Misa Negra
Artist: Irakere

Irakere has been heralded as one of the best big bands in the world. Propelled by a driving rhythm section and potent horn section, this Cuban band won the Latin Grammy Awards in 1979 and 1980. On this 1986 recording, the band sinks its collective teeth into a few originals, including the 17-minute, four-part title track, as well as a cover of... Read More

Mr. Bongo
Artist: Jack Costanzo

Afro Cuban compiles some of Jack Costanzo's best tracks, showcasing Costanzo's powerful bongos and Eddie Cano's piano. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide Read More

Oye Como Va: The Dance Collection
Artist: Tito Puente

Given Tito Puente's staggeringly prolific output on recordings, obviously no single disc can sum it up, so Concord Picante sensibly calls this compendium a "dance" collection. With the aim to keep the mambos, guajiras and cha-chas moving and grooving foremost in mind, there is still a great deal of variety in this CD -- powerhouse big-band... Read More

My Summertime
Artist: Ray Barretto

Ray Barretto (a master of the congas) has effectively fused together bop-oriented jazz with Latin rhythms to form a particularly viable version of Afro-Cuban jazz; he hates the term "Latin jazz." Rather than sounding like two forms of music, Barretto's group New World Spirit shows that Latin rhythms can uplift all types of jazz songs, even... Read More

The Best of Irakere
Artist: Irakere
Community Score: 10.00

For Latin jazz fans, this is a succinct and nearly complete roundup of Irakere's two North American albums, a brief peek through Cuba's door before politics slammed it shut again for another generation. Irakere is represented by four tracks, including the lengthy, uncut "Black Mass," and Irakere II by six tracks. The live Irakere was an exciting... Read More

Taboo
Artist: Ray Barretto

Ray Barretto's Taboo features a new, smaller version of his New World Spirit ensemble. Hector Martignon, who composes along with Barretto, is still here, as are Satoshi Takeishi, Ray Vega, and Jairo Moreno. Saxophonist Adam Kolker takes the sax chair vacated by Jay Rodriguez, and guitarist Alfredo Gonzales has not been replaced. The material is... Read More

Singers of the Cibao
Artist: Willie Colón

Two of the biggest influences on Colon were traditional Puerto Rican music and the two-trombone sound created by bandleader Mon Rivera. In this wonderful 1975 attempt to revive Rivera's career, both elements get a full workout. It was one of Colon's warmest albums and was rewarded by almost immediate oblivion. So it's a real joy to see it... Read More

Doble Energia
Artist: Willie Colón

Willie Colón's creative producing talents combined with Miranda of Fania All-Stars' to achieve one of the top salsa albums in 1980. Willie Colón's new, improved late-'70s trombone lineup and overall sound suit Miranda's bombastic style to a tee. The hit is José Nogueras' "No Me Digas Que Es Muy Tarde," and the lush, string accompanied... Read More

Contrabanda
Artist: Willie Colón

Three out of eight tracks on Colon's latest were recorded in Venezuela, the rest in New York. Both bands frequently reach beyond salsa into his more romantic image; much of side one is a medley including his early hit "Che Che Cole" and "Calle Luna Valle Sol." The first two songs are the dullest: the rest, though not vintage Colon, show repeated... Read More

Salsa's Bad Boy
Artist: Willie Colón
The Sun of Latin Music - MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS
Artist: Eddie Palmieri

This album almost perfectly combines Palmieri's experimentalism with the devastating swing that kept him ahead on the street. The "Un Dia Bonito" suite got the most attention, but "Una Roza Española," a one-cut mini-history of salsa, is enchanting. ~ John Storm Roberts, All Music Guide Read More

El Malo
Artist: Willie Colón

El Malo was Colon and Hector Lavoe's first-ever recording, made in 1967 when Colon was a mere 17 years old. Every number's a killer: "Jazzy," "Juana Pena," "Borinquen," "El Malo." Plus boogalu! ~ Carl Hoyt, All Music Guide Read More

The Big Break
Artist: Willie Colón
Community Score: 10.00

Colon's third album is the clearest early sign of his individuality, with a Ghanaian children's song, the first of his Panamanian-influenced numbers, and a prophetic venture into Brazilian rhythms. ~ John Storm Roberts, All Music Guide Read More

Cha Cha Cha's for Lovers
Artist: Tito Puente