Pure old school salsa at its essential best. Trombonist Eddie Maldonado and his crew from Puerto Rico sure know how to swing. There are four trombonists, each adding layers of sabor. Listen to the instrumental "Blue Bossa." This, followed by "Plena de Mi Tierra" remind me of Conjunto Libre --- a real gritty, driving, sound that defines the feel of smoke-filled, late-night salsa clubs...

You want swing? We’ll give you swing, brother. The mega-mambo Palladium Orchestra is musically directed by José Madera. Madera, a Puente orchestra veteran, is joined here by the sons of Latin music big-band royalty: Tito Puente Jr., Machito Jr. (Mario Grillo), and Tito Rodriguez Jr. in what is not simply a marketing effort. These three men are all capable timbaleros, and this live recording from New York’s Blue Note, March 6, 2004 tore down the house...

"Classic mambos from '49 to '52. Great personnel with trumpeter Eddie Medina at his peak and Rene Hernandez and Mario Bauza kickin' ass. As I wrote in a Latin New York article in the 70s... This is the world's greatest Latin dance band, no ands ifs or buts." (Al Santiago, 1994)

El Gigante de los teclados offers us a jazzy selection of standards by the likes of Cole Porter. It's a simple, sweet album that is difficult not to enjoy. Everyone who walked into my office while I played this started dancing without even realizing it. Really. - elW