A huge chunk of dynamite, by way of RAY LUGO & THE BOOGALOO DESTROYERS, sets off the batch of this weeks audio gems. On Mi Watusi, Ray’s repertoire consists of classics from the likes of El Gran Combo, Willie Rosario, Ray Barretto, and Mongo Santamaria, though Ray has re-arranged some tracks and added new lyrics and choruses to others (Lubi Janovic). The music of the great conguero CHANO POZO is celebrated on GERARDO ROSALES‘ Chano Pozo’s Music. The legendary Cuban son band SEPTETO MATAMOROS has teamed up with German violin virtuoso UDO HAASE for a lovely album. Bassist MIKE AMITIN of TIPICA IDEAL and, later, SONIDO IDEAL fame has released Graffiti Dreams, a Latin-r&b-pop hybrid album. The label Music Brokers has released Café Cubana, a compelling 50 track compilation of tropical pop, club and dance covers and remixes of both pop and Cuban titles. SILVIO RODRIGUEZ‘ 1975 classic Días y Flores was his debut album, and we have it at elWatusi. Also, the new single from THREE SON SALSA is here, a tasty teaser to their upcoming full album. More great stuff below, including the fabulous new HOLLY COOK, the swinging jazzy COLMAN BROTHERS, and the 1964 classic Bossa Nova ‘64 by SAMBALANCO TRIO.

Lastly, don’t forget to read JOHN CHILD’s Artist Mini Bio of singer CUCO VALOY, and the wonderful interview of PACHAPO (EDGARDO JIMENEZ) by NANDO ALVERICCI.

PS: If you haven’t already, you should go ahead and “Like” our Facebook page because we offer special deals to fans of our page who have also registered with elWatusi. Two easy and quick things to do that might win you a FREE elWatusi T-Shirt, FREE DOWNLOADS and more! But in order to win you must be a fan of our page!

This week we have not one but two excellent new Playlists: One by DJ ANTHONY MANCINI (Italy) and and one DJ DON BERNARDO (Brazil). Be sure to check those out. NEW DOWNLOADS: CHOCO ORTA’s instant classic Choco Swing is a salsa gem that should not be missed. Choco is our nominee for top sonera in the US and PR. Speaking of PR, you gotta hear ORQUESTA CHANGÜÍ — the islands top timba band. Vampisoul Records has released the super hip compilation called The Afrosound of Colombia, Volume 1. It’s a Salsa-Boogalu-Cumbia dance party. Eddy Helder, also known as PING PING, had a hit in the ’60s with his Sucu Sucu release. Check out the super fine reggae release by HOLLIE COOK, daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. This is one of our current favs, getting a lot of play here at elWatusi Central. While we’re touting great world music, be sure to have a listen to the new Rough Guide to Klezmer compilation. Other compilations of note are those of DESI ARNAZ and TITO PUENTE. A cool reissue is Tabu from RALPH FONT and his Orchestra which included trumpeter Joe Cain and drummer Steve Berrios. And, finally, read JOHN CHILD’s great bio on bandleader NORO MORALES, illustrated with a pristine photo by the great photographer WILLIAM GOTTLIEB. - elW

PS: If you haven’t already, it’s very important that you “Like” our Facebook page because we will soon begin running special offers to fans of our page who have also registered with elWatusi. Two easy and quick things to do that might win you a FREE elWatusi T-Shirt, FREE DOWNLOADS and more! But in order to win you must be a fan of our page!

We are thrilled to unveil the world premier release of Alto Piano, the sizzling salsa project of Edgardo Jimenez, a/k/a PACHAPO. Over 30 years has passed since his acclaimed, and highly collectible, Pachapo y el Super Tumbao album was released in 1978. The new project is a must-have. We also have the great PAULO FG’s new release, Sin Etiqueta, which cleaned up the Fiesta Cubana Awards with Best Singer, Best Album and Best Song of the Year. BOBBY SANABRIA leads the MANHATTAN SCHOOL of MUSIC once again on the amazing big band release, Tito Puente Masterworks Live!!! Remember their amazing tribute to Machito’s Kenya? Well, here they do complete justice to El Rey. Next, Colombia’s JORGE MURILLO offers up De Tiempo en Tiempo, a gorgeous son record featuring Harbey Castañeda on tres and Verny Varela on flute. We have a compilation of terrific Latin soul by CINTRON, a high power Salsa Colombiana by SONORA PALMA SORIANO, a classic vibes-based salsa by the great DORANCE LORZA (one of the best releases of 2004), an amazing MARK WEINSTEIN released called Jazz Brasil, which is currently No. 1 on Jazzweek’s World Music Chart. Sax/flute player and bandleader RAY RODRIGUEZ has released a killer new single called Salsa Pa’l Mundo Entero, and we have tons of reissues by the likes of BENY MORE, JOHNNY VENTURA, CUCO VALOY, and LOS NICHES. Lots more down below. Finally, do not miss JOHN CHILD’s Artist Mini Bios of ROBERTO TORRES, LINDA LEIDA and THE LATINAIRES. All gems.- elW

ABRAHAM RODRIGUEZ JR. leads off our batch this week with his new release Cachimba Inolvidable. Abe is a member of Grupo Folklorico Experimental Nuevayorquino. Need I say more? From Colombia comes LA TROPA’s Buscando El Son, an homage to the classic salsa sound. One very cool reissue is that of NELSON FELICIANO & HIS ORCHESTRA, which features JUNIOR CORDOVA and KITO VELEZ. Soundway Records has released a beast of an album called CARTAGENA! CURRO FUENTES & THE BIG BAND CUMBIA AND DESCARGA SOUND OF COLOMBIA 1962-72. It’s a killer compiled by Roberto Gyemant with the help of Colombian resident Will “Quantic” Holland and Miles Cleret. PENYA, the new EP on Jimmy Le M Productions, has been getting a lot of play here. A very cool mix of salsa, charanga, r&b and pop. The AFRO-LATIN SOULTET recorded Jazztette in the mid-sixties. Listen to Rush Job and tell me there’s no Zappa sensibility there. CUBISMO, the fiery red-hot Latin jazz-salsa-timba big band from Croatia (yes, Croatia) has a great Best Of album out, and it’s a must-have. We have back-catalog from both PIBO MARQUEZ and TOMAS EINARRSON that you should definitely check out. Plus, a big batch of early JUAN FORMELL y LOS VAN VAN just sneaked in. All cool stuff. Be sure to read JOHN CHILD’s Artist Mini Bios of MONGUITO SANTAMARIA and ISMAEL QUINTANA. Brilliant synopsis, as usual. - elW