It is always harder to pick Salsa releases each year because while I receive many of them from the artists and/or labels many good ones do evade me. Many artists forget the #1 key point to a good promotion….send the CD to the media outlets that will help you get the buzz out to the Salsa fans.Thanks to Willie Otero of Latinos Unidos Record Pool Online I get many awesome gems and every month he surprises me with some vintage recordings that I had not seen for decades and sometimes ever at all. From Cali, Colombia my friend DJ El Chino has been one of my biggest supporters and is by far one of the best at receiving music from all corners of the world. His directing bands to me has helped me keep educated to what is being released worldwide.
Of this years batch and my Top 50 only thirteen did not come to me directly from the artists but through Latinos Unidos. I like having the complete original CD to appreciate and consider the package, credits, artwork,etc. before making my choices. Only six artists (Mickey Cora, La Solucion, Manolito Simonet, Ruben Blades, Alfredo Linares & Conjunto Imagen)are veterans that had been recording prior to the 80’s. Only 13 of these recording were led (titled) by the main vocalist.
This year there were two tributes to Michael Jackson (Tony Succar & Patax) each very different that made them both very interesting.
Top 50 CD’s of 2015
1-Zaperoko- “30 Aniversario”
2-Jose Alberto & Septeto Santiaguero- “No Quiero Llanto- Tributo a Los Compadres”
3-The Metropolitan Salsa Orchestra- “Primer Asalto”
4-Luis Gonzalez- “Si Te Preguntan”
5-Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Cafe- “Latin DNA”
6-Edwin Bonilla- “Back To The Basics”
7-Ray Rodriguez & Swing Sabroso- “Salsa Pal Mundo Entero”
8-Requena y su Melao- “Pa’ La Calle”
9-Nils Fischer & Timbazo- “Rumberos Al Monton”
10-The Echo Park Project- “La Hora De Bailar”
11-Orquesta Abran Paso- “Back To The 70’s”
12-Carlos Mojica & Sonido Criminal- “Sin Competencia Ninguna”
13-Tony Succar- “Unity”
14-La Solucion- “Viajero Del Tiempo”
15-Pete Perignon- “Aqui Estoy”
16-Wito Colon- “Historia Nueva”
17-La 313- “Luis Disla Presenta La Universidad De La Salsa”
18-Santiago All Stars- Para Gozar y Bailar”
19-Yamila & Yalil Guerra Orchestra- “Soy Una Mujer”
20-Raphy Leavitt y La Selecta- “Hasta Siempre”
21-Doug Beavers- “Titanes Del Trombon”
22-Rey Serrano- “El Rey De Los Mendigos”
23-Comjunto Imagen- “Los Intocables”
24-”Quarter Street”
25-Patax- “Patax Plays Michael”
26-Lula All Stars- “Salsa De La Buena”
27-Wito Rodriguez- “Un Mundo Maravilloso”
28-Conjunto Sabrosura- “Hecho En Puerto Rico”
29-Maite Hontele- “Te Voy a Querer”
30-Luisito Rosario- “Vengo A Mi Moda”
31-Jorge Sanchez ‘Papito’- “Sandunga”
32-Charlie Donato y su Son Ideal- “Gracias”
33-Alberto Rodriguez & His Brick City Orchestra- “La Salsa de Los 70’s”
34-Daniel Silva- “El Chico Candela”
35-Tromboranga- “Golpe Con Melodia”
36-Afinca’o- “Preparate”
37-Angelucho Copacabana- “Soy Latino”
38- Mickey Cora y su Orquesta Cabala- “40 Anos”
39-Rafi Marrero- “Realizando Un Sueno”
40-”Tarzana”
41-Rigo y su Obra Maestra- “Nuevos Horizontes”
42-Charlie Aponte- “Una Nueva Historia”
43-Lucy Grau- “Alocada”
44-Dislocados- “Calle Victoria”
45-Carlitos Guzman- “Mi Sueno Realizado”
46-Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco- “No Puedo Parar”
47-Ruben Blades y Roberto Delgado- “Son De Panama”
48-Maykel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor- “No Me Quiten La Fe”
49-Alfredo Linares- “Salsa Pa’ Todo El Mundo”
50-Julito Alvarado- “Somos Salsa”
Other strong candidates that I considered were Nestor Pacheco, Cita Rodriguez, Guerrero, Trina Medina, Mulenze, Jose Aguirre, Pedro Conga, Grupo Niche, Yova Rodriguez, Tiempo Libre, Impacto, Victor Manuelle, Edwin Clemente, Elito Reve, Mike & Kenny, Los Van Van, NG La Banda, Tumbao Habana, Elio Pacheco and Orquesta El Cimarron.