The following are my top picks for 2021 in Salsa and Cuban music for this year along with my top Singles for the year as well. These are in no particular order other than my #1 pick which is a tie this year. All of this fine music is guaranteed to lift your spirits going into the new year!
Gilberto Santa Rosa “Colegas” Sony (TIE FOR #1) (2020-21)
Ruben Blades w/Roberto Delgado and His Orchestra “Salswing” Ruben Blades Productions (TIE FOR # 1)
Sonora Ponceña “Hegemonia Musical” La Buena Fortuna
El Gran Combo “En Cuarentena” and their Xmas cd “De Trulla Con El Combo” El Gran Combo
Mel Martinez “Asi Escribe Un Sonero” Mel Martinez
Los Generales De La Salsa featuring Van Lester, a 1996 all-star session finally seeing the light of day! Cookita/Paris
Alain Perez, Issac Delgado & Orquesta Aragon “Cha Cha Cha: Homenaje A Lo Tradicional” Egrem/El Cerrito Records
Tromboranga “Salsa Terapia” Tromboranga (2020-21)
Los Van Van “Mi Songo” Egrem (2020-21)
Various Artists “Son Para Un Sonero” and “El Son De Caballero-Homenaje A Adalberto Alvarez – Both tributes to Adalberto Alvarez BIS
Sounds Of Cuba “Los Titanes De La Timba” Sounds Of Cuba
Alexander Abreu/Havana d’Primera “Sera Que Se Acabo” HDP
Various Artists “En Barranquilla Me Quedo-Homenaje a Joe Arroyo Sura
Dorance Lorza’s Sexteto Cafe “20 Aniversario” Dorance Lorza
Luis Perico Ortiz “Sigo Entre Amigos” Luis Perico Ortiz
Charlie Donato’s Y Su Son Ideal “De Vuelta Al Barrio Charlie Donato
Eduardo Zayas Y Su EZ La Banda “Huerto De Soneros” and his latest “Sabor Y Sandunga” Eduardo Zayas
La Paris All Stars Los Escogidos Vol. 2 Paris Studios
Orquesta “Joyas Ineditas” Egret
Angel Melendez X Big Band Maquina “X Big Band Maquina” Angel Melendez
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición “En Cantado” Orquesta La Moderna Tradición
Josean Rivera “Esto No Es Secreto” Salsaneo
Top Singles 2021
Julito Alvarado’s maxi single “Lo Que No Se Escucha (Descarga De Soneros) 10 glorious minutes with some of the best veteran and new soneros in the business! Julito Alvarado
Don Pergiñon Y La Puertorriqueña “El Jamaiquino” Don Records
Marc Anthony “Pa’alla Voy” Swinging take on Africando’s 90’s hit Yay Boy now powered by Anthony’s irresistible swag! Sony
Wilito Otero “Mas Salio Que Un Balcon” Wilito Otero
Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet “Escucha Mi Guaguanco” Carlos Jimenez
Monsi Y Su Salsa “La Salsa Venezolana” Monsi Y Su Salsa
Grupo Gale “La Gente Pide” Codiscos
Mariana Y Su Makynaria “Para Eleggua” Mariana Y Su Makynaria
Julito Albino y Secreto De Voces “Volteame El Aaroz”
Carlos Xavier “Prometo” Carlos Xavier
VibraSON “La Salsa Buena” VibraSON
Oscar Ly and Rumbalu featuring Karl Perazo “Eres” Oscar Ly
Mario Y Su Timbeko “Sola Te Quedaste” Mario Y Su Timbeko
Jose Papo Gonzalez featuring Tito Allen “Papo Y Su Cha Cha” Papo Gonzalez
Live Appearances
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