The Descarga Review: Summer Heat! Hand-picked essential selections...

Tue Jun 26 12:25:18 EDT 2007

The Descarga Review • June 26, 2007

Summer Heat! What follows is a hand-picked selection of Very Highly  
Recommended titles to fill your nights with guaranteed sizzle. If  
you've missed any of these important titles, now is your chance to  
get them while they're hot!
Bad links? No images? click: HERE

Summer Heat! Very highly recommended titles...

LOS BOCUCOS
Nuevo Rumbo
Envidia / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SON, GUARACHA, GUAJIRA; CUBA
EditorsPick: What a great CD. You would be hard-pressed to find  
another Cuban son band half as vital as Los Bocucos, the band formed  
by Pacho Alonso in 1959, their most well known singer being the late  
Ibrahim Ferrer. There are other bands whose importance lies within  
their allegiance to the Cuban son traditions and repertoire. On the  
other hand there is Los Bocucos, who have remained fresh and vibrant  
by forging their own highly percussively syncopated sound,  
perpetually writing and performing new material, and remaining true  
to their vision; steeped in Pilón, and crackling with drive and  
sabor. It's funky - listen to the horn arrangement on "Aunque Te  
Pintes" - and completely fun. Pop on Nuevo Rumbo, forget your  
worries, and let the party begin. Pure Caribbean joy at it's best.  
Great job by the singers Karel Luis, Germán Mendoza, Carlos Amores  
and Juan Carlos Miró. With timbalero Jesus Perez.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Nuevo Rumbo Now!

CALAMBUCO
Como En El Barrio: Salsa Brava
Casa Buenavista/Creative Commons / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: What a great way to begin a new year! Calambuco, from  
Bogotá, Colómbia, has produced an infectious, finely crafted salsa- 
packed CD for the discerning listener and, of course, the dancers. I  
was at one of my distributors talking with conguero Papo Pepín when  
the track "Candelaria" started to blast through the stereo speakers.  
We both looked up and did as mutual "Wow!". Directed by pianist  
Andrés Felipe Succar, Calambuco is a first class band whose  
repertoire encompasses not only sizzling salsa like "Africa Salsera"  
but the slow-cooking "Guajira de Un Abandonado". Check out the heat  
on the descarga-mambo "Ritmo De Succar". Or listen to Santiago  
Jiménez' tres work on "Te Falta Ritmo". Como En El Barrio just may be  
one of the highlights of 2007. Each track here is a gem. With Angela  
(yes, Angela) Tapiero on timbales. She rocks. With liner notes by the  
esteemed writer Umberto Valverde. DJ Alert!
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Como En El Barrio: Salsa Brava Now!

GRUPO CARIBE
Somos Caribeños
CMS Records
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: 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. It can be said that Grupo  
Caribe evolved from the highly acclaimed Cruz Control led by  
timbalero Ray Cruz. Grupo Caribe members like Rivera, percussionist  
Louis Bauzo and singers Ayala and Olivera all hailed from Cruz  
Control, and they've kept the spirit, drive and, especially, the  
integrity way high. Terrific arrangements by Ray Santos, Jose Febles,  
Gil Lopez, Jose Madera and others who clearly keep the dancers as  
their main priority. This is the kind of salsa record I can play over  
and over again and never tire of. With tracks like "Saludando",  
"Homeaje A Los Bailadores", "Tambo La Rumba", "Negro De Sociedad",  
and "Bongo" (listen to Louis Bauzo work out on this one) there is  
zero filler material here. Also with bassists Ruben Rodíguez and  
Willie Cintron, sax player Pete Miranda, trombonist Raul Navarrette,  
and others - this one is a big DJ Alert and a salsa lover's Must- 
Have. With good liners by Chico Alvarez Peraza, too. Absolutely
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order Somos Caribeños Now!

WILLIE COLÓN
A Man And His Music - The Player 2-CD Set
Fania / Emusica - Remastered Edition
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA: CLASSIC 1960s or 1970s NEW YORK
EditorsPick: This 2-CD mega-compilation of Willie Colóns best  
material can be considered the ultimate cream of the crop. This one  
features 28 superb selections that feature salsa legends Héctor Lavoe  
and Rubén Blades. Some of the classic tracks you'll here are "The  
Hustler", "El Malo", "La Murga", "Piraña", "Soñando Despierto", "La  
Banda", "Pedro Navaja", "Siembra", "Juanaito Alimaña", "Un Bembé Pa'  
Yemayá" and many others. This one stays on the CD player, folks. With  
track-by-track liner notes by Thomas Muriel, John Child and Ernesto  
Lechner. A killer, and...
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
See all of the new remastered Fania classics Here!
Price: $20.98
• Click here to Order A Man And His Music - The Player 2-CD Set Now!

CUBANISMO!
Greetings From Havana
AIM / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Can it really be seven years since their last release?  
Trumpeter bandleader Jesus Alemany and his crew return with a  
triumphant power-punch of Cuban salsa that affirms the tremendous  
force that Cubanismo! can generate. This sublime grouping of guaracha- 
son, descarga, songo, pilon and son pregon is a much needed blast of  
musical machismo to jump-start the summer. With vocalists Rolo  
Martinez, Jose De Jesus Hernandez 'Laito' and Jesus Cantero. Also  
with bassist Roberto Riveron, pianist Rodolfo Argudin 'Peruchin',  
timbalero Luis Valiente 'Betun' and many others. Special guests:  
vocalist Pedro Lugo "Nene", Raul Verdecia, Pancho Terry and Coco  
Freeman.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order Greetings From Havana Now!

DESCARGA CRIOLLA DE PIBO MÁRQUEZ
Homenaje A Los Reyes De La Salsa
Grupo Madera / Foncrei / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA INTERNATIONAL; VENEZUELA
EditorsPick: Part of a string of hot new Venezuelan salsa to recently  
arrive at our shores, Descarga Criolla is probably the biggest  
orchestra and certainly packs the biggest sound. Percussionist and  
composer Joel "Pibo" Marquez, leader of the band, decided to open  
with Oscar D'Leon's "Sigue Tu Camino" a clear statement of opulence  
and pure swing. It rocks. There are many singers on Homenaje a Los  
Reyes De La Salsa, some of which are José "Cheo" Linares, Dimas  
Pedroza, Marcial Isturiz and Orlando Castillo "Watussi" - a salsa  
king himself who is paid tribute here on "Ustedes, Mi Rumba y Yo."  
The homenaje continues with a superb "Señor Sereno", Ismael Miranda's  
mega hit. This one is quite amazing with Enrique Alvarez' electric  
violin riffing over the can't-stop-us coro. Pure salsa bliss, folks.  
The band pays tribute to EL Gran Combo with "Irimo", the the Latin  
Brothers with "Las Calaveras" (sung by Watussi) and to Celia Cruz  
with the Luis Kalaff composition "Juancito Trucupey". You better have  
some water nearby, you're gonna need it. "Irimo" alone will cause you  
to loose 10 pounds - a smoker. Descarga Criolla is in the house, and  
has proved, without a doubt, that Homenaje a Los Reyes De La Salsa is  
a salsa lovers must-have. Get it while they last!
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Homenaje A Los Reyes De La Salsa Now!

ESTRELLAS DE ENVIDIA
Homenaje A Fania
Envidia / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Las Estrellas de Envidia, Cubanos, pay a steamy tribute  
to the Fania All Stars like you would not believe. The fresh, near- 
timba, intensity of this salsa session is almost out of control - and  
it makes this particular homage to Fania the best I have heard, hands  
down. Features a huge cast of Envidia personnel... here are just the  
singers: Lázaro Moré, Nelson Manuel, Tiro Duarte, Armando Cantero  
"Mandy", Jesús "El Zun Zún" De La Salsa, Michel Perez, Jorge  
Rodriguez "El Gafas", Michel Calvo, José Miguel Meléndez, Javier  
Rodríguez "Chocolate". Incuded are pristine interpretations of  
"Quítate La Máscara", "El Ratón", "Puerto Rico/Adoración", "Juan  
Pachanga" and other familiar hits - but done with such drive and  
gusto it's almost like hearing them for the first time. And it's  
because of this that we're, once again, made conscious of and -  
ultimately awed - by the strength and craft-work of the original  
composers: Tite Curet, Cheo Feliciano, Rubén Blades, Johnny Pacheco,  
Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, etcetera. This one is certainly on my  
short list for Best-Of 2007 consideration. A must-have: big DJ-Alert.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Homenaje A Fania Now!

CARLOS FEDERICO
To A Mambo King! The Carlos Federico Memorial Album
JCV
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; DESCARGAS/MAMBO
EditorsPick: Seismic 1985 Berkeley sessions of steamy mambo jazz led  
by pianist composer-arranger and respected teacher Carlos Federico.  
Federico was born in Panama. He settled in San Francisco's bay. In  
the '50s he was play with, or adjacent to the likes of Beny Velarde,  
Cal Tjader, George Shearing, and Armando Peraza. Later in the '60s he  
played with Pete Escovedo and his brothers. Later he collaborated  
with Malo and Chepito Areas. He died in 1996. This project, produced  
by Jake Aguirre and Jesse "Chuy" Varela is a gorgeous, fiery extended  
jam session that includes Nerio DeGarcia on vibes and bongo, Teddy  
Strong on timbales, congas and batá, David Frazier, also on congas,  
bongo and batá, and bassist David Belove. This would turn out to be  
the first record under Federico's own name. Super hot vibes-based  
mambo descarga jams with one of the longest timbale solos on record.  
Watch out for the track "Federico's Descarga." It's a 15-1/2 minute  
killer.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order To A Mambo King! Now!

PAQUITO GUZMAN
Los Dos Paquitos: Paquito Acosta & Paquito Guzmán
Envidia / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA; PUERTO RICO
EditorsPick: Wow! Here's an unexpected salsa treasure. Two heavy  
hitter Paquitos join forces to create a powerhouse release that has  
the unshakable foundation of pianist and musical director Willie  
"Mundial" Sotelo (Los Protangonistas, La Puertorriqueña etc., etc.)  
at the helm. It's been quite a number of years since veteran singer  
Paquito Guzman has been on the scene - and what a pleasure to have  
him back in the fold. I've never heard him on such a killer salsa  
release as this - even during his tenure with Tommy Olivencia. Man, I  
see him in a whole new light here. Same for Paquito Acosta who, much  
younger than Guzmán, also sang with Olivencia essentially replacing  
Frankie Ruiz. Together Los Dos Paquitos sound unstoppable, with each  
track sounding more pumped then the previous - a brilliant concept  
brought to fruition by producer Luis Dominguez. Features conguero  
William "Kachiro" Thompson, bongocero Pucho Hernandez, bassist Pedro  
Perez and other top players. The steel girder of coro is made up of  
Jerry Rivas, Henry Santiago, and Rei Peña "El Sonero De La Consola."
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Los Dos Paquitos Now!

PIO LEYVA
Pio Leiva's Final Tour: Musica Cubana Live In Tokyo - DVD
Icon / VSC
Category: DVD; SON, GUARACHA, GUAJIRA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Once I popped this DVD into the player, it didn't take  
long for me to realize the value of what I was witnessing. The multi- 
camera photography, direction and sound quality told me that there  
was a real intelligence behind this production. Then I noticed that  
this project was produced by Wim Wenders (as a follow-up to his  
acclaimed documentary Buena Vista Social Club) and Claus Clausen of  
Germany. There's a huge film crew and a top notch post-production  
team. Directors, consultants, legal counsel an more. The sound was  
handled by Termidor, a first-class concern. This was no fly-by night  
operation. Onto the stage of a jam-packed enthusiastic crowd in a  
Tokyo club, walks some of Cuba's musical royalty: Mayito Rivera, "El  
Nene" Pedro Lugo, Samuel Formell, Tirso Duarte, Luis Frank Arias,  
Julio Padrón, Felicio Arango, Juan "Coto" Antomachin Padilla, the man  
of the hour - the legendary Pio Leiva, as well as the new generation  
of leading edge Cuban musicians: Roberto Carcassés, Osdalgia, rising  
star Telmary, Elmer Ferrer and many others (see the credits below).  
Live in Tokyo turned out to be an absolute gem of a concert - a top  
notch celebration of sizzling música Cubana. The significance of the  
event - held in the unlikely arena of a nightclub filled with adoring  
Japanese Cubanophiles - lies in the unwavering strength and artistry  
of the performances that, without pause, integrate the traditional  
and the cutting edge - the old and new, with a conviction that would  
convert even the most jaded of listeners to frontline soldiers of  
Cuban music. The show's additional significance becomes clear for  
also what it is not: this ain't a bunch of old-time Cuban veteran  
performers recanting their former glory. Yes, there's "Chan Chan",  
but it's a "Chan Chan" like you've never heard it before. The tune,  
like the entire experience here, is transformative. You're left both  
elated and exhausted, and it becomes clear that Cuban music is a  
living, changing thing. In this show, the young stars, like the  
hauntingly beautiful and intense rapper Telmary, are given the space  
they deserve. While Buena Vista Social Club was about Cuba's musical  
past, Live in Tokyo is clearly about it's future. And Leiva seemed  
perfectly fine, no ...pleased, with what was going on. As it turns  
out, it was Leiva's final tour. But, man, what a send off.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $18.98
• Click here to Order Musica Cubana - DVD Now!

MAÑA
¡Por Fin... Maña! Comenzó La Fiesta
Maña/RR
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: The Bronx-based band Maña were co-founded in 2001 by New  
York salsa stalwarts Ray Rosado and Victor Maldonado. Ray is the  
longtime composer, arranger, chorus singer and hand percussionist  
with the Bronx-based pianist and bandleader Wayne Gorbea and Victor  
has played percussion with the likes of Gene Hernández' Orquesta  
Novedades, Yomo Toro, Tito Nieves, Miles Peña and Johnny Ray. "Maña's  
mission is to continue the salsa dura tradition, doing their part to  
keep it alive, with original material as well as covers," says Ray.  
After a break of two days I listened to Por Fin for a third time, and  
discovered that "Azucaré" and " Comenzó La Fiesta", both written and  
arranged by Ray, had already insinuated themselves into my system.  
Then Ray's re-working of the Arsenio Rodríguez classic "Monte  
Adentro" hit me! Ray is a cunning fox, because the album is real  
grower, and this is the knack of his arrangements. They imperceptibly  
get under your skin. Maña's sound can be reminiscent of Wayne Gorbea,  
but that is no bad thing and not surprising in view of Ray's creative  
input to Wayne's bands over the years. Deep swing (to borrow Peter  
Watrous's apt expression) pervades. There should put an advisory  
sticker on the CD case saying "Guaranteed to be addictive after just  
three plays!!" I'm going to put it back on again...
Very Highly Recommended. (Read the complete unedited review here)  
(John Child)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order ¡Por Fin... Maña! Comenzó La Fiesta Now!

CHEO NAVARRO Y SU ORQUESTA
Tributo Al Ayer / Tribute To Yesterday
Castro Records / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA; VENEZUELA
EditorsPick: Okay, listen up. Direct from Venezuela comes this  
sparkling non-stop old school salsa number led by percussionist José  
Cheo Navarro. With durable drive and unwavering focus, this dance  
record is everything a first-class no-nonsense salsa CD should be.  
Packed with tremendous swing, leader Navarro has perfectly  
established the feel and relentless power of the best late-night New  
York dance club salsa bands. The esteemed Cruz Control or Grupo  
Caribe come to mind, especially on tracks like the gem "Rómpelo."  
And, like icing on the cake, the violin riffs of Janet Trejo  
embellish what are already near-perfect arrangements. This is one of  
those productions where every track seems better than the last - it  
hasn't left my CD player in a week. Check out Navarro's take on the  
Louie Ramirez classic "El Titere." Final assessment: Get this CD -  
now! A great big DJ-Alert.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order Tributo Al Ayer / Tribute To Yesterday Now!

LA SONORA PONCEÑA
50 Aniversario En Vivo Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez De Bayamón - DVD & CD Set
Pianissimo
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA; PUERTO RICO
EditorsPick: Just in! DVD & CD package of the legendary Sonora  
Ponceña's 50th anniversary concert at the jam-packed Coliseo Rubén  
Rodríguez de Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Recorded in February 2004, this is  
a well-produced multi-camera presentation featuring the Ponceña big  
band led by maestro Papo Lucca. Singer Héctor "Pichie" Pérez opens  
the show with a full-torque rendition of "Ecue Baroni" that should  
not be missed. Pérez is joined by singers Danny Davila, Fernando  
"Wito" Colón, Edwin Rosas and, finally, Luisito Carrion - who's the  
guest singer on "Yare". The show includes some pretty impressive on- 
stage salsa dancing by a young troupe, as well as some very special  
appearances by bassist, Bobby Valentin, trumpeter Luis "Luisito"  
Aquino and pianist Lenny Prieto who solos on "Piano Salsero" - a  
track dedicated to Papo Lucca.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $34.98
• Click here to Order 50 Aniversario DVD & CD Set Now!

LOUIE RAMIREZ
King Of Latin Vibes
Sugar
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Back in stock! Classic Louie Ramirez vibes-based release  
from 1991. This hard-to-find release features nightclub favorites  
"Goodnight My Love", "Suavecito", "Baile De Ochun" and "Pare  
Cochero". With a gaggle of amazing players: Jimmy Delgado, Jose  
Mangual, Ricky Gonzalez, Mario Rivera, Carlos 'Patato' Valdes, Pete  
Miranda, José Fajardo on flute and many others. Includes coroistas  
Tito Allen, Adalberto Santiago. Also includes a few tracks from the  
1988 Montreal Jazz Festival ("Geisha Girl" and "Bamboleate"). This is  
Ramirez at the absolute top of his game - his vibes chops are exquisite.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order King Of Latin Vibes Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Colombia! The Golden Age Of Discos Fuentes - The Powerhouse Of  
Colombian Music 1960-76
Sound Way / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Here's a great find - a tremendous compilation of  
Colombian dance material from the 60s and '70s. Assembled by Miles  
Cleret with clearly written detailed liner notes by Roberto Ernesto  
Gyement (remember their amazing work on the Panama! collection? You  
should!), Colombia! features some sparkling material from the eminent  
label Discos Fuentes. Works by Fruko y Sus Tesos, The Latin Brothers,  
Afrosound, Lito Barrientos, Orquesta Nunez are represented, as well  
as some more obscure but vital bands like Climaco Sarmiento y Su  
Orquesta, Wganda Kenya and Pedro Laza y Sus Pelayeros. This is hard- 
driving salsa, jazzy riffs and fiery cumbias like you've never heard  
before. The 10-minute descarga "El Mondongo" by Los Corraleros de  
Majagual is a gem. In his comments Gyement is able to add additional  
background and color to the material, adding context and nuance to an  
already enjoyable package. Beautiful full-color representations of  
rare album covers are peppered throughout. This one, folks, is a must- 
have.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $18.98
• Click here to Order Colombia! Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Hits Envidia Vol. 3 - Salsa
Envidia / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Extremely potent, heavy salsa-dura jammed CD with  
material by El Gran Combo, Mel Martinez, El Sindicato De La Salsa,  
Papo Pepin, Roberto Roena, La Solucion, Pedro Brull, Hermanos Moreno,  
Don Perignon & La Puertorriqueña, Protagonistas De La Salsa, Juanito  
Y La Agresiva, Alex Leon, Juicy & Eric, and Tres Con Kache. This  
compilation's a killer, hands down.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Hits Envidia Vol. 3 - Salsa Now!

Highlights from the previous Descarga Review

MICHAEL STUART
Sentimiento De Un Rumbero
Universal/Machete
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Dynamic new release by virile singer Michael Stuart.  
This sizzling salsa project features guests La India as well as José  
Alberto "El Canario." Also with timbalero Tito De Gracia, pianists  
Luis Marin, Isidro Infante, conguero William "Cachiro" Thompson and  
many others. Stuart sounds more electrifying than ever. This is the  
stuff of dance-club perfection: fervent, passionate and catchy, too.  
Listen to the hooks on "Lola" or the unstoppable coro refrain on "La  
Vecina." The duet "Un Amor Tan Grande" should be a hit for Stuart and  
La India, recalling the emotive power that India and Marc Anthony  
generated roughly fifteen years ago with "Vivir Lo Nuestro." And the  
other duet here, "Dos Con Swing," with José Alberto "El Canario" is  
pure dance pleasure that begs to be made longer. But it's the  
combustible material like "Sólo Pena" - salsa that channels timba  
intensity - that is signature Stuart. It's pure heat, heat, heat. A  
big DJ Alert.
High powered, and Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Sentimiento De Un Rumbero Now!

SAMÁ Y EL EXPRESO DE ORIENTE
El Repartero De La Habana
Envidia / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: The latest incarnation of Cuba's El Expreso de Oriente  
is led by Ernesto Sama Curbelo (Andres Revé was previously at the  
helm) and is a superb, fat-sounding, dance record packed with  
trombones, percussion, violins and flute. This perfect-for-the-dance- 
club CD has a blend of bright colors that clearly identify it's  
roots: The Expreso is the illegitimate child of Reve's Charangón and  
Los Van Van. In fact, ex-Revé members Pascual Matos "El Sinsonte" and  
Roberto Morales "Robertico" are two of the four singers on Repartero  
De La Habana. The others, Javier Rodriguez "Chocolate" (from Sur  
Caribe) and Eduardo Boloy "El Bolo" do a terrific job as well. Also  
with J.J. Oliveros, Ronny Cabarrocas, Jorge Felix Bravo, Mayito  
Rosabal and others. This is uptempo, supremely fun, party music at  
it's best.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order El Repartero De La Habana Now!

THE ENSEMBLE OF LATIN MUSIC LEGENDS - WITH CHARLIE PALMIERI
Mambo Show
Universal/Machete/Callejero
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA/SON DESCARGA
EditorsPick: Finally! A digitally remastered CD reissue of this salsa  
classic release from the '80s. With vocals by Yayo El Indio, Ray De  
La Paz, and Adalberto Santiago.
Highly Recommended. For the salsa collector - a must-have.
"This gorgeous Latin jazz set was recorded in the 80s with tunes  
composed and arranged by Charlie Palmieri and Marty Sheller. This  
short lived band was called 'The Ensemble of Latin Music Legends.'  
The band featured Charlie Palmieri (piano), Mongo Santamaria  
(congas), Chombo Silva (tenor sax), Barry Rogers (trombone), Nicky  
Marrero (timbales) and Piro Rodriguez (trumpet)."
- José Rizo, 98/99 Catalog (DR)
Description: Original Mambo Show recording as featured in the hit  
movie "Salsa."
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Mambo Show Now!

LARRY HARLOW
Señor Salsa
Universal/Machete/Callejero
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Finally, reissued for the first time on CD! This 1984  
Harlow classic features conguero Frankie Malabe, Pancho Roman on  
timbales, Lewis Kahn on trombone and violin, and lead vocals by Ray  
Perez. Coro provided by Nestor Sanchez and Adalberto Santiago. With  
additional guests bassist Sal Cuevas and Luis Bauzó on batá  
percussion. Arrangements by Steve Guttman, Marty Sheller, Paquito  
Pastor, Isidro Infante, Larry Harlow and Steve Wexler. Digitally  
remastered.
Highly Recommended, and for the salsa collector, a must-have! (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Señor Salsa Now!

SON CAFÉ WITH RALPH IRIZARRY
En Grande Y En Vivo - Live Performance DVD
BKS Records
Category: DVD; SALSA/SON
EditorsPick: Live performance DVD recorded at Club Renaissance in New  
York. This fiery salsa session features material from Son Cafe's CDs  
Bailando Con Azucar and Tributo. Irizarry opens with a short but  
sweet biographic history - there are short clips (clippettes, really)  
of him with Barretto, Seis del Solar with Ruben Blades, and Cachao.  
But then the show begins ...and Irizarry and crew kick into gear.  
They perform material to please the crowd including Tributo's fine  
medleys (Cha-Cha-Chá, Sonora Matancera, La Lupe, and Charlie  
Palmieri) There's some intermittent footage of behind the scenes  
studio sessions too, but it's the Son Cafe stone-solid rhythm section  
and the power of Jorge Maldonado and Elsa Ozuna's vocals that really  
shine. The DVD is a good quality production that clearly shows what  
we New Yorker's already knew: Ralphy Irizarry and Son Café is a  
totally dependable, rock-steady, danceclub band that we're lucky to  
have.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $21.98
• Click here to Order En Grande Y En Vivo - Live Performance DVD Now!

ANDY MONTAÑEZ
El Godfather De La Salsa
Univision
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Just in! Andy Montañez doing what he does best - and  
he's better than ever. Some salseros simply get better and better  
with time: the years adding depth and color. Oscar D'Leon and  
Gilberto Santa Rosa come to mind. Montañez is in that club. The  
veteran salsero is joined here by guests Herman Olivera, who is the  
perfect counterpoint to Montañez on the swinging "Fruto Que Da,"  
Aymee Nuviola, sons Andy and Harold Montañez, Carlos Manuel and  
others. With a primo coro section consisting of Primi Cruz, Wichie  
Camacho and Darvel Garcia. And with arrangements by Ernesto Sánchez,  
Luís Garcia, Julito Alvarado and Humberto Ramirez.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order El Godfather De La Salsa Now!

CLAN 537
Había Una Vez... (La Caperucita)
Fuego / original import
Category: POP/OTHER; REGGAETON; CUBA
EditorsPick: Just in! New Cuban hip-hop production from the highly  
acclaimed Clan 537. With loads of special guests like José Luis  
Cortés (El Tosco from NG La Banda), Vania Borges, Pedrito Calvo, El  
Indio, FresK, Molano MC, Ariel "El Rumbero" (from Los Rumberos de  
Cuba) and others. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Había Una Vez... (La Caperucita) Now!

NG LA BANDA
Bailemos - NG La Banda Interpreta Canciones De Almeida
Egrem / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Just in! New NG La Banda led by José Luis Cortés.  
Singers Mónica Mesa, Yoel Espinosa, Gerardo Contino, Dyanelis  
Alfonso, Tony Calá, and Arlenys Ridríguez interpret the compositions  
of Juan Almeida Bosque.
Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Bailemos Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Mambo - Conozco Cuba DVD & CD Package
Egrem / original import
Category: DVD; DOCUMENTARY; CUBA
EditorsPick: A documentary DVD that also includes a terrific audio CD  
encompassing the history of the Cuban mambo. The NTSC DVD, 24  
minutes, was directed by Jesús Dámaso González and is in Spanish with  
subtitles available in English, French and German. The 19-track CD  
includes material by Orquesta Riverside, Benny Moré, Bebo Valdés,  
Conjunto Casino, Chico O'Farrill and others.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Description: Documental "Dale Mambo"
Musicians call mambo the thematic variations on four to eight mesures  
that are repeated on the wind instruments' refrain. We will know  
about the origins on mambo and its main performers through a  
historian of Cuban music, as well as the varied semantic attributions  
of the word mambo. Here is spoken about the debate on who invented  
mambo, Orestes Lopez, Arsenio Rodriguez, or so-called "King of Mambo"  
Damaso Perez Prado. Embellished with photos and images of its main  
performers from its beginnings (Arcaño y sus Maravillas, Arsenio  
Rodriguez, Ernesto Duarte, Silvestre Mendez, Damaso Perez Prado and  
Beny Moré), this documentary will take us on an exciting trip with  
this passionate rhythm named delicious, devil by many, and recognized  
by all as Mambo.
DVD Duracion/Length: 24 Minutes.
Price: $24.98
• Click here to Order Mambo - Conozco Cuba DVD & CD Package Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Chachachá Por Siempre - Conozco Cuba DVD & CD Set
Egrem / original import
Category: DVD; CHARANGA, CHA CHA CHA; CUBA
EditorsPick: A documentary DVD that also includes a terrific audio CD  
encompassing the history of the Cuban Cha-cha-chá. The DVD, 40  
minutes, was directed by Jesús Dámaso González and is in Spanish with  
subtitles available in English, French and German. The 19-track CD  
includes material by Orquesta Enrique Jorrín, Orquesta Aragón, Omara  
Portuondo, Paulo FG and NG La Banda.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Description: Documental "Por siempre Cha Cha Cha" Documentary Film  
"Por siempre Cha Cha Cha"
It is not possible to talk about Cuban Rhythms without mentioning Cha  
Cha Cha. Cuba's music heritage includes that rhythm which was created  
by Enrique Jorrin, while millions of people around the world have  
danced to it. This documentary film features the history of that  
style, from the famous tune 'Engañdora of Prado and Neptuno' up to  
the most diverse titles which force us to start dancing as soon as we  
listen to its first timbres. A popular dance with a very Cuban flavor.
DVD Duracion/Length: 40 Minutes.
Price: $24.98
• Click here to Order Chachachá Por Siempre Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
A Bailar Con Cuba - DVD
Egrem / original import
Category: DVD; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: A DVD compilation of Cuban dance bands including the  
Egrem All-Stars, Juan Carlos Alfonso y su Dan Den, Manolito Simonet,  
Pupy y Los Que Son Son, Azucar Negra, Sur Caribe, Pedrito Calvo,  
Mayté and others.
Recommended. A lot of fun. (BP)
Price: $21.98
• Click here to Order A Bailar Con Cuba - DVD Now!

The following CDs are part of a new series of superb, high quality  
titles under the new Cacao label of Venezuela. Each Cacao release is  
a pristine production involving the finest musicians and sporting  
detailed book-like liner notes in a custom, spiral bound, CD package.  
With gorgeous, high resolution printing, this might be the best CD  
presentation we have come across - very slick indeed.

ALFREDO NARANJO
Alfredo Naranjo Y El Guajeo
Cacao Musica (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ; VENEZUELA
EditorsPick: One of the better bands in Venezuela, El Guajeo works  
around Naranjo's vibes, supported by a fairly big jazz-esq band.  
Occasionally Naranajo's joined by bata drummers, the same ones that  
helped lift Changuito's album into the air. It's descarga music, with  
long solos; Jimmy Bosch sits in on trombone on a few tracks, and  
there's a coro on most pieces. Naranjo's interested in all sorts of  
different harmony; there are moments of simple, traditional harmony,  
and at times the music gets modern. And on Guajeo y su Rumbata, a mix  
of the modern and the bata, the music just takes off, astoundingly  
beautiful; the coro will leave you breathless, and asking for more.  
Perfectly recorded, and exciting, and completely honest, the album  
can be taken as a good example of the power of local music, music  
meant for dancing, made by intelligent musicians who sense a  
responsibility to their audience.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
Price: $24.98

• Click here to Order Alfredo Naranjo Y El Guajeo Now!

CHANGUITO
Telegrafía Sin Hilo
Cacao Musica (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: LATIN JAZZ; AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ; CUBA
EditorsPick: Wow, what a great record by one of the world's greatest  
percussionists, the man who, as one of the essays in the booklet puts  
it, Cubanized the drum kit. Put together in Venezuela by El Negro and  
the crew of Cacao Musica, with musical guidance by Luis Marquez, a  
Cuban trumpeter who was part of the Venezuelan super group Guaco, the  
recording moves from salsa, with beautiful singing by Rodrigo Mendoza  
among others, to more the more folkloric. On tracks like Herencia, a  
tight coro floats over percussion; Fender Rhodes piano drifts in and  
out, mixing the modern jazz of the late 1960s with folklore. Then the  
piece blows up, surrounding the voice of the singer Vielka Prieto,  
who could probably support her own album. There isn't a dead spot on  
the album, in part because of Changuito's playing, but also because  
the recording is so well made, such a great example of hard driving,  
swing laden dance music. And if that were it, the story would be  
fine: the more experimental elements, like AfroCuban Dream, with a  
writhing soprano saxophone, are graceful and elegant, and serve as a  
fine break from dance mania. Clearly one of the best recordings of  
the year, so far.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
Price: $24.98

• Click here to Order Telegrafía Sin Hilo Now!

HORACIO "EL NEGRO" HERNANDEZ
Italuba II
Cacao Musica (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ
EditorsPick: The second volume of Hernandez's recording career with  
his band Italuba. (The first is here.)The name comes from the fact  
that the musicians (El Negro excepted) in the quartet are from Cuba,  
but live in Italy. It's a band that looks back to the glory days of  
jazz in Cuba, sounding a bit like the Rubalcaba groups of the 1990s,  
in which El Negro played before jumping the Cuban ship. Fusion is in  
effect, with an electric bass, and a pop sound - the only horn is a  
trumpet, giving the music a bright sheen. It's often brilliant music,  
with El Negro playing a symphonic role behind the other musicians;  
it's more than a bit virtuosic. The pianist, Ivan Napoles, has that  
modern post-McCoy/Corea/Hancock sound, and the music is almost  
nostalgic for a golden era in Cuba.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
Price: $24.98

• Click here to Order Italuba II Now!

Significant links...

• Recent the most current Editor's Picks Reviews
• Read the Descarga's Best of 2006
• The new wave of remastered classic FANIA reissues
• The complete 2006 Descarga Update Archives: 2006
• The Descarga Homepage
• Browse our growing inventory of DVDs

FANIA in transition... The recent acquisition of the Fania related  
labels (Fania, Alegre, Cotique, Vaya, Tico, Inca, Barbaro etc.) will  
mean that this large, historically significant, catalog of titles may  
be in scarce supply until they are reissued. They are going fast. We  
strongly urge those of you who are considering any of the following  
titles to place your order while supplies last. Click below for a  
list of currently available old stock...
old_fania

• Dance salsa now with the best instructional 2-DVD set...
Eddie Torres Teaches Salsa Nightclub Style

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