#1 Guinga "Cine Baronesa"

Inspired by his personal memories of Rio De Janeiro's suburbs, Guinga brings his musical talents to bare on this, his 5th CD release titled "Cine Baronesa." One of the more interesting things about Guinga is that his music cannot simply be categorized. His music touches both the vast tradition and the contemporary musical idioms that identify with Brazilian music, working with familiar rhythms such as samba, baiãão, frevo, toada, waltz, choro as well as blues influence.

#2 Omar Sosa "Prietos

For those with an affinity for Afro-Cuban music, it is common hear-sake to experience the coexistence of percussive undertones with infections poetry rhymes reflecting a multi-cultural prodigy obsorbed by centuries of ancestral antiquities. Perhaps such is an accurate statement when describing the music of pianist Omar Sosa.

#3 Poncho Sanchez "Latin Spirits"

Heavyweight conguero/bandleader Poncho Sanches delivers his usual hard punch of tasty Latin Jazz on his 2001 CD release titled "Latin Spirits" with special guest world renowned Jazz pianist Chick Corea. Poncho and ensemble interpret some memorable Jazz standards with tinges of soul and R&B.

#4 Bobby Matos and John Santos "Mambo Jazz"

Two masters of Latin Jazz come together for an explosive date. Along with a exiting group of top-notch musicians, John Santos and Bobby Matos attack their percussion instruments with intense fury setting the mood for a smokin' jam session.

#5 Airto Moreira "Homeless"

This recording effectively bridges the traditional sounds of Afro-Brazil with the musical theater of new millennium. As with all of Moreira's past musical expressions, he maintains great passion and intensity taking the listener through a divine experience of extraordinary rhythmic dimensions of mammoth proportion.

#6 The Conga Kings - Jazz Descarga

A masterful display of percussion odyssey is presented by three of the best in the business Candido Camero, Carlos "Patato" Valdes and Giovanni Hidalgo, respectively. The conga Kings manage to shake every nerve of rhythm featuring an excellent ensemble that includes saxmen Phil Woods and Mario Rivera, with trombonist Jimmy Bosch, among others.

#7 Paquito D'Rivera "Habanera"

This CD presents Paquito collaborating with the Absolute Ensemble. A 19-piece orchestra, the Absolute Ensemble is composed of a string quartet and woodwind. The rhythm section is Kenny Drew,Jr (piano), Clarence Penn (drums) and Mino Cinelu (percussion). Paquito performs a variety of rhythms accompanied by different instruments and exquisite musical arrangements.

#8 Tito Puente "The Gathering 5 A.M."

The session maintains a smooth tone throughout which is characteristic of the Bosa Nova style with some Latin Jazz tinges and swing to boot. The group performs some originals and classic tunes like Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Meditation", How Insensitive" and "Forgetting You." Puente is heard mostly on vibes.

#9 Jazz On The Latin Side Allstars Vol. 2

"The Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars Vol. 1" and this CD, Vol. 2, document the entire wonderful Latin jazz session that will be remembered for years to come. The Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars are much more than just a typical latin jazz band. They represent the coming together of the most celebrated and versatile Latin jazz musicians in Los Angeles.

#10 John Benitez Trio "Descarga In New York

"Descarga in New York" - Benitez's first release as a leader, is a stunningly virtuosic tour de force, filled with bold, relentless Caribbean grooves, spiced with a wide range of other musical influences - from Gospel to Funk. John is backed by the exciting Venezuelan pianist Luis Perdomo, and Cuban Dafnis Prieto who is rapidly building a following as the premier Latin drummer in New York. Featured guest artists are Ravi Coltrane on soprano and tenor sax, and Richie Flores on Latin percussion.