here are some great CDs to start with. Any questions, please feel free to write me here and cc to
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Chuck
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 Años-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.