1. The
Sun of Latin Music-Eddie Palmieri This was the first latin
album I owned, a gift from the great Cuban pianist Paquito
Hechevarria. On first listen I had everything turned upside
down, but little by little the timbale mastery of Nicky Marrero
proved to be a wonderful introduction into the world of clave.
2. Jam
Session #2-Cachao I remember driving all over Miami looking
for these Descarga albums. When you found one, it was like
finding a treasure. The solo and ensemble playing, it¤s like
the University of Cuban Music! A must!
3. Jam
Session with Feeling-Cachao Both of these albums have stood
the test of time. There is magic in these songs, played by
the likes of Cachao, Guillermo Barraett, Tata Guines, Walfredo
Reyes Sr., et al. These are true classics and an absolute
must.
4. Indestructible-Ray
Barretto Whenever a friend or student wants to know what salsa
is, thi is the album I recommend. Little Ray Romero absolutle
smokes and the piano artistry of is second to none. Great
tunes, solos, coros and inspiraciones.
5. Latest
CD-Los Papines It¤s so difficult to pick out any one CD from
Los Papines. They have had quite an influence on me, as a
drummer, and as a lover of Afro-Cuban music. This CD is one
of their best. Funky, comical, musical, roots, and just plain
great. Check it out!!
6. Top
Percussion-Tito Puente One of the first albums I owned and
what a good thing for me. A mountain of wonderful music featuring
Tito, Mongo, Willie Bobo, and other important musicians. A
must for the Afro-Cuban percussionist.
7. La
Leyenda-Tito Puente Which albums of Tito to recommend? Well
over a hundred have been recorded and, even though I¤ve heard
less than half, I¤m quite sure that they all swing. But this
one is something special to me. The singing is sweet and lyrical,
the band is swinging hard, and Tito... another must.
8. Tipica
73-Album with ÏXiomaraÓ Nicky Marrero was a major influence
on my playing. I recently met up with him in Europe and told
hom how much his playing has affected so many drummers. He
continues to burn.
9. Mejor
Que Nunca-Conjunto Libre Conjunto Libre has consistently been
a band to turn to for non-stop funk. Who compares to Manny
Oquendo for driving a band (well, there¤s Kako, Tito, Enrique
Pl…...). There¤s wonderful writing here; sure to make you
want to forget about the arroz can pollo, grab the one you
love and start dancin¤!
10. New
Libre-Conjunto Libre Manny Oquendo¤s one of my alltime favorites.
Always swingin¤, always soulful. Manny¤s always surrounded
himself with the finest musicians, and this disc is no different.
It¤s Libre at it¤s grooving best.
11. Grupo
Experimental Nuevayorquino The beginning of Conjunto Libre
and the roots are strong! Great tunes, solos, and all the
fixin¤s make this one of my most well worn classics!
12. Best
of Eddie Palmieri Once again, too many great Eddie Palmieri
albums to recommend so go for the best of. And it truly is
a best of album. To my ears, if Eddie Palmieri¤s anything
he¤s a consistent taker of challenges which is something attractive
to this drummer.
13. Hoy
y Ma³ana-Los Kimbos A very funky band featuring Orestes Vilato,
another one in the line of influential drummers in my life.
Orestes¤ solos are a wonder to behold and this band is highly
recommended.
15. La
M…quina y El Motor-Kako , Totico y El Tabuco I like funky
things and Kako fills the bill. The tracks are filled with
grooves that will thrill the dancer in you. Totico sings his
butt off and the sum of it all is a great album.
16. Patato
y Totico What am I going to say that hasn¤t been said before?
A true classic which we are lucky to be able to participate
in as listeners and learners.
17.Songo-Los
Van Van This was a hard choice so I picked one of my favorite
Van Van sides. Changito is one of my major influences and
his artwork is featured on a majority of the work.
18. Our
Man in Havana-Mongo Santamaria A rare album featuring my good
friend Paquito Hechevarria. In the mold of the Cachao descargas
this side features a lot of jamming and great playing.
19. Haciendo
Bailar Al Pueblo and Pre-Edicion, Varadero 81-Orquesta Aliamen
Aliamen is one of my ultimate favorites. The groove of charanga,
Cuban charanga, is something basic like air or water. It¤s
one of life¤s necessities and it just makes you dance.
20. Son
14 Led by Adalberto Alvarez, Son14 is one of my favorite Cuban
groups. Sure they¤re no longer operating as a group but their
music lives on. Wonderful sones with great playing will insure
many hours of listening and dancing.
20 alternate
Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son After Son 14 broke up, Adalberto
put together this great group. Like many of the other fine
Cuban groups, Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son grooves with all
the best of them. I heard this group in Cuba and the club
was alive with fire and passion. A great band.
21. Puros
Como el Son Cubano-Maravillas de Florida I love this album.
It swings with the real style of Cuban music. It¤s like a
good cup of cafe cubano, hot, sweet, and strong.
22. En
la Calle-NG LA Banda I first heard this band and said ÏyesÓ
this is it. A new blend of Afro-Cuban roots with the wonderful
drummer blazing some new trails. A great grooving CD featuring
ÏLos Metales del Terror!Ó Great music.
23. Echale
Limon-NG la Banda One of the great pop bands of Cuba, NG La
Banda is a wonderful mix of Afro-Cuban rhythms and melodies
and American funk, the crossover is dynamic and awesome.
24. Super
Tipica de Estrellas A rare album but one of my very favorites.
It is pura charanga with full string section that absolutle
transports you back to Cuba. There vrsion of La Negra Tomasa
is an absolute classic.
25. 30
A³os-Ritmo Oriental Once again, a dilemma. Which albums to
recommend. Ritmo Oriental has just released two Ïbest ofÓ
compilations which may be your best bet to check out these
trailblazers in the world of music. A must!
26. Aquellos
Tiempos del Septeto Nacional One of my favorite albums just
for its shear roots. Classic songs. For the serious or casual
listener I highly recommend this album.
27. Eddie
Palmieri -La Perfecta (album w/ ÏTema de ApolloÓ and/or album
with ÏSabroso GuaguancoÓ) I go for the funk and this band
defines the word. As I¤ve stated here, Manny Oquendo¤s one
of my all time favorite percussionists and he doesn¤t let
me down on this CD. It¤s classic NY salsa from a bygone era.
A real must for every afficionado.
