CON SABOR PLAYLIST 5/2/2026-KPFA 94.1 FM/KPFA.ORG-SATURDAYS 9 TO 11 PM PST
CD 1/CUT 1 CACHAO DESCARGA MEXICANA CUBAN MUSIC IN JAM SESSION-BONITA 4:58
CD 1/CUT 2. JESUS ENRIQUEZ DE QUE MANERA TE OLVIDO MOTIVOS PARA SONAR-RMM 4:12
CD 1/CUT 3 THE LATIN JAZZ COALITION/DEMETRIOS KUSTURIS MULENZE Y YO EL GRIEGO RUMBERO-IJC RECORDS 5:18
CD 1/CUT 4. RICO WALKER NI CAYUCO, NI CULEMBO SINGLE-SALSANEO 5:35
CD 1/CUT 5. YURI BUENAVENTURA EL GUAJIRO DEL MONTE VAGABUNDO-MERCURY FR 5:01
CD 1/CUT 6. DON PERIGNON Y LA PUERTORRIQUEÑA FEAT HERMAN OLIVERA RITMO BEMBE 45 ANIVERSARIO-AGRADECIDO Y AFORTUNADO-DON RECORDS 4:03
***HERMAN OLIVERA W/ORQ TAINO WILL BE APPEARING THIS SAT 5/9-2 PM-4:30 PM YERBA BUENA GARDENS-MISSION STREET BETWEEN 3RD & 4TH STS., SAN FRANCISCO FREE! BATEY TAMBO WILL BE OPENING THE SHOW. INFO: YBGFESTIVAL.ORG
CD 1/CUT 7 IRAKERE TRIBUTO A PERUCHIN (LIVE) FELICIDAD-RECORDED LIVE AT RONNIE SCOTT’S CLUB-RONNIE SCOTT’S JAZZ HOUSE RECORDS 11:34
CD 1/CUT 8. ADALBERTO ALVAREZ Y SU SON FEAT MANDY CANTERO TAL VEZ VUELVAS A LLAMARME (LIVE) SON PARA UN SONERO-EL CONCIERTO-BIS 9:18
CD 1/CUT 9. PALO A RUMBEAR EN LA HABANA SINGLE-PALO 3:29
CD 1/CUT 10 ORQUESTA FUEGO W/BETSY LOPEZ LEJOS DE TI MAMBO MANIA-ORQUESTA FUEGO 4:24
CD 1/CUT 11. OMNY CARDONA DE SANTURCE A CALI, DE EL BARRIO A LA 15 SINGLE-OMNY CARDONA 4:18
CD 1/CUT 12. JOSE FLORES MILLIONARIO SINGLE-JOSE FLORES 4:15
CD 1/CUT 13. SONORA PONCEÑA COMO MANGO BACK TO THE ROAD-PIANISSIMO 6:10
CD 1/CUT 14. ERNAN LOPEZ-NUSSA, KELVIS OCHOA, SEXTO SENTIDO, YAROLDY ABREU, GASTÓN JOYA TIN TIN DEO RUMBA CON SWING: RECREACIONES DE CHANO POZO-PRODUCIONES COLIBRI 4:27
CD 1/CUT 15 BOBBY CARCASSES W/CUBAN JAZZ MASTERS JAZZ TIMBERO JAZZ TIMBERO-TUMI MUSIC 5:21
CD 1/CUT 16. SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA DESCARGA DE JAZZ THE LATIN JAZZ PROJECT-ARTIST SHARE 5:04
CD 1/CUT 17. TONY VEGA SI ME MIRES A LOS OJOS SI ME MIRES A LOS OJOS-RMM 5:01
CD 1/CUT 18 CHOCO ORTA HOMENAJE A LAS SONERAS CHOCO SWING-CHOCOLOCOTON MUSIC 4:01
CD 1/CUT 19 LALO RODRIGUEZ TU NO SABES QUERER SIMPLEMENTE..LALO-TIERRAZO 6:21
CON SABOR PLAYLIST 4/18/2026-KPFA 94.1 FM/KPFA.ORG- SATURDAYS 9 TO 11 PM PST
INTRO
CD 1/CUT 1 JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCH W/WYNTON MARSALIS FEAT RUBEN BLADES BAN BAN QUERE UNA NOCHE CON RUBEN BLADES-BLUE ENGINE 6:28
CD 1/CUT 2. EDDIE PALMIERI/CHEO FELICIANO/FANIA ALL STARS BUSCA LO TUYO FANIA ALL STARS LIVE PUERTO RICO JUNE 11, 1994-FANIA 6:30
CD 1/CUT 3 BOBBY VALENTIN LA ESPINITA BOBBY VALENTIN-BRONCO 5:55
CD 1/CUT 4. CHRISTIAN ALICEA EL DOMINO SWINGKETE 2.0-MARATHON-TERAPIST 3:03
CD 1/CUT 5. NORBERT FEAT TITO NIEVES Y SI MAÑANA SINGLE-NORBERT VELEZ 4:11
CD 1/CUT 6. BULULU SAN BENITO CON SABOR LIVE SESSION/LUIS MEDINA 4:27
CD 1/CUT 7 JESUS ALEMANY’S CUBANISMO TUMBAO DE CACHAO ACUARELA CUBANA-SBK 6:36
CD 1/CUT 8. LOS VAN VAN FEAT YENY VALDES DESPUES DE TODO CHAPEANDO-UNICORNIO 6:09
CD 1/CUT 9. MANOLITO Y SU TRABUCO AMISTAD ES UN CALLE ME ESTOY ACOSTUMBRANDO-ENDIRECTO 5:44
CD 1/CUT 10. MARIO Y SU TIMBEKO FEAT SUSEL “LA CHINA” GOMEZ DALE PA’FUERA SINGLE-TIMBEKO 4:29
CD 1/CUT 11 LUISITO Y SU SALSOMETRO SE FORMA LO QUE SE FORMA -LUISITO/SALSO 4:23
CD 1/CUT 12. PIRULO Y LA TRIBU FEAT ÑEKO HOY TODO ME SALDRÁ BIEN SINGLE-LA VIDA RECORDS 3:53
CD 1/CUT 13 CORDOBA LOOKING FOR LOVE SINGLE-CORDOBA 4:48
CD 1/CUT 14. SUPERMAMBO FEAT FELIPE FOURNIER, RUBEN BLADES & JEREMY BOSCH SUPERMAMBO SINGLE-SUPERMAMBO 5:03
CD 1/CUT 15 PEDRO JOSE PASTRANA FIESTA EN EL PUEBLO LO QUE NOS LLEVAMOS-PJ PASTRANA MUSIC 3:55
CD 1/CUT 17 STEFON HARRIS/DAVID SANCHEZ/CHRISTIAN SCOTT E’CHA NINETY MILES-CONCORD PICANTE 4:11
CD 1/CUT 18. HUMBERTO RAMIREZ MR. AFINQUE BETTER DAYS-NIPO MUSIC 4:39
CD 1/CUT 19. CONJUNTO DE CLAVE Y GUAGUANCO YO SOY DE LA TIMBALAYE CANTAREMOS Y BAILAREMOS-AREITO 2:49
CD 1/CUT 20 MARKOLINO DIMOND FEAT ANGEL CANALES BRUJERIA BRUJERIA-VAYA 4:48
CD 1/CUT 21. MARIO ORTIZ ALL STAR BAND FEAT ISMAEL MIRANDA, ANDY MONTAÑEZ, TONY VEGA, GILBERTO SANTA ROSA, RAY DE LA PAZ, TITO ROJAS & VICTOR MANUELLE LOS SONEROS 50TH ANNIVERSARY-ALL STAR MUSIC 3:57
CD 1/CUT 22 TIT0 RODRIGUEZ JR/GILBERTO SANTA ROSA LA LEY DEL GUAGUANCO SINGLE-TITO RODRIGUEZ JR 4:24
CD 1/CUT 23 PARIS ALL STARS/JOSE BARRIOS SON PA LOS SONEROS SINGLE 4:58
CON SABOR PLAYLIST 4/11/2026–KPFA 94.1 FM/KPFA.ORG- SATURDAYS 9 TO 11 PM PST
CD 1/CUT 1 GRUPO FOLKLORICO Y EXPERIMENTAL NUEVOYORQUINO ANABACOA CONCEPTS IN UNITY-SALSOUL 6:25
CD 1/CUT 2. NESTOR TORRES NO ME PROVOQUES NO ME PROVOQUES-SUAVE 4:55
CD 1/CUT 3 DANY MARTINEZ Y CUBANO-RICAN PARA TI-BESITO PA TI VOLUME 2-PARA TI-DANY MARTINEZ 4:41
CD 1/CUT 4. FELIPE FOURNIER FEAT RUBEN BLADES & JEREMY BOSCH SUPERMAMBO SINGLE-SUPERMAMBO 5:03
CD 1/CUT 5. DON PERIGNON Y LA PUERTORRIQUENA ELLA SIGUE BAILANDO CLASICO Y SABROSO-DON RECORDS 4:24
CD 1/CUT 6. LA MAXIMA 79/DJ FABRIZIO ZORO ESCUCHE ESTE SON MONTUNO SINGLE-SMARYA 4:24
CD 1/CUT 7 LOS VAN VAN W/MANDY CANTERO TIM-POP VIRUS-BIS 7:56
CD 1/CUT 8. MAYITO RIVERA & THE SONS OF CUBA BAILALO COMO TU QUERIAS TIEMPOS DE GOZADERA? TIMBA RECORDS 4:48
CD 1/CUT 9. TANIA PANTOJA NUNCA TE DI EL MANDO ASI SOY-MB RECORD 4:19
CD 1/CUT 10 DAYME AROCENA/ARTURO O’FARRILL AFRO-LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA MAMBO NA MA(LIVE) THE ORIGINAL INFLUENCERS: DIZZY, CHANO AND CHICO LIVE AT TOWN HALL-TIGER TURN 4:04.
CD 1/CUT 11 LOUIE RAMIREZ BAMBOLEATE KING OF THE LATIN VIBES-SUGAR 5:25
CD 1/CUT 12. WILLIE ROSARIO EL CALLEJERO A MAN OF MUSIC-BRONCO 4:22
CD 1/CUT 13. GILBERTO PULPO COLON TIRANDOTE FLORES PULPO’S HOT BREAD-THE MAMBO PROJECT 6:15
CD 1/CUT 14 YILLIAN CANIZARES MAPUTO VITAMINA Y-CANIZARES 3:29
CD 1/CUT 15. ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ FEAT PEDRITO MARTINEZ HOTEL CALIFORNIA TAKE COVER-TAKE COVER RECORDS 3:20
CD 1/CUT 16. JULITO ALVARADO PONCE’S RUMBA MY MUSICAL JOURNEY: 40 YEARS CELEBRATION-JULITO ALVARADO 5:57
CD 1/CUT 17 EDDIE PALMIERI DA LOWDOWN HIGHEST 2 LOWEST ORIGINAL FILM SOUNDTRACK-A24 MUSIC 4:57
CD 1/CUT 18 LOS HACHEROS FEAT JEREMY BOSCH JUANITO LA BATALLA-CHULO 5:00
CD 1/CUT 19. CORTIJO Y SU NUEVO COMBO FEAT FE CORTIJO PICA PICA CHAMPIONS-COCO 4:34
CD 1/CUT 20 GRUPO GALE VEN A MEDELLIN LIVE ANNIVERSARY-CODISCOS 5:58
CD 1/CUT 21 PETE BONET TUMBANDO CAÑA THE ODDS ARE ON PETE BONET-SWINGER 5:05
Emceeing: The Thrill Of It All
I have been asked to MC for tonight’s show featuring Grammy Award Winners Pacific Mambo Orchestra featuring renowned sonero Herman Olivera at Yoshi’s in Oakland. It’s always an honor to emcee a prestigious show featuring musicians that you admire, support and actually play their music. Emceeing is an acquired skill honed by years of experience, stage time and learning from watching the best doing their thing. Speaking for myself, it’s not just knowing what to say about the artists that you are presenting but having the knowledge of their music, history and accomplishments. It’s also the art of presentation, knowing what to wear for the occasion and preparing your introduction. Hopefully you’ll do it with class and a taste of show biz. The years of experience will help you develop your own style. When you’re backstage, you’ll also have to deal with your thoughts, last minute script changes and nerves (we all get them) at the moments before you’re on stage. That all disappears once you are focused and when you get on stage. You take the microphone in your hand, gaze out into the bright lights and start..”Ladies and Gentlemen, Damas y...
read moreCon Sabor Top Picks 2017/Salsa-Latin Jazz-Musica Cubana
I am sharing with you my top picks in Salsa/Latin Jazz/Musica Cubana for 2017. Here are the the picks: Doug Beavers “Art Of The Arrangement” Ruben Blades w/Roberto Delgado & Orchestra “Salsa Big Band” Javier Fernandez “The Eternal Classic 2” Eddie Palmieri “Sabiduria” Isidro Infante “Cuba y Puerto Rico: Un Abrazo Musical Salsero” Arturo Ortiz y 7 Con Calle “Cuentos De La Calle” Yumuri “Changanero” Dayme Arocena “Cubafonia” Septeto Santiaguero “Raiz” Arturo O’Farrill/Chucho Valdes “Familia” Oscar Hernandez/Alma Libre “The Art of Latin Jazz” Hilario Duran “Contumbao” Pacific Mambo Orchestra “Live At Stern Grove” Orquesta Borinquen “Pa Que Tu Lo Sepas” Los Rumberos De La Bahia...
read moreBenefit for Puerto Rico This Friday 12/1-Roccapulco
Puerto Rico continues to be in bad shape after Hurricane Maria. There are thousands of residents still without electricity, clean water, medical supplies and food. El Vacilon (formerly of Treasure Island) Productions is throwing a bash with great vocalists from Puerto Rico and New York this Friday evening, Dec. 1 at Roccapulco, 3140 Mission Street in San Francisco starting at 9 pm. The show will feature internationally acclaimed recording artists Frankie Vasquez, Michael Stuart and Mel Martinez. They will be backed up by great bands such as Karabali, Avance and Taino respectively. Karl Perazo, timbalero and percussionist extraordinare of Santana fame will be featured with both Karabali and Avance. DJ’s Carlitos Way and La Niche will be spinning all night in-between sets. The suggested donation at the door is $25. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready to sweat to support Puerto...
read moreSF Bay Represents with New Recorded Music!
We are so lucky in the San Francisco Bay Area that so many talented musicians make this area their home. As a result, we are enjoying a welcome surge of new recorded music from these fine talents. One of the hot, new bands that have emerged in this area is Grammy award winning vocalist/percussionist Braulio Barrera and Somos El Son. Their new recording “Somos El Son” is a delicious sampling of their explosive brand of Salsa and more. Barrera, a member of Pacific Mambo Orchestra, is a fine vocalist and exceptional percussionist who leads a top notch band of Bay Area based heavies who packed a tremendous swing. The veteran group of bad boys Orquesta Borinquen have returned with their new recording “Pa Que Tu Lo Sepas”, their follow up to their 2007 cd “El Trombonista”. Their new recording is full of great arrangements, a collaboration with special guest Willie Torres of Spanish Harlem Orchestra fame and slammin’ tunes. The band now led by trumpeter Bill Ortega Jr. and featuring vocalist Carlos Xavier shines on this recording. A strong effort from this fine band. Percussionist Silvestre Martinez has put out a fine Latin Jazz recording “Vengo De La Costa”. Martinez whose credits include performing with Louie Romero’s Mazacote and the renowned Charanga orchestra La Moderna Tradition has a distinctive Mexican flavor interwoven into his Latin Jazz fabric. Check out the tracks “Wildcat” and the title track to appreciate his unique approach....
read moreEssential Recordings/Fall 2017 Listening
I want to share with you a list of fine recent recordings that you should pick up on now. As we all endure the turbulent, worrisome and absurd nature of these times with President Loose Cannon at the helm, these music recommendations will uplift your spirit and soul. My heart goes out to the people of Puerto Rico and Mexico as they struggle to rebuild their lives. Great music often gives you hope, energy and the will to live, listen and dance. Here are my picks: Ruben Blades w/Roberto Delgado Y Orquesta – Salsa Big Band – rubenblades.com; Doug Beavers – The Art Of The Arrangement – Artist Share; Eddie Palmieri – Sabiduria/Wisdom – Ropeadope/Eddie Palmieri; Javier Fernandez – The Eternal Classic 2 – Javier Fernandez; Dayme Arocena – Cubafonia – Brownswood Recordings; Mulata Son – Mujer Y Artista (EP) – Mulata Son/Cubamusic.com; Oscar Hernandez y Alma Libre – The Art of Latin Jazz – Origin; Pacific Mambo Orchestra – Live At Stern Grove – PMO; Yumuri – Chanaguero – BIS; Isidro Infante – Cuba Y Puerto Rico: Un Abrazo Musical Salsero – BIS – Vision Musical VYT; Arturo O’Farrill/Chucho Valdes – Familia – Motema; Arturo Ortiz & 7 Con Calle – Cuentos De La Calle – DIG Music; Pedrito Martinez Group – Havana Dreams – Motema; Braulio Barrera/Somos El Son – Somos El Son – Somos El Son...
read moreSummer 2017 – Live music lives in SF/Northern Cali
Welcome to Summer 2017! I have been on hiatus from posting the past two months due to personal reasons. However, I”m back feeling renewed and refreshed. I saw a trio of terrific Cuban and Salsa shows during these weeks: Alexander Abreu and Havana D’Primera were phenomenal at Roccapulco..what a tight and dynamic orchestra! The huge and talented presence of bandleader/vocalist/trumpeter Abreu was matched by the charismatic star presence of ex-Van Vanero, Mayito Rivera who is quite an exceptional vocalist. They teamed up on an incredible tribute to Juan Formell with Rivera singing one of Los Van Van’s anthems “Soy Todo”. Simply a great show. Around Carnaval SF Weekend, I just caught some fine acts such as Grammy Award winner Javier Cabanillas “Cabanijazz Project” smoke it out with guest vocalist Edgardo Cambon as well as the hot “La Misa Negra” with their fresh Cumbia sounds and great stage show. Also caught the reunion of Ramocue with ex-Los Mocosos Victor Castro and Shorty throwing down the funk Mission style. That same weekend, I caught one of the finest Salsa orchestras in the world today, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra under the direction of pianist Oscar Hernandez at Yoshis in Oakland. SHO were debuting a couple of songs from their forthcoming album as well as some of the favorites from their last few recordings. SHO were very impressive with a power packed band including timbalero Luisito Quintero, trombonist Doug Beavers, saxophonist/flautist Mitch Frohman and their explosive trio of vocalists: Marco Bermudez, Carlos Cascante and Jeremy Bosch (also exceptional on flute). The Western Region Puerto Rican Council presented the 39th edition of the El Dia De San Juan Festival at History Park in San Jose. This year’s festival featured the exceptional vocal stylings of Herman Olivera, one of the top Salsa singers in this day and age and the youthful and energetic Salsa of Norberto and Gerardo of NG2. Backed by the impressive all-star <strong>Orquesta Taino, Olivera shined with a powerful set of his past hits that he’s recorded with Eddie Palmieri, Manny Qquendo and Libre and his acclaimed recording La Voz Del Caribe. Olivera’s fierce soneos combined with his smooth dance moves to deliver a great performance which ignited the audience. NG2 kept the energy up with their high octane show displaying their great voices which combined their well-known songs with their new material. NG2 kept the dancers going with their contagious commercial Salsa sound tailored for today’s audiences. Taino did a great job backing up both Olivera and...
read moreCon Sabor – Sat. 4/1/17 9 pm – KPFA 94.1 FM/El Dia De La Salsa, etc.
“Con Sabor with Luis Medina” is presenting a special report from this past weekend’s star-studded El Dia De La Salsa in Puerto Rico that starred the iconic El Gran Combo, salsa goddess India and other huge stars. Our guest corespondent, Julio Bravo was there in San Juan covering the concert and all the happenings prior to the concert. Plus information on the upcoming 60th SF International Film Festival. Also featuring the hottest new Salsa, Latin Jazz, Musica Cubana and more! Tune in this Saturday April 1st, starting at 9 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM and streaming on-line at www.kpfa.org where music programs are archived for 2 weeks after...
read moreBenefit for Jose Ruiz-Casa De Cultura 3/5/17
There was a packed gathering of folks at the benefit for esteemed DJ/radio host/community stalwart Jose Ruiz at Berkeley’s Casa De Cultura this past Sunday. Jose is undergoing treatment for throat cancer and the benefit was organized to help him with living expenses during the next few months. Los Cenzontles, John Santos Sextet with special guests Orestes Vilato and Bobi Cespedes, Orquesta La Moderna Tradicion, DJ’s Carlitos Way and Reyes from L.A. provided the musical fireworks. KCSM’s Chuy Varela and I had the opportunity to say a few words about Jose and introduce La Moderna and John Santos Sextet respectively. But the real story was the love and concern of the audience for Jose who has helped many in his community work for such places as La Pena, Los Cenzontles Cultural Center, Casa De Cultura, the Cheeseboard and his late business Casa Latina in Berkeley. Jose showed up to the benefit, hugged old friends, family and colleagues and danced with a few lady friends and his mother. Jose was looking thinner due to the chemotherapy but was in great spirits. He got up in front of the audience to declare that he was going to come back to host his programs on KPFA and KPOO and resume all the wonderful work to thunderous applause. I wish you a speedy and lasting recovery, my brother Jose...
read moreHola 2017!!
As we start the new year 2017, I’ll recap what came down during the past holiday season. Los Van Van put on a spectacular show at Roccapulco (although I thought their Herbst Theater show was a better show). Both Charanga Habanera and Alexander Abreu/Havana D’Primera cancelled their SF Bay shows due to inept national producers and visa problems. We missed seeing International and National Salsa acts visiting the area during the month of December and especially NYE. The annual SF International Salsa Congress was sorely missed this year. They would always feature international Salsa greats as headliners. As we enter this new year, a new promising venue Calle 11 is opening South of Market on January 5th at the old Paradise Lounge site at 11th & Folsom St. in SF in the same neighborhood as Slims. The club features 3 floors with a ground floor Salsa club and an upstairs Puerto Rican restaurant. Latin Jazz icon Pete Escovedo has been added to Yoshi’s January lineup on January 21st and 22nd. And…my radio program “Con Sabor” on KPFA 94.1 FM and worldwide on www.kpfa.org on Saturday evenings from 9 to 11 pm is celebrating 20 years on the air! Thanks to all the listeners for your support…2017 will be full of bright moments during this anniversary...
read moreEnrique Romero “El Molestoso” RIP
My esteemed colleague and friend, Enrique Romero died last week at the age of 58 of Cancer. Enrique was a great catalyst in the European Salsa scene. He was established as an important journalist, record producer, radio producer, host, publicist, dj’, graphic artist and event producer. He was known as “El Molestoso” (named after the Eddie Palmieri tune) for his notoriously wicked sense of humor and critical opinions that left no holds barred. He would give you the brutal truth which endeared him to some and offended others but that was part of his unique personality. His brilliant but short lived 90’s magazine “El Manicero” was beautifully done with great graphics, insightful interviews with Cachao and Eddie Palmieri among others and was considered essential reading for Salsa aficionados. He produced a series of compilations for Musica Del Sol which celebrated the work of great artists such as Joe Cuba, Benny More and brought attention to unsung heroes such as Rene Grand. He was a PR wunderkind for such media outlets as the progressive Radio Gladys Palmera in Spain and the Antilla News for many years. He also worked as an artistic advisor and featured dj with Tempo Latino, the largest outdoor music festival in Europe devoted to Salsa, Musica Cubana and Latin alternative music. Enrique was also host of his radio program “Picadillo” which featured his eclectic taste from Salsa to the new fusions in Latin music. His DJ sessions at Tempo Latino and a whole host of venues in Barcelona were instrumental in keeping Salsa and related music alive in Europe. I last saw him this past August. He was recovering from surgery. My wife Isidra and I spent the afternoon with him. We had some great laughs over lunch. I said what would be my last goodbye to him. The European music and literary community are in morning and so am I. He will sorely be missed. Enrique has gone to join the big descarga in the next dimension. Adios, dear...
read moreLive Appearances
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