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Essential Latin Jazz
By an Amazon.com customer
Agua de CubaAgua de Cuba by Francisco Aguabella
Buy used from: $8.99
Francisco Aguabella is at the top of Latin Jazz, this record is a blast
Time MachineTime Machine by Cortijo
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $3.84
EL Maestro Rafael Cortijo was ahead of his time with this recording. Legend has it that Chucho Valdes got a copy of this record. Listen and you may go along with the legend...
Live at the Village GateLive at the Village Gate by Tito Puente's Golden Latin Jazz All-Stars
Buy used from: $112.36
The Other RoadThe Other Road by Ray Barretto
Buy used from: $17.99
Early Barretto, great stuff w Billy Cobham
Golden Latin Jazz All Stars: In SessionGolden Latin Jazz All Stars: In Session by Tito Puente
Solid Puente essential...
Cal Tjader's Latin ConcertCal Tjader's Latin Concert by Cal Tjader
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $4.19
As tight and swinging as you can get. With Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo.
El Sonido Nuevo: The New Soul SoundEl Sonido Nuevo: The New Soul Sound by Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $8.58
Cal & Eddie with Barry Rogers, Manny Oquendo and the gang, timeless stuff.
Skin & BonesSkin & Bones by Johnny Blas
Buy used from: $18.32
"La perfecta" from LA... One of my favorite bands on the scene today. I can talk a lot about how good this band is but better than that just listen and you'll agree.
Homage to ArtHomage to Art by Ray Barretto
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $4.97
True Blue New Barretto: solid, engaging, driving, check it out.
Rumba Para MonkRumba Para Monk by Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache Band
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $52.71
Jerry Gonzalez proves that Monk had clave
The River Is DeepThe River Is Deep by Jerry Gonzales & the Fort Apache Band
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $7.80
Great stuff from Jerry and the Fort Apache
MelazaMelaza by David Sánchez
Buy used from: $1.88
David Sanchez in top form
SummertimeSummertime by Mongo Santamaria w
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $3.89
Mongo with Dizzy live at Montreaux
Afro-Cuban Jazz MoodsAfro-Cuban Jazz Moods by Dizzy Gillespie with Machito
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $4.29
The founding fathers: Dizzy, Machito, Mario Bauza
JuicyJuicy by Willie Bobo
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $8.68
Willie Bobo's brand of R&B/Boogaloo/Latin Jazz sounds as refreshing today as back then get all of Willie's CD's he is a true innovator and one of the best percussionists ever.
The Best of IrakereThe Best of Irakere by Irakere
Buy used from: $1.45
Mostly Irakere live in NY in '79 when they visited the US for the first time a total blast!!!
Los Ritmos CalientesLos Ritmos Calientes by Cal Tjader
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $6.25
Vintage Cal with Armando Peraza, Mongo Santamaria et al.
At the Point, Vol. 1At the Point, Vol. 1 by Papo Vazquez
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $5.98
Papo Vazquez is always good to listen to.
BoliviaBolivia by Gato Barbieri
Buy new: $10.98 / Used from: $25.08
The original untamed Gato...play it loud!!!
Best Kept SecretBest Kept Secret by Ralph Irizarry & Timbalaye
Buy used from: $4.95
Beautiful job by Ralph Irrizarry and his band specially Ozzie Melendez on trombone.
Solo: Live in New YorkSolo: Live in New York by Chucho Valdés
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $1.89
Chucho is sssmoking here!
Papa GatoPapa Gato by Poncho Sanchez
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $5.30
Poncho's groove is awesome.
Latin JamLatin Jam by Johnny Pacheco
Not exactly a "latin jazz" record but surely an awesome jam with some of NY's best Latin musicians in the mid-60's.
LatinoLatino by Cal Tjader Quintet with Mongo Santamaria
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $42.91
Another Tjader must have, Willi Bobo's and Mongo's solos here are just sick.