The Descarga Review: New from Chino Espinoza, Gloria Estefan, Jerry Galante's live DVD and more...

Wed Sep 19 15:47:15 EDT 2007

The Descarga Review • September 19, 2007

New from Chino Espinoza, Gloria Estefan, Robert Incelli, Jerry  
Galante's live DVD and more...

- Vinyl LPs? Click Here!
- Click for current specials!
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Here are some new and reissued titles of interest...

CHINO ESPINOZA
Maria
Dimelo
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Chino and Los Dueños Del Son return with a spot-on salsa  
project that has been rockin' this office pretty much all day. The  
pumped-to-capacity "Salsa Pa'l Congreso" is alone worth the price of  
this puppy. Listen to Cesar Espinoza and Angelo Rodriguez make their  
timbales and congas glow red on that one. Then try to catch your  
breath, because when "Soneando Hasta Mañana" kicks in, you, and  
everyone around you, will be helpless dancin' fools. Chino also  
offers up a pretty remarkable Frankie Ruiz medley as well as his fine  
interpretation of the Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe classic "Juana  
Peña." Pianist Héctor Manuel Rivera, arranger of the entire project,  
worked overtime here. This stuff is perfect for the dance club. I  
especially liked the boogalu swing of "Busca Fortuna."
DJ Alert, and Highly Recommended. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Café Colao 2. Maria 3. Salsa Pa'l Congreso 4. Quién Sera (Sway) 5.  
Soneando Hasta Mañana 6. Frankie Ruiz Medley (La Ruda - El Cancionero  
- Y Como Lo Hacen - La Cura) 7. Xiomara Mayoral - Xiomara 8. El  
Triste 9. Busca Fortuna 10. Juana Peña
MUSICIANS:
• Hector Manuel Rivera: Piano, arranger, synthesizer, coro
• René Camacho: Bass
• George López: Bass
• Jaime Covarrubias: Bass
• Cesar Espinoza: Timbales, congas, bongos, coro, maraca, güiro, cajón
• Angelo Rodriguez: Congas, cajón
• Ramses Araya: Congas on "Juana Peña"
• Victor Varela: Bongos, Coro
• James Savaleta: Coro
• Jake Espinoza: Coro
• Humberto Ruiz: Trombones
• Kerry Loeschen: Trombones
• Otto Granillo: Trombones
• Ben McIntosh: Trombones
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order Maria Now!

GLORIA ESTEFAN
90 Millas
Sony BMG Burgandy
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SON, GUARACHA, GUAJIRA
EditorsPick: Gloria Estefan returns with her first purely Cuban  
flavored project since her acclaimed 1993 album Mi Tierra. Alongside  
Ms. Estefan is Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, Edwin Bonilla, tresero  
Nelson Gonzalez, pianist Paquito Hechavarria and a slew of special  
guests including Orestes Vilato, Candido, Cachao, India, Sheila E.,  
Generoso Jimenez, Arturo Sandoval, Giovanni Hidalgo, Andy Garcia,  
Jose Feliciano, Carlos Santana, Luis Enrique, Papo Lucca and others.
Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Me Odio 2. No Llores 3. Lo Nuestro 4. Pintame De Colores 5.  
Caridad 6. Yo No Cambiaria 7. Besame 8. Refranes 9. A Bailar 10. Esta  
Fiesta No Va' Acabar 11. Esperando (Cuando Cuba Sea Libre) 12.  
Morenita 13. 90 Millas
MUSICIANS:
• Gloria M. Estefan: Voz
• Javier Concepcion: Piano
• Mario Linares: Guitarra
• Jesus Cruz: Laud
• Sal Cuevas: Bajo
• Edwin Bonilla: Congas, bongos timbal y percusion menor
• Gaitan Bros.: Maracas y coros
• Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros: Trompeta
• Cheito Quiñonez: Coros
• Paquito Hechavarria: Piano
• Nelson Gonzalez: Tres
• Artistas Invitados: Orestes Vilato, Candido, Cachao, India, Juanito  
Marquez, Sheila E., Generoso Jimenez, Juanito Marquez, Arturo  
Sandoval, Edwin Bonilla, Giovanni Hidalgo, Andy Garcia, Jose  
Feliciano, Carlos Santana, Luis Enrique, Pedro Alfonso, Papo Lucca
Price: $17.98

• Click here to Order 90 Millas Now!

ROBERT INCELLI
Baila Conmigo - Artista Invitado Oscar D'Leon
Glamour Memory
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Sizzling new Venezuelen straight-up, no-nonsense salsa  
by sax and flute player Roberto Incelli. Incelli, former musical  
director for Oscar D'Leon, gets a return favor here as D'Leon appears  
as guest vocalist. Great stuff, too. With Rene Camacho on bass,  
conguero Tito Carrion, timbalero Mark Campos and others.
Highly Recommended.
Review to follow shortly. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Dejala (4:15) 2. Las Malas Lenguas (4:30) 3. El Que Se Fue (3:58)  
4. Decidete (4:14) 5. Baila Conmigo (4:17) 6. La Lamento (4:58) 7.  
Preparate (4:12) 8. Hombre De Fe (4:18) 9. Si Y No (4:41) 10. Pegaito  
(4:45) 11. Falso (5:02)
MUSICIANS:
• Robert Incelli: Cantante, coros, flauta, saxo alto, tenor, soprano  
y baritono
• Juan "Jason" Garcia: Piano en 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,11
• Allan Phillips: Piano en 2,6,10
• Rene Camacho: Bass
• Tito Carrion: Congas
• Mark Campos: Timbales
• Joseph Assef: Bongo, campana
• Jose Assef: Guiro
• Alnedo Silva: Coros
• Cristobal Petit: Coros
• Nene Piñango: Coros
• Oscar D'leon: Guest vocals
Price: $16.98

• Click here to Order Baila Conmigo Now!

JERRY GALANTE
Siempre Pa' Lante DVD & CD Set
Codiscos (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: DVD; SALSA/SON; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Powerfully executed live set - a DVD and CD combo - by  
the popular salsa singer. Recorded in Medellín, Colombia, to a packed  
(although seated) audience Galante gave them what they wanted, one  
snappy uptempo track after another. "Dejame Intentar," "Mueve La  
Cadera," "Mi Montuno," "P'al Bailador," and "Se Prendio El Rumbon"  
are some of the tracks. Produced by Diego Galé. With Galé's  
dependable stable of musicians like Morist Jimenez, Giovanny Montoya,  
Sergio Munera, Jimmy Galé Juan David Grajales and others.
Recommended. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. DVD: Dejame Intentar 2. Mueve La Cadera 3. Con El Amor No Se Puede  
Jugar 4. Yo Buscare 5. Tu Eres Lo Maximo 6. Solo Tu Cariño 7. Estoy  
Enamorado 8. Mi Montuno 9. Solo Tu 10. Mi Felicidad 11. P'al Bailador  
12. Recuerdos 13. Lo Vieron 14. Olvidalo 15. Se Prendio El Rumbon 16.  
Historia Musical 17. CD: Olvidalo (4:35) 18. Mi Montuno (4:19) 19.  
Dejame Intentar (4:38) 20. Lo Vieron (4:21) 21. Con El Amor No Se  
Puede Jugar (4:32) 22. P'al Bailador (4:34) 23. Solo Tu (4:25) 24.  
Mueve La Cadera (4:03) 25. Tu Eres Lo Maximo...plus 6 More Tunes!!!  
(4:38)
MUSICIANS:
• Diego Galé: musical direccion
• Jerry Galante: Voz
• Morist Jimenez: Trombon y coros
• Elkin Serna: Coros
• Jairo Andrade: Coros
• Oscar Abueta: Coros
• Juan David Grajales: Coros
• Charlie Torres: Coros
• Giovanny Montoya: Bajo
• Sergio Munera: Bajo
• Julian Arias: Piano
• Alvaro Cabarcas "Pelusa": Piano
• Ostual Serna: Res
• Leon Piedrahita: Bongo
• Hernen Benitez "Tato": Bongo
• Jimmy Galé: Timbal
• Orlando Libreros - Ismael Jauregui - Dante Vargas: Trompetas
• Juan Pablo Valencia: Trombon
• Eucaris Nunez: Trombon
• Juan David Grajales: Conga
Price: $19.98

• Click here to Order Siempre Pa' Lante DVD & CD Set Now!

ROBERTO BORRELL
Un Trio Inseparable - Instruction In The Traditional Popular Dances  
Of Cuba - DVD
Boogalu Productions
Originally released: 2007
Category: DVD; DANCE INSTRUCTION; CUBA
EditorsPick: "UN TRIO INSEPARABLE" is a master class for all lovers  
of salsa, Latin dance, and Latin music, who want to learn and fully  
explore the three essential popular dance forms of Cuba from which  
all modern styles of salsa developed - the danzón, son, and chachachá.
Leading the class is musician, dancer, and teacher extraordinaire  
Roberto Borrell, a Cuban gentleman who embodies his culture and has  
dedicated his life to preserving and passing on Cuba's rich  
traditions. Captivated by the music as a teenager, Roberto learned to  
dance and play music in the vibrant dance salons and social clubs of  
Havana in the early 1950's. Over the past 20 years Roberto has  
developed a comprehensive system of teaching the traditional popular  
dances of Cuba inspired by the manner in which he learned - the old  
school "Open your eyes, open your ears" method. It's a simple  
approach and yet you will be challenged to listen to your feet, and  
to the music, and to become part of what Roberto calls the  
inseparable trio of the music, man, and woman.
Accompanying Roberto is one of his favorite dance partners Viola  
Gonzales.
Part 1: Dance Instruction (28 segments, 60 minutes) for danzón, son  
and chachachá including: demonstrations with music, posture and basic  
steps, slow and big turns, open and close moves, and open to separate  
moves, and men's and women's steps broken down.
Part II: Interviews & Demonstrations (12 segments, 60 minutes):
* personal history and anecdotes
* music and dance history
* dancing using cues from the rhythms
* correct technique and common mistakes
* advice for learning to dance
120 Minutes.
[from the back liners]
Recommended. (DR)
Price: $32.98

• Click here to Order Un Trio Inseparable - DVD Now!

SON GUERRERO
Salsa Valiente
Disonex (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Hot - just in! Terrific new tres and flute based salsa- 
son project from Colombia. With singer Mauricio Gómez and the special  
guest singers on the sizzling "Abrázate Buenaventura" are Willi  
Garcia, Yuri Buenaventura, Jimmy Saa and Elvis Magno.
Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Para Afincar Un Son Guerrero (4:37) 2. Sabroso Veneno (4:59) 3. El  
Cacho (4:46) 4. Te Cantare Mis Pensamientos (4:55) 5. El Que A Hierro  
Mata (4:47) 6. Perro Que Ladra (4:43) 7. Por Causa De Usted (4:54) 8.  
Traicionera (4:39) 9. Abrázate Buenaventura (5:20) 10. A Mama Y A  
Papá (3:59) 11. Currulao Pa' Changó (4:47)
MUSICIANS:
• Amarildo Ibargüen: Bongo, campana, quinto, percusion, voz
• Carlos Sabogal: Timbal
• Juanito: Bongó, congas
• Andrés Gómez: Piano
• Ostual Serna: Tres
• Julio Valdes: Bajo
• Manuel Casas: Guitarra acústica y eléctrica
• Daniel Alfonso Ortiz: Trombon
• Gustavo Escobar: Saxo tenor y soprano
• Manuel Burbano: Flauta
• Juan Carlos Tabares: Coro
• Alex Torres: Coro
• Mauricio Gómez: Cantante
• Guests: Ramon Castro, Ramon Rodriguez, Richie Valdez: Coro
• Andrés Viafara: Trombon, coro
• Pedro Cesar Fajardo: Violin
• Jorge Leliebre: Flauta
• Oscar Iván Lozano: Piano
• Wilson Viveros: Drums, percusion
• Marlon Murillo, Willi Garcia, Yuri Buenaventura, Jimmy Saa, Elvis  
Magno: Vocals
Price: $16.98

• Click here to Order Salsa Valiente Now!

CELIA CRUZ
¡Azucar! A Lady And Her Music 2-CD Set
Fania / Emusica - Remastered Edition
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Here's a wonderful 2-CD celebration of Celia Cruz'  
decades of amazing work in salsa from her early work with Sonora  
Matancera (she replaced Myrta Silva as the lead vocalist) through her  
Tico recordings and then the golden years with Fania - the core of  
this compilation. Packed with unforgettable tacks like "La  
Guarachera," "Cuando Salí de Cuba," "Bemba Colorá," "Quimbara,"  
"Usted Abuso," "El Chisme" and even "La Negra Tiene Tumbao," one of  
her last great mega-hits with Sony. Excellent liners by Ernesto Lechner.
This is a totally enjoyable compilation that should, most definitely,  
be in your collection. Would make a great gift as well.
Highly recommended. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. El Yerbertio Moderno 2. Suavecito 3. La Guarachera 4. Me Acuerdo  
De Ti 5. Oye Mi Consejo 6. Bravo 7. Guantanamera 8. Cuando Sali De  
Cuba 9. Meida Con You 10. Mi Treque, Treque 11. Aquarius/Let The Sun  
Shine In 12. Bomboro Quiña 13. Salsa De Tomate 14. Dile Que Por Mi No  
Terna 15. Gracia Divina 16. Bemba Colorá 17. Quimbara 18. Toro Mata  
19. Cucala 20. Ritmo, Tambor Y Flores 21. Usted Abuso 22. Burundanga  
23. El Guaba 24. Encantado De La Vida 25. Soy Antillana...plus 7 More  
Tunes!!!
Price: $19.98

• Click here to Order ¡Azucar! A Lady And Her Music 2-CD Set Now!

TITO RODRIGUEZ
El Inolvidable
Disco Hit
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; MAMBO, CHA CHA CHA
EditorsPick: Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Description: Original Price: 14.98
On Sale: 11.24

ON SALE until October 3rd!
Click HERE for the complete listing of SALE items!

SONG TITLES:
1. Gaurare 2. Ay, No No 3. Mango Del Monte 4. Frezao Con Gusto (con  
Tito Puente Y Su Orchesta) 5. Tu No Me Queres Nada (con Vitin Aviles  
Con Orquesta) 6. No Seas Baina Mi Compay (canta Vitin Aviles Con  
Orquesta) 7. Un Jeremico (con Tito Puente Y Su Orchesta) 8. Ritmo De  
Cha, Cha, Cha 9. Manengue 10. Me Lo Dijo Adela 11. Como Mango 12. El  
Cha-Cha-Cha De Los Cariñocos 13. Culpable 14. Chao, Chao, Guapacha  
(con Rene Hernandez Y Su Orchesta) 15. El Amigo Infiel (con Rene  
Hernandez Y Su Orchesta) 16. Oye, El Que Sabe Sabe (con Rene  
Hernandez Y Su Orchesta)
Price: $11.24

• Click here to Order El Inolvidable Now!

SONORA OCHO
Zoonando
Latinasterio (original import)
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Review to follow shortly. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Elegguaré (1:06) 2. Pa' Chopin (5:45) 3. Me Voy Pa'l Tibiri (5:47)  
4. El Bufon Y Su Comedia (5:26) 5. Chucupunmk (5:32) 6. Confesiones  
Sin Rebaja (4:04) 7. Ponala A Sobrar (4:26) 8. Chicken's Boogaloo  
(4:41) 9. Patiño 2:00 AM (3:50)
MUSICIANS:
• Fede: Guitarra electrica, tiple y coros
• Mauro: Voz y coros
• Andres: Bajo direccion y coros
• Alejo: Piano y coros
• Pipe: Flauta, traversa y coros
• Gare: Bongo
• Capu: Percusion menor
• Checho: Timbales y coros
Price: $17.98

• Click here to Order Zoonando Now!

DIEGO FLORES "TIBIRI"
Salsa, Ritmo Caliente
Codiscos (original import)
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Review to follow shortly. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Que Quieres 2. Esclavo De Ti 3. Soneros Del Ayer 4. Bailalo Tu 5.  
Traigo La Salsa 6. Angeles 7. Baila Negra 8. Un Secreto
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order Salsa, Ritmo Caliente Now!

BROTHERS BAND
Just Press... Play
M3 Records
Originally released: 2007
Category: MERENGUE/BACHATA; MERENGUE
SONG TITLES:
1. Te Mando Flores 2. Tokita 3. Me Equivoque 4. Corazon De Melao 5.  
Una Mentira Una Verdad 6. Me Cambio Por Otra 7. Que Te Vaya Bien 8.  
Suena (Grupo Intocable) 9. Caramba Carambita 10. Pirulo 11. Navidad  
Con Los Brothers 12. Coros
MUSICIANS:
• Pavel: Coros
• Franklin Catano: Saxo alto y tenor; coros
• Luigie De Jesus: Bajo y coros
• Anthony Colon: Coros
• Nicolas Vizcaino: Coros
• Che Che, Wilson, Edward: Tamboras
• Wisito: Guira
• Randy De La Cruz: Trompeta
• Botija: Trompeta
• Jose Luis Mateo: Trompeta
• Joselito (Nueva Era) Eunel: Guitarra
• David Beto: Congas
• David Espana: Bajo
• Willy Bass: Bajo
• Franky Mojica: Bajo
Price: $14.98

• Click here to Order Just Press... Play Now!

LA BANDA SALSA
Pa'l Barrio
La Banda Salsa (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Review to follow shortly. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Banda Y Sabor 2. El Camanche 3. Que Pena Mi Pana 4. Sueño De Vida  
5. Descarga'la 6. Ajiaco Con Aguacate 7. Lucia 8. Herencia 9. Yo No  
Voy 10. Baila Rumbero
MUSICIANS:
• Luis Alfonso Martinez: Voz lider/Coros
• René Alejandro Gutiérrez: Voz lider/Coros
• Astrid Quintero Reyes: Flauta traversa/Coros
• Israel Mendez: Piano
• Jhon Socha: Bajo electrico
• Ivan Dario Avila: Trombon
• German Mauricio Ruiz: Trombon
• Mayte Alvarez Ropain: Bongo/Campana
• Fabio Leonardo Torres: Tumbadoras
• William Duran Suarez: Timbal/Coros/Direccion
Price: $16.98

• Click here to Order Pa'l Barrio Now!

EDDIE PERALES
Molto Cha
Apache Records
Originally released: 2000
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ
EditorsPick: Orginally from 2000. Back in stock. Flautist Eddie  
Perales' debut CD is a must-have for fans of the flute in Latin jazz.  
Mr. Perales honorably interprets some numbers by some well-known  
musicians: Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Chick Correa etc., however,  
he also performs several original arrangements as well. Well done. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Confirmation (4:24) 2. Tune Up (5:12) 3. Molto Cha (5:14) 4. Como  
Fue (4:22) 5. 262 W. 26 St. (5:32) 6. Los Cazadores (5:35) 7. Friends  
(6:12) 8. Sombras Nada Mas (5:01) 9. Waltz For Deeby (5:54) 10.  
Eddie's Samba (5:14)
MUSICIANS:
• Eddie Perales: Flute
• Luis Quevedo: Piano
• Junior Irizarry: Bass
• Carlos Perez: Drums
• Georgie Padilla: Congas and percussion
• Frankie Suarez: Piano on "Confirmation"
• Jose (Pepe) Jimenez: Drums on "Confirmation" and "Waltz for Deeby"
• Luis Rovira: Vibraphone on "262 W. 26 St"
• Zito Zelante: String synth on "Sombras nada mas" and "Waltz for Deeby"
Price: $16.98

• Click here to Order Molto Cha Now!

Highlights from the previous Descarga Review...

LA 33
Gozalo
La 33 / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Whoa! If "Descarga 33" - the opening track of Gozalo -  
doesn't raise the dead then nothing will. This commanding salsa  
powerhouse makes it's point straight away: get up and dance NOW! It's  
a DJ's last resort, the secret weapon. Now, while all of the tracks  
on La 33's second album aren't the equivalent to a salsa  
defibrillator like "Descarga 33," they do share its drive, swing and  
vision: keep the party going. The Colombian band, led by bassist  
Sergio Mejia, made a big impact with their debut La 33 and they  
clearly decided to up the ante here. Listen to Juan David Fernandez's  
timbales roar on the explosive cumbia-salsa "Plinio Guzman." And the  
uptempo jazzy-mambo instrumental title track "Gozalo" shows that this  
band is made of real musicians who can play. But it's the tight- 
fisted straight-ahead salsa tracks like "La Rumba Buena" that define  
La 33 as the premium dance band that they are.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Gozalo Now!

JIMMY SAA
Golpe Original
Fuentes / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: What separates singer and percussionist Jimmy Saa's  
salsa from the rest is his ability to manage superlative  
arrangements, killer instrumentation and crown it with his impeccable  
delivery. Saa, who has worked with high caliber bands like La Octava  
Dimensión, La Suprema Corte, Yuri Buenaventura and Grupo Niche, has  
learned how to harness his power and release it at optimum moments.  
His extended "Intro" is so well crafted and chock full of swing that  
you just know that you're in for an extraordinary ride. Listen to the  
highly charged salsa "Mi Tierra" with it's porro nuance - you can  
feel the boil about to surface throughout this gem. This is modern  
salsa at it's finest. It doesn't get much better than this. "Mujer  
Colibri" is almost too good to be a pop salsa number. Perfect  
danceclub material. Saa, very much a man of Colombia, brushes the  
indigenous flavors of his country into the nooks and crannies of his  
songs. And on Golpe Original he goes even further by incorporating  
his "Mosaico Folclore De Pacifico" - a modern take on roots material.  
As bonus, Saa includes three stunning tracks ("Saa Libre,"  
"Tempestad," " La Primera Dama") that originally appeared on his  
debut release Tempestad, now out of print. DJ Alert.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Golpe Original Now!

LANDY Y SU ORQUESTA
Claro Y Conciente
Landy/Presencia Productions
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Good straight-ahead salsa as led by bassist Landy Felix.  
Recorded in Puerto Rico and New York, Claro y Conciente is a solid  
old-school project that features pianists Willie Sotelo and Victor  
Santos, congueros William "Cachiro" Thompson and William "Tito"  
Andino, timbaleros Rigoberto Diaz, David Forestier and Jimmy  
Figueroa, bongoceros Richaie Bastar and Louie "Campana" Hernandez and  
many others. Coro? How's Luisito Carrion, Pedro Brull, Chegui Ramos  
and Tito Allen? There are special guests too: Papo Pepin, Harry  
Adorno, Dave Valentin, John Walsh and others. Highlights include  
"Apapachame," "La Pollera Colora," and "El Mi Canción."
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order Claro Y Conciente Now!

RUMBA CALZADA
Album 4
Pacific/Warner Canada / original import
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ
EditorsPick: At a time when many seem to equate fast and overproduced  
with quality, it is more than refreshing to hear the deeply swinging,  
yet subtler, approach offered by Rumba Calzada, arguably one of  
Canada's finest Latin bands. Leader and timbalero Raphael Geronimo  
clearly rejects the overly brassy - his swing comes from a place  
below the surface, deep and muted. Opening with the honey-dipped  
"Bomba de San Anton," which is more of a salsa-jazz with a bit of  
bomba rhythmic underscore, Calzada's project never gets too  
cluttered. And, while the musicians are top notch, there is an  
implied looseness, a faint roughness along the edges that, on a few  
of these tracks, harkens a bit to the legendary Alegre All Stars'  
recordings of the '60s and '70s. Listen to the interplay between  
trumpet and trombone on "Mozambique." All ten tracks here are  
original compositions.
This project, the fourth installment by Rumba Calzada, aptly and  
unpretentiously entitled Album 4, would be a fine addition to your  
collection, and a lesson in production values too. It's a Latin jazz  
project that prooves understatement can be a pretty intoxicating thing.
Very highly recommended. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Album 4 Now!

ARTURO STABLE
Notes On Canvas
Origin Records
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ
EditorsPick: What an interesting idea. Percussionist Arturo Stable,  
whose father is an accomplished artist, grew up around art and  
artists. On Notes on Canvas, Stable endeavors to interpret,  
musically, some of his favorite paintings. Stable hand-picked top  
notch musicians to help elicit musical life from the chosen paintings  
- specific musicians for specific paintings. For example, sax player  
George Garzone, an avante garde artist himself, is also quite  
knowledgeable about the works of Picasso and Dali. So, it was a  
natural choice to have him work on the compositions that corresponded  
to the paintings "Guernica" and "Clock Explosion." There's visual  
depiction and some text about each of the painting: Wilfredo Lam's  
"La Jungla" (the Jungle), Monet's "Sunrise," self portraits by Frida  
Kahlo and Van Gogh, D' Vinci's "Gioconda," Kadinsky's "Composition  
#8" and others. And while there's enough to get one interested in  
fine art, here it's the music that matters. And, like the paintings,  
the music is filled with texture, color, density, composition,  
harmony and emotion. Stable did a more than a credible job - his  
works can live on their own. This is good stuff. Also with Dafnis  
Prieto, Francisco Mela, David Sánchez, Osmany Paredes, Aruan Ortiz,  
Rafael Alcala, Paquito D'Rivera and others.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order Notes On Canvas Now!

LAS ESTRELLAS DEL COMBORICAN
Nuestra Cosa Nuyorican - Live At The Nuyorican Cafe 5 CD & DVD Set
Nuyorican
Category: DVD; SALSA/SON
EditorsPick: Big time old-school fun as Las Estrellas Del Comborican  
churn through salsa classics, many from the Fania songbook, for their  
live performance at the Nuyorican Café in the east village, NYC.  
Singers Hermán Olivera, Wilfredo Otero and Luisito Ojeda take their  
sweet time on these extended, gritty, trombone-charged, loose jams.  
The band is obviously having a lot of fun, had a few drinks and,  
despite the occasional out of tune vocal notes (you get the real feel  
of a live performance, warts and all) the dancing audience of this  
small club ate it up. It's the sort of session we took for granted in  
New York fifteen years ago: "A las Seis," "En Mi Viejo San Juan," "I  
Like it Like That," "Pa' Huele," and an almost sixteen minute  
"Quitate Tú" are some of the gems you'll hear and/or see on this CD/ 
DVD set. It's an informal homage to some of the best salsa ever  
composed.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $18.98
• Click here to Order Nuestra Cosa Nuyorican - Live At The Nuyorican  
Cafe 5 CD & DVD Set Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
DJ El Chino's Solar Latin Club, Vol. 1
SolarLatinClub / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA INTERNATIONAL
EditorsPick: Celebrated DJ El Chino's first compilation, a 15 track  
powerhouse of salsa, funk, son, Latin jazz and timba, features  
material from all over the planet - including previously unreleased  
tracks by some lesser known bands. While you might recognize some of  
the names here, there are some that will surely be fortunate  
discoveries. Participants include Sono-Lux, La Sucursal S.A.,  
Diabloson, Mosquito Salsa Club, Kachimba 1551, Zumbao, Carlos Del  
Puerto & Impacto Cubano (with a simply drop-dead "Alegrate Juan") and  
many others. El Chino, who spent some years working in Germany, is  
now back in Colombia working on projects like this. And there's some  
heavy swag here. Listen to the percussive funk of "Descarga" - Tómas  
Einarsson's relentless club-ready dance track. Play that one loud. El  
Chino's selections, a true worldwide cross-section made by someone  
with a clearly refined ear, reverberate with muscle. Listen to  
Atabal's electrically charged handling of the cover "Dundunbanza" -  
probably the most recognizable title on the CD. "Taxi" by Sono-Lux  
opens as a smooth Latin jazz version of the TV show theme song. Then,  
without warning, it morphs into a high-octane timba number that will  
be sure to get the house rocking. Surprises like this are peppered  
throughout SolarLatinClub. Feel the heat rise on the hard-driving  
boogaloo "Baila Mi Ritmo" from Toro Ensemble. It's a knockout. This  
one, folks, is...
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order DJ El Chino's Solar Latin Club, Vol. 1 Now!

GABINO PAMPINI
Salsa Romántica A Mi Manera
Fuentes / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: This is Pampini's first new release in quite a few  
years. The Panamanian singer has been living and working in Colombia  
for some time and has quite a loyal following who are attracted to  
his straight-ahead, no-nonsense, sonero style. On this release he  
shows his slightly more romantic side with tracks like "A Mi  
Manera" ("My Way"), "Esa Mujer," "Mi Segunda Tierra" and others.  
There are original tracks penned by Mr. Pampini as well as material  
by Manuel Alejandro, Joan Sebastian, Juan Gabriel and even a salsa  
version of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." With  
Jaime Galé on percussion, Pablo Grajales on piano, Andréa Aguirre and  
Carlos Mora on bass, and many others. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Salsa Romántica A Mi Manera Now!

BOBBY MATOS
Gratitude
Lifeforce Jazz
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ
EditorsPick: Just in! New Latin jazz project by timbalero-bandleader  
Bobby Matos. In addition to eight original tracks there are  
compositions by Miles Davis ("All Blues"), Tito Puente ("Mas Bajo")  
and Lou Pérez ("No Me Diga Na'"). And there's a luscious  
interpretation of "Autumn Leaves" (Kosma-Prévert-Mercer) sung, con  
sabor and sophistication, by Dee Dee McNeil. Also with Danny  
Weinstein, Theo Saunders, Robertito Melendez, Edwin Livingston, Sal  
Marquez, and Jud Matos.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order Gratitude Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Que Viva La Salsa Dura 2-CD Set
Latin Soul Records
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Interesting 2-CD set of rare vintage salsa dura by the  
likes of the Don Juan Orchestra, Willie Melendez, Porfi Jimenez,  
Felix Martinez, Los Astros, Orchestra Broadway, Mike Rosario and  
others. CD-1 has all of these twelve classics in their original  
glory. CD-2 are remixes of these same tracks via the handiwork of DJ  
Duste of Australia. And they sound great...
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Que Viva La Salsa Dura 2-CD Set Now!

JOHNNY RAY (JOHNNY ZAMOT)
Johnny Zamot Introduces The Boogaloo Frog
JZ
Category: LATIN SOUL/BOOGALOO; LATIN SOUL, CLASSIC 60s or 70s
EditorsPick: Just in... highly collectible boogaloo recording from  
percussionist bandleader Johnny Zamot. Happily, this reissue from  
1960 sports crystal clear sound. With singers John Fernandez and Pete  
Bonet (singer for Ray Barretto). Besides the totally fun "Boogaloo  
Frog," the album also features "Hey Mama," "Miriam Baby," "Yo  
Volvere," "Pa' Los Pelu," "Cat Fish Bag" and others. One of the best  
boogaloo records of the era. Listen to the trumpet on "Are You  
Ready." *Very* well done. With Max Salazar's original liners and Izzy  
Sanbria's art.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Johnny Zamot Introduces The Boogaloo Frog 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 2007 Descarga Update Archives: 2007
• The Descarga Homepage
• Browse our growing inventory of DVDs

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

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