My girlfriend loves Latin music, I know nothing about it... and I know Latin music is a generic term and there are many subgenres: I'd like to hear some great examples of all of them. I don't want to get a sampler CD/best of, I want to hear some real albums as a whole. Cool
Bossa Nova Antonio Carlos Jobim - Tide, Wave Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto Latin Disco/Funk Los Amigos Invisibles - Zinga Son
Jam Miami is my favorite Latin Jazz album. It's a live show. It features Poncho Sanchez, Chick Corea, and Arturo Sandoval. There is also a DVD of it as well.
Pete Escovedo Poncho Sanchez Claudia Acuña Tito Puente Stan Getz Cal Tjader Mongo Santamaria Ray Barretto Ray Vega Carlos Santana ()
As you said, "Latin" is a term that encompasses lots of music genres. Anyway, the first recommendation that comes to mind is the Calle 54 DVD. Here's a sample. Some Latin artists to check: Fania All Stars (already mentioned), Irakere, NG La Banda, Willie Colón, Rubén Blades, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, La Sonora Ponceña (check this video I uploaded to YouTube some time ago), Paquito D'Rivera, Michel Camilo, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Bobby Valentín (Fania's bass player. I really like this DVD from him), Gilberto Santa Rosa...
Some off the top of my head: Fania (already mentioned) Willie Colon y Ruben Blades - Siembra Ruben Blades - Ganas, Buscando America Oscar D'Leon El Gran Combo Tipica '73 Cachao y Sus Ritmo Caliente Eddie Palmieri Cal Tjader Celia Cruz Hector Lavoe Toquinho - Toquinho Tocando Baden Powell & Vinícius de Moraes - Os Afro-Sambas de Baden e Vinícius Quarteto Novo (all Brazilian) Ensamble Gurrufío (Venezuelan) I know you said CDs but check out the Calle 54 DVD. It's got some awesome performances from all over the place including the Fort Apache Band, Michel Camilo (with AJ), Patato y Puntilla and Cachao to name a few.
Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz! How could I forget them? GREAT Salsa band! Oscar D'Leon is an awesome sonero.
I will check out every suggestion in this thread (thanks). I'd add Strunz and Farah, "Primal Magic" album specifically, as a wonderful manifestation of Latin, Jazz, and world fusion. The bass they implement is most often electric fretless, with strong internationalized funk and intricate Latinized grooves. I likely can't summarize it another way.
There IS latin music that ISN'T salsa, salsa-derived latin jazz or Bossa/Brazilian latin jazz! Anyone care to enlighten us as to some of the other styles . . .
Geez dude, chill. We know. Look at the last one I listed. Ensamble Gurrufío is not jazz. Toquinho and Baden/Vinicius are straight up Brazilian (the records I listed). These labels are useless if we don't permit them to overlap some. Whey don't you list some if you're so helpful? You know, there is more than one style of Brazilian music! Going on, I really love Carles Benavent's playing with Paco de Lucía, among others. Carles is on Jazzpaña I and II with Los Jovenes Flamencos and Gerardo Núñez, respectively. He's also featured on a few songs on the Miles/Quincy at Montreaux album. Killer sound! He apparently uses a felt pick on his hollow-body Drozd.
Hey, I'm OK . . . and FYI, I WASN'T responding specifically to YOUR posts . . . It's just that MOST (NOT ALL) of the suggestions (from everyone who's posted here) are for "tropical", Son Cubano-derrived musics . . . "salsa", etc . . . And there's really a LOT MORE to "LATIN MUSIC" besides that . . . I'm sure that you're right about that . . . BTW, the listening (and viewing) suggestions have been really great for those "tropical" and jazz artists mentioned!
Totally! Sorry, I wasn't sure if it was directed at me. Thought of a couple more: The Alan Lomax Recordings - tons of field recordings from all over the world Los Incas (features the charango, one of my favorite instruments) Serenata Guayanesa Hermeto Pascoal Salsa Celtica Jorge Ben
I'm glad you like it. You're absolutely right. For the finest exponent of argentinean music (IMO, of course), check some recordings by Astor Piazzolla.