Monday, December 31, 2012
Charlie Palmieri - Tengo Maquina Y Voy A 60 (1967)
For this 1967 LP, Charlie Palmieri formed a new, jumped-up version of his early-'60s Charanga Duboney. Rejuvenated with a triple-trumpet and double-trombone attack. Tengo Maquina y Voy a 60 ("I'm Going Like 60") is an enjoyable set, each track taken at a different tempo -- for the record mambo, son montuño, pachadenque, bolerote, mambo cha cha, bolero, guaguancó, and guapacha. Trumpeter Bobby Valentin is the only (relatively) big name in his band.
Bobby Valentin - Evolution (2008)
Bobby Valentin has produced one of the most intriguing and well-balanced salsa records ,
a class act that's smart, stylish, and packed with four decades of salsa know-how. The former Fania All Star brought in some special friends like Ray De La Paz, Luis Marin and Paoli Mejias to help give life to some savory new compositions and a crop of exemplary cover renditions like Silvestre Mendez' "Clotide," Enrique Bonnet's "Que Me Digan Feo" and Roberto Anglero's "Hace Tiempo Que Te Estoy Mirando." Valentin's singers, Julio Lopez and Kriptony Texeira.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Orquesta De La Luz - Ron Viejo (2009)
Orquesta De La Luz first came out in the 1990 when it came out with the album named De La Luz.
They really hit hard worldwide showing the latin world that this Japanese orchestra had what it takes to play around the big names of the salsa rythm.Ron Viejo was released on 2009 making this there last album. Two of the songs on this album that really sounds great are, Un Puesto Vacante and
El Ron Viejo.
Mario Ortiz - Vamoz A Gozar (1984)
The orchestra of trumpeter, arranger and producer Mario Ortiz, who died in November 1999, was one of the frontrunners. He signed to Ralph Cartagena's Rico Records and scored a hit with his exceptional 1984 debut on the label, Vamos A Gozar. The 13-piece band on the album comprised of four trumpets, two saxophones (alto and tenor), bass, piano, timbales, bongo, conga and three vocalists. Mario wrote all the arrangements and played trumpet, as did his son, Mario Ortiz Jr.. Anthony Cruz and Primi Cruz shared lead vocals, and salsa superstar to be, Gilberto Santa Rosa, acted as artistic assistant and sang in the chorus.
El Conjunto Los Compadres - El Run Run (1982)
Puerto Rico's Junior Toledo and Guillo Rivera teamed up to produce several salsa albums (late 70s, early 80s) that resulted in some fine material. With Yayo El Indio and Paquito Guzman on coro. Here are the credits of this great album:
Song titles include:
El Run Run Del Los Compadres 5:12
Caprichosa 4:15
El Gondolero 5:13
Flores Y Espinas 5:10
Malojilla Y Cañaveral 5:34
Anatolia 4:30
La Llamarada 5:27
Lo Nuestro No Puede Ser 4:58
Musicians include:
Guillo Rivera Cantante y director
Eladio "Yayo El Indio" Peguero Coro
Paquito Guzman Coro
Junior Toledo Coro
Luis "Torpedo" Aponte Coro
Humberto Ramirez & Lucy Fabery - Divinamente Lucy Fabery (2006)
If you think you know about Jazz or Blues, grab your glass of wine sit and listen to this great combination of one of the best jazz musicians from Puerto Rico maestro " Humberto Ramirez " and
the voice of a woman the called " La Muñeca De Chocolate " Lucy Fabery. Her voice is just amazing and with the music of Humberto Ramirez it makes this the perfect production.
Grupo Caribe - Somos Caribeños (2007)
Led by pianist Sergio Rivera, Grupo Caribe has been producing first-class salsa since 1996. They have earned the respect of not only the dancers but from other musicians as well. Fronted here by singers Luisito Ayala, Hermán Olivera and Tito Allen, the group continues to solidify their reputation as the standard bearers for deeply rooted New York salsa fuerza.
Graciela - Intimo y Sentimental (1965)
Graciela Peréz Grillo was raised in a musical environment; her foster brother, Frank Grillo, became better known as Machito, and just across the street from the family home in Havana lived Mongo Santamaría. She first sang professionally in the late '20s, and among the bands with which she worked were those fronted by Maria Teresa Vera, who was a family friend, and Ignacio Piñeiro. In addition to singing, Graciela -- who would become known as a performer by her given name without her surname attached -- also played maracas and claves, and it was largely as a percussionist and backing singer that she joined Orquesta Anacaona, an an all-female band formed in 1932 by the Castro Sisters.
Cubana All Stars - A Dream Come True (2012)
The “Cubana All Stars”, the most significant Cuban Orchestra to form in the last decade, comprised of an ensemble of 40 of Cuba’s elite recording artists, have just released their debut album "A Dream Come True" through Viva Combo Music.For the first time in 50 years Cuban musicians and artists from around the world were authorized to return to Havana Cuba and record with the Cuban virtuosos living in Cuba for this dream Viva Combo Music production.
Conjunto Puerto Rico - Asi Es... (2011)
Killer salsa with pure swing. Director pianist and arranger Kevin Figueroa has made a finely crafted dance record that will appeal to hardcore salsa listeners as well as those who simply want to light a fire to their next party. With veteran singers Rafu Warner and Paquito Acosta.
Calambuco
Rompiendo El Cuero
Como En El Barrio
If are looking for some " Hard Salsa ", this colombian band will give it to you.They only have two CD's one in 2006 and the other one in 2009 and both are great.
The Brian Lynch / Eddie Palmieri Project - Simpatico (2006)
From the first dense chords on the opening track it can be heard: Eddie Palmieri’s genius, his complete integration of the best of the modernist jazz ‘60s and his deadly montunos.
Estacion Candela (2008)
Great Puerto Rican recording, from the first notes of the first track you can hear a great tempo, tons of energy and fantastic singing and arrangements.The musicians, some of the best to be found in Puerto Rico include William Thompson on congas, Tito De Gracia on timbales, Pedro Pérez on bass, Willie Sotelo on the keyboards. Singer's on this album some of the best from the island, Pedro Brull , Jerry Medina and Papo Sanchez.
The New Swing Sextet - Back On The Streets (2008)
The CD features our interpretation of several classic recordings, rearranged in a vibe-sextet format (including an old favorite about a “rat in a yard” with a street rap twist). Of course we have a handful of original New Swing Sextet (NSS) favorites, as well as a couple of original compositions written by former bandmember Jesus Santiago. There’s a lot of music on the CD (12 tunes—almost an hour’s worth). It’s all straight ahead, old-school and danceable.
Lupo - El Fantastico (1967)
El Lupo. Lupo was a substitute vocalist for Tito Puente's singer, La Lupe (reportedly Lupo did the act in drag!) This was his debute LP, w/Puente guesting. Album is well known to afficionados of Latin Soul & Boogaloo.
Los Bravos De La Costa - (1987)
Esta orquesta de San Juan, Puerto Rico, se hacia llamar Los Bravos de la Costa y estaban bajo la batuta del vocalista y arreglista Papo Blanco. Ellos hicieron un pequeño homenaje al Cali Pachanguero del Grupo Niche. Como vacalista de esta agrupación boricua estaba Fernando "Wito" Colon, con una voz que se nos asemeja mucho a la de Lusito Carrion y que tambien paso a ser vocalista de la Sonora Ponceña.
Gracias a Teacher Eddy no solo por la informacion de este disco si no por hacerme llegar copia del mismo.
Guaschara - Influencias (2009)
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.
Eddie Palmieri - Lucumi Macumba Voodoo (1978)
A late-'70s offering (originally on Epic), this LP has moments of real brilliance. The title track, for instance, is a nice long jammer and lets Palmieri show off his talent for unique arrangements. It doesn't hurt, of course, that players like his brother Charlie and stratospheric trumpeter Jon Faddis are in the mix.
Cortijo y Su Bonche - Pa' Los Caserios (1971)
"Here is Cortijo's 1971 hit album, Two great percussionists, Cortijo and Kako, join together on this recording to lay down some heavy duty bombas and plenas in a semi-folkloric street style. There are no horns on this record, and they're not missed. The excellent drum work and Chivirico Dávila's tasty vocals carry the whole show. Every cut swings. A must for aspiring percussionists interested in learning the intricacies of Puerto Rican rhythms. "
Conjunto La Perla - El Conjunto Del Pueblo (2011)
No-nonsense salsa dura con inteligencia, fuerza y mucho swing. Led by composer and bongocero Francisco "Chalina" Alvarado, Conjunto La Perla de Ponce was formed in 1976 in, where else?, Ponce, Puerto Rico. Chalina was a member of the original Sonora Ponceña and, in fact, played on their legendary debut album Hacheros Pa' Un Palo. He also composed the hit "Moreno Soy" ("I Am Brown"), a statement regarding Puerto Rico's racial melting pot. Chalina, composer of over 200 songs, also worked with Impacto Crea and many royal figures in salsa.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Mongo & Justo - Ubane (1976)
Mongo Santamaria and Justo Betancourt contribute heavily to make this album one of the top Latin albums of 1976. The artists, with the creative input of longtime Santamaria arranger Marty Sheller, create a highly diverse production where Santería, Latin jazz, and 1970s salsa blend into an intoxicating brew. There is plenty of energy and spirit to spare, with Barry Rogers, Justo Almario, and legendary veteran Gonzalo Fernández grabbing all honors in their highly individualistic styles. Of course, at the core of this effort is Santamaria, whose pulsating playing makes the listener stand up and cheer. Among the standouts are the title tune, "Cantándole al Amor".
Tito Puente & Celia Cruz - En España (1971)
A great album like always from Tito and Celia with the help of Charlie Palmieri and Osvaldo Estivill.
This album includes songs like Guajira A Espana , Palmeras Palmeras and others.
Tommy Olivencia - Sweat Trumpet (1978)
This LP opened a new era for Tommy Olivencia and for salsa, literally: his first effort for TH records (then recruiting salsa bands from the island) cemented his success for the group for the next ten years, as he turned in one successful LP after the other. This particular album combines Olivencia's penchant for humor, providing free rein for his energetic musicians and vocalists. "Tres Perlas" is a savory Cumbia; the son montuno "Atrevida" and "Que Dichoso" (both originally from Sonora Matancera's repertoire) feature soloists Louis "Perico" Ortiz and speedy timbalero Endel Dueño, respectively, with their dazzling work. "Del Montón" (a Colombian hopscotch-type dance, with a Kako-parody) was a smash hit, as well the plena "Que Feo el Pichón" (arranged by Jorge Millet). Vocalists Paquito Guzmán and Simón Pérez are superb, as usual; this exciting Olivencia recording remains unsurpassed, and still is a source of great request for this high-powered orchestra.
Wito Colon - Ahora Es Mi Tiempo (2011)
Here is the debut album by veteran salsero Fernando "Wito" Colón. Wito, in case you didn't know, can be heard singing with Sonora Ponceña, La Terrifica, Los Bravos de la Costa and more. This is Puerto Rican salsa in top form, and includes coro singers Henry Santiago and Iván Ruiz. Also features congueros Savier Diaz and Cachiro Thompson.
Ricardo Ray - Presenta A " La Vimari " (1972)
After three years of successful partnership, Ricardo Ray produced this LP showcasing the 20-year-old Vimari, whose sultry voice was an asset for the success of the band in the early years of the decade. As usual, the Richie Ray production never falters, and the young singer shines on cuts like "Otro Amor, Otra Cancion," "Jenny Rebecca," "El Caballito," "Te Amare," and "Cuesta Abajo." On this great item, Ricardo Ray certainly shows the potential and skill of Miki Vimari.
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz - Los Duricimos Y Yo (1969)
Richie Ray continued to explore the R&B/rock tunes with the help of Bobby Cruz and newcomer Nydia Caro; pop hits like "Hey Jude," "You're All I Need to Get By," "Georgie Porgie," and "Softly As I Leave You" are complemented by an Armando Manzanero medley. This was a sample of how Richie Ray manage to attract both Latin and rock audiences in one production, which was a rarity at the time.
The Latin Giants Of Jazz - Ven Baila Conmigo (2009)
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.
The Latinaires - Camel Walk (1968)
Formed in the Bronx section of Southview during the late '60s, the Latinaires were just one of dozens of younger Latin bands who developed the boogaloo sound. Formed with a line of saxophones instead of the predominant brass, the Latinaires released Camel Walk on the Fania label in 1968.
George Guzman - Introducing George Guzman (1968)
Guzman broke into the New York City boogaloo scene in 1968 with his debut “Introducing George Guzman”. That album quickly garnered the attention of the sophisticated music aficionado. Unlike, say Joe Cuba or Pete Rodriguez, George had a special knack for producing what’s been labeled as a softer-jazzier kind of boogaloo. Guzman’s classic track “Lazy Boogaloo” is one of those songs that showcase the mellower aspects of the genre. Chill and romantic, “Lazy Boogaloo” is a symbol of boogaloo’s wide range of tempos. This was not just party music; it was music for all occasions.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Mario Ortiz - Borinquen Flame (1977)
This album was released in 1977 with the help of one of the great cuban arrangers Rene Hernandez.
Also this album was the professional debut of Gilberto Santa Rosa at the age of 14 singing the hit
" Palo De Caña Brava '. On this album you can appreciate the voice of Paquito Guzman ,
Santos Colon and Paquito Alvarez. Also two great musicians were included in this great album which are Polito Huertas and Elias Lopez.
La Lupe - Con El Diablo En El Cuerpo (1960)
This classic 1960 release was produced by Julio Gutierrez. Complete with the
original "Fiebre" ("Fever"), "Con El Diablo En El Cuerpo," "Es Una Bomba," "No
Me Quieras Así" and others.
Conjunto Clasico - Tus Dulces Labios (1992)
A great and rare album by Conjunto Clasico,This album was release in 1992 with vocal singer
Rafael De Jesus.Some of the songs on this album are;Guarapero, Tus Dulces Labios ,Elegante Tierra
and others.
CharanSalsa - Pa' Mi Pueblo (2012)
Terrific charanga-salsa release led by percussionist ldefonso "Pito" Castillo (Adalberto Santiago, Jose Alberto “El Canario,” Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia, Tito Allen...) and flautist-trombonist Joe De Jesus (Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz, David Byrne...). Julio Salgado is the lead vocalist (Johnny Ortiz sings, too, on Tu Mago Personal) and he's backed by notable East Coast salsa veterans like violinist Lewis Kahn, Ruben Rodríguez and Luis Mangual Jr. This is solid, sabor-packed dance material rooted in Cuban dance traditions by way of New York.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Salsa Fever - Gente De Pueblo (1981)
Rare album by Gunda Merced and his Salsa Fever from 1981.In this great album the lead singer
is Papo Sanchez ex- vocal singer of that great orchestra The Apollo Sound.
Grupo Mandinga - Back To The 70's (2004)
Another Colombian group signs in and they’ve done a great job, taking on tunes by Louie Ramirez, Tito Puente, C.Curet Alonso, Ray Barretto and others. For them the ‘70s means playing salsa dura, with good singing and improvising.
El Sindicato De La Salsa - Afiliate Bailador (2006)
Straight up salsa from the hand of Willie Sotelo, the pianist and part producer whose presence guarantees real deal, hard swinging salsa. He’s joined by a tremendous group including William Thompson on congas, Pedro Pérez on bass along with a coro including Pedro Brull, Henry Santiago and Reil Peña — the best Puerto Rico can offer. As for singers, Pupy Cantor’s joined by Gino Melendez, Rafi Andino, and Bernie Pérez; this is non-stop salsa durissima.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Grupo Fascinacion - Salsa Vice (1986)
Salsa Vice was Fascinación's third and final album for Ralph Cartagena's Rico Records. Johnny Rivera and the excellent Alfredo "Tito" González share lead vocals and experienced sidemen Eddie Montalvo and Sal Cuevas occupied the conga and bass chairs respectively.Rivera departed to join Conjunto Clásico and following two albums with them, signed with Ralph Mercado's RMM label to pursue a successful solo career.
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