CDs to get your collection started

[borikensalsero]

1- Beethoven’s V -- Frankie Dante Y Markolino Diamond
2- Que Viva La Musica – Ray Barretto
3- Salsa – Larry Harlow
4- The Best – Willie Colon – Nice compilation from all of Willie's work
5- Dejavu – Colon/Lavoe
6- 30 Aniversario – Raphy Leavitt Y su orquesta “La Selecta”
7- Tommy Olivencia – Serie 32 – Nice compilation
8- Perfecto… -- Palmieri
9- Maelo... El Unico -- Ismael Rivera
10- Lo Mejor – Pete El Conde Rodriguez
11- Grandes Exitos – Sonora Ponceña
13- 35 Aniversario Vuelve a la carcel EN Vivo – Bobby Valentin
14- 35 years around the world -- El Gran Combo

Just a few CDs I find rather flavor-full which can get you started into a little nice collection. Most of them are all salsa, but a few son montunos and the like will be found here as well. Two live ones so we can get a jist of what live salsa is all about. Perfecto, by Palmieri ends with a 2 most crapy songs at the end but the rest is worth the money.

If you really care about salsa and its history, then get Fania Live at the Cheetah as well.

[pygmalion]

This is a cool list, borikensalsero. Are these the older style, classic salsa that you like? I'm assuming there's no pop/schmaltz here. :?: :roll: :wink:

[HothouseSalsero]

borinkensalsero, can you say what you like about (1) and (3) in particular? I really can't get into these (aside from liking some of the guitar on the Markolino Dimond album).

(I have heard some other Larry Harlow songs here and there that I like, including "Arsenio," so I'll be trying out some of his other recordings.)

[borikensalsero]

This is a cool list, borikensalsero. Are these the older style, classic salsa that you like? I'm assuming there's no pop/schmaltz here. :?: :roll: :wink:

Indeed they are. The one of sonora ponceña is "newer" stuff but never the less very soulful. The rican bands, ala sonora poncena, el gran combo, tommy Olivencia are less "newyorikan" so they have what many believe to be salsa's most flavorfull stuff with their rican style salsa.

[borikensalsero]

borinkensalsero, can you say what you like about (1) and (3) in particular? I really can't get into these (aside from liking some of the guitar on the Markolino Dimond album).

(I have heard some other Larry Harlow songs here and there that I like, including "Arsenio," so I'll be trying out some of his other recordings.)


Beethoven's V
I'm in love is chivirico's voice in tracks 1 and 2. Sabroson, and Los Rumberos respectively. The piano is played by non other than Markolino himself. This stuff says to me, SHINE Baby Shine, if you can't, then step aside and let the others go wild. The descaraga gets under your skin where you have to let the lady go, and tear a hole in the dancefloor.

Chivirico’s some what raspy voice, followed by Dante’s totally raspy sounding voice in Los Rumberos makes me wanna shake! The bongo going off in the background dancing around the steady piano beat. Going from a faster speed to slowing it down for the dancers to follow the piano and say, hey baby, can you step it? can you step it? take me baby with you, take me there, then bang an all out descarga, which says baila Sabroson (dance flavorfull). It’s a medium pace tune that makes me wanna hit every beat of the song, with the trumpets guiding where I’m going. Then, have Frankie Dante bust out with “Mi rumba lla llego” to finish the song with a wild descarga.

The Album Title song Beethoven’s V Track 4.
This song has got some masterful piano play Mr. Diamond. It’s a total knock out. Beethoven’s V piano melody leading into an intro with horn vamps. Ahhhh, then the cowbell takes over and leading a strangely amplified mix of a guitar. We don’t hear that too often… The piano and the bass start doing their thing, to eventually bust out again with a descarga.

Then there are a few montunos in the rest of the tracks. I am a sucker for Dante’s and Davila’s voice, on top of that the piano play couldn’t get any better with Markolino on it. Dante’s voice is passionate. I can imagine him, eyes closed, steady body movement, and screaming over the side of the mic.

To “Por que Adore?”. Listen to that bad boy’s lyrics. “Why did I adore your road like body, which has more curves than the curves of a snake. I felt your heated waist…. I almost fainted, what a strength that lady has” Once in a while the trumpets breaking the steady beat of the maracas, the piano play again.

Basically this CD tells me we are going to shine. We will be apart but will become one while apart. To me it is hard to get any better than what Frankie, Davila, and Diamond have here.

SALSA
Oh boy, where do I start. This album exemplifies what the term as well as what salsa music was all about. La Cartera baby!!!! Can any one think of many better than this baby. Its charanga beat is unparalleled. Junior Gonzales on the vocals. When you think of salsa music, this album should be right on the top of salsa. It is classy, exotic, unique, son montunish, charangaish. A charanga is a song that replaces the horns with violins and a flute. I believe you mentioned not to be that attracted to Pacheco’s style which is mainly charanga, which explains why you don’t really feel this album.

I love how he stops, goes, stops, goes. El paso de encarnacio, Popo Pa mi, a few bad bad songs!!! OMG, I can dance to this stuff all night. The violin adds something extra for me, then when they top it with a flute. Baby, lets groove. Sueltame, oh boy, when ever my lady and I want to tell each other that we are spending too much time together we bust out singing SUELTAME (let me go)

A few of the tracks on this CD aren’t the norm for a mambo style kind of dance. If we think we are going to mambo to all of this songs then we are in trouble. Here we need to forget about patterns and groove to no end. Let the violins and flutes do their thing to us and embrace every blow the horns manage to release. This album is arguably Harlow’s best work. This one, however, I must admit, is one that most people need to buy way after they’ve gotten to hear a lot of other stuff. There is too much going on in this ablum, too many different styles not very mainstream salsa for the new salseros. Despite that, I must admit it is one of my favorites CDs. Give me this one throw me in an island and I will be forever happy. I love son montunos, and charangas, that style leaves a lot of room for bodily play, and grooving. Here you get to accentuate every detail of your dance. The basic becomes art, the descargas become the stair way to heaven. That is just my opinion.

Most people get started with this CD because of track #2 La Cartera, arguably too, Junior’s best vocal job, as well as work. Although all the others, to me, are unique.

[HothouseSalsero]

Thanks borinkensalsero. I'm not sure that will change how I hear it, but it was enjoyable to read. I forget I do kind of like "Ahora Si" (probably more than any of the other songs) just because I like a good cha cha cha (this is a cha cha cha and a not something else tricking me into thinking its a cha cha cha?), and I definitely do like the flashes of electric guitar.

It's funny: I either had not noticed that Junior Gonzalez was on Salsa, or I had forgotten it. I am not that familiar with him, but I was just playing something from his Hector Lavoe tribute album, and one of my favorite salsa partners asked who he was. I just said something like: "he's been around for a while, but I don't know that much about him."

[HothouseSalsero]

I think the main stumbling block for me on both these albums (aside from the heavy dose of charanga on Salsa) is the vocal style, especially the peculiar type of harmony that the coro is using. Would you say the chrous sticks pretty close to a Cuban style of singing? The real problem could simply be that I tend not to like things which are very purely Cuban. I definitely don't mind Junior Gonzalez's vocals.

[HothouseSalsero]

borinkensalsero, since you are a moderator here, how do you feel about people posting extensively about salsa music on this forum? What would be too much? If I got some new CDs and wanted to talk about them, would that justify starting a thread--or shoul we try to have broader category threads (like one about new purchases, or new releases, or both)? Does music discussion really belong under "general" even if it's salsa? I wouldn't think so.

How do the rest of you feel about it?

Sorry to make things complicated. Since I am still relatively new here, I am just trying to get a feel for what would be okay.

[Danish Guy]

How do the rest of you feel about it?


I read this with great interest! :D :D :D

[SDsalsaguy]

HothouseSalsero... it is absolutely fine to discuss such things, and at any length you, wish here in the salsa forum. At some point a while back DanceMentor and I had discussed this very issue and our feeling had been that each dance forum was probably the best location for discussions of that particular music genre as well, for two reasons. First, those most likely to be interested in such discussions are likely to be those interested in that type of dance as well, and second – and most importantly – it makes finding any such discussion easy and logical, i.e. if I want to know something about salsa music, it just makes logical sense to look in the salsa forum. As alwasy, we encourage people to provide topic titles that acurately reflect the content of that thread (again, to ensure ease of use), but please feel free to start any such thread!

[salsarhythms]

Hey Hothouse, you can definately talk about such things...

With that in mind, has anyone seen the new Jose Alberto
"El Canario"'s compiliation for Christmas...it's a 2 CD
set with some of his best songs...anyone else here have it?

If not, I do recommedn you get it, to me El Canario is one
of the greatest...

[Salsero_AT]

I think the main stumbling block for me on both these albums (aside from the heavy dose of charanga on Salsa) is the vocal style, especially the peculiar type of harmony that the coro is using. Would you say the chrous sticks pretty close to a Cuban style of singing? The real problem could simply be that I tend not to like things which are very purely Cuban. I definitely don't mind Junior Gonzalez's vocals.
How could anyone not like cuban music ?? :wink:
I love this album also !! So many different ideas, great energetic performances.... i wish i could hear these tunes in the dance clubs and dance to them there... but as borikensalsero wrote they are quite difficult... so i fear i will not hear them.. :(

[borikensalsero]

Thanks borinkensalsero. I'm not sure that will change how I hear it, but it was enjoyable to read. I forget I do kind of like "Ahora Si" (probably more than any of the other songs) just because I like a good cha cha cha (this is a cha cha cha and a not something else tricking me into thinking its a cha cha cha?), and I definitely do like the flashes of electric guitar.

It's funny: I either had not noticed that Junior Gonzalez was on Salsa, or I had forgotten it. I am not that familiar with him, but I was just playing something from his Hector Lavoe tribute album, and one of my favorite salsa partners asked who he was. I just said something like: "he's been around for a while, but I don't know that much about him."

What little I know of other music genres would lead me to vote that Ahora Si is a son montuno. but I can't tell for sure. :cry: Ahora si, is cha-chaish, which is what confuses me, and most people about Son Montuno. They share very similar styles... I'm going to have to ask my Afro-Cuban instructor.

I'm must admit that I'm not all that into cuban salsa, however, love son, son montuno, charangas, guaguancos, guajiras, etc. The Salsa album uses Arsenio Rodriguez songs with a larry harlow style. The type of chorus you speak of is very, very, very like old school Rican as well. I actually enjoy that type of chorus, and singing style in new songs. The old stuff is usually hard to tell what the chorus is saying because the original recordings are so poor. They kind of sound like the hoping to get the lyrics out with out any force behind it, instead of clearly and forcefully singing. Kind of like dragging your foot along instead of lifting it.

By all means HotHouse, write all you would like. I actually write way so much that when I'm done my finger tips hurt. :D This is the place to write anything you would like about salsa, whether on a current thread, or a new one. I'm interested in everything regarding salsa, and all you have to say about it. :D

[borikensalsero]

I think the main stumbling block for me on both these albums (aside from the heavy dose of charanga on Salsa) is the vocal style, especially the peculiar type of harmony that the coro is using. Would you say the chrous sticks pretty close to a Cuban style of singing? The real problem could simply be that I tend not to like things which are very purely Cuban. I definitely don't mind Junior Gonzalez's vocals.
How could anyone not like cuban music ?? :wink:
I love this album also !! So many different ideas, great energetic performances.... i wish i could hear these tunes in the dance clubs and dance to them there... but as borikensalsero wrote they are quite difficult... so i fear i will not hear them.. :(


I went to a club here in NY City and I heard the worse possible remake of El Paso De Encarnacion. It was way more danceable but it was just a horrible sounding song. Perhaps I'm just too used to hearing it one way, that I gave this different version not a chance. I couldn't believe how such a great song could be butchered so badly. Worse, yet the DJ played it twice within the hour. :cry: :cry:

[borikensalsero]

Hey Hothouse, you can definately talk about such things...

With that in mind, has anyone seen the new Jose Alberto
"El Canario"'s compiliation for Christmas...it's a 2 CD
set with some of his best songs...anyone else here have it?

If not, I do recommedn you get it, to me El Canario is one
of the greatest...

I've been meaning to buy a good CD from El Canario. Thanks for the tip, I'm going to put this one on my "to buy" list.

[Sagitta]

I agree that talking about music in the appropriate genre forums is great!! It's another great way for beginners like me to see which CDs to get to build their collection, especially when you start talking about music that isn't necessarily played in the clubs or radio. :D Keep it coming...For instance, this is the first time that I have heard about Jose Alberto, salsarhythmns!!

[Salsero_AT]

I think the main stumbling block for me on both these albums (aside from the heavy dose of charanga on Salsa) is the vocal style, especially the peculiar type of harmony that the coro is using. Would you say the chrous sticks pretty close to a Cuban style of singing? The real problem could simply be that I tend not to like things which are very purely Cuban. I definitely don't mind Junior Gonzalez's vocals.
How could anyone not like cuban music ?? :wink:
I love this album also !! So many different ideas, great energetic performances.... i wish i could hear these tunes in the dance clubs and dance to them there... but as borikensalsero wrote they are quite difficult... so i fear i will not hear them.. :(


I went to a club here in NY City and I heard the worse possible remake of El Paso De Encarnacion. It was way more danceable but it was just a horrible sounding song. Perhaps I'm just too used to hearing it one way, that I gave this different version not a chance. I couldn't believe how such a great song could be butchered so badly. Worse, yet the DJ played it twice within the hour. :cry: :cry:

Do they play complicated songs like these from this album in the clubs in New York ?

[borikensalsero]

Do they play complicated songs like these from this album in the clubs in New York ?

I would have to say No, but maybe I've missed the day they played some of the songs in the album. The only songs from this album that make their way to the clubs once in a blue moon is La Cartera, and even less; Silencio.

[HothouseSalsero]

How could anyone not like cuban music ?? :wink:


I am very fussy about certain timbres and tone colors, and Cuban music often makes use of vocal timbres that rub me the wrong way. There may be some other things that bother me, but I haven't quite figured those out.

It's not the nasality. Nasality per se doesn't bother me, and I very much like it in some songs.

[borikensalsero]

HotHouse
I just got a lesson over the phone by my instructor, she says that I'm a nuckle-head. That Ahora Si is a cha-cha... To me it sounded montuno, huh... There you go, you hit right on the head.

[borikensalsero]

I agree that talking about music in the appropriate genre forums is great!! It's another great way for beginners like me to see which CDs to get to build their collection, especially when you start talking about music that isn't necessarily played in the clubs or radio. :D Keep it coming...For instance, this is the first time that I have heard about Jose Alberto, salsarhythmns!!

Jose Alberto... A.K.A, el Canario, he is Domincan Born and came to the states when he was a young pup. Not sure at what age but something tells me in his mid to latter teens. His nickname el Canario comes from his canary-like wistle that he uses when he sings, so I've read, sounds like a real canary too.

I know he sang for a band before he shared singing duties with Panamanian singer Azuquita with la Tipica 73 around 1976 but I can't remember who it was for. La Tipica 73 is where he got to "perfect" his voice. He fans argue that he is Dominican Republics best sonero. He is at the copacabana in NY City almost every week, at least it seems that.

[Sagitta]

Thanks for the info. Usually when I hear of an artist/album someone reccomends I do a little research on the web to learn a little more. If I want to buy music I find that overall half.com and amazon have been my best bets. What have other's experience been?

[HothouseSalsero]

I saw Alberto open for Celia Cruz in Philadelphia a few years back. I like some of his songs, but I don't find his voice or style all that distinctive. Maybe I have heard the wrong songs. I love "Baile que Baile," his own version or the Tipica 73 version (which he sings). (Funny, I kind of like da Fe's electric violin, which is in the Tipica 73 "Baile que Baile," sound at times, even though I said I don't generally like violin in salsa.) Jose Alberto is performing in NYC on New Year's Eve--with Johnny Polanco, I think.

I thought "Ahora Si" was cha cha cha, but I don't trust myself anymore considering how often I have mistaken son montunos and even guajiras for that genre.

[borikensalsero]

Thanks for the info. Usually when I hear of an artist/album someone reccomends I do a little research on the web to learn a little more. If I want to buy music I find that overall half.com and amazon have been my best bets. What have other's experience been?

To me amazon is way over priced. That might be because I only buy CDs from a guy in the Bronx who sells originals cheaply. So, I don't really know if amazon is competitive in the classic salsa category compared to other mainstream music shops. Islamusical seems to have good stuff at a cheaper price, at least the ones I've cared to check.

[borikensalsero]

I thought "Ahora Si" was cha cha cha, but I don't trust myself anymore considering how often I have mistaken son montunos and even guajiras for that genre.

I'm not the biggest of Alberto's fans. He has some so so stuff, as well as some really good stuff. His stuff I've also noticed, thanks to fernando, that his music is really good to teach beginners.

Alfredo de la fe is the man! I love just about everything I hear from him. I was at Flamingos in NY City one night and Alfredo was playing accompanied by non-other than Andy Montañez. I've heard both before and after but I have never heard them so good. Andy was superb and Alfredo electrified the crowd to the point where everyone, I mean, everyone in the place had to stop dancing and watch him duel it out with the trombone player. The first set lasted over an hour, which ended to my favorite Andy song, Vagabundo. OMG. It was the most fabulous live show I've ever witnessed.

I'm on the same boat as you with son montunos, guajiras, and cha chas. Why do they have to be so similar? :x

[SDsalsaguy]

I'm on the same boat as you with son montunos, guajiras, and cha chas. Why do they have to be so similar? :x
Well how else am I supposed to be able not to tell the difference??? :wink: :lol:

[HothouseSalsero]

I haven't seen that many big name salsa acts, but I saw Andy Montanez this summer. Fantastic show. I was only marginally aware of his name before that. In fact, I went primarily to see Tito Rojas, who was, to be kind, a disappointment.

[borikensalsero]

I haven't seen that many big name salsa acts, but I saw Andy Montanez this summer. Fantastic show. I was only marginally aware of his name before that. In fact, I went primarily to see Tito Rojas, who was, to be kind, a disappointment.


I guess you experienced what all the other people who have seen Tito Live have. He is a major disappointment live. He is notorious for not being very sober amongst other things during his concerts, the guy even forgets the lyrics to his songs. His last release, perseverancia was supposed to be the end of his bad habits, however, I went to see him not long ago, and he was in not much of a good state.

When I first got into salsa El Gallo (Tito Rojas) was the first voice I loved. His songs used to electrify me, now not to the same degree, although I still think he is a great romantic Salsero singer.

Andy is one of the few salseros who can sing just about any kind of salsa. From an all out salsa dura to even a bolero. He has it all. In my opinion, he is one of the best salseros ever and tops today’s salseros. While I love some of the voices out there today, I think Andy’s electrifying personality on stage and his songs sits better with my taste. The best years of el Gran Combo were when Andy and Pellin lead the vocals. You can’t go wrong buying anything from el gran combo with andy and pellin in it.

[HothouseSalsero]

Andy Montanez was awesome. He seemed to be really really together, and I didn't get any sense that his energy level had slackened over the years (not that I am familiar with his career).

Tito Rojas was quite possibly intoxicated during the performance. I'm sorry he can't seem to get around his problems with booze (and possibly more), but they've brought down greater talents unfortunately.

[salsarhythms]

Hey Boriken...I think Canario grew up in Puerto Rico, he was
born in the Dominican Republic, but grew up in PR.

He currently lives out in NJ...and yes he's at the Copa all the
time.

Now, I tell you, now that I know you're not a big fan of Canario
we shall NEVER speak again!!! :D

No seriously, the guy, to me, is awesome, his shows are great.

Now, El Gallo (Tito Rojas) is so bad live. The first time I saw him
I couldn't believe it...I always loved his music, but seeing him live
was horrible.

[mrsalsoul]

Take a listen to these CD you will not regret it. Great Salsa Mambo.


Qrquesta La Palabra - Ahe- Ahe & Mi Nueva Nork
Qrquesta Massacre - Dolor Esquina Miseria & El Pregonero
Yuri Buenaventura & Cheo Feliceano - Palo Y Cuero , great song

[borikensalsero]

Andy Montanez was awesome. He seemed to be really really together, and I didn't get any sense that his energy level had slackened over the years (not that I am familiar with his career).

Tito Rojas was quite possibly intoxicated during the performance. I'm sorry he can't seem to get around his problems with booze (and possibly more), but they've brought down greater talents unfortunately.


Indeed, Andy has gotten better with they years. I actually believe that his energy level has gone up with the years. As well as his voice, plainly speaking, getting better with time.

Poor Tito, somehow someway, he seems to rather follow Hector, Maelo and Frankie instead of Cheo.

[borikensalsero]

Hey Boriken...I think Canario grew up in Puerto Rico, he was
born in the Dominican Republic, but grew up in PR.

He currently lives out in NJ...and yes he's at the Copa all the
time.

Now, I tell you, now that I know you're not a big fan of Canario
we shall NEVER speak again!!! :D

No seriously, the guy, to me, is awesome, his shows are great.

Now, El Gallo (Tito Rojas) is so bad live. The first time I saw him
I couldn't believe it...I always loved his music, but seeing him live
was horrible.

I enjoy El Canario, I just don't know what it is about his style that doesn't make me feel as someone ala el Conde does. Yeap, El Canario moved to PR when he was 7 years old.

Does that mean I can't write any more articles for the newsetter. :( :D Ok, Ok, I'm huge fan, I mean really, really, really big. SO much so that I took my mom, aunt, and Lady Love to see him and take pictures with him

[salsarhythms]

LOL, nah I could never do that...

To me it's something about his voice...kind of rasp...I don't know...

Have you heard his song "Hoy queiro confesar"?

Check it out...

[volleybgrl]

The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra: Live at the Blue Note

[aragonh]

The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra: Live at the Blue Note

I heard about that!!!

Im actually waiting until it drops in price or someone is selling it used.

[volleybgrl]

A few more that I like a lot:

Fruko y Sus Tesos: Descarga Espectacular
Hector Rivera: Lo Maximo
Orquesta La Diferente: La Sociedad
Orquesta Zodiac: 18 Grandes Exitos para Bailadores
Ray Barretto: Best of Ray Barretto
Orquesta Narvaez
Grades Exitos de la Salsa