's some genetic history there. According to Lebron,

"we play the best in NYC Classic Street Latin/Salsa Music in the West Coast, this is the music that was either heard nationally or never left the East Coast. This concept is to bring back that real Latin big band sound and appearance which everyone enjoyed, remembering the joys of our club nights especially to those of you salseros that missed the 'real deal'...As we play in the clubs, Sabor Latino is honoring the NYC Palladium days and the musicians that played with the Mambo Kings at that time: Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Machito, Orlando Marin, Joe Loco, Pete Terrace, Chano Pozo and many more...."

That, folks, is the truth. Check this one out, now. Big DJ Alert and...
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: La 33, out of Bogatá, is known for their non-stop deluxe danceclub salsa. Ten Cuidado substantiates that, and then some. There's is a fiery mambo-salsa style informed by everything from Fania to Carruselles to, well, The Police. Here they include a way cool version of Sting's "Roxanne." Excellent vocals by Guillermo Celis, David Cantillo and Pablo Martinez. Listen, for example to their handling of the darker "Conciencia Intranquila" or way uptempo "Me Quedo." But it's "Salsa Resucito" that just might be the jewel in the crown here. The band sports two trombone's so there's a good degree of funky classic grittiness that only that instrument an offer. A big tip of the hat to bassist Sergio Mejía who successfully directs this salsa steamship. Zero filler material here, all 100% pure spicey beef. Big DJ Alert for the modern salsa of La 33. I especially liked the two boogaloo tracks "Funky Boogaloo" and "Mambo Con Boogaloo." This stuff *will* get them dancing. Guaranteed. Very Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: If you are looking for sizzling salsa as well as rich, sophisticated, Latin jazz, look no further. This gem-like production out of Colombia, led by bassist Juan "Trucupey" Garcia, will surely fit the bill. Much of what is included in this 2-CD set is reminiscent of Salsa Meets Jazz, the special weekly live show that used to appear Mondays at the, now-defunct, Village Gate in New York City: full of extended grooves con mucho swing *and* room for the musicians to really shine. The charanga-tinged "Mi Mulatona" is a perfect platform for Francisco Muñoz' flute-work. Listen to Garcia's bass on jazz track Catalina. Thematically the salsa resides on disk one and the jazz set is reserved for disk two, and it's all fine material. Very high caliber stuff, and...
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: The Cuban renaissance man Bobby Carcassés is celebrating his 50th anniversary in the arts. For the record, Carcassés was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where his Cuban grandfather was a diplomat. He moved to Via Clara, Cuba, at the age of four. Carcassés has worked extensively in Afro-Cuban jazz, the visual arts and theater as well. Is there anything he can't do? Throughout his career, Carcassés has played with musical royalty: Bud Powell, Irakere with Chucho Valdés, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Patato Valdés and innumerable others. In 1980 he formed the first Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana, bringing in jazz luminaries like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Hayden. This guy has not only been around the block, he's built it.
One of Carcassés' trademarks is his unique vocal improvisations, and even scat, on classic and original Guaguancó compositions. From Havana To New York, recorded in Brooklyn NY as well as Miami, produced by his daughter Veronica and José Luis Duran, is an elegant grouping of jazz numbers, both original and covers, that asserts equal importance to Carcassés' vocals as to the wonderful musicians here. In addition to Carcassés, who plays flugelhorn, percussion, piano and did the arrangements, the band is assembled of all top players: Dafnis Prieto, Osmany Paredes, Yunior Terry, Yosvany Terry, Marvin Diz, Andrea Brachfeld and has a coro section with Magilee Alvarez and Descemer Bueno.
Give this man his due...
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Codigo's latest is a spectacular 2-CD compilation of the venerable bugalú-salsa bandleader Joe Cuba. The percussionist made a huge cross-over splash with tracks like "Bang Bang," "El Pito (I'll Never Go Back to Georgia)," "A Las Seis," "My Man Speedy" and a truck-load more. This finely remastered selection of 34 tracks encompasses his iconic work from the '60s and '70s, and highlights the vocalists Cheo Feliciano, Jimmy Sabater and Willie Torres. Cuba's contribution is embellished by his selection of these vocalists, guys who became superstars themselves. Many of the hits are associated with the singers as much as, or, in some cases, even more, than Cuba himself. Sabater's rendition of "To Be With You" or Cheo's "Ariñañara" immediately come to mind. This collector's must-have includes material recorded for Tico, Mardi-Gras and Seeco. Liner notes, in both English and Spanish, by Bobby Marín.
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: One of the tastiest salsa releases so far this year comes from Barcelona, Spain. This vibes-based smoker is lead by timbalero-bongocero Joaquin Arteaga who knows how to lay down rich grooves. I'm a sucker for salsa with vibes (Louie Ramirez, Dorance Lorza, Black Sugar Sextette, Grupo Latin Vibe etc.), and, if you are too, this one, folks, is a no-brainer. Check out the tracks "Baila La Negra," the fiery "Ese Dolar" or the rumba "Barcelona Tiene!!!" deftly handled by vocalist Diana Feria. Most of the tracks were composed by Arteaga, including the gem "Ya Yo No Sufro." And there is a jazzy dance number, an interpretation of Robert Wright and George Forrest's "Stranger in Paradise." All good stuff and...
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Like fine wine, Poncho Sanchez seems to garner more depth and dimension with each passing year. His is a Latin jazz nurtured on soul, funk, blues and pure Chicano hip. Sanchez ain't afraid to tango with the iconic figures of jazz, and here he interprets material by Freddie Hubbard ("Crisis"), John Coltrane ("Grand Central"), Horace Silver ("Silver's Serenade"). Sanchez make these compositions not only shine, he makes them his own. And Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island" is just packed with tumbao sabor. Sanchez' pleasure is clearly evident when he takes the reins, and lead vocals, on the way-cool Willy Bobo Medley ("I Don't Know, "Fried Neck Bones and Some Home Fries," "Spanish Grease"). I could easily go for an entire Sanchez Bobo-tribute album. Poncho?
Guests include Arturo Sandoval doing a trumpet solo on the Hubbard composition.
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Permiso Concedido is the perfect answer to the Colombian bandleader and percussionist's highly regarded previous release Con Permiso De Mis Mayores (2005). This is old school dance music with swing. Villareal, who plays timbal, bongo and general percussion, takes on material from Lucho Bermudez, Ignacio Piñeiro, Roberto Rodriguez Fiffe (a rockin rendition of the classic "Bilongo") and others, including original work like Villareal's own "Un Nuevo Camino." Listen, too, to Andres Gomez' composition "Señor Timbal," made to order for Villareal. But it's the track "Mambo Rolo" by Enrique "Kike" Purizaga that best typifies what we've come to expect from German Villareal y Su Mambo Big Band: the mambo experience at its jazzy best. A terrific number.
Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Singers supreme Tania Pantoja, Ronnis Lopez, Angel Bonne, Monica Mesa, Coco Freeman, Vania Borges, Oriandine and Omara Portuondo join pianist Lázaro Valdés, Jr. (of Bamboleo) to create stunning boleros in honor of his grandmother, Delia Espinosa Contreras. Timeless and genuinely beautiful, with gentle touches of jazz and Cuban flavor. With percussionists Alexander Sánchez, Roberto Hasty, Juan Aguilera and bassist Hansel Perez.
Very Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Pasion de Buena Vista is a travelling Cuban Music and dance extravaganza that has, thus far, visited 20 countries and has been seen by over 100,000 people,in over 20 countries.
• Awarded with the "Radio Regenbogen Award," the most important media- award in Germany, in the category "Show 2008" 
• Live performance on one of the most important TV show "Wetten dass..?" on the 13th of June 2009 in Palma de Mallorca (about 13 million viewers on TV) 
• Single release with the audience hit "La vida es un carnaval" from the album "Pasión de Buena Vista" 
    PASIÓN DE BUENA VISTA 
  - 8 incredible dancers from Cuba 
  - 3 unique singers from the heart of Cuba 
  - 10 headcount live-band " La Idea " 
  - 3 backround singers from " La Idea " 
  - numerous unique costumes 
  Hot rhythms, delicate dances, exotic beauties and melodies to dream of will take you on a tour through exciting Cuban nights."PASIÓN DE BUENA VISTA" will lead you to the streets of the Caribbean island, to make you take part in the unspoiled, Cuban joy of life. 
Unique and original Cuban personalities, top of the pops Cuban singers and extraordinary dancers as well as a unique stage-performance, stage-backdrop and breath-taking projections will infect you with the humour and temper of Cuba.... 
  ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Recorded in Havana, Cuba. Listen to the band rock in tracks like "Al Doblar La Esquina."
Heriberto "Tito" Gonzalez, "El Trecero mayor", arrived in the San Francisco Bay area in the summer of 2000. His music is typical and primarily "El Son." the music you know from the Buena Vista Social Club.
"Tito" plays a Cuban instrument similar to the guitar, called the "Tres". He studied with Tres master Papi Oviedo of the Buena Vista Social Club and then with the greatest guitarist in Cuba, Octavio Sanchez Cotán. He has played with such famous Cuban groups as Conjunto Estrellas de Chocolate, Aribu Quartet and Chapotin y sus estrellas, all from Havana, Cuba. Before leaving Havana, "Tito" founded and played with the Nuevo Conjunto de Arsenio Rodriguez, a group carefully structured to represent the music of the famous Cuban tresero Arsenio Rodriguez. This group was assembled by Arsenio's daugther, Regla Rodriguez Travieso. She thought long and hard as to whom should represent and play her father's music. She chose Heriberto "Tito" Gonzalez, a great honor.
"Tito" is teaching, playing and jamming in the Bay Area "Cuban Son" scene. Since his arrival here in the USA he has had the honor of playing with such greats as Oscar De Leon, Larry Harlow and Orestes Vilato to name a few.
[from the band website] ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: This first class rumba project is being touted as the first analog rumba recording out of Miami in over 20 years! Whether or not that is important, I'm not sure. But I do know good rumba when I hear it, and folks, this is primo stuff. The core band is the unconventional Spam Allstars, and they're joined by respected percussionists Tomás Diaz (Matanzas, Cuba) and Ray Romero Jr., son of the esteemed "Little Ray" Romero who played percussion with Miguelito Valdez, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto and many other legends. Their debut recording also features Boris Monterecy (Grupo Clave y Guaguanco), Sonyalsi Feldman, Mercedes Abal, Lazaro Alfonso, Joxi Caballero, Diosvany Boulet, Yoel del Sol, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jose Elias, and J.J. Freire.
Worth mentioning is the cover art by Charlie Rosario, who created distinctive covers for Charlie Palmieri, Tito Puente and other artists on Fania, Coco and other 60’s and 70’s Latin labels.
Rumbaphiles, it is in your interest to check this one out out asap. It very well might be the folkloric record of the year, at least from the US.
Very Highly Recommended. ... continues (DR)

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EditorsPick: DJ El Chino has done it again. One of Colombia's top selectors has scoured the dark recesses of sabor and has unearthed a rich selection of "underground" salsa and mambos. This international compilation features the hidden treasures of Bush Y Su Nuevo Sonido (Panama), La Combinacion 77 (Venezuela), Toby Muñoz Y Su Orquesta (Panama), Danny Gonzalez Y Su Orquesta Sensacional (USA), Carlos Miranda Y Su Latin Combo and Tito Chicoma (Peru) and many others. Guaranteed smokers, each one.
This is material you are not likely to come by elsewhere, so I suggest you pick it up while it's still available. Are you listening? Totally cool garage salsa at it's best.
Highly Recommended. La Presente compilacion es una muestra de las sonoridades afrolatinas, basicamente Salsa, Son Montuno, Mambo y Guaguanco, que dificilmente tuvieron la suficiente difusion en los medios radiales. Mi Tributo no es solo para el bailador, sino tambien para los melomanos de recorrido y para estos maravillosos musicos, algunos aun vigentes, que casi cuatro decadas despues nos siguen deleitando. Y esto con la bella remasterizacion de mi amigo Michael "DJ El Rumbero". [from the label's website] ... continues (DR)

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EditorsPick: Power-packed salsa Colombiana project. Dante Vargas, a first-call session trumpeter, has played for many great artists, and here some return the favor as guests on this project: Isaac Delgado (on a killer "La Guarapachanga"), Charlie Cardona, Alberto Barros, and Don Kino. As much as there is bright, energetic, modern salsa featured here (rap artists Willie Panama and Virux show up for the gig), there is, on Mis Raices, a healthy showing of old school cool, too. The opening track, "Soy La Luz" is reminiscent of the Ruben Blades classic "El Cantante" as made into gold by Héctor Lavoe. It certainly borrows some similar hooks and sports that nasal Lavoe sound too. It's all good. Add this one to your bag of tricks, mister dee-jay. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Watch out, folks, here's the debut release from percussionist Morist Jimenez Jr., son of the Colombian trombonist extraordinaire. It's a crisp pop salsa number that features some of the best Colombian players: bassists Alex Duque and Ricardo Martinez, pianist Pablo Grajales, trumpeter Dante Vargas, Morist Jimenez (dad) on trombone and others. Junior plays all percussion, and plays it well. The band is fronted by a handful of fresh vocalists: Bryan Gonzalez, Freddy Cardenas, Fernando Vargas with some guest singers, too: Tommy Ruiz and Javier Merino. This one will not disappoint. Perfect dance party material, and Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

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EditorsPick: Son, the life-blood of Cuban dance music, is rarely portrayed as elegantly as it is on Pancho Amat's records. The master tres player consistently stays the course with a purity and grace that gives him a unique hipness without kitsch or irony. On Yo Traigo Un Son, which is also the original cover track composed by Amat, he's helped out by singer-percussionist William Borrego Rodriguez, guitarist Dayron Ortega Guzman, bassist Jose Francisco Amat Rodriguez, and percussionist Bernardo Bolaños Alemán. If you want to achieve the richest son experience, get this one. Highly Recommended. ... continues (BP)

SONG TITLES:
1. Yo Traigo Un Son (4:36) 2. Lagrimas Negras (4:43) 3. Convergencia (2:45) 4. Cancion (4:28) 5. La Cleptomana (3:50) 6. Yo Soy El Punto Cubano (5:20) 7. Bardo (4:40) 8. Harina De Maíz (4:15) 9. Pensamiento (3:48) 10. El Diablo Tun Tun (3:39) 11. Insomnio O Desvelo / Déjala Que Goce (6:11) 12. Oye El Carbonero (3:45)

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