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

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

Fania All-Stars with Ismael Miranda
Artist: Fania All-Stars

This excellent sampler includes recordings of Fania All-Stars, but focusing on the ones member Ismael Miranda vocalized in, in live and studio settings. Featuring "Que Barbaridad" (with Héctor Lavoe), this compilation captures Ismael Miranda in his heyday, with the label's dream team of singers, musicians, and bandleaders. ~ José A. Estévez,... Read More

Fania All-Stars with Willie Colon & Ruben Blades
Artist: Fania All-Stars
Community Score: 4.00
Fania All-Stars with Hector Lavoe
Artist: Fania All-Stars
Amoroso/Brasil
Artist: João Gilberto

Two of the influential João Gilberto's LPs (Amoroso and Brasil) are combined on this single CD. The former session is pretty definitive with Gilberto interpreting four of Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions (including "Wave" and "Triste") and four other songs (highlighted by "Besame Mucho," "Estate," and an odd 31-bar rendition of "'S... 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

That's What She Said
Artist: Flora Purim

Toward the close of her Milestone years, Flora Purim teamed up with producer/keyboardist George Duke -- and the imprint of Duke, then entering his funkified "Dukey Stick" period, is heavy enough to dominate the record. Very often, Duke uses his then rhythm section of bassist Byron Miller (alternating with Alphonso Johnson) and drummer Ndugu... Read More

Adelante Gigante
Artist: Charlie Palmieri

Eddie Palmieri always said his elder brother was the better player, and by the time of his death, Charlie Palmieri was well enough known outside the barrio to get an obituary in the New York Times. This classic mid-'70s album has all his usual taste, talent, classic piano (and in a couple of places organ) along with his favorite lead singer,... Read More

Coleccion Mi Historia
Artist: Elis Regina