Impulsos
Artist: Charlie Palmieri

The late Charlie Palmieri was a greater pianist than his brother, as deeply musical, as universally loved, and with far more sense. He picked musicians by talent not fame, and they blew their hearts out for him. This mid-'70s session has the swing, as hot as EPs but more benign. ~ John Storm Roberts, All Music Guide Read More

Live
Artist: Eddie Palmieri

Backed by a superb, largish Latin jazz ensemble, Eddie Palmieri went into the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture in the Bronx to record this benefit album for the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center. The elaborate piano/string synthesizer intros by the erudite pianist/leader are deceptive, for they soon give way to some heated yet paradoxically... 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

Sobre el Fuego
Artist: India
Community Score: 10.00

India's Sobre El Fuego is a dynamic set of traditional New York salsa. The fact that India doesn't shake things up much at all is actually a benefit -- her rich voice and percolating, infectious music prove that "traditional" doesn't mean "conventional." Sobre El Fuego is about as entertaining as New York salsa can get. ~ Terry Jenkins, All... Read More

Coleccion Mi Historia
Artist: Elis Regina
Buena Vista Social Club
Artist: Buena Vista Social Club
Community Score: 7.37

This album is named after a members-only club that was opened in Havana in pre-Castro times, a period of unbelievable musical activity in Cuba. While bandleader Desi Arnaz became a huge hit in the States, several equally talented musicians never saw success outside their native country, and have had nothing but their music to sustain them during... Read More

A Toda Cuba Le Gusta
Artist: Afro-Cuban All Stars
Community Score: 6.17

A lively, spontaneous record that manages to sound both relaxed and forceful at the same time, A Toda Cuba Le Gusta shows off the talents of many of Cuba's elder statesmen of Afro-Cuban jazz. Over gently pulsating conga grooves and low-register ostinatos, such luminaries as pianist Ruben Gonzalez and singer Manuel "Puntillita" Licea float... Read More

Afro Blue: The Picante Collection
Artist: Mongo Santamaria

In assembling its own "Mongo's Greatest Hits" entry, Concord Picante had only a slim catalog of four albums, a narrow time frame, and one of Mongo's less incendiary phases to choose from. But they stuck with a purist concept, avoiding pop covers and experiments, targeting Mongo's vintage standards and numbers that conjure some of the old... 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

The Legendary Irakere in London
Artist: Irakere

The premiere Cuban music group Irakere has played Ronnie Scott's club in London regularly since 1985. Their Jazz House CD starts out with a throwaway salsa vocal piece, then has two impressive showcases for German Velazco (one apiece on alto and soprano). "Stella By Stalight" (which in Spanish is "Estella Va A Estallar") is swung hard and the... 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

Ay Que Rico!
Artist: Benny Velarde

Benny Velarde and Francisco Aquabella were among a number of Latin percussionists, performers, and bandleaders who got a chance to record during the late '50s as Latin music enjoyed a surge in popularity. Both led steady, competent ensembles that made songs solidly in the groove, designed for dancing. Although neither was a great soloist, they... Read More