Latin 2 (of 3)
Latin & Cuban: Original LPs
The Word: See the top of the Latin 1 page for an introduction.
Three pages of Latin LPs, listed by artist:
- Latin LP A-K
Latin LP L-R (below)
Latin LP S-Z and
Various | 45 | 78 | CD | Wants
Special Offer: Buy any 5 $15 items for just $50!
The Lat-Teens: "Fuego" a la lata; Cotique C-1044; cutout E+/N- $60 -- Latin soul; rare prize for the Cotique collector (which everyone should be); of their 3 LPs, it's closer to the 1st in scarcity (only their 2nd LP is very common, thanks to over-production in response to the quick sell-out of the 1st LP); the jacket's groovy & it's all good; best track is "I'll Never Let You Go"
The Latin All Stars: A-More Cha-Cha & Merengue; Roper RRLPS-1040; 1973; N/N shrink S $25 -- dance-instruction series highly desired for arrangements & playing by
Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, & Alfredito; Mi China, Mi Hevita, La Pura, Tipica..
The Latin All Stars & the Dancing Strings: A Latin Happening; Roper RRLPS-1041; 1973; N-/E+ S $20 -- dance-instruction series highly desired for arrangements & playing by Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, & Alfredito; 13 tunes; Adelita, Agua, Carnival, Siboney..
The Latin All Stars: Latin Jam Boree; Roper RRLPS-1021; 1973; sealed S $50 -- dance-instruction series highly desired for arrangements & playing by Tito Puente & Charlie Palmieri; Soul Bossa Nova(!), Sambo do Jet, Fermin, Historia de un Amor, Franciqua (Machito), Chui Chui, Ring a Ding..
Latin Dimensions [and the voice of Roberto Torres]; Mericana MYS-109; 1972; E-/E+ S $35 -- Latin soul/funk/jazz/pachanga; 2nd of 3 hip, scarce, wonderful LPs by the group; Guajiro, Draculita (horror guajira-pachanga!), Ritmo Caliente, Ri-Ki-Ta-Tun (funky)..
Latin jazz -- see also jazz (& search "latin jazz")
Latin Percussion Ventures, Inc.: Understanding Latin Rhythms Vol. II--Down to Basics; Latin Percussion Ventures LPV-422; 1977; w/booklet & order form N/N S $40 (or N-/N- S $30, specify) -- another fine Martin Cohen production (others listed below, by artist)--the leading instructional records for serious students of Latin percussion; conga, bongo, timbale, ensemble
The Latin Souls: Boo-Ga-Loo & Shing-A-Ling; Kapp KS-3524; 1st press N-/N- S $100 (or mono KL-1524 white-label promo E+/V S $25, specify) -- Latin soul/boogaloo; unlike their other LP, this 1st is backed by Pete Rodriguez & band!; generally considered the better, rarer, more desirable of the pair; prod. Pancho Cristal; The Party is Over, Guajira Controversial, Hey Lulu!, Fly Me to the Moon, A Place in the Sun, Que Va, In the Midnight Hour, La Banda, Latin Souls Descarga
Lebron Brothers Orchestra: Psychedelic Goes Latin; Cotique C-1008; 1966; E+/E+ shrink (partial) $200 -- Latin soul; Summertime Blues, Suena, Tall Tale, Mi Mambo, Mary Mary, My Cool Boogaloo, Mala Suerte, Descarga Lebron
Lecuona Cuban Boys w/Candido: Dance Along with; ABC-Paramount ABCS-230; deep groove N/N S $75 (or w/jacket stickered rather than bannered "stereo" N-/N S $50, specify) -- rare, great LP w/the big-band sound augmented by Candido's conga; group founded by Ernesto Lecuona famous on 78 but scarce in modern hi-fi; Creed Taylor prod.; rare in stereo/top shape; Siboney, Jungle Drums, High in Sierra, Malaguena, Say Si Si, Always in My Heart..
The World Famous Lecuona Cuban Boys Play for Dancing; ABC-Paramount ABCS-316; deep groove N/N S $75 -- arr. by the great Rene Hernandez, takes mambo-cha-cha-cha-merengue-bolero to new heights; some vocals but mainly notable for the many riffs & solos in the style of Machito's Afro-Cuban jazz; Creed Taylor prod.; rare in stereo/top shape; Nicolasa, Corazon De Melon, Noche De Ronda, Mambo Sevillano (Prado), Compadre Pedro Juan, Granada..
Ernesto Lecuona al piano con orquesta y sus interpretes; Puchito MLP-511; deep groove E/E $15 -- Cuban, rare!; w/singers Maria de los Angeles Santana, Sarita Escarpenter, Tomasita Nunez, Zoraida Marrero, Rosa Elena Miro, Hector Fernandez Ramos
Libre: Tiene Calidad/Con Salsa Con Ritmo Vol. 2; Salsoul SAL-4114; 1978; cutout E/N- S $20 -- hip LP by all-star group; Imagines Latinas, Tune Up (Miles Davis!)..
Joe Loco, his Piano & Trio: Mambo Dance Favorites (Vol. 5) 10"; Tico LP-123; deep groove E/E $150
Joe Loco: Puerto Rico '68; Liberty/Sunset SUS-5219; 1968; E+/N- S $200 (or E-/N- S $150, specify) -- mod Latin soul/Latin jazz; we LOVE this--it SWINGS!; on Sunset but deadly rare/unknown & NOT a reissue or budget comp of Liberty or anything else; original boogaloos in unique style (including mod female chorus) as well as righteous covers of hits by Joe Cuba, etc.; Puerto Rico '68 (Camel Hop), Besos de Caramelos, Oh Yeah (Sabater), Chua Chua Boogaloo, Shing-Ah-Ling, Bang Bang (Sabater-Cuba), Isla Verde, Clap Hands (Prado), Runnin' Six, Mis Amores; $150 copy has tiny crack in the label dead wax--doesn't affect play, handling, or appearance
La Lupe: Stop! I'm Free Again; Tico CLP-1306; 1972; cutout E+/E+ S $30 -- rare!; last LP by the lusty Cuban bombshell before her comeback; in hot pants & knee-high boots & singing soulful songs w/lighter shades of breakbeat funkiness; loads of star power: prod. Joe Cain; arr. Louie Ramirez, Sonny Bravo, Luis Cruz; Free Again, Lupe Lupe Lupe, Vagabundo, Ouedes Decir de Mi, Mil Besos, Tan Lejos y Sin Embargo te Quiero, La Borracha, Cubana Caliente, Rumberos del Ayer, Con un Nuevo Amor
Lupo: Lupo El Fantastico; Cotique C-1028; cutout N/N shrink $25 -- Latin/Latin soul; wonderful one-off on the terrific Cotique label by Lupo (Hiram Velasquez), in a groovy jacket to boot; "Boogaloopo" is the obvious pick (dig it!), but the whole thing swings; an entry-level price for a top copy of a good Cotique is indeed fantastic!; Pata Caliente, Corazon Salvaje, Alma y Corazon, El Gitano Anton, Te Lo Juro Yo..
Machito Inspired (Machito is inspired by Darryl F. Zanuck's production of Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises"); Tico LP-1045; 1st/black/deep groove E/N- $60 -- rare & great collectors item, pre-Roulette!; the band w/Graciela is at the height of its power (high-impact horn section, uptempo); great photo of Machito on the jacket back; Malanga, Sabrosona, Chug-a-lig, In Havana, Cha Cha & Guaguanco, Cha Cha Blues, The Orchestra, Bom Bon Cha, Pineiro, 6 Beautiful Girls, Tumbao, The Herb Vendor
The Soul of Machito; Cotique C-1019; N/E- shrink $125 -- Latin/Latin soul/Latin jazz; a holy grail for both Cotique & Machito collectors; stereo is even rarer but the mono has far better sound (recommended); here, only the hit "Ahora Si" has some noise (disc plays fine otherwise despite a few heavy marks)--get this LP AND the great Hi-C comp (see below, under "Various:") for "Ahora Si" in stereo!; perfect jacket!; Ahora Si, Jammin' with Machito, Ritmo Melon, Mango, El Santa en Nueva York, Cuatro Patas.. (also--tho not eager to sell it--an uncut sealed copy, $300, specify)
Machito & his Afro-Cubans with Graciela: Lo Mejor De/The Best of; Tico CLP-1328; 1974 (older recordings) E/E- $25 -- compilation; Joe Cain produced this wlecome retrospective w/help from Hector Rivera; scarce enough itself, the LP finally brings together classic but mainly rare recordings (particularly the Tico versions) by the ground-breaking Afro-Cubans (Mario Bauza, Rene Hernandez, Chico O'Farrill, Jose Mangual, Louis Miranda..); Sopa de Pichon, Si Si No No, Piniero Tenia Razon, Caso Perdido, Noche de Farra, El As De La Rumba, Tibiri Tabara, Quimbombo, Carambola, Adoracion, Asia Minor, La Paella; some marks but plays fine (like N- or N)
F.Z. Maldonado/Armando Thomae: The Exciting Latin Beat 10"; SMC/Coda/Starlite ST-6008; E+/N $200 -- prod. Max Urban, rec. in Mexico City; tho not the most important recording, the jacket photo (of conga player) is terrific, the condition impeccable, & it's on Starlite (tiny offshoot of SMC offshoot Coda); a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the collector
Jose Mangual, Sr.: Buyu; Turnstyle 1433; 1977; E+/N- shrink S $30 -- Latin percussion/Latin funk; one of the best Martin Cohen productions, from the all-star players (Luis Ortiz, William Eaton, Carlos Patato Valdez, Ralph McDonald, Barry Rogers, Victor Paz..) to the strong tunes; DJs need it for "Black & Brown Boogie" at least; Tito Puente collectors should note that he arranged "Chinatown" & "Bomba a Puerto Rico"
Jose Mangual, Jr.: Tribute to Chano Pozo; True Ventures TV-1001; 1977; N-/N S $50 -- tremendous!; mandatory for all students & fans of Latin percussion (not instructional tho on the Martin Cohen label); also certainly one of the best-ever Afro-Cuban (Latin, Latin-jazz, descarga) or even Latin tribute LPs!; Manteca '77, Down to Basics, Cuero Na'ma, Sonando con Puerto Rico, Guaganco Chano, Sambala, True Venture Theme, Bombe Caribe, Campanero
Los Mangual: Una Dinastia; Caiman LP-9024; 1986; sealed S $20 -- Latin percussion GODS!: Jose Mangual Sr., Jose Mangual Jr., Luis Mangual, Louie Ramirez..; Hippi Hai, Okere, Bolero Medley (arr. Louie Ramirez), Mazacote, No Hay Salvacion, Guajira y Son, Bomba Mangual
Orlando Marin: Out of My Mind; Decca/Brunswick BL-754159; cutout V+/V+ S $40 -- Latin soul; part of the treasured, hip, scarce Decca series; Sugarfoot Baby, Out of My Mind, Eenie Meenie Chow Chow, The Hustler, Chickie's Cookie..
Orlando Marin: Se Te Quemo La Casa; Alegre JMAS-6015; 1978/1962 (1980 Musica Latina "Special Projects" REISSUE) N-/N S $40 -- salsa; "the one with the firemen on the jacket"; legendary smoker w/Chivirico Davila singing
Ramon Marquez & his Orchestra: Cha Cha Cha's--Mambos--Merengues (jacket: Fiesta Tropical); Fiesta FLP-1201; 1955; deep groove E-/V+ $30 -- Latin; w/Damiron & Chapuseaux; the 1st 12" LP on Fiesta! (& one of the rarest); great music by the other reknowned, progressive Mexican maestro (sounding much like Prado here), incl. the famous "Chivirico Rhythm"; also: Lessons in Cha Cha Cha, Mambo India, A Little Bit of Mambo, Anabacoa, Mambenque..; some marks & noise but well worth it
Sabu Martinez -- see jazz
Les McCann Ltd.: Bucket o' Grease; Limelight LM-82043; deep groove cutout E+/E+ S $30 -- Latin soul/mod jazz; fun live set w/Aki Aleong, Booker T. Robinson, Jose Torres..; jacket labeled "monaural" but it's definitely stereo (we suspect there is no mono); loaded w/covers of great hits: Hey Leroy (Your Mama's Calling You), Bang Bang, Music to Watch Girls By, Watermelon Man, La Brea, All, Red Top, Yesterday, Boo-Go-Loo, Bucket O'Grease, Fake Out
Orquesta Melodias del 40: Me Voy Pa' Moron; Antilla AP-5; white-label, deep groove E-/N- $40 -- Cuban; classic collectors item by one of the top groups; jacket photo of smartly dressed couple in convertible
Gilberto Monroig [with Tito Puente]: The Best of Gilberto Monroig; Roulette/Tico LP-1117; 1964; N-/N- $30 -- 12 songs, several uptempo, prod. Pancho Cristal; one of the scarcest Puente LPs but sweetly priced for the collector--snap it up!
Bobby Montez & his Orchestra: Viva!; World Pacific 1404; 1961; deep groove E+/N S $150 -- Latin jazz; w/Ray Rivera on conga; his 2nd rarest (particularly this clean), most desired LP of 5, it's one of only 2 on the jazz label & what a killer it is--100% original compositions!!!; Guajira Josephina, My, Tremendo Cha-Cha, Garden of Allah, Jungle Stars, Brazilian, But Heaven Knows (best cut!), Holiday in Havana
Bobby Montez: Hollywood Themes in Cha Cha Cha by Montez; GNP/Crescendo GNP-38; deep groove V+/N- $90 -- Latin jazz; 1 of 5 LPs (all but Jungle Fantastique devilishly scarce--among the most elusive in Latin jazz) by the great West Coast composer/vibist Montez (comparable to Tjader & Touzet at their best); terrific despite the title, from the exotic Invitation to the smoking mambo "Picnic"; that the disc is/plays in heroically top shape is just icing on the cake
Bobby Montez & his Quintet: The Music of Lerner & Loewe; GNP/Crescendo GNP-46; deep groove E+/N- (mono LP in "stereo" jacket) $125 -- Latin jazz; 1 of 5 LPs (all but Jungle Fantastique devilishly scarce--among the most elusive in Latin jazz) by the great West Coast composer/vibist Montez; terrific despite being show tunes
Noro Morales: Lecuona's Afro-Cuban Suite; RCA Vik LX-1100; 1957; deep groove N-/E $40 -- famous for its gorgeous, hall-of-fame jacket (similar to that for "Safari w/Sabu"); it's also top work by the [Cuban] father of Latin music, his best for RCA
Jose Morand: Rumbas Featuring Jose Morand & his Orchestra; Fiesta FLP-1271; deep groove E/E- $15 -- beautiful jacket, good tunes, great price
Monte Moya & the Surfers: Percussionata; Everest 5212; E+/N- $75 -- Latin jazz/vibes/exotica; rec. on 35mm film, it's a spectacular rarity (from Melrose, LA, CA) hardly any even serious collectors know about; for style think mid-'60s Cal Tjader, Puente, & other great vibes players; beautiful exotica jacket!; I Waited So Long, Black Orchid, Lucero, Masa Coti, Mose's Mamba, Mint Julip Run, Summer Time, Ayre's Mamba (sic-all titles)
Alfredo Munar w/Candido: Ernesto Lecuona; Montilla FMS-2097; E/N- S $25 -- Cuban; top, rare interpretation of the great man's work by accomplished, Havana-born concert pianist; Cuban Medley, Siboney, That Afternoon, Dust on the Moon, Palmtree Lullaby, Breeze & I, Lucumi Dance, La Comparsa..
The Arthur Murray Orchestra dir. Mario Bauza: Pachangas--Arthur Murray's Music for Dancing; RCA Victor LSP-2428; 1961; deep groove E+/E+ S $25 -- the scarcest LP in the series (here marked "discontinued" on the back) features rare music by the main man of Latin jazz (trumpeter Bauza led Machito's Afro-Cubans & gets main credit for developing Latin jazz); 12 uptempo pachangas!; Pancho Calma, The Wild Pachanga, Caridad, Arthur Murray's Pachanga, Gozando la Pachanga, Kilimanjaro, La Pachanga..
The Music Minus One Rhythm Section Arranged by Montego Joe: Latin Rhythms; Music Minus One MMO-1024; deep groove N/N- shrink $50 -- Latin percussion; 21 selections you can play along with (any melody instrument) or use to hone your percussion skills; it's also a very, very rare Montego Joe record (his liner notes & presentation)!
Sexteto Nacional: Come Se Baila El "Son"; Bravo B-104; deep groove V/V $15 -- Cuban; our best value in an authentic Cuban LP; vocal, uptempo, & better than Buena Vista Social Club (like modern Arsenio); jacket & disc have wear but it plays nicely, & for this quality at this price, that's all that matters: GREAT & RARE!
La Playa Sextet: Care to Cha Cha Cha?; Mardi-Gras LP-5001; blue deep groove E+/V $20 -- the 1st 12" LP on the classic NY label presents the group after already nearly a decade of seasoning (liners provide valuable bio & photo); the tunes are among their biggest hits (from earlier & w/the release of this set); Jamaica, Johnny Guitar, Care to.., Delicado, Garbage Man's Cha Cha Cha, Prelude in Rhythm, Dry Cocoanuts, Martian Cha Cha Cha, Batakum, An Evening of Cha Cha Cha, Chiquita, The Ambassador; NB: borderline/possible forward skip in 1st seconds of Side 2 (played fine at 2g but not 1.5g)
La Playa Sextet/Al Castellanos/Emilio Reyes: Cha Cha Cha-Mambo; Mardi-Gras LP-5003; red-label Puerto Rican pressing E/E $60 -- one of the essential, great, earliest LPs on the classic NY label; 10 cuts by La Playa Sextet (Laughing Cha Cha, Mambo Batiri, Teasing Cha Cha, My Cuban Sombrero), Al Castellanos (Together 1-2-3, Merengue Ta Ka Ta), & the scarce but wonderful Emilio Reyes (Delightful Cha Cha, Occasional Man, Cha Cha Bar, Cafe Mambo); loved for the goofy, '50s party-scene jacket as much as the music; super-rare, vintage Puerto Rican version identical except blank jacket back (no liners or photos on the NY version anyway); admirable jacket & disc condition place it above most NY pressings--if you can find them
[Tito Puente Presenta] Noraida: La Barbara del Mundo Latino; Tico LP-1223; white-label promo(!) E/E+ $30 -- rare treasure for Tito Puente collectors; Puente did all the music (w/1 Charlie Palmieri arrangement & 1 by Porfi Jimenez); Noraida's somewhat like La Lupe tho better, & she's Beny More's ex!; nicely priced--snap it up!
Orquesta Nuevo Ritmo de Cuba: The Heart of Cuba; GNP Crescendo GNP-47; 1959; 1st press E/N S $30 -- charanga; historically important & musically wonderful, this is the ONLY LP made by only the 2nd U.S. charanga, formed in 1956 by Cuban conguero Armando Sanchez (w/Rene Hernandez & others); recorded in New York, not LA (see p.183 of Max Salazar's book "Mambo Kingdom"); also we think it became Mongo's first group; essential for their very exotic (as in, EXOTICA) original "Cuban Jungle" (worthy even if you don't like charanga); until it gains the reputation it deserves, it remains a great bargain
Ocho: Tornado; El Sonido ELS-1976; 1976; V+/N- S $40 -- Latin jazz; the band's 4 LPs have been reissued & comped to death--for good reason, at least in the case of this, their last & easily best LP; some water damage affects mostly just the back at the bottom; w/Chico Mendoza; prod. by Bobby Marin & endorsed by Max Salazar, Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri..; Mamey Colorao, Sneakin' Up Behind You, Tornado, The Way We Were, Majnabuca (in 4 parts)
Claus Ogerman (Soul Searchin', Watusi Trumpets, Latin Rock, Saxes Mexicanos) -- see pop
Orquesta Oliveri: A Swingin' Combination; Speed SS-104; 1968; E+/N S $150 -- Latin soul; uptempo & swinging all the way; it's one of the best on the tiny but ALL GREAT Speed label; Don't Be Shy (fantastic masterpiece), African Guajira [with African Twist], Wabble with Boogaloo, El Musico (Mario Ortiz), A Swingin' Combination (Al Santiago)..
Ralfi Pagan; Fania SLP-377; Venezuelan pressing N/N shrink S $30 -- Latin soul/sweet soul; the Smokey Robinson of Fania, a unique & wonderful act (but a tragic figure shot to death after only 3 LPs, all great); import but well worthwhile as the original is quite rare!; a couple of smoking funky cuts (e.g., "Ain't No Big Thing" & "Latin Soul," which refers to James Brown) but that's just part of the story
Ralfi Pagan: Ralfi; Fania SLP-417; promo E-/E S $35 -- Latin soul/sweet soul; tragic figure (shot to death after only 3 LPs, all great), the Smokey Robinson of Fania, a unique & wonderful act; ex-radio-station copy has writing (marker) & a "DJ" sticker on the jacket but otherwise is very nice; Brother Where Are You, Didn't Want to Have to Do It, Wonderful Thing, The Gambler, It's Too Late, I'd Have You Anytime, Up on the Roof, The Bottom Line
Charlie Palmieri: Latin Bugalu; Atlantic SD-8166; 1968; cutout N-/N- S $60 -- Latin jazz/Latin soul/descarga; Mambo Show, Uptight, Bugalu, Bitter Sweet, Cote Pa La Cola, Panama's Boogaloo, Clusters, A Night to Remember; anyone lacking a clean stereo original should snap it up at this price!
Eddie Palmieri: Azucar Pa' Ti/Sugar for You; Tico LP-1122; 1966; 2nd/orange E/E $50 -- his 2nd great Tico LP; heavy vinyl!
Eddie Palmieri: Mambo con Conga is Mozambique; Roulette/Tico SLP-1126; 1966; orange N-/N S $40 -- fantastic classic of progressive Latin; Mi Mambo Conga, Suetate la Lenga, Pobre Pedro, Estamos Chao, Ajiaco Caliente, Manha de Carnaval..
Eddie Palmieri: Sentido; Coco CLP-103; 1973; N*/N shrink S $60 (or E-/E+ S $45, specify) (or E-*/E- S $30, specify) -- Latin; highly desirable for the deep-funk monster "Condiciones que Existen/Existing Conditions," one of his funkiest tunes (great for DJs); *jacket back same as jacket face
Eddie Palmieri: Unfinished Masterpiece; Coco CLP-120; 1975; N/N S $20 -- yes, it is finished; features a nice descarga "Cobarde" & the free-form piano "Random Thoughts"; Lalo Rodriguez sings & of course the lineup is all-star; Jeremy Steig among the guests; perfect original low-priced!
Eddie Palmieri & Cal Tjader: Bamboleate; Tico JMTS-1414; 1977 (reissues SLP-1150; 1967; N/N shrink S $30 -- the better of their 2 great collaborations; Come An' Get It, Samba do Sueno, Guajira Candela, Bamboleate, Mi Montuno..
Joe Panama: The Explosive Side of Joe Panama; Decca DL-74890; 1968; cutout N-/E+ S $300 -- one of the rarest --if not THE rarest-- in the great Decca series has not only great boogaloo (vocal & instrumental) but also Latin jazz (jazz mambo/descarga) & even a sweet soul ballad!; Soul Sister, What's My Name, Vida, Gunslinger, Jazz Latino, Tu Eres Mi Vida, Don't Bother Me (terrific Latin-soul instrumental), Oye Morena, Echale Pa' Fuera
Los Papines; Caribe 215 (Cuba); N-/N S $200 -- Cuban/conga/jazz/descarga; a stone killer from Cuba in the hip period (early '70s), this rare groove has it all: very obscure group/title/LP, terrific percussion, hip jazz-mambo feel w/improvisation that's well on the way to descarga, great b/w jacket photo (4 Papines jumping over their congas); we're extremely proud to offer this!; Congas de mi Cuba, Tambores Felices, Zarara, Mi Quinto, La Cachamba, La Lechoncita, Si-No, Para que Niegas?; jacket edges neatly clear-taped
Joey Pastrana: Let's Ball; Cotique C-1006; 1967; SIGNED! cutout E+/N $150 -- Latin soul; "Are you ready for an explosion in Latin soul, a trip into the deepest bugaloo?"; autographed to none other than Max Salazar in 1975 (we have several from his collection); jacket has a note or two written by Salazar & a mild water stain on the back (otherwise beautiful); Jack Hitchcock, Johnny Rivera, Chicky Perez, Ismael Miranda among the star performers; highly desirable for several killers: Let's Ball, Jammin' w/Joey, My Shingaling..
Joey Pastrana & his Orchestra: Joey; Cotique C-1012; E+/as is $25 -- Latin soul; his rare 2nd LP (one of the toughest Cotiques to find!); essential for otherwise unavailable, uptempo killers "King of Latin Soul," "Dance Donna," & the "Cotique All Stars" jam; the others: Rumors (his biggest hit?), Riki Chi, Orquesta Pastrana, Yenco de Rumbon, La Guida; priced just for "King of Latin Soul" (which plays)--the nice jacket & all other cuts are bonus (some play well, others not so well)
Joey Pastrana & his Orchestra: The Real Thing/El Verdadero; Cotique C-1053; N-/E+ shrink $60 (or stereo CS-1053 cutout V+/V+ S $35, specify) -- Latin/Latin soul; scarce LP by one the leading lights of the label; beautiful b/w jacket; w/such ringers as Chivirico Davila & Jack Hitchcock; panorama of Latin influences & creativity; Colour My World, The Real Thing, The Gate, Skin Deep, Guajira con Joey, Pastrana llego..
Joey Pastrana & his Orchestra: Discos Bailables/Music to Dance By; Cotique DBS-004; cutout E-/E S $50 -- Latin soul; great, rare compilation drawn from his 1st 4 LPs (rare period, forget about stereo!); jacket lists Cotique LPs 1001-1055 & features images of most of the Cotique stars; Rumors, Riki Chi, Jala con Joey, La Guida, Los Cosas de la Vida, Malambo, Problems, Rumbon Melon, Asi Na Ma, Sincerely
Armando Peraza: Wild Thing; Gryphon G-923 (Skye Heritage Collection, formerly Skye SK-5D; 1968) N/N S $30 -- Latin soul/-rock/-jazz/conga by Cuban conga star; w/Cal Tjader--who co-prod. w/Gary McFarland--, Johnny Pacheco, Sadao Watanabe, Chic Corea, Bobby Rodriguez..; Wild Thing, Mony Mony, Souled Out, Funky Broadway, Red Onions, Viva Peraza, Al Bajar el Sol, Granny's Samba
La Playa Sextet: Papas Fritas; Musicor MM-2103; E/E $50 -- mod Latin/Latin rock/Latin twist; one of the most unusual La Playa LPs & the most interesting/useful for DJs besides their even rarer boogaloo LP (also on the label); with their signature guitar now fully electrified & amplified, "Come on Seven" is the stone killer (we've always had a blast pairing it w/"The Bird" from Lalo Schifrin's Liquidator ST--see jazz page for that), & the rest is hot too (great for all who appreciate uptempo Latin rock, Latin twist, boogaloo, Mexicali brass, & other mod-Latin forms; those hoping for more straight-ahead Latin may not dig it); rocks, jumps, swings!
Perez Prado: Mambo Mania; RCA Victor LPM-1075; 1955; deep groove N-/E+ $25 -- his first 12" LP features Cherry Pink but the rest are some of his now lesser-known early hits, including mambifications of standards, tributes to Marilyn Monroe, Stan Kenton, Billy May, etc.; awesome jacket of his face in purple closeup
Perez Prado w/Shorty Rogers: Voodoo Suite Plus Six All-Time Greats; RCA Victor LPM-1101; (c)1955; E/E- $15 -- great early one w/stellar, dramatic, intense Afro-Cuban Suite (all of Side 1) & a sensational voodoo-dancer jacket
Perez Prado: Havana, 3 a.m.; Caytronics/Arcano DKL1-3173; 1978/1956 (import/reissue of RCA Victor) E/N- ES $25 -- rare electronic-stereo version (worthwhile even if you have mono original)
Perez Prado: Twist Goes Latin; RCA Victor LPM-2524; 1962; 1st press N-/N $50 -- Latin dance rock/twist; 1 of his rarest & most sought-after LPs; completely revved-up, as if all of his fastest 33rpm tunes are played at 45; Latin-twist versions of Sway, Patricia, Cherry Pink, Hava Nagilah & more
Perez Prado: Our Man in Latin America; RCA Victor LSP-2610; 1963; deep groove V+/E- S $15 -- Latin dance rock/twist; "the Twist...the Bossa Nova..and now--the 'Bongoson'!"; his most exciting '60s LP rocks like Twist Goes Latin but much better & more sophisticated; Alma Llanera & Tico Tico No Fuba rank among his most exciting work ever; uptempo standards (such as Peanut Vendor) & others are rearranged in unexpected ways: sambas become bongo-sons, etc.; Prado fans at least, do not fail to own this
Perez Prado: Dance Latino; RCA Camden CAMS-134 (Australian issue of RCA Victor LSP-3330; 1965); N-/N- S $40 -- the final Victor LP (before he went back to Mexico to do Latin funk) is the hardest-to-find, which is why we imported it from Down Under; Abulaby Laby (exotic), Cricket Serenade, One Night, Fast Goodnight (calypso!), La Rubia, Surfside 6, Keep Dancing..
Perez Prado: Concierto Para Bongo; United Artists/UA Latino LS-61005; 1967 (reissues United Artists UAS-6489); N-/E+ shrink S $50 -- scarce, funky, mod tour de force rec. in Mexico City; "Cayitano" is one of his first funk tunes plus several more very happening mod things (Claudia, Mamma A Go Go, A Go Go, Estoy Acabando), the original "Fantasia," & the side-long title monster
Perez Prado: Estas Si Viven (The Living End); United Artists/UA Latino LS-61032; 1968; N-/N S $40 -- "El Temp de Los Monkees" (the Monkees TV-show theme) gets all the attention but the rest of the LP is good too; most of the other 11 cuts are by Deodato & other Brasilian stars (but here done mod Prado style); as with Concierto Para Bongo, rec. in Mexico City & hard to find, esp. in top shape
Perez Prado Now; Contour 2870-385; 1974/1972 [brown jacket] N-/N S $90 -- Latin/funk; import version of the masterpiece Escandalo, rec. in Italy w/Don Alfio singing; Chicago Banana, Brazil, Tommy, El Campesino, Il Venditore di Noccioline (Peanut Vendor), Escandolo No. 1, Escandolo No. 2, Cangrejo, Que es lo que pasa?, Smack, Nadie, Tequila
Perez Prado: Ciliegi Rosa; Uni Funk AR-03022; 1974/1972; Italian N/N S $125 -- Latin/funk; compilation of cuts from his 2 funkiest "rare groove" LPs, rec. in Italy w/Don Alfio singing: the terrific Escandalo & Love Child; top cuts incl. "Imperfect" (funky Moog), "Tequila" (funky update), & "Que es lo que pasa?" (fantastic funk); all great, rare, & in a groovy jacket
Perez Prado, Henry Mancini, Al Hirt: 3 Great Bands; Gema/RCA Victor LSP-2722; German import, deep groove E+/N S $25 -- even the US issue is very scarce; essential for the 4 great Prado cuts (not on his own LPs!): Caravan (WILD version!!!), I Only Have Eyes for You, Para Mi, L'Hippopotame (another unbelievably wild one!!!)
Pucho & the Latin Soul Brothers: Yaina; Groove Time GRT-10001; 1993 (reissues Right-On 5000) N/N shrink S $25 -- soul jazz; licensed, well-done, faithful, West Coast reissue of a major rare groove from 1969-1970 or so; w/Harold Alexander on flute; covers "Hard Hats" (by Pucho associate Ray Rivera), Neil Creque's Cease the Bombing, Kenny Burrell's Chitterlings con Carne, and Coltrane's Naima, among others
Tito Puente, his Vibes & his Rhythm Quartette 10"; Tico LP-124; deep groove V+/V+ $75 -- 2nd jacket ("At the Vibes," Vol. 6) w/rare sketch of Puente on face & photos/liners on back; historic & very rare LP!; Rainfall, Philadelphia Mambo, Cool Mambo, The Continental, The Carioca, Temptation, 1626 Madison Avenue, Autumn Leaves
Tito Puente: Cha Cha Chas for Lovers; Roulette/Tico LP-1005; 1960; 3rd, black N-/E $30 -- FANTASTIC! vital, classic, rare Tico recordings; top tunes appear for the first time on hi-fi 12" LP (earlier as lo-fi 78/45 singles & on impossibly rare 10" LPs)--one of the earliest Tico 12" LPs; everyone should have this!; jacket back has liner notes & the face is a darker purple (color-corrected since the first printing); Tico inner sleeve; Suavecito, Almendra, Prelude to Rhythm, Cha-Cha-Cha, Pare Cochero, Cha-Cha Mambo, Los Marcianos, La Palma, Al Ritmo del Cha-Cha-Cha, Todos Bailan mi Cha-Cha-Cha, Cuidado con la Mano, Goza mi Cha-Cha-Cha
Tito Puente: Cha Cha Chas for Lovers; Roulette/Tico LP-1005; 1960; 2nd/black E+/E- $25 -- jacket back lists other Tico LPs in 3 columns
Tito Puente: Cha Cha Chas for Lovers; Tico LP-1005; 1960; 1st/black/deep groove V+/V+ $20 -- water-damaged jacket bottom; very nice disc; jacket back lists other Tico LPs in 2 columns
Tito Puente: Puente in Percussion; Roulette/Tico LP-1011; 2nd jacket--jackhammer photo/liners, deep groove E-/V+ $30 (or later flexi in 1st jacket!--blue sketch/liners E+/N $30, specify) -- a major classic, like Top Percussion, essential percussion-feature LP that set standards for years to come; features young Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, & Patato Valdes; all original tunes: Tito on Timbales, Stick on Bongo, Congo Beat, Timbales Solo, Four Beat Mambo, The Big Four, Swinging Mambo, Tito & Mongo on Timbales
Tito Puente: Dancing Under Latin Skies; RCA Victor LSP-1874; 1959; 1st press N-/N- S $15 -- "Latin Dances"; priced low for a slight warp but plays fine; Cuban Pete, Brazil, Yours, Tampico, Frenesi, Port-au-Pleasure, Juanita, Sand in My Shoes..
Tito Puente: Tito Puente's 20th Anniversary; Roulette/Tico SLP-1151; 1967/1966; flexi N-/N- S $40 (or mono LP-1151 cutout E/N- $30, specify) -- Latin soul, Latin jazz, Latin all rolled up in one of his very best LPs (overlooked bc of the title but it's GREAT & ESSENTIAL); Fat Mama (Latin-soul smash hit!), Africana, Work Song, Aqui, Algo Nuevo..
Tito Puente: Para Los Rumberos; Roulette/Tico SLP-1086; 1972; flexi E+/N S $30 (or flexi cutout N*/N S $25, specify) -- one of his smoking best from the Latin-soul era; prod. Joe Cain; Para Los Rumberos (covered by Santana!), Batuka (a Santana cover!), China, Palladium Days, Guayaba, Nina y Senora, Salsa y Sabor (w/Charlie Palmieri on organ); *cutout has writing on jacket back (in the margins)--previous owner taped as he bought & never played the vinyl again
Tito Puente: Pa'Lante!/Straight; Roulette/Tico SLP-1214; 1970; E+/N- S $75 (or flexi cutout N/N shrink S $65, specify) -- AWESOME!; 2 great Latin-soul killers (Hit the Bongo, Watchit) are stone funky killers & the rest is great too; one of the scarcest & most-wanted Puente LPs; prod. Puente w/A&R by Charlie Palmieri; original inner sleeve
Cheo Belen Puig: Danzones del Ayer Vol. II; Kubaney MT-114; green deep groove E-/N- $20 -- Cuban; top Cuban label, great record!
Joe Quijano: Fiddler on the Roof Goes Latin; MGM E-4283; N-/N $40 -- Latin jazz/Latin; don't be fooled by the title & label, it's hard to find & absolutely terrific; while the whole thing is excellent (one of Quijano's best LPs), the great Charles Fox arranged it (good luck finding his other legendary Latin-jazz LPs); many tunes in various tempos are outstanding but the legendary mambo-jazz smoker is "Sunrise, Sunset"
Joe Quijano with Strings; Cesta SLP-5000; N/N shrink $100 -- arr. & cond. Charles Fox, it's all ballads but nicely done; rare & top shape--can't beat it (last of the original CESTA LPs); La Hora de Llorara (Crying Time), Solo Pienso en Ti (Goin' Out of My Head), Quien, Sinceridad, Amor Inolvidable (Affair to Remember), Te Esperare, Mentiras Tuyas, Te Fuistas, Amor de Ilusion, Cita a Las
Joe Quijano: Ahora; Coco CLP-114; 1975; AUTOGRAPHED! cutout N-/N S $40 -- one of the rare ones on the label & a great '70s salsa LP; prod. Harvey Averne, musical director Charlie Palmieri, all-star cast (Barry Rogers, Chocolate Armenteros, Vitin Aviles, Ray Rivera..)
Johnny Rae's Afro-Jazz Septet: Herbie Mann's African Suite; United Artists UAS-5042; 1959; 1st/deep groove N-/E S $60 -- Latin jazz/vibes; terrific, from the gorgeous, hall-of-fame jacket to the fantastic sound of the ideal copy (1st-rate except for a couple of marks/pops), which is deadly scarce in clean stereo; w/percussion masters Jose Mangual, Patato Valdes, Victor Pantoja, Philly Joe Jones, Bobby Corwin (piano), and Mann on flute; St. Thomas, Sorimao, Jungle Fantasy, Bedouin, Sudan, Ekunda, Guinean
Don Ralke: Bongo Madness; United-Superior US-7801 (formerly Crown CLP-5019); E-/E- $25 -- bongo bop/Afro-Cuban/Latin jazz/flute/bongo; w/Jack Burger, Buddy Collette, Don Tosti, Tom Wofford; an exploitative product (including some noise as you always get with Crown) but w/first-rate people, terrific original music, great playing, good jacket art; Calypso Cubano, Afro-Bop, Mgombo, Bembe Negro, Pasion Caliente, Ritmo Marteo, Afro-Mambo Alegre..
Carlos Ramirez Sings Latin-American Favorites 10"; SMC Pro-Arte SMC-502; deep groove V+/N- $50 -- Latin; vocal by famed member of the original Arsenio Rodriguez orchestra, here w/the Roberto Valdes Arnau Orchestra; price/condition/early number make it a bargain (& that's all before considering the Arsenio connection); paper sleeve has edge wear & tape but all text area intact; Granada, Bahia, Belen, Ay Ay Ay, Lamento Gitano, Jurame, Te Quiero Dijiste..
Louie Ramirez: Latin Au Go Go; Atlantic/Atco 33-179; 1st/deep groove V+/E- $50 -- Latin jazz; great rarity from 1964 or '65 w/Ozzie Torrens; neatly masking taped edges, surface wear, but plays nicely; includes "Jumpin' With Symphony Sid" (jazz mambo)
Louie Ramirez: In the Heart of Spanish Harlem/En el Corazon de Harlem Espanol; Mercury SR-61121; 1st cutout E/E+ S $100 -- Latin soul; smoking LP (serious boogaloo) w/singer Bobby Marin by one of the true heroes of Latin/Latin soul/Latin jazz (responsible for many heavy LPs but rarely took leader credit); probably w/Ozzie Torrens; Lucy's Spanish Harlem, The Boogie Man, The New Breed, Love it Up, The Crazy One, The Bigshot..; slight water stain on the jacket (right edge, just in the white border) but otherwise terrific
Louie Ramirez: A Different Shade of Black; Fania/Cotique JMCS-0698; 1976; E-/E S $20 -- Latin disco-funk; you can't ask for better people (Sonny Bravo, Marty Sheller, Bernard Purdie among them) & a better label; music packs a lot of punch (Latin & funk) tho w/strings in places; good for DJs
[Ricardo Ray &] Bobby Cruz: En Navidad (jacket: En Fiesta Navidena/Merry Christmas); Fonseca SLP-1116; white label, deep groove E-/as is $100 -- Xmas boogaloo; so worn it looks like death but plays heroically well; distracting noise just in some tracks (mostly fine); best Xmas Latin-soul LP there is, bar none!
[Ricardo Ray &] Bobby Cruz: En Navidad (jacket: En Fiesta Navidena/Merry Christmas); Performance 8520 (1983 Venezuelan reissue of Fonseca SLP-1116); N-/N $75 -- '80s Venezuelan reissues are much better than the notoriously poor '70s ones & it's Fonseca!
Ricardo Ray: Jala, Jala Boogaloo Volume II; Branston/Alegre SLPA-8630; 2nd E+/E- shrink S $50 -- Latin soul/salsa; w/Bobby Cruz; a killer!; some marks but plays well, only slight noise in spots
Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz: Los Durismos/The Strong Ones--Salsa y Control; Alegre SLP-8700; 2nd V+/V+ S $25 -- Latin soul; fantastic, one of their best, hard to find, esp. in stereo; some marks & noise in spots but generally a respectable player; Lighten Up Baby, Lazy Day, Pancho Cristal, Yo Soy (Babalu), Libre Soy..
Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz: In Orbit; Alegre LPA-886; E/V+ $40 -- one of their best & by far weirdest/most psychedelic; very strange versions of Last Train to Clarksville & Woody Woodpecker(!); the title descarga, Cactus Flower, & "Ad Libs" complete the picture; space jacket; heavy-duty mono has marks but plays very well, priced lower for slight noise in just a few spots
Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz 1975; Vaya VS-33; 1974; cutout E/E+ S $30 -- mod/Latin soul; "Richie Ray 1975" is the major funky cut on a solid winner
Emil Richards' Yazz Band: Yazz Per Favore; Palladium PLP-105; 1988/196? (REISSUES Del-Fi DFST-1216) N/N S $30 -- Latin jazz; w/Francisco Aguabella & other percussion gods (besides ER himself), it's one of the best Latin-jazz masterpieces going, truly fantastic oddity on of all things a California surf label(!); we expect never to see any copy of the original (it's that rare), much less a clean one, but we're thrilled to have bought the last few of these out-of-print beauties; one of the best of the rarity-reissues from Spain's Palladium label; grab it while you can (as we did)
Chollo Rivera & the Latin Soul Drives: By Chollo; Cotique C-1037; cutout E+/N $150 (or stereo CS-1037 E+/V+ $100, specify) -- Latin soul; a rare one-off, to us it's the pride of the label, as the totally original, swinging, & hip "Black & Blues" ranks among the top 5 Latin-soul songs (easily our favorite Cotique cut); plus there's the legendary cover of James Brown's "I Got the Feeling"; the sweet-soul ballad "I Could Never Hurt You Girl" (also highly desirable & known from a compilation); other goodies: Latin Soul Drive is Here, Swing Que Va (jala jala), Montuno Con Soul, I'm the One Who Loves You, Pega Pega, Para Que Gose Mi Gente, Melodia
Hector Rivera: Let's Cha Cha Cha; Mercury MG-20137; deep groove E/E+ $75 -- Latin jazz/Latin; the late master's 1st LP & a smoking GREAT ONE!; scarce & way, way ahead of its time w/killer mambo-jazz tunes (like the legendary Columbia LPs); said to be the Machito orchestra backing; 10 tunes all composed by Hector Rivera; perfect except some light surface marks that don't sound
Hector Rivera: Viva Rivera!; Columbia/Epic LN-3804; E-/E- $250 -- Latin jazz/Latin; you probably know already, but here goes: mambo descarga "Ya Se Formo" is the legendary smoker (although a couple of others come close); one of the holiest of grails, hallmarks, and highlights of serious Latin collecting (got little attention when released but demand since has far outstripped the tiny supply); surface marks don't sound; neat clear tape on the top seam, some other minor cosmetic flaws but nothing shabby; RIP Hector!
Hector Rivera & the Latin Renaissance: Hecto-Mania; 4 Points FP-1236; 1970; E/N- S $300 -- Latin soul/Latin funk/Latin jazz/Latin/sweet soul; legendary rarity with plenty to please everyone (very strong cuts, whether instrumental or vocal, ballad or uptempo), from the Latin collector to the sweet-soul fan; far-advanced over the earlier boogaloo classic, "At the Party"
Hector Rivera: Para Mi Gente; Tico CLP-1309; 1973; N/N shrink S $60 -- prod. Joe Cain; canta Julian Llanos; w/Vitin Paz, Ray Romero, Hector Lavoe..; post-Latin-soul in the strict sense but a total smoker w/much that DJs will love & use; 7 of the 10 tunes are Rivera's own; great percussion solos & jazz spice it up
Hector Rivera: Lo Maximo; Tico CLP-1324; 1974 sealed S $50 -- w/Tony Molina, Cachao, Luis Mangual, Vitin Aviles, Hector Lavoe..; 10 cuts, uncut, unopened, stereo, original perfection!
Ismael Rivera con sus Cachimbos: Esto Fur Lo Que Trajo El Barco; Tico CLP-1305; 1972; N/N shrink S $30 -- prod. Joe Cain; Mana Mana (aka Mah-Na Mah-Na!), La Gata Montesa, Traigo Salsa, Yumbo Agua Tana Oh!, San Miguel Arcangel..
Johnny Rivera & the Tequila Brass; Cotique CS-1010; 1967; cutout N-/N- S $75 -- Latin soul; 8 originals prod. by George Goldner w/that trademark Cotique trombone sound, plus lots of "sock-it-to-me" type calls to dance (you'll hear all your favorite buzzwords of the era, such as "psychedelic" and "boogaloo"); nothing like a swinging, stereo Cotique in top shape!; The Tequila Theme, Boogaloo que la Traigo, Watonga, Locura en NY, You Gotta Have Soul, I Can't Sit Down, Run Run Run, Sonny's Boogaloo
Ray Rivera: The Now Sound of the Ray Rivera Orchestra; MGM/Latino LAT 10,001; yellow-label promo (all copies are) V+/E S $75 -- Latin soul; entirely hip, funky, unusual, & really wonderful, thanks to all-star arrangers Mauricio Smith, Ray Maldonado, Jack Hitchcock, Eddie Martinez!; heavy sound, too--DEEP BASS!; probably also Pucho on percussion (sounds like it), as they appear on each other's LPs otherwise (& Pucho covers "Hard Hats" on the Yaina LP); Got My Mojo Working, Hard Hats, Tiddly Winks, Sumptin' Like Dat, Afro Girl, Salt Mines, Guava..
Marco Rizo: The Mark of Rizo; Sesac S-201/202; N-/N deep groove $50 -- rare one on a tiny NY label from the '50s; Sambalero, Siesta Rock, Encantadora, Fiesta Time, Por Que, Ah! Cha Cha Cha, Cecilia, Infatuation..
Marco Rizo, his Piano & Rhythm: Piano & Percussion; Tico LP-1076; black deep groove E/N- $40 -- Latin piano; our favorite Tico LP by Rizo, as not only are his playing & arranging great, but it's uptempo & exotic, a bit like an exotic-percussion record; Cancion de Gail, Bruca Manigua, Danza Lucumi, The River, Sambalero, Sabre Dance, Kitten on the Keys, Tabu, Joey's Song, Hawaii, Gitanerias, Ritual Fire Dance
Arsenio Rodriguez: Arsenio Dice.../Arsenio Says...; Tico LP-1175; cutout N-/E+ $200 -- his 2 on Tico are among the most prized, hip, & difficult to land
Arsenio Rodriguez y su Conjunto: Exitos de; Seeco/Tropical TRLP-5005; 1958 orange label E-/E- $45 (or green label E-/E+ $30, specify) -- earlier recordings (originally 78s); worth it just for the wonderful jacket depiction of Arsenio but also serves as the entry point to AR LPs (not as rare as others)
Arsenio Rodriguez y su Magia: La Musica Afro Cubana; CBS/Caliente CLT-7049; 1973 (reissues rarer Epic) E-/N S $100 -- "Quindembo--Afro Magic"; his most exciting work, combining a lifetime of mastery w/modern production values; roots music amped up considerably for the demands of the times--really wild!; great jacket photo too; best AR LP that isn't a major collectors item
Arsenio Rodriguez y su Conjunto Vol. 2; Ansonia SALP-1418; N/N- shrink [E]S $60 -- harder to find than Vol. 1 but just as good
Giraldo Rodriguez y sus Tambores Bata: Afro--Ritmos Afro-Cubanos Tambores Bata; Orfeon LP-LAB-08 (non-gatefold US version); N-/E- $100 -- Afro-Cuban/Santero/Bata; this & the LP by Grupo Afro-Cubana (Afro-Frenetic/Hi-Fi Cuban Drums) are the 2 most significant LPs of this type--both rare, essential, & in high demand by collectors; great jacket art, liners, 12 tunes (partly vocal/chant) & incredible drumming; light marks on Side 2 sound only slightly/briefly
Pete Rodriguez y su Conjunto: Latin Boogaloo; Alegre LPA-852; E+/E $100 -- Latin soul/Latin; his first for the label has 8 great tunes, all boogaloo/guajira or descarga or both; awesome stuff
Pete Rodriguez: Oh, That's Nice/Ay, Que Bueno!; Alegre LPA-860; promo N-/N $60 -- Latin soul; one of his essential good records; impeccable advance copy!
Tito Rodriguez: Three Loves Have I; RCA Victor LPM-1389; 1957; 1st jacket (pink background); 1st/deep groove N-/N- $75 -- his most smoking album of the Victor/Tico days (heyday of the Two Titos battle) & rare collector's item (as are his other Victor LPs but this one's by far THE BEST); Yambere, Asi...Asi, My Tobi's Blues, A Llegado el Guaguanco, Esto Es Mambo, Barito, Baranga, Sabroso Mambo, Guaguanco Bonito..
Tito Rodriguez: Wa-Pa-Cha/The Hand Clapping Cha Cha Cha; Roulette/Tico LP-1038; black deep groove (red dancer jacket/liners) E/E $25 -- major early rarity from his prime; Elvira, Clapping the Guapacha, Cool Guapacha, Chug-A-Lug, 659-10th Avenue, Figaro Figaro, Sliding the Guapacha..
Willie Rodriguez Orchestra; Fonseca LP-1120; black label N-/E+ $250 -- Latin; cant. Adalberto Santiago w/what's really Ricardo Ray's orchestra (as with most Fonseca); not really Latin soul but a great one in supreme condition; Colorin Colorao, El Ritmo Lo Traigo Yo, Sueltate La Lengua, Fuego de Amor, Monte Adentro, Mi Montuno, Mozambique, Cimarron
Shorty Rogers Meets Tarzan--Music from "Tarzan, the Ape Man"; MGM SE-3798 1st press, deep groove E/E+ S $100 (or mono E-3798 1st press, deep groove V+/E $75, specify) -- Afro-Cuban jazz/exotica (comparable to Puente's "Tambo," Gillespie's "Afro," & Sabu's "Sorcery"); fantastic, highly desirable, & rare!; w/Modesto Duran(!!!), Frank Rosolino, Bud Shank, Pete Joly..; despite the cheesy-sounding title & jacket pose (Shorty carried in the arms of TV Tarzan Denny Miller), it's a truly incredible, SMOKIN' POWERHOUSE; The Elephants Wail, Los Barbaros, Paradise Found, Trapped, Los Primitivos, Oomgawa, Tarzanic Suite
The Romanticos de Cuba: Cuba Libre; Musidisc MS-16001; deep groove N/E+ S $15 -- Cuban; classic romantic LP on one of our favorite labels (everything on it is good); great cocktail/dancer jacket too (worth it for that alone, esp. here in perfect shape!); Verda Tropical, Carioca, Danse Avec Moi, Pa-Ran-Pan-Pan, Cerejeira Roas, El Manisero, Cote d'Azur, Negra Consentida, Cubanacan, Lamento Borincano
Aldemaro Romero & his Onda Nueva; Columbia/CBS KC-31253; 1972; V+/E S $90 -- uptempo Venezuelan bossa w/mod chorus (sound much loved by Japanese, like the Novi Singers, Somethin' Cool, & other great late-'60s/early-'70s mod bossa); 1 of at least 3 Onda Nueva LPs, all coveted rare grooves!; jacket shows couple prancing in the surf; the leading Venezuela exponent of Latin, Al Romero had earlier LPs on Victor & a long association w/Tito Puente; It's Impossible, And Still I Love Her, It Never Ends, Little Love Bird, Someone, Two, Venezuela, Bluesette, Sweet Madness, Sunrise Sunset, Never Can Say Goodbye(!!!)
Edmundo Ros: Hair Goes Latin; London/Phase 4 SP-44134; gatefold; N/N S $25 (or N/N- S $20, specify) (or cutout N-/E+ S $20, specify) -- beloved/legendary for the groovy-camp jacket/title as well as the very strong "Hare Krishna (Be In)," which is far better here as Ros' solo than his later version (duet w/Caterina Valente); recommended for both Ros fans & the odd-pop collector!
Edmundo Ros: Caribbean Ros; London/Phase 4 SP-44208; 1974; cutout E/N S $25 -- one of his best & not easy to find; deep, pronounced bass & funky conga bring out "Tequila" & a funky oddball called "Mama Loves Pompa" (we think of them as Ros' only "rare grooves"); rest mostly '70s standards like "You Are the Sunshine of My Love" but nicely done
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