December 22 - Show #39 - Christmas Special

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Feliz Navidad – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

Deck The Halls (Cuba) – Cuba L. A. – Christmas Around the World – Putumayo

Venid Fieles Todos (Cuba) – Liuba Maria Hevia – Christmas Around the World – Putumayo

Paz En La Tierra (Joy To The World) (Cuba) – Ramon F. Veloz Christmas Around the World – Putumayo

Aguinaldo Jíbaro (Puerto Rico) – Pepe Castillo – Christmas Around the World – Putumayo

Diciembre – Los Embajadores Vallenatos – A Putumayo World Christmas – Putumayo

White Christmas (France) – Los Reyes – Christmas Around the World – Putumayo

Joy to the world – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

Boogaloo Santa Claus – J. D. McDonald – In The Christmas Groove – Strut Records

Nadal de Luintra – Berroguetto – A Putumayo World Christmas – Putumayo

Noite Para Festejar – Ivan Lins – A Putumayo World Christmas – Putumayo

O Cometido – Chouteira – A Putumayo World Christmas – Putumayo

La canción del tamborilero (Carol of the Drum) – Raphael – 30 Aniversario 1961-1991 – Hispavox/Capitol

Jingle Bells – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

Cha cha all the way – The Capitol Orchestra – Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Part One – Capitol

Happy holiday – Peggy Lee – Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Part Two – Capitol

Snowfall cha cha – George Shearing & Billy May – Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Part Two – Capitol

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/Jingle Bells Bossa Nova [Medley] – Eddie Dunstedter – Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Part One – Capitol

Combinado – Quintento Diamont – Ibérico Jazz Las producciones de Antoliano Toldos – Vampisoul

Feliz Navidad – Los Straightjackets – 'Tis the season – Yep Roc Records

We wish you a merry Christmas – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions


Highlights of the show:

From Latin Soul, I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year 2010 loaded of joyful moments and fulfilled resolutions. Today, I wanted to celebrate the spirit of the season and all the songs have been renditions to Christmas classics, carols, and even traditional songs, with that Latin musical heritage or just Latin oriented that you are going to always find here in Latin Soul. The songs today aired have come pretty much from four albums. Here you may see them.

December 15 - Show #38

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Feliz Navidad – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

Campesina – Pilar de la Hoz – Jazz con Sabor Peruano – Jaguar Music Records

Nao deixa o samba morrer – Carme Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self-produced album

Yatra-Tá – Tania Maria – Latin Jazz The essential album – Manteca/Union Square Music

Mas que nada – Ella Fitzgerald – Things ain’t what they used to be (and you better believe it) – Warner

Felicidade – Suba – Latin Jazz The essential album – Manteca/Union Square Music

Monk’s bread – The Latin Jazz Quintet – Hot Sauce – Prestige

Cinnamon & Clove – Lee Evans – Cinnamon & Clove – Verve

Afro Blue – Cal Tjader feat. Willie Bobo & Mongo Santamaría – Cal Tjader’s Greatest Hits – Fantasy

Work song – Ray Barretto and New World Spirit – Taboo – Concord Picante

Treat street – Vince Guaraldi – The Latin Side of Vince Guaraldi – Fantasy/OJC

Sabor a mí – Bebo & Chucho – Juntos para siempre – Calle 54 Records/Sony Music Latin

Spanish Fantasy, Part IV – Chick Corea – My Spanish Heart – Polydor

Jingle Bells – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

The anything can happen mambo – Xavier Cugat and his orchestra with Abbe Lane – The Original Latin Dance King – Sony

Listen here/Cold duck theme – Poncho Sánchez – Latin Soul – Concord Picante

I like it like that – Cosa Nostra – Cosa Nostra – RAFF

Latin Soul – Ralfi Pagán – Ralfi Pagán – Fania

Subway Joe – Joe Bataan – King of Latin Soul – Vampisoul

Grazin’ in the grass – Orchestra Harlow & Ismael Miranda – Compilation Playtime-Latin Soul Boogaloo – Hy&Fly

South of order – Panaman – Sinners Lounge: The Latin Sessions – Comfort Sounds

Atabaque – Jazzanova – The New Latinaires – Ubiquity Records


Highlights of the show:

'Latin Soul' is open to new ways to explore Latin jazz and soul music. The highlight of tonight's show is an interesting electronica album that may bring new paths to understand the undergoing path of Latin jazz and the remixes era.

Here you may find the compilation 'The New Latinaires Vol. 1" released in 1999 by the cutting edge label Ubiquity. The following review has been obtained from the British version of Amazon.com.



This is the first volume in a new series of Afro-Cuban/electronica fusion perpetrated by the fine folks at San Francisco's Ubiquity label. Why shouldn't the melting pot that is the U.S. produce music just as pan-ethnic and cross-fertilized? Jungle and drum-and-bass managed to absorb all manners of jazz and R&B influences into their heady stews. New electronic producers are discovering the same richness and broad textures in grooves of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Latin descent.
NEW LATINAIRES is hot stuff. Shifting lower-keyboard eddies ride tropical breezes through Jazzanova's "Atabaque", the music's basslines seemingly carved from rubberised mercury. Squirts of electronics spin through tympani-and-timbale battlefields on Izuru Utsumi's "Zum-Zum". Capsule 150 brings Jobim and Cal Tjader into eight arms of rhythmic nirvana viathe tumbling cymbals, yawning wah-wah, and space-age loungeair bursts entwined in "Octopus". Electronica continues to spawn myriad, wonderful hybrids, and NEW LATINAIRES 1 is the prime place to set your lobes a-twirlin'.

December 8 - Show #37

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Music to watch girls by – Xavier Cugat and his orchestra – Compilation Music to Watch Girls By – Hitland

Don’t squeeze the peaches – Jack Costanzo & Gerry Wood – Latin Percussion with Soul –Vampisoul

Besito pa’ ti – La Lupe – Lo Mejor de La Lupe – EMI Latin

Jive samba – Cannonball Adderley – Compilation Latin Jazz Essential Album – Manteca/Square Union

Take five – Tito Puente – Compilation Latin Jazz Essential Album – Manteca/Square Union

Cielito lindo – Dave Brubeck Quartet – Bravo Brubeck! (Live in Mexico) – Legacy/Sony

Descarga Valdés – Bebo & Chucho – Juntos para siempre – Calle 54 Records/Sony Music Latin

Nica’s dream – Eddie Palmieri – Listen Here! – Concord Picante

Whirlpool – Vince Guaraldi – The Latin Side of Vince Guaraldi – Fantasy/Original Jazz Classics

El loco de la colina – Ray Sepúlveda – Tropical Tribute to the Beatles – RMM

Day tripper –Domingo Quiñones – Tropical Tribute to the Beatles – RMM

Q.T.P. – Raynald Colom – #Sketches of groove# – Fresh Sound Records

Gypsy sunrise – Antonio Restucci – Crisol – Petroglyph Records

Cilantro y comino – Chano Domínguez – NFS – Verve

La voz del tiempo – Tomatito & Camarón de la Isla – Barrio Negro – Milestone

Corazón loco – Bebo & Cigala – Lágrimas Negras – Calle 54 Records/BMG-Ariola

Song of the seasons – Nicola Conte – Rituals – Schema Records

Love in – Nicola Conte – Rituals – Schema Records


Highlights of the show:

Nicola Conte's latest album "Rituals" has closed the show tonight. A 2009 album release from this incredible Italian composer, producer, arranger, DJ and so on... whose last album is truly a must for anyone who may like bossa nova and jazz, since the musical proposal of this artist is a definitive one to fall for. The review of the album that you may find below has been taken from the 'Editorial Reviews' from amazon.com.




‘Rituals’ is the third album by talented Italian musician Nicola Conti. Conti has garnered critical acclaim for his fusion of bossa nova, Latin rhythms, Italian soundtrack influences and jazz. This is a funky and enjoyable album which will delight fans and newcomers alike. Conte’s first album was Jet Sounds in 2000. The single Bossa Per Due gained international recognition and was an underground hit. It was used almost immediately for a prime-time commercial for Acura automobiles. The album was licensed for American distribution by Thievery Corporation s Eighteenth Street Lounge (ESL) label in the summer of 2001 as ‘Bossa Per Due’, and was slightly reconfigured version of the ‘Italian Jet Sounds’ album. ‘Rituals’ has received great early reviews internationally, which confirms the multifaceted talent of this artist and instrumentalist from Bari. As the review in Canada s NOW Magazine stated; A short-list candidate for jazz recording of the year, the elegantly turned out Rituals finds club-selecta-turned-bandleader Nicola Conte shifting away from knocking out more dance-floor bangers toward an altogether more spiritual aesthetic and a hugely expanded support cast and it turns out to be a brilliant move. ‘Rituals’ is by far Conte s most substantial work to date, and should appeal to a whole new audience outside the club and cappuccino bar scene. Admittedly, with such a talented cast of players, including saxophonists Greg Osby and Timo Lassy, trumpeter Till Brönner and soulful vocalist José James, helping to bring the songs to life, Conte would’ve had to work hard to mess things up.

December 1st - Show #36

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Welcome to the party – Har-You Percussion Group – Compilation The New Latinaires – Ubiquity

Milestones – The Latin Jazz Quintet – Latin Soul – Prestige

Red top – The Latin Jazz Quintet – Latin Soul – Prestige

Mambo dinero – Dave Pike and his orchestra – Manhattan Latin – DECCA

Tin tin deo – Clark Terry & Chico O'Farrill – Spanish Rice – Impulse!

Lucy's Spanish Harlem – Louie Ramírez & Jimmy Sabater– In The Heart Of Spanish Harlem – Verve

The three Marias – Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion – The Magician – Savant Records

Pent-up house – The Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project – In The Middle – Cagoots Records

Solid – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – ¡Bien Bien! – Patois Records

Bonita – Tanóra – Día Real – Moondo Records

Nice 'n' easy – Willis Jackson – Boss Shoutin' – Prestige

Samba de Orpheus – Grant Green & Big John Patton – Iron City – 32. Jazz Records

Samba de una noto só – João Gilberto – Compilation As The World Turns-Brazilian – World Pacific Records

É – Gonzaguinha – Compilation As The World Turns-Brazilian – World Pacific Records

Nagõ Buddha – Gilberto Gil – Parabolic – Warner Music Brazil/WEA Latina

Use your head – Money Mark – Compilation Red Hot + Rio – Antilles/Verve

Bellaria – Madrid de los Austrias – Amor CD – Sunshine Enterprises/Provider Recordings

Sai Das Trevas – Jazzamor – Sinners Lounge: The Latin Sessions – Comfort Sounds

Welcome to the party – Har-You Percussion Group-Jazzanova Mix – Compilation The New Latinaires – Ubiquity



Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul's highlight tonight is the album “Latin Soul”! Agreeing on the inner qualities of the Latin spirit applied to music, albums, songs, styles, or cool radio shows in 88.9 KETR public radio as this is!, the expression Latin soul is extensively shared for what it constrains pertaining to life, style and idiosyncrasy. Tonight, “Latin Soul”, the album from The Latin Jazz Quintet, sounded delicious on the air, and has been a true highlight of the show.



A short-lived but prolific ensemble that released three albums in the first years of decade of the 1960's, having even Eric Dolphy as guest musician to their second release, being “Latin Soul” the third and last of them all. The only member from one album to the next, though, is the leader and conga drum player, Juan Amalbert. Mr. Amalbert played conga drums as a regular studio musician for artists such as Sarah Vaughan, John Coltrane or Art Blakey. He also started in the production of other musicians later on. His years with The Latin Jazz Quintet are among the most fruitful, however. The lineup for “Latin Soul” had Artie Jenkins at the piano, Willie Coleman at the vibes, and the wonderfully executed saxophone of Bobby Capers, among others in the ensemble. The album works perfect as a whole and offers a great sample of the bebop years, at their height at the time of production of this album. The presence of the Latin percussion and vibes is just the right bit. All instruments blend giving the sensation of musical flow from one theme to the next, as you are being carried to an atmosphere of coolness and sophistication. An album that has not aged at all, transmitting all its fresh sound, as it had just been released in the lounge groove revival of the nineties. It also has, in my opinion, the perfect wrap in the wonderfully composed artwork of the cover. If you want to enjoy this, and other Latin jazz recordings by Juan Amalbert, it is recomendable, and more affordable, to acquire the compilation “Hot Sauce” where “Latin Soul” comes integrated among more recordings of The Latin Jazz Quintet that you won't find in the other official albums either.

November 24 - Show #35

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Mambo Inn – Mario Bauzá, Paquito D’Rivera & Jorge Dalto – Afro-Cuban Jazz – Yemayá Records

Afro mood – Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble – Just Like Magic – Latin Percussion Inc.

Martínez blues – Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble – Just Like Magic – Latin Percussion Inc.

Qué sera, Sweetie – Willis Jackson – Boss Shoutin’ – Prestige

Cabato – Wild Bill Davis – From Latin to Jazz Dance Vol 5 – Rare Groove Recordings

Soul sauce – Cal Tjader – From Latin to Jazz Dance Vol 5 – Rare Groove Recordings

New York Soul – Ray Barretto – Latin Soul Man – Fania

Hit the bongo – Tito Puente – Can You Dig It? Thrilling Rare Grooves from Jazz to Soul’n’Brazil to Boogaloo – Brown Sugar Records

Batman’s boogaloo – Bobby Valentín – The Rough Guide to Boogaloo-Latin Dance with NY Attitude – World Music Network/Rough Guide

I like it like that – Cosa Nostra – Cosa Nostra – RAFF/World Psychedelia Ltd.

The meditation – The TNT Band – Playtime-Latin Soul Boogaloo – Hi&Fly Records

Tin Marin – Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz – Playtime-Latin Soul Boogaloo – Hi&Fly Records

Menina feia – Herbie Mann & Sergio Mendes Bossa Nova Rio Group – Do The Bossa Nova – Atlantic

Mas que nada – Oscar Peterson – Soul Español – Verve

Summer samba – Dizzy Gillespie – Melody Lingers On – Verve

Aula de matemática – Oscar Castro-Neves & Paul Winter – Brazilian Days – Earth Music

Manuel, o audaz – Toninho Horta – As The World Turns – World Pacific Records

Samba diferente – Sexteto Electrónico Moderno – Sounds from the Elegant World – Vampisoul

Muere pequeña bestia – Sexteto Electrónico Moderno – Sounds from the Elegant World – Vampisoul

Todo el mundo me persigue – Jaime Delgado Aparicio – El Embajador y Yo Original Movie Soundtrack –Vampisoul

Sexy surf – Jaime Delgado Aparicio – El Embajador y Yo Original Movie Soundtrack – Vampisoul

A starlett for you – Andre Luterau – The Mood Mosaic 7 “the new shapes of sound” – Partners in crime

Dedicated to love – Manfred Hübler & Siegfrid Schwab – Vampyros Lesbos Original Movie Soundtrack – Crippled Dick Hot Wax!


Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul has paid close attention to the work released in 1979 under the name “Just like magic”, where great artists from the Latin jazz scene put together a must in Afro-Cuban tradition.




The year is 1979 and the label Latin Percussion Inc. releases “Just Like Magic”. The power of three great percussionists of the scene, Tito Puente, Carlos ´Patato´ Valdés, and Johny Rodríguez Jr., accompanied by Steve Berrios on drums, Eddie Martínez at the piano, René López on trumpet, and Sal Cuevas on bass. Thirty nine minutes of Afro-Cuban musical tradition at its best. This is an album where percussion virtuosity leads the whole picture, in a rich dialogue with piano or vibes and marimba at times. Opening track “The opener”, as the names goes, sets the tone for the steady rhytmical pace coming along. Especially good take on fourth track, “Afro mood”, which is indeed a great piano and percussion Latin jazz piece. The same could said for “Bernie´s tune”. “Baila guajira” has vocals by Nancy O'Neill and Jeanette Rodríguez, who also takes part in a more experimental approach as in the tune “Latin funk”. The album ends with the theme “Tito & Patato”, which is both congaleros back to back on raw drumming the timbales and congas for a remarkable coda to an album delivering energy all over the place.

November 17 - Show #34

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

It’s not what you say – Louie Ramírez – Louie’s Grooves-Latin Soul, Jazz & Boogaloo from Louie Ramírez – Vampisoul

Cookin’ with A&J – J. Rodríguez and A. René Orchestra – Louie’s Grooves-Latin Soul, Jazz & Boogaloo from Louie Ramírez – Vampisoul

The Oracle – Sabu Martínez & Louie Ramírez – Jazz Espagnole – Vampisoul

Rush hour in Hong Kong – Louie Ramírez – Louie’s Grooves-Latin Soul, Jazz & Boogaloo from Louie Ramírez – Vampisoul

Vitamina – Kako’s New York After Hour Orchestra – Louie’s Grooves-Latin Soul, Jazz & Boogaloo from Louie Ramírez – Vampisoul

Yeh!, Yeh! – Mongo Santamaría – From Latin to Jazz Dance Vol. 5 – Rare Groove Recordings

I’m on my way – Cándido – Beautiful – Blue Note

Grazing in the grass – Willie Bobo – Compilation Talkin’ Verve – Verve

Los desperados – Gato Barbieri – Caliente! – A&M Records

El arriero – Gato Barbieri – Fénix – Flying Dutchman/BMG France

Take me to Aruanda – Kristina –Offshore Echoes – Patois Records

Makes this city ours tonight – Sarah Vaughan with Milton Nascimento – Brazilian Romance – CBS

Samba de Orly – Miguel de León – Postcards from Rio – Self-produced: migueldeleon.net

Follow the moon – Thomas Clausen Brazilian Quartet – Stunt Records

Q.T.P. – Raynald Colom - #Sketches Of Groove# - Fresh Sound Records

El anillo (Chibulí) – Juan Peña el Lebrijano with Orquesta Andalusí de Tánger – Encuentros – Ariola

Sombras – Concha Buika y Chucho Valdés – El Último Trago – Warner Music Spain

Tangos del fuego – Chano Domínguez – NFS New Flamenco Sound – Verve/Universal

Esta gitana – Bernarda y Fernanda de Utrera – Ritmo En La Sangre – Hispavox -- In memory of Flamenco singer Bernarda de Utrera, passed away last week.


Highlights of the show:

You may have probably noticed the cool Latin Soul distinctive and catchy theme tune. Every Tuesday at nine and a few minutes pm, the piano ding-dang-dong stroke notes and the accompanying vibes open the show for a whole new musical adventure. Tonight, more tracks from the album containing “Chin chon chow”, the show theme, have been aired to learn more on Louie Ramírez's musician, arranger, and composer abilities.



“Louie's Grooves - Latin soul, jazz & boogaloo from Louie Ramírez” is a compilation released by the Madrid, Spain based label Vampisoul in 2005. It contains themes composed and arranged through Mr. Ramírez career and others where he takes part just as musician. Born in NY City, he had a gift for music and so he collaborated with everybody in the Latin musical scene since he started in late 50's with Joe Loco's band and from then on making his own spot and being appreciated as great vibraphonist and better composer and producer for the good of Latin jazz and soul musical scene in the US. Partnerships with Charlie Palmieri, Joe Cuba, and Sabu Martínez among many others until he died in 1993 at the age of 55. However, he didn't release many albums under his own name. So, this album here presented aims to cover that gap. The information from the CD sleeve shows some collaborations with Puerto Rican/NYC singer Jimmy Sabater that go from very soul like as in “Times are changin'” to more salsa inspired as in “La flauta” or “Yroco”. Tunes dealing with vibraphone instrumentation by Mr. Ramírez himself are found in tunes “Chin chon chow”, “Rush hour in Hong Kong”, “Sid's groove”, “Barrio nuevo”, and “I dig rhythm” where vibes in a steady pace a la minimalist turn those ones in hypnotic tunes. Great descargas are also found in the tracks signed with Charlie Palmieri like “Luisito Mozambique” and “Fat papa's descarga”. Among those great tunes are also remarkable the two signed with J. Rodríguez & A. René Orchestra, “Cookin' with A&J” and “Descarga A&J”, which lie in the descarga and latin soul territories. From Sabu's “Jazz Espagnole” album, we find the song “The oracle”, with Dizzie Gillespie's trumpet, and the production of Mr. Ramírez, so we learn he has played all positions in the field. A great album aiming to portrait some ten years (the 60's-70's era) of his four decade prolific career. Definitively an asset to get into Latin jazz and soul influences and just let be carried away and enjoy.

November 10 - Show #33

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Woody’n you – Sabu & Dizzy Gillespie – Jazz Espagnole – Vampisoul

Manteca – Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra – Afro – Verve

Zambia – Mario Bauzá – Messidor’s Finest Volume One – Messidor

Tanga – Machito and His Afro-Cuban Orchestra – The Original Mambo Kings-An introduction to Afro-Cubop 1948-1954 – Verve

Mambo caliente – Arturo Sandoval – The Mambo Kings Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Elektra/Warner

The anything can happen mambo – Xavier Cugat with Abbe Lane – The Original Latin Dance King – Sony

Baby – Dave Pike and His Orchestra – Manhattan Latin – DECCA

Polly’s delight – Juan Amalbert’s Latin Jazz Quintet – Hot Sauce – Prestige

Los bandidos – Cal Tjader – Along Comes Cal – Verve

Work song – Vince Guaraldi – The Latin Side Of – Fantasy Records/OJC

El toro – Gabor Szabo – From Latin to Jazz Dance Vol. 5 – Rare Groove Recordings

Cabato – Buck Clarke Sound – From Latin to Jazz Dance Vol. 5 – Rare Groove Recordings

Aguanile – Irakere – The Best Of – Sony

Modo cubano – Paquito D’Rivera & The United Nation Orchestra – A Night In Englewood –Messidor

Rhapsody in blue – Chucho Valdés – Briyumba Palo Congo-Religion of the Congo – Blue Note

Se me hizo fácil – Concha Buika con Chucho Valdés – El Último Trago – Warner Music Spain

Luz de luna – Concha Buika con Chucho Valdés – El Último Trago – Warner Music Spain

Me embrujaste – Martirio & Chano Domínguez – Acoplados – RTVE Música


Highlights of the show:
Latin Soul aired tonight the latest album by Concha Buika, accompanied by Chucho Valdés at the piano. Together with this, another Chucho Valdés tune has been a great moment in the show tonight.



“El último trago” is an album made to let a crossover happen between two styles of two great professionals of music today: Concha Buika and Chucho Valdés. She is the last sensation of new flamenco in Spain today despite her short career, or at least the few released albums she has. She has had a singing career, though, as long as she can remember. She brings together musical and ethnic traditions apart in a beginning. Of African origin -born and raised in Mallorca, Spain from family native to the old Spain colony of Equatorial Guinea- she has fusioned her African roots with Flamenco, the musical expression of the Gypsy people in Spain. Her hoarse voice is here accompanied by the crystalline piano sound of Chucho Valdés, the renowned Afro-Cuban pianist, main world figure of Latin jazz nowadays. Out of this duo, this album inevitably would be bringing together an exploration of copla (traditional popular song in steady verses and stanzas in Spain), bolero, vocal jazz flamenco like. An overall lineup of genres joined under Ms. Buika versatility singing style reviewing popular and well famed compositions as 'En el último trago', 'Se me hizo fácil', 'Un mundo raro', 'El andariego', and so all the songs in the album could follow. Not a bad song at all, and a great sequencing of them, makes this album a top notch of Latin international piano jazz vocals.



“Briyumba Palo Congo-Religion of the Congo” is Chucho Valdés 1999 album released by Blue Note. A landmark figure in Latin jazz musical scene whose career officially started back in 1967 when he formed the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna. Later, in 1972 he founded the renowned Latin jazz and soul cutting-edge band Irakere, being awarded a Grammy in 1979. Mr. Valdés, though, has probably been always joined to music, especially to piano, the instrument he can be considered a virtuoso of: Chucho Valdés is son of Bebo Valdés, the famed piano player and former director of Tropicana, the legendary night club in Havana, Cuba. It´s very likely that Chucho Valdés career started when he started as long as he can remember. After leading Irakere for around ten years, he started a remarkable solo career at times, or with his band Crisol, or with collaborations with Roy Hargrove. This album here commented is a gem of Latin jazz and it is truly recommended if you dig the crossover between piano jazz and Afro-Cuban sounds. From beginning to end you are going to feel a constant uptempo pace in the tunes exploring traditional spiritual Cuban tunes thanks to the three percussionist backing his know-how on piano. In contrast, you will enjoy jazz ballads where Mr. Valdés pays tribute to Duke Ellington and George Gershwin as in the themes 'Caravan', 'Embraceable you', or 'Rhapsody in blue', which is given a wonderful Afro-Cuban jazz rendition. As said above, a truly gem of Latin jazz heavily supported by the raw percussion of Afro-Cuban traditional music.

November 3 - Show #32

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Who’s got the bread? – Mongo Santamaría – Olé Ola – Concord Picante

A night in Tunisia – Hilton Ruiz – Live at Birdland – Candid

Mira Flores – Eddie Palmieri – Listen here! – Concord Music

Take five – Tito Puente – Mambo Diablo – Concord Picante

A deeper shade of soul – Ray Barretto – Acid – Fania

Soul limbo – Cándido Camero – Thousand Finger Man – Blue Note

Mambo jambo – Xavier Cugat – The Original Latin Dance King – Sony Music

Rhapsodia del maravilloso – Sabu – Palo Congo – Blue Note

Choferito plena – Marc Ribot y los Cubanos Postizos – The Prosthetic Cubans – Atlantic

Mellow mood – Wes Montgomery – Verve Silver Collection – Verve

Comes love – Darden Purcell – Easy living – Armored Records

My romance – Pilar de la Hoz – Jazz con Sabor Peruano – Jaguar Music Records

Chega de saudade (No more blues) – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self-produced: carmenlamarque.com

Who Needs Forever? – Thievery Corporation Remix-Astrud Gilberto – Sinners Lounge: The Latin Sessions – Comfort Sounds


Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul highlights, among the so many great tunes from tonight, an album devoted to the Cándido Camero percussion expertise, filled up with soul and crazy congas and bongos upbeat rhythms.


The legendary label Blue Note made possible for the no less legendary percussionist Cándido Camero to have a large ensemble to back up the evolutions of Cándido on congas and bongos in this 1969 album “Thousand Finger man”. A renowned and ubiquitous percussionist in many of the Latin albums produced around the Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban, or soul scene in the States during the second half of the XXth century, here explores the upbeat funky Latin soul sound paths. Backed up with a heavy and soulful horn section and a playful Frank Anderson at the organ, a la Jimmy Smith, the album is a fully very enjoyable instrumental, that has lied far from the expectations and favor of more Cándido purists. Including a great rendition to 'Soul limbo', it stands a good sample of upbeat Latin soul.

October 27 - Show #31

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Amor verdadero – Afro-Cuban All Stars – A Toca Cuba Le Gusta – Nonesuch/World Circuit

La negra Tomasa – Compay Segundo – Las Flores De La Vida- Nonesuch/World Circuit

Siempre en mi corazón – Omara Portuondo – Buena Vista Social Club presents – Nonesuch /World Circuit

No puedo ser feliz – Bola de Nieve – Éxitos de Oro – Orfeón

He venido – Los Zafiros – Bossa Cubana – Nonesuch/World Circuit

Patricia – Ry Cooder & Manuel Galbán – Mambo Sinuendo – Nonesuch/World Circuit

Cherokee – Kristina – Offshore Echoes – Patois Records

Yemayá – Jane Bunnett & Grupo Changuí de Guantánamo– Radio Guantánamo: Guantánamo Blues Project Vol. 1 – Blue Note

Charade – Mike Clinco – Neon – Whaling City Sound

Se é tarde me perdoa – Oscar Castro-Neves & Paul Winter – Brazilian Days – Living Music

Mas que nada – Lani Hall – Brasil Nativo – Windham Hill Jazz

Meia luz – Terra Sul – Kindness of Strangers – Motown Record Company

Os meninos do Brasil – Gonzaguinha – As The World Turns – World Pacific/Capitol Records

Balanca pema – Marisa Montes – Beleza Tropical 2 – Luaka Bop

Para Lennon e McCartney – Friends from Rio – Café Do Brasil-A pure blend of cool Brazilian music – Metro/Union Square Music

Batuque – Daniela Mercury – Beleza Tropical 2 – Luaka Bop

Rios, pontes & overdrives – Chico Science & Nacao Zumbi – Beleza Tropical 2 – Luaka Bop

Nao me estrague o dia – Os Parlamas do Sucesso – Beleza Tropical 2 – Luaka Bop

O eterno pecado horizontal – Che – Sexy 70-Music inspired by the Brazilian sacanagem movies of the 1970’s – Vampisoul

Misturada – Kjeli Ohman – The Mood Mosaic 7-The new shapes of sound – Partners in crime


Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul highlighst tonight a wonderful album to remember the era of vocal groups understood from a Cuban point of view.



“Bossa Cubana” by Los Zafiros is a 1999 compilation of a life career released by World Circuit/Nonesuch. It not only compiles a good collection of songs, but a gone out of memory musical era. Formed in the 1962 recent revolutionary days in Cuba, this band is a tribute to escape art through music. However, following another music Cuban traditional music style, the vocal groups, Los Zafiros came to life -and stayed- in a politically dire shifting time. And they chose, nonetheless, than being The Platters of the Spanish Caribbean and Latin musical scene. The four members, Leoncio Morúa, Miguelito Cancio, Ignacio Elejalde, Eduardo 'el Chino' Hernández, and guitar player Manuel Galbán -who continues to be active composing and releasing albums today- had a cheerful joyful spirit wonderfully transmitted in their doo-wop style. “Bossa Cubana” is an album for a time travel back to vocal harmonies and beautiful 60´s Caribbean love teenager lyrics. Musical inspiration from styles is found not only by the vocal power of singers, also Brazilian (as album name wants to remind) bossa, and Cuban bolero style is involved in the themes here presented. Very popularly acclaimed, they were successful over there they performed, traveling often abroad earning admiration and affection from public, to which it helped the naïvelike personality of their front men, Leoncio and Miguelito. The band stood together until 1972 when they couldn't take over Manuel Galbán departure from the group. Being all songs good, remarkable ones in this album are 'Bossa cubana', 'La luna en tu mirada', 'Por no comprenderte', the cheerful 'Y sabes bien', 'Mi amor, perdóname', 'Sí corazón', getting to the height of the album, the deep even touching in crescendo ballad 'He venido'. Ladies and gentleman, here you have Los Zafiros, or how to enjoy Latin vocal sixties and feel great.

October 20 - Show #30

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

The time is now – Eliane Elías – Compilation Afro-Cuban Jazz Now – Blue Note

El rumbón – Chucho Valdés – Briyumba Palo Congo – Blue Note

Earth dance – Jerry González & The Fort Apache Band – Compilation Calle 54 – Blue Note

La comparsa – Bebo Valdés & Chucho Valdés – Compilation Calle 54 – Blue Note

Spanish fantasy, part IV – Chick Corea – My Spanish Heart – Polydor

Mestizo – Terra Sul – Kindness of Strangers – Motown Records Company

Jambull – Antonio Restucci – Crisol – Petroglyph Records

In the hands of love – Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra – Borrasca – Higher Octave Music

Entre dos aguas – Paco de Lucía – Entre Dos Aguas – Polygram

Ibérico Jazz – Quinteto Montelirio – Ibérico Jazz-Las producciones de Antoliano Toldos 1967/1972 – Vampisoul

Trompeta loca – Conjunto Estif – Ibérico Jazz-Las producciones de Antoliano Toldos 1967/1972 – Vampisoul

Subway Joe – Joe Bataan with Los Fulanos – King of Latin Soul – Vampisoul

New York Soul – Ray Barretto – Compilation Can You Dig It?-Thrilling Rare Grooves from Jazz to Soul’n’Brazil to Boogaloo – Brown Sugar Records

Oh yeah – Joe Cuba – Compilation We Got Latin Soul! – Charly Records

Latin Soul Square Dance – Joe Bataan with Los Fulanos – King of Latin Soul – Vampisoul

Soul limbo – Sexteto Electrónico Moderno – Sounds from the Elegant World-Groovy Night Club Music from Uruguay 1968-71 – Vampisoul


Highlights of the show:

The show of today changed gears once and again, as always in Latin Soul, offering a great mellow mood to end with an upbeat selection. Here you may see some truly interesting albums to keep digging and exploring.



Antonio Restucci´s 2004 album "Crisol" is a musical product of what its title truly means in Spanish, crucible. The native Chilean Barcelona, Spain resident musician melts here the many influences from his career. His instrument is the guitar and mandolin. The album opens with a Latin jazz tune, 'Candela' and follows paths where a more prominent place is given to his guitar and piano sounds. It all shows a mellow mood piano jazz atmosphere, to which contemporary jazz tunes will approach by the hand of the instrumentation of two main figures in Spain fusion jazz, as Jorge Pardo´s soprano saxophone and Carlos Benavent´s bass, as in tracks 4, 'Después de la tierra' or track 9, 'Jambull'. More atmospheres to feel is the African influence of the udu in track 3 'Crisol' being a great sample of fussion with Zoltan Lantos´ violin and Mr. Restucci´s mandolin and guitar plucking. The approach to flamenco oriented rhtyms comes in tracks 5 and 6, 'Estrellas de arena' and 'Gypsy sunrise', with the collaboration of Eva Durán at the voice and palms, and Sergio Ramos at palms, and cajón percussion. Joyful tunes as the mandolin driven 'Evocación' along more introspective ones as the closing piano jazz reminiscent tune 'Esperanza' are found through the 50 minutes of the album. An album worthwhile listening to enjoy of moments of relax, slow pace, and thoughtfulness.



With "Sounds from the elegant world-groovy night club music from Uruguay 1968-71", once again the Madrid, Spain based label Vampisoul, especialized in digging musical archeology in search of vestiges and gems from the past, brings this great album which does not deserve to fall into oblivion. A compilation released in 2005 covering tunes from four of the five original albums that Sexteto Electrónico Moderno released between the years 1969 and 1971. SEM was a band original from Uruguay that became very popular -a true new sensation of sound!- in the South Cone with their blend of pop jazzy soul, bossa nova, easy listening, and nightclub music from back in the days when beat pop and soul were more at their height. You may find a great rendition of 'Soul limbo', 'I say a little prayer', 'The look of love' and 'Je t'aime, moi non plus', which were great hits in that time. Among those, compositions by SEM -remarkable 'Soul nuevo', 'My job', 'Muere pequeña bestia', 'Gin tonic', or 'Ramblin'- dealing with the parameters of the hammond organ, the vibes, or the brass section and the piano. A great album, in conclusion, to recall those days and what it has been reborn in the 1990's as lounge music. Relax, get cool, get your Martini, indulge yourself and enjoy frivolity.

October 13 - Show #29

Theme song: Chin chon chow - Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Latin blues – Dave Pike and his orchestra – Manhattan Latin – DECCA

Tin tin deo – Clark Terry & Chico O’Farrill – Spanish Rice – Impulse!

It’s not unusual – Willie Bobo – Spanish Grease – Verve

Afro mood – Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble – Just Like Magic – LP Inc.

Pent-up house – The Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project – In The Middle – Cagoots Records

Pogo sticks – Bill O’Connell with Dave Valentin & Bob Malach – Latin Jazz Fantasy – Random Chance Records

The Katanga patrol – Tanaóra – Día Real – Moondo Records

Merceditas – Gato Barbieri – Bolivia – Flying Dutchman/BMG

Me caí – Pacifika – Asunción – Six Degrees Records

Lía – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self-produced: carmenlamarque.com

Feio nao e bonito – Oscar Castro-Neves & Paul Winter – Brazilian Days – Living Music/Windham Hill

Tres curumins – Lani Hall – Brasil Nativo – Windham Hill Jazz

Flor amorosa – Altamiro Carrilho – Wind of Brazil (um sopro de brasil) – Adventure Music/Núcleo Contamporaneo

Terra do indio – Marcos Ariel – Terra Do Indio – WEA Latina

Amalgam – Mike Clinco – Neon – Whaling City Sound

Sancochao – Richie Zellón – Landología-Afro-Peruvian Jazz – Songosaurus Music

Landología – Richie Zellón – Landología-Afro-Peruvian Jazz – Songosaurus Music

Landú – Manuel Miranda – Compilation El Sonido del Jazz-Afro Jazz Peruano – TDV Perú



Highligths of the show:

The show ended today offering a sample of jazz made in Perú. Having been played a few times in Latin Soul, it needs a review on the so called Afro-Peruvian jazz. Next, the seminal album of this style, Landología.



Richie Zellón is a deep well read and studied virtuoso guitar player whose career on music teaching goes along his career on music composition and scattered works released through the years. He is original from Lima, Perú, where he first pursued music studies under the direction of the by then director of the Symphonic Orquestra of Lima. Later on he pursued studies in the US as well as leading jazz ensembles, founding a Latin jazz label for the promotion of new artists. A little introduction to Mr. Zellón is required when talking about the album Landología for what it means in the musical scene from Perú, and so Southamerica. It is the seminal work of the so called “afro-peruvian jazz”. This album has made new artists feel inspired and start a career on the of these two musical languages such as jazz and the afro-peruvian, on one hand, and the Peruvian criollo music tradition on the other. First released in 1982 under the name 'Retrato en blanco y negro', it has been reissued in 2007 with the title of 'Landología – Afro-Peruvian Jazz – La histórica primera grabación realizada en 1982'. A truly long title aiming to put things in its place: many Peruvian jazz bands from today have followed the path set by Mr. Zellón´s pioneer album. And what may you find when you start listening? First thing one notices is the fondness for rhythmical percussion instrumentation obtained with the “cajón”, which a wooden box where a musician is sit on top and hitting with his hands. That's the quintessential Peruvian percussion instrument. The presence of it in the album -and usually Peruvian jazz albums- is from beginning to end. The instrumentation in general is marked by the steady beat and the remarkable hollow sound marked by the bass. A contemporary jazz taste also gives a patina to the whole album. The tracks are instrumental with a strong remark on bass, steady cajón beats, and Mr. Zellón guitar plucking. The outcome is a great fusion of styles where the esence of the criollo traditional Peruvian music and the Afro-Peruvian is encapsuled and lead with the guitar harmonies. At times offering a naïve sound, for the simplicity and playfully rhythm, like in track 5 'Festejo', joyful as in tracks 2 and 3, 'Landología' and 'Sancochao'; going to more straight contemporary jazz as in track 6 'Historia de amor en El Carmen'. Truly enjoyable is track 7 'Para una dama distante' and ending the original album with a coda to "Landología" as track 8, 'Café con leche' and short 9 'Mueve tus pies' are. Hopefully the new 2007 release comes with bonus tracks live. The long 13 minute theme 'La gran Cocoroca' just envelops you in the musical notes and makes you definitively fall for the album. In conclusion, "Landología", the title is in itslef neologism very appropriated for what the album encloses: landó is the original name by which is know the Afro-Peruvian traditional music in this Southamerican country, until which the African rhythm of Angola´s londu arrived back in the day, and being given today a new twist by contemporary jazz musicians from Perú, such as the impulse given here by Richie Zellón, and his large ensemble.

October 6 - Show #28

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

María, María – Mercedes Sosa – 30 años – Polydor

Gracias a la vida – Mercedes Sosa – 30 años – Polydor

Sólo le pido a Dios – Mercedes Sosa – 30 años – Polydor

Latin thing – Benítez – Playtime-Latinsoul Boogaloo – Hi & Fly Records

Grazin’ in the grass – Orchestra Harlow & Ismael Miranda – Playtime-Latinsoul Boogaloo – Hi & Fly Records

Dame un tipi – Frankie Dante & Orquesta Flamboyan – Playtime-Latinsoul Boogaloo – Hi & Fly Records

El watusi – Ray Barretto – We Got Latin Soul – Charly Records

El watusi – Cal Tjader – Primo – OJC/Fantasy

Cabato – Wild Bill Davis – From Latin to Jazz Dance Vol.5 – Rare Groove Recordings

Boo-go-loo – Les McCann – Bucket O’Grease – Verve

Night in Tunisia – Buck Clarke Sound – From Latin to Jazz Dance Vol.5 – Rare Groove Recordings

You have changed my life – Jane Bunnett – Radio Guantánamo: Guantánamo Blues Project Vol.1 – Blue Note

El pez – Tanaóra – Día Real – Moondo Records

Going up! – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – ¡Bien Bien! – Patois Records

Beijo de longe – Cesaria Evora – Café Atlantico – RCA

Cinamon & clove – Lee Evans – Cinamon & Clove – Verve

Take seven – Roger Roger – The Mood Mosaic 7-“the new shapes of sound” – Partners in crime

El embajador y yo – Jaime Delgado Aparicio – El Embajador Y Yo-Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Vampisoul

A starlett for you – Andre Luterau – The Mood Mosaic 7-“the new shapes of sound” – Partners in crime

My job – Sexteto Electrónico Moderno – Sounds from the Elegant World-Groovy night club music from Uruguay 1968-71 – Vampisoul

Misturada – Kjeli Ohman – The Mood Mosaic 7-“the new shapes of sound” – Partners in crime

Dedicated to love – Manfred Hübler & Siegfred Schwab – Vampyros Lesbos Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Crippled dick hot wax!



Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul great moments of the night have been the amazing Latin funk and soul tunes from the compilation "Playtime-Latinsoul Boogaloo" and the delightful melodies by Jane Bunnett. Here you may find a review on both albums.


The France and Luxembourg based label Hy & Fly brings this awesome compilation released in 2005. In their series of “Playtime”, they explore mainly the 70´s through funk and soul rhythms for the most part, also combined with jazz and Latin, depending on the volume. The vintage dancefloor feeling and sounds is the formula. This compilation is the volume 1 of the subseries “Playtime Latinsoul Boogaloo” and it truly is an assett for any radio show to air these tunes. More than other compilations in boogaloo, here a demanding listener will find authentic crossover gems of soul and Latin beats. Setting the tone with the hot and upbeat opening track “Latin thing” by Benítez, songs come one after the other, the classic Ralfi Pagan´s “Latin soul”, The TNT band´s “The meditation”, a Latin review of “Grazin´in the grass” by Ismael Miranda & Orchestra Harlow, even a Latin-doo wop crossover by Joey Pastrana in “Sincerely”. Ray Barretto is present with “El bantú”, following the path of his popular “El watusi”. The king of Latin soul, Joe Bataan is present with “I´m satisfied”. Remarkable as well, and that´s a lot to say among so many good tunes, “Dame un tipi” by Frankie Dante & Orquesta Flamboyán. Those artists and many more you may find in the album. It contains 17 thrilling tracks which will satisfy those who know Latin soul and funk, and will make fall for it to new listeners. To sum up, an album highly recommended to own and offer amazing music and good taste in your parties.


Jane Bunnett is a Canadian jazz musician whose instrument is the soprano sax and the flute. She has long been exploring the fusion of Afro-Cuban beats and jazz melodies. In order to do so, for years she has been traveling to Cuba to absorb inspiration and knowledge. Along with her support band The Spirits of Havana and quite a numerous guests among which she counted with Grupo Changüí de Santiago and Grupo Changüí de Guantánamo, she presents this album “Radio Guantánmo: Guantánamo Blues Project Vol.1”. Released by Blue Note, it obtained the 2006 Juno Award Winner for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year. Here you may find a sample of contemporary melodies beautifully carried out with the sound of her sax and her ensemble The Spirits of Havana when such mix has been nicely achieved. It is a long album with different influences, letting different musical discourses along the tracks. In the end, you have heard contemporary jazz tunes with a Latin flavor as the opening track “Changui para Alfredo”, “You have changed my life”, or “Conga blue”; whereas other tunes lie on a more purely Afro-Cuban inspired musical territory, as the “changüí” style from Guantánamo bay, where the album has found base for the recording and collaborations to happen. A moving theme is dedicated to the city of New Orleans. Nonetheless, this album is realised the year that hurricane Katrina hit and so was “New Orleans under water”. In conclusion, an amalgam of diverse ethnic sounds seamlessly threaded which outcome is worthwhile to explore to find joy and peace of spirit.

September 29 - Show #27

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Solid – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – ¡Bien Bien! – Patois Records

¡Bien bien! – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – ¡Bien Bien! – Patois Records

Home cooking – Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirits – In Case You Missed It – Jazzheads

Something grand – Hilton Ruiz – Live at Birdland – Candid

El negro, part 2 – Los Hombres Calientes – Vol.3 New Congo Square – Basin Street Records

Just kidding – Michel Camilo – One More Once – Columbia

Midnight sun – Ray Mantilla – Good Vibrations – Savant Records

Soul burst – Cal Tjader – Talkin’ Verve-Roots of Acid Jazz – Verve

Soul sauce – Cal Tjader – Talkin’ Verve-Roots of Acid Jazz – Verve

Hip hug her – Chico O’Farrill – Talkin’ Verve-Mambomania – Verve

Papa Willie – Mongo Santamaría – Instant Party – Concord Records

Sabre dance – Lalo Schifrin – Talkin’ Verve-Mambomania – Verve

Love and passion – Sarah Vaughan and Milton Nascimento – Brazilian Romance – CBS

Gostoso veneno – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self-produced: carmenlamarque.com

P’ra que dinheiro? – Martinho da Vila – Compilation The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhthms Vol. 5 - Rare Groove Recordings

Viver de amour – Nair de Candia – Café Do Brazil-A Pure Blend of Cool Brazilian Music – Metro/Union Square Music

Sahara – Gerardo Núñez – Calima – Alula Records

Jarabi – Ketama-Toumani Diabate-Danny Thompson – Songhai – Hannibal Records

No pido mucho – Veneno – Veneno – CBS/Sony



Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul opened today with a new release that has had quite an echo in the specialized jazz publications. Here you may find a review of the latest 2009 album by Wayne Wallace.


¡Bien Bien! is the title given to the last work by Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet, released by Patois Records. A natural from San Francisco, the long-life trombonist Wayne Wallace puts together again his Latin Jazz Quintet and brings in this 2009 a nine track album plenty of good contemporary Latin jazz. Included in the quintet, you may find Murray Low at the piano, Michael Spiro at the percussion, David Belove at the bass, and Paul van Wageningen at trap drums. In other words, some of the regulars in studio for current great Latin jazz big names as Pete Escovedo, Chico O'Farrill or Eddie Palmieri. You also may find themes going from Wallace´s compositions to readings on Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins or John Coltrane themes. To sum up, an album full of good melodies and rhythms opening with a cheerful and chilling tune entitled as the album, setting the mood for the rest of the album. Great instrument dialogues in Going up!, or Building bridges, in turns with steady mellow rhythms as in Solid. A very balanced album with great instrumentalists working together wonderfully under the supervision and production of Wayne Wallace himself.

September 22 - Show #26

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Água de beber/Mais que nada – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self-produced: carmenlamarque.com

Nao deixa o samba morrer – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self-produced: carmenlamarque.com

Fotografia – Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina – Elis & Tom – Verve

Deve ser amor – Vinícius de Morais & Odette Lara – Vinicíus + Odette Lara

Yatra-tá – Tania María – The Real Tania Maria: Wild! – Concord Picante

Summer samba – Ramsey Lewis – Goin Latin – Verve

Brazil – Grant Green – The Latin Bit – Blue Note

Work song – Vince Guaraldi – The Latin Side of Vince Guaraldi – Fantasy Records

Stepping stone – Ray Vega, with Joe Locke at the vibes – Boperation – Concord Picante

Poinciana – Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri – El Sonido Nuevo/The New Soul Sound – Verve

A night in Tunisia – Dizzy Gillespie – Afro – Verve

Tin tin deo – Dizzy Gillespie and The United Nation Orchestra – Live at The Royal

Festival Hall – Enja Records

María Domingas – Gato Barbieri – Bolivia/Under Fire – Flying Dutchman-BMG Music

Morning prayer – Pharoah Sanders – Thembi – Impulse!

Coast ride – Peter Reno – Morphine Mambo Jazz Club – Plastics

Judith – Xavier Cugat – Music to Watch Girls By – Vintage/Hitland

Elusive Samantha – J. Hawksworth – Morphine Mambo Jazz Club – Plastics

Llegando a la capital – Jaime Delgado Aparicio – El Embajador y Yo (Original motion picture soundtrack) – Vampisoul

Isometría – Jaime Delgado Aparicio – El Embajador y Yo (Original motion picture soundtrack) – Vampisoul

Harder they fall – Peter Reno – Morphine Mambo Jazz Club – Plastics

Soul Nuevo – Sexteto Electrónico Moderno – Sounds From The Elegant World – Vampisoul



Highlights of the show:

This is an album from a favourite artist of Latin Soul. Here you may read a review for a song that was a remarkable one in the show tonight.


Gato Barbieri's “Bolivia and Under Fire” double feature album is a reedition of his two different albums released in 1973 and 1971 respectively. These albums belong to the Argetinian's career first stage. His life-long production extends up to 2002, yet Mr. Barbieri can still be seen at few and scarce performances in the latest times. “Bolivia and Under Fire” are albums where all the fierceless of Barbieri's tenor sax is remarkable. It was the time of innovation with the so-called free jazz, for which Mr. Barbieri fell in his early albums. The evolution of the sax is absolutely atonishing, creating an ethereal atmosphere of sound layers among which the sound of sax is leading the tone from harsh to soft to mellow to overwhelming. Mr. Barbieri is credited for being a pioneer of the fussion and what has been called “world music”. Especially in the album “Bolivia”, traditional sounds from the Andean musical folklore is included, even the theme “Bolivia” resembles the sound and structure of indigenous tunes. That is going to be constant in Gato Barbieri's early years. As a result, an incredible mix of avant-garde jazz with traditional indigenous tunes from South America. Many have fallen for Barbieri's distinctive sounds. The theme “María Domingas” is remarkable among the ones in “Under Fire” letting you get carried away with the pop rhythm that drums add to it. Summarizing, a truly discover if you want to get an awesome approach to the way Gato Barbieri understand jazz. You may be familiar with his later years, where he is more dedicated to smooth jazz, which some find irreconcilable with his experimentation years, as the album tonight presented in Latin Soul does. Stay tuned, since this album is going to be explored more often in Latin Soul, in your station 88.9 KETR at ketr.org.

September 15 - Show #25

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Wave – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self produced: carmenlamarque.com

Chega de saudade – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self produced: carmenlamarque.com

Garota de Ipanema – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self produced: carmenlamarque.com

Agua de beber – Pilar de la Hoz – Jazz con Sabor Peruano – Jaguar Music Records

María Lando – Susana Baca – Lamento Negro – Hip-O Records

Callejón de un solo caño – Pilar Ayllón, Jean Pierre Magnet & La Gran Banda – Del Perú Para El Mundo – Jaguar Music Records

Peanut vendor (El manisero) – Anita O’Day – Anita O’Day Sings the Winners – Verve

Mas que nada – Ella Fitzgerald – Things Ain’t What They Used To Be (And You Better Believe It) – WEA

Nothing will be as it was – Sara Vaughan with Milton Nascimento – Brazilian Romance – CBS

A love supreme – Conrad Herwig – The Latin Side of John Coltrane – Astor Place Records

Tom Thumb – Conrad Herwig – The Latin Side of Wayne Shorter – Half Note Records

Midnight sun – Ray Mantilla – Good Vibrations – Savant Records

Encendido – Dave Valentin – Come Fly With Me – High Note Records

The magician – Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion – The Magician – Savant Records

Who do I trust (Jive State Suite) – Pete Rodríguez – El Alquimista – El Conde Negro Music

Dr. Macumba – Pete Escovedo – Mister E – Bellaphon/Crossover

Orobroy – Dorantes – Orobroy – Phantom Sound & Vision

The dolphin – Niño Josele – Paz-Tribute to Bill Evans – Sony International

Guardian angel - Paco de Lucía, John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola - Friday Night In San Francisco Live - Philips



Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul had great moments tonight. One especially remarkable was the opening set by Carmen Lamarque and her recently released self-produced album ‘Live in Lima’.


Carmen Lamarque is a vocal jazz singer from Perú who has finally seen realized the all-artists-dream of having an album released. Good news is, then, that the general public is to enjoy now what some connoisseurs already knew for following her performances in small clubs in Atlanta or Milwaukee, where she resides at the present time. This self-produced album recently out in 2009 is a live performance in her home town, Lima, capital of Perú. The album is a collection of all-time great bossa nova classics such as ‘Wave’, ‘Chega de Saudade’, and ‘Garota de Ipanema’. The three of them were aired tonight in Latin Soul. You also may find ‘Agua de beber’, ‘Mas que nada’, ‘Tristeza’, ‘Gostoso veneno’ or ‘Nao diexa que te quiera’. All in the original languages. There are songs in Spanish and English as well. Not a problem for the high interpretative skills of Ms. Lamarque, who leaves proof of her versatility in languages and the power of her voice. The ensamble accompanying her, yet small, does a great job and even adds a Peruvian touch with the use of “cajón” (wooden box) at the percussion. In conclusion, an album doing a great review of bossa from an artist who very well could be the next great Peruvian jazz vocalist following the path she just started here.

September 8 - Show #24

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Times are changin’ – Jimmy Sabater/Louie Ramírez – Louie’s Grooves – Vampisoul

A deeper shade of soul – Ray Barretto – Acid – Fania

Oh, yeah! – Joe Cuba Sextet – We Got Latin Soul – Charly Records

Boogaloo mania – Charlie Palmieri – Rough Guide to Bogaloo – World Music Network

Fever – La Lupe – El Barrio: The Bad Boogaloo Nu Yorican Sounds 1066-1970 – Fania

Taking over – Ralph Robles – Latin Soul, Descarga & Boogaloo – Manzana Producciones Discográficas

One, two, three – Ramsey Lewis – Goin’ Latin – Verve

Soul limbo – Cándido – Thousand Finger Man – Blue Note

McCanna – Les McCann Ltd. – A gozar! – Blue Note

La bruja negra – Joe Torres – Latino Con Soul – World Pacific

Soul cha – Joe Torres – Latino Con Soul – World Pacific

Latin bit – The Jazz Crusaders – A gozar! – Blue Note

El arriero – Gato Barbieri – Fénix – RCA/BMG France

Ilya – Irakere – The Best of Irakere – Sony

Samba Toff – Sexteto de Jazz Moderno – The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms Vol. 5 – Rare Groove

Isto é bossa nova – Os Farroupilhas – The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms Vol. 5 – Rare Groove

Mr. Lucky – Vince Guaraldi – The Latin Side of Vince Guaraldi – Fantasy/Original Jazz Classics

Lumen – Moonshine – Café Do Brasil: A Pure Blend of Cool Brazilian Music – Metro/Union Square Music

Sem essa – Wilson Simonal – Can You Dig It? Thrilling Rare Grooves from Jazz to Soul ‘n’ Brazil to Boogaloo – Brown Sugar Records

Corcovado – Everything but the girl – Red Hot + Rio – Antilles/Verve



Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul opened today with a great set of boogaloo and Latin soul. Great kick off setting the tone for fun and crazy dance. Here you may find a review on two of the albums which are long-time favourites of Latin Soul!




Latin Soul opened today with a set of boogaloo, a catchy rhythm based on fusion of different musical styles. The tag of Latin soul also lies close to describing what this sound is like: the sinergies from musicias growing and living in the Spanish and Black Harlem from the late 60´s and early 70´s in New York City. These two albums here reviewed are compilations presented which have been favourites of the show since the very first days of Latin Soul back in February. Either 'We Got Latin Soul', released in 1987 by the British label Charly Records, or 'El Barrio: The Bad Boogaloo Nu Yorican Sounds 1966-1970', a Fania label 2006 reissue, are great compilations to get introduced to this ephemeral style that wiped the Latin club scene and airwaves during a bunch of years at a crossroads of styles and changing times. From this sounds, the more popular salsa started to get more popular, and boogaloo couldn´t fit any longer. It is a hard position to be at when you may sound more like soul with English lyrics and next track lacks the presence of the brass and it is pure steady Latin rhythm. Nonetheless, the innovation and the fresh sounds catched a fire for a while, and today they are great tunes to revisit and check on creativity of artists of the times. The clapping beat present along the songs is truly an asset to let one self be carried away and twist, shout and grab if you are to dance in company. Preety much all the great Latin artists of the time had themselves carried away and participated of the new movement. 'We Got Latin Soul' opens with a long-time favourite that got to the top of the charts and put boogaloo on the map: 'El watusi', by the obiquotous Ray Barretto is a hot tune sustained by a monotone catchy piano beat and a crazy percussion as background to a conversation-like lyrics in Spanish. Ray Barretto and his percussion is to Latin soul what Miles Davis to cool jazz. You may find his 'Soul drummers' and he also closes the album with 'Boogaloo con soul'. Awesome timbales solos guaranteed! The rest of the album presents artists such as Joe Cuba with 'Sock it to me' and 'Oh, yeah', the song aired tonight, two pure fun tunes grabbing you to at least tip and tap your foot, even jump here and there. Joe Bataan´s 'It´s a good feeling (riot)' couldn't be a more accurate pick. Tito Puente is brought with two tunes as well, remarkable the rendition done to Miriam Makeba´s classic ' Pata pata'. In conclusion, a must have if you want to know more of Latin sounds with a very peculiar prospective on a very hot sound. The second compilation -El Barrio: The Bad Boogaloo Nu Yorican Sounds 1966-1970'- is another boogaloo must have to enjoy and know the basics of the style. Some big hits of Latin as La Lupe and her version on 'Fever', the song aired tonight, alternate with more obscure artists as the great The Latinaires, whose 'Camel walk' theme is a favourite of Latin Soul. You may find here artists as Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, Ralph Robles, Johnny Colón, Bobby Valentín and Joe Cuba, among other great and maybe not so popular musicians. More tracks in this album than this other and a more varied selection truly enjoyable. These two albums and you'll be trapped in the clapping, the hot lyrics -mostly in English-, the beating piano and the soul brass, just to describe it somehow. Truly recomendable music to have fun. As they said in the heat of the boogaloo moment: Sock it to me!! All of this and more, always on Latin Soul, on Tuesdays nights at nine pm on the North East Texas region on 88.9 FM KETR, or on ketr.org. Thanks for listening!

September 1 - Show #23

Theme song: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song – Artist – Album – Label

Afrodisia – Kenny Dorham – Afro-Cuban – Blue Note

Mama Inés – Charlie Parker – South of the the Border – Verve

Peanut Vendor – Clark Terry & Chico O’Farrill – Impulse!

Chanchullo – Rubén González – Chanchullo – World Circuit/Nonesuch

¿Dónde estabas tú? – Omara Portuondo – Buena Vista Social Club Presents… – World Circuit/Nonesuch

Carmen cubana – Klazz Brothers & Cuba Percussion – Classic Meets Cuba – Sony

Contagio – Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Afro-Cuban Jazz Now – Blue Note

Samba triste – Eliane Elías – Calle 54 – Blue Note

Moliendo café – Jerry González & The Fort Apache Band – Sunny side

Watermelon man – Poncho Sánchez – Latin Soul – Concord Picante

La bikina – Mambo Zombies – Mambo Zombies – Rax Trax/Colossal Mastering/Mambo Zombies

Flootie – New Cool Collective – Soul Jazz Latin Flavours Nineties Vibe – Club 802/Challenge Records

Under the sun – Agua Dulce – Searching For Juana – Universal Sound/Cass Street Productions

Nefertiti – Chano Domínguez – NFS New Flamenco Sound – Verve

Comparito – Diego Amador – Piano Jondo – Milestone World Music/Nuevos Medios

Destello de luna – José Luis Madueño – El Sonido Del Jazz-Afro Jazz Peruano – TDV Perú S.A.C.

Zambalamato – Kiki Sánchez – El Sonido Del Jazz-Afro Jazz Peruano – TDV Perú S.A.C.

Endivia – Cecilia Alessandra – El Sonido Del Jazz-Afro Jazz Peruano – TDV Perú S.A.C.


Highlights of the show:

Here you may find three albums from which songs were aired tonight. Starting with a classical and renown Latin jazz height, the show went to more modern takes on the subject. All together, it was another two hour collection of songs to enjoy your Tuesday night.


‘Afrodisia’ is the tune opening the show today. Found in Kenny Dorham’s album ‘Afro-Cuban’ originally released in 1955, this tune sets the tone of great Latin jazz in this album with great musicians from the Latin scene, as Patato at the percussion and Art Blakey at the drums, among other great musicians accompanying Mr. Dorham. ‘Afrodisia’ is the perfect blend of how jazz was understood at that time and the Latin approach to it. Mr. Dorham’s job on the trumpet is simply awesome, creating a dialogue with the percussion in the first compasses of the song, improvising in free evolution in the solos. Same as for the percussions. The first part of the album has the rhythmical Afro Cuban beat of the congas, creating a great atmosphere of trumpet and beats, while in the second part it goes straight bop. All together, a very good album with an exceptional mastery of the protagonist instrument, the trumpet played by the prolific author, Kenny Dorham. Latin Soul couldn’t set the tone better for the program today.


‘Mambo Zombies’ is the first album and it is named after the band behind this good and fresh approach to Latin jazz. It is a self produced, or near to that, from this three member combo based in Chicago. All of them are quite experienced musicians who know well their job and one can realize it after a quick listening to it. Then, you just can indulge yourself listening over and over again. In the show tonight, it was played the third track ‘La bikina’. It could have been this theme or other from the first part, since all of them share a good taste in the choice of songs to review, are quite rhythmical keeping the beat up, and have some lounge approach to it too. The second part of the album is mellower, including a great version on Jobim’s tune ‘Antigua’, and a Chucho Valdés’ theme, ‘Claudia’. The album closes with a soul approach on ‘Supernatural thing’. One of those albums to keep exploring it earning, thus, a spot in the playlist of Latin Soul.


New Cool Collective is a large band from Amsterdam, Holland that released this album back in 1997, being the first in a series where they practice a cool and modern approach to Latin jazz, among many other label styles that could be thought of when listening to their work. They aim the electronica and clubbing scene with their proposal. One could think of Latin nu jazz, too. The reminiscence to cool jazz ambient with soul and some Latin beat is present along the album. Especially good the four first tracks. Latin Soul has aired this album in several occasions, always getting that Latin lounge touch as a contrast to more traditional views of Latin jazz. The opening track, ‘Flootie’, marked a real highlight tonight. Keep enjoying this and more in Latin Soul, every Tuesday from nine to eleven pm on the North East Texas region or at ketr.org.

August 25 - Show #22

Theme song: Chin chan chow - Louie Ramírez - Louie's Grooves - Vampisoul

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Mambo Inn - Mario Bauzá, Paquito D'Rivera & Jorge Dalto - Afro Cuban Jazz - Yemayá Records

How many in your party, please? - Paquito D'Rivera - Celebration - Columbia

Samba all day long - Jorge Dalto & The Interamerican Band - Urban Oasis - Concord Picante

I want you - Gato Barbieri - Caliente! - A&M Records

Mr. PC - Snowboy and The Latin Section - Compilation Latin Jazz, The Essential Album - Manteca/Union Square Music

I wish you love (part 2) - Joe Bataan - Saint Latin's Massacre Day - Fania

Seeds of life - Harlem River Drive - Harlem River Drive - Stateside/Capitol

What a baby - Joe Cuba Sextet - Bustin' Out - Tico

Carioca - Oscar Peterson - Soul Español - Verve

Menina Feia - Herbie Mann & Sergio Mendes - Do The Bossa Nova - Atlantic

Mas que nada - Patato & Totico - Patato & Totico - Verve

Falsa baiana - João Gilberto - João Gilberto - Verve

Minha senhora - Gal Costa & Caetano Veloso - Domingo - Polygram/Philips

The red blouse - Antonio Carlos Jobim - Wave - A&M Records

Coast to Coast - Room Service - Sinners Lounge: The Latin Sessions - Comfort Sounds

Vera a diaba loira - Che - Sexy 70: Music inspired by the Brazilian sacanagem movies of the 1970's - Vampisoul

Mas que malandro - Beat Fanatic - Latin Vibes: Club Selection - Kinkysweet

Bossa Per Due - Nicola Conte - Sinners Lounge: The Latin Sessions - Comfort Sounds


Highlights of the show:

Among the great tunes heard today, there were three which conform the hightlights of today. These are the albums where you may find those songs and their performers. They can be seen as classic musicians whose works have helped to set the standards of what Latin jazz is today.



The classic Latin jazz tune 'Mambo Inn' opened the show today. A modern version found in the album 'Afro Cuban Jazz', performed by its original composer Mario Bauzá, who happens to be one of the first pioneers in the fusion of jazz and Afro Cuban sounds, hence, one of the creators of Latin jazz as a musical style. Here he is acompanied by figures such as Paquito D'Rivera and Jorge Dalto, who also produces the album, which brings a collection of classic Latin jazz pieces and boleros from the Cuban tradition. Recorded in 1986 and re-released in 2003 by Yemayá Records, this album meant a reunion of the great figures of Latin jazz or Afro Cuban jazz -any term you like is good- as the above mentioned, Patato Valdés at the congas, Jose A. Fajardo at the flute and Graciela Grillo singing, among others. Alternating instrumentals and boleros sung by Ms. Grillo, the whole work flows creating an awesome evolving atmosphere. Especially good the pieces composed by Mr. Bauza, 'Mambo Inn', 'El mareíto', 'Imitations', 'Cubanola'. All over receiving the expert touch from Mr. D'Rivera's saxophone. A great album to understand, love, and get introduced to this music. Definitively an album to keep exploring on your favourite Latin show on the North East Texas region, Latin Soul, on www.ketr.org every Tuesday at nine pm central time.



‘Wave’ is definitively the album that put bossa nova on the map. Following Brazilian classics in Latin Soul tonight, a song from this album had to be played. Antonio Carlos Jobim is one of the creators of the Brazilian sound that changed for good the musical panorama in the mid of XXth century, inspired so many creators and made others to get curious about Brazilian music and culture. Here you find relaxing, beating, and above all, vivid music that reconciles you with life again. The song played in Latin Soul tonight is ‘The red blouse’, and is probably a tune you have heard before somewhere else. The perfect easy listening, bossa, chilling sounds we love Brazil for. Any other track would have been the same delightful and you probably would be familiar with it, in case you were not devoted already to Jobim and this music wasn’t new to you. Latin Soul, every Tuesday at nine pm central on 88.9 fm or at www.ketr.org bringing you classics to enjoy or get hooked of.

August 18 - Show #21

Theme song: Chin chon chow - Louie Ramírez - Louies's Grooves - Vampisoul

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Together - Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion - The Magician - Savant Records

Flying home - Ray Mantilla - Good Vibrations - Savant Records

Twinkle toes - Dave Valentin - Come Fly With Me - High Note Records

El yunque - Bill O'Connell - Latin Jazz Fantasy - Random Choice Records

Siempre me va bien - University of North Texas Latin Jazz Ensemble - En clave - North Texas Jazz

Descarga #1 - Robert Incelli and his Latin Jazz Band - From Bolívar to LA - Tonga Records

Laurel Z27 - Luis Marín y New Jazz Band - Puerto Rico Jazz Jam - AJ Records

Acid - Ray Barretto - Acid - Fania

Johnny's no good - Joe Bataan with Los Fulanos - King of Latin Soul - Vampisoul

Sock it to me - Joe Cuba - Compilation We Got Latin Soul! - Charly Records

Latin Soul - Ralfi Pagan - Compilation Latin Soul, Descarga & Boogaloo - Manzana Discos

Ibérico Jazz - Quinteto Montelirio - Ibérico Jazz - Vampisoul

Opaco - Quinteto Montelirio - Ibérico Jazz - Vampisoul

Amor de mis amores - Angel Lobatón con Rosa Guzmán - Afro Peruano Son - Jaguar Music Records

My romance - Pilar de la Hoz - Jazz con Sabor Peruano - Jaguar Music Records

Los gallinazos - Susana Baca - Lamento Negro - Hip-O Records

In the year 2525 - Sexteto Electronico Moderno - Sounds of the Elegant World - Vampisoul

Sudaka Lounge - Novalima - Novalima - Hip-O Records

Xuertnom - Projecto 3 - Cafe Do Brasil - Metro/Union Square Music

Goldfinger - Xavier Cugat - Music to Watch Girls By - Vintage Classic Series/Hitland

Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul opened with the next two albums here commented. From two different artists, the show offered three great artists classic to the Latin jazz done nowadays.

“The Magician” is the latest Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion album. Produced by Savant Records and released in 2007, it was nominated to the Grammy award for Best Latin Jazz Album that year. Two years before, the first album in Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Jazz Explosion´s career was honored with the same nomination. We are talking, then, of one of the best Latin jazz musicians nowadays. Latin Soul played tonight the opening track 'Together', a short piece (for the standards) which introduced to a great recording of contemporary Latin jazz. As leader of the band playing the percussion, Sammy Figueroa has put together a great ensemble of musicians such as the experienced trumpet players Alex Norris and John Lovell; John Michalak at the saxophone or Nicky Orta and Gabriel Vivas at the bass. The overall result is a little jewel of smooth crossover jazz where themes are a continuum of improvisation instrumentation under the supervision of the constant guiding by the bass and Mr. Figueroa´s percussion. A sure to keep exploring album in Latin Soul. Tunes as 'The three Marias', 'Firm roots' or 'Crossroads' are high standards in contemporary Latin jazz will be heard soon on your station 88.9 KETR or on the web at ketr.org.

“Come Fly With Me” is the second album from Dave Valentin released by High Note Records in 2006. Born in New York of Puerto Rican family, Mr. Valentin has an extense career in jazz credited with over 15 albums. The album here presented in Latin Soul tonight keeps the tone of smooth contemporary crossover Latin jazz. The presence of the flute, which is Mr. Valentin´s instrument, adds a mellow sound to the overall to quietly enjoy as instruments as the piano and the percussion evolves in their improvised dialogue. Great musicians accompany Dave Valentin in this album such as great Ray Barretto´s son Chris at the saxophone, Papo Vázquez at the trombone, Milton Cardona at the percussion and Bill O'Connell, whom is know to Latin Soul already, at the piano. The upbeat “Twinkle toes” has been aired tonight, as great jewels in the album as “Mind games”, “Easy street”, or “House of the sun” wait to be given airwave soon. Overall, a solid modern Latin jazz collection of tunes to peacefully enjoy any time, or any Tuesday night at Latin Soul at ketr.org.