Summer Listening 2009

Summer is a great time to get away. I’m leaving on vacation tomorrow. But before I go, I wanted to recommend some hot recordings that will enhance your mood whether it’s salsa, latin jazz, timba, reggaeton, latin alternative or whatever gets your inner groove on. Pa’ bailar, gozar y sudar…con sabor!

Claudia Acuna “En Este Momento” – exceptional jazz vocalist from Chile. Get ready to be seduced.
Bebo & Chucho Valdes “Juntos Para Siempre – father & son piano legends: masters at work.
Tito Puente “Dance Mania” (2 cd Legacy Edition includes Vol 1 & 2) – classic, essential dance music from the King himself at the height of the Palladium period.
La Sucursal S.A. “Lo Nuestro” – Salsa dura from Barcelona con swing y calidad!
Edwin Clemente “Aqui Traigo La Rumba, Bailador” – timbalero extraordinare, explosive tunes.
Various “Ahora En La Habana 2” (cd/dvd) the latest hits from the current idols from Cuba
Latin Giants Of Jazz “Ven Baila Conmigo!” – powerful playing, great singing, dope tunes = A list
Jimmy Bosch “A Millon!” – trombone titan combines salsarific songs with biting social commentary.
Tiempo Libre “Bach In Havana” – enjoyable fusion of cuban music and JS Bach! Bravisimo!
Orestes Vilato “It’s About Time” – long awaited cd from percussion master – con clase y en clave!
Chembo Corniel “Things I Wanted To Do” – great latin jazz from one of new york’s finest
Santero “El Hijo De Obatala” – oakland based dj/rapero offers his intoxicating stew rich w/beats, salsa, afro-cuban and hip hop.
Bobi Cespedes “Patakin” – soulful earthy vocals, cuban son, classic boleros-there’s only one Bobi!
Bobby Sanabria/Manhattan School Of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz “Kenya” – Machito’s smiling from above checking out this powerful big band tribute from conductor Sanabria and company.
Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos “Cubano Cubano” – Maraca’s sonero brother has put out a scorcher. Hear it…Dance to it…just get it!
Calle Real “Me Lo Gane” – The european ambassadors of timba just raised the bar with this hot new release! Que barbaro!
Aymee “Corazon Sonero” – My guilty pleasure. She’s politically incorrect but the tunes are irresistable.
Various – “Live At Jellys” – Great moments captured from the best of the San Francisco Bay Area salsa scene performing live. I not just saying this because I work there either!