Eleven years ago, July 2014, to be exact I wrote an article for Herenca Latina.com & Latinos Unidos Record Pool.com blog page titled ‘The Top 500 Salsa Songs of All Time’ that included 99 ‘Salsa Romantica’ songs.
Over the past decade I have seen an array of online articles making erroneous claims of ‘The Best Salsa’ submitted by dancers/Club DJ’s (choosing songs they believe are the best for dancers) and others who claim ‘The Best’ is more of a preference list compared to a list of what are or were the ‘best’ totally overlooking the criteria I had mentioned in 2014.
Last year I read an article in Billboard on the future stars of the ‘Salsa’ genre that were to be the saviors of Salsa. I did not know Salsa needed saving! Yes, we no longer have commercial radio stations support of ‘Salsa Dura’, record stores because of the lack of record sales that no longer makes the store a viable place of business, club DJ’s playing the hot new tracks coming out from all corners of the world, distribution, media support (no magazines or newspapers and even social media support). I also realized that the true ‘hardcore’ Salsero of yesterday and today does not know many of the names that were on this list. So, I did my research and a few of them panned out as future bright stars. What a coincidence that the names that are being thrown out on the internet are ‘Salsa Romantica’ and Tropical music names. While I will acknowledge some of these new Salseros because I have heard them do ‘hardcore’ with the romantic songs Billboard mentions. But I cannot respect or except any of these lists if they do not include names that have been holding the fort like Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Don Perignon, Choco Orta, Tromboranga, Rico Walker, Edwin Perez, Pedro Bermudez, Ruben Blades/Roberto Delgado, Steve Guasch, Josean Rivera, Edwin Lebron, Mercadonegro, La 33, La Excelencia, Reunidos Por La Salsa, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, La Maxima 79, The Echo Park Project, La Paris All Star Orchestra, Tony Succar, Javier Fernandez, Aymee Nuviola, and many others that while older should be looked at as true warriors of our music and supported as such. The list I read about in Billboard may be the future for ‘Salsa Romantica’ but not ‘Salsa Dura’. All these claims (mostly coming from dancers around the world that basically are picking songs for dancing purposes which I understand) should not be titled ‘best of’ ALL TIME.
I have also read a series of online articles and lists on Salsa that scared the ‘bejesus’ out of me with their choices of what’s the best. It’s the best for dancers and includes mostly modern songs with a few ‘old skool’ classics. Maybe if some of these articles would have made their intent clear I would be able to accept their criteria.
This led me to rethink my list from 2014 and retitle it “The Best 500 Salsa Dura Songs of All Time” and setting some parameters to this list that I believe to be the ultimate list up to the 90’s. I developed a certain criteria for this listing that will later expand to 1000 ‘Salsa Dura’ Songs of All Time as follows:
1-A compilation of the greatest hits that played on commercial radio that were not only big hits but that today identify the artists and established an era as classics still being heard today.
2-These songs mostly from the 60’s through the 90’s will be recognized by fans worldwide as songs with longevity that have had multiple remakes and the test of time (not a song that just popped up in the past decade).
3-These songs are memorable songs we know the lyrics to and sing them at concerts, at clubs, in our cars and at home. They remind us of certain concerts, clubs, festivals and events in our lives. These are also the songs DJ’s revisit at a wedding, birthday, graduation or a house party for many decades.
4-Songs cannot be exclusive to Puerto Rico or New York, for example, but to many parts of the world. Today that means hits in multiple parts of the world: Central, North & South America, Asia, the Orient, Europe. etc. Songs on everyone’s playlists at clubs and radio shows that they refer to as vintage classics.
5-The arrangements in many of these songs (particularly in the 70’s) are explosive and innovative and the lyrical content of the songs are definitive and memorable. All of the songs are by ‘Hall of Fame’ musicians that arranged, composed, improvised, produced and sang on these gems.
6-The list does not include Boleros, Merengues or Latin Jazz that will be compiled on other lists. Each of these genres deserve their own ‘best of’ lists.
Now as for ‘Salsa Dura’ early AM radio was the way hits were made that led to huge record sales prior to the 2000’s. That’s why I stopped this list in the 90’s and I will post in the future a list of the best from 2000 to 2025. While AM was the commercial way and controlled by power brokers at the labels I believe, as many others do, that the true pioneers of ‘Salsa Dura’ were the non-commercial radio DJ/Hosts on small radio stations that have kept this music alive since the 50’s, especially in New York, Puerto Rico (smaller commercial radio specialty shows), California and Florida.
In the 60’s and 70’s my favorite radio hosts were Symphony Sid, Joe Gaines, Dick Ricardo Sugar, Roger Dawson, Carlos DeJesus and Felipe Luciano (the ex-Young Lord, newscaster, poet). In Los Angeles it was Chico Sesma that I heard about from Max Salazar, a mentor and friend. But when I came into the business as a professional in the 80’s I met many of the best radio had to offer that I believed were the true pioneers of the future in radio: Max Salazar, Jose Cheo Diaz, Chico Mendoza, Vicki Sola, Nancy Rodriguez, Jorge Quintana, Tomas Algarin, Chico Alvarez, Pedro Liz, Al Anton, Nelson ‘Radames’ Rodriguez (mi tocayo), Al Angeloro, all in NY/NJ and by the 90’s (in New York) Nando Albericci and Mickey Melendez; Taino Roldan (in Oklahoma of all places); David Ortiz (in Philly); Jose Masso (Boston); Luis Medina & Chuy Varela (in San Francisco), Carlos Lando & Arturo Gomez (in Denver, Colorado); and the crews from Alma Del Barrio (Alan Geik, Nina Lenart, Julio Vigoreaux, Guido Herrera, Eddie Lopez, Tony Cruz, Joaquin Del Toro & Gustavo Aragon), while Canto Tropical had Hector Resendez & Kathy ‘La Rumbera’ Diaz and today Armando Nila ‘El Caballero Salsero’; Raul Rico Jr. (in Oxnard, Ca.); Rae Arroyo (in LA); and Henry Brun (in Texas); Ray Cruz (in Hawaii). All of these DJ’s not only defend the old classics but helped me promote the new ‘Salsa Erotica’ that started slowly in the mid 80’s and became ‘Salsa Sensual’ and eventually ‘Salsa Romantica’ (first at TH Records then RMM Records). Over the decades I spoke to the radio hosts and listened to many of their shows and developed this list that started to take form in the late 70’s because of them. Non-commercial radio shows, that were on once a week, were not afraid to play everything they deemed good and payola did not affect their choice of music. Payola was only for Top 40 commercial radio stations that were on the air 24 hours/seven days a week. By the 90’s I came in contact with salsa shows in Mexico, Venezuela, England, London, Spain and other international markets.
For all of us in the 60’s and 70’s Fania (the Latin Motown) was the label we all knew but it was not exclusively Fania as there were many other labels and hundreds of other artists. In the 70’s it was a movement that conquered the world and a new generation of dancers (Salsa Congress’ in the 90’s took that to a new level). Fania had grown into a conglomerate that purchased many other labels since the 60’s and because of their exposure is prominently represented in these 500 songs. Fania today just releases their catalog of labels as MP3’s and vinyl re-issues.
I support what is happening today with the new generation of ‘Salseros’ but everything should be in its proper context. That’s why I will also have a column on the ‘Best Salsa Romantica of All Time’, ‘The Best Salsa from the 2000’s (2000-2025)”, ‘The Best Latin Jazz’ and the ‘Best Merengues of All Time’ that I having been working on for some years now.
‘Salsa Dura’ continues to be an umbrella that includes Guaracha, Guaguanco, Son, Guajira, Mambo, Son Montuno, Charanga, Cha Cha Cha and even Bomba/Plena. These are genres that are represented on my list and I used 2000 as the breaking point since everything changes just before 2000. Jimmy Bosch and Orquesta de Jazz & Salsa Alto Maiz (from Iowa) were the first to revisit ‘Salsa Dura’ with no care about commercial radio support. Alto Maiz was actually doing mostly covers since 1989. Johnny Polanco & La Amistad and The Spanish Harlem Orchestra followed suit. Of course you have acts like Eddie Palmieri, Sonora Ponceña and others that never left the ‘Salsa Dura scene.
The 2000’s are different because of the lack of media/marketing support such as record labels, commercial radio, record stores, the sale of CD’s, press reviews, television and video shows. So we need to look at those years through the present (2025) differently from a lack of marketing perspective.
For now, I hope you enjoy this list that is the 500 of the best based on all my research are listed in no particular order so don’t look at it as a #1 through # 500 but just 500 of the best. After living that golden age of radio in New York, seeing the lists and witnessing the salsa movement from outside as a fan and then inside as an industry professional.
TOP 500 Salsa ‘Dura’ Songs of All-Time
1. Eddie Palmieri – Vámonos Pal Monte (just the opening conga and organ riffs set me off)
2. Willie Colon/Héctor Lavoe – Che Che Cole (my happy song when I was 14 years old)
3. Ray Barretto – Indestructible (from my first favorite Barretto album)
4. Eddie Palmieri – Puerto Rico (the realization of my PR roots)
5. Tito Puente – Para Los Rumberos (my love for Puente came when I heard this song)
6. Machito y sus Afro Cubanos – Tanga (horns that introduced me to the Jazz arrangement)
7. Fania All Stars – Juan Pachanga (All –Stars at their height with the great Rubén Blades)
8. Orchestra Broadway – Isla Del Encanto (my #1 for many years)
9. Orchestra Harlow – Señor Sereno (my introduction to the many great Jewish musicians)
10. Conjunto Libre – Lamento Borincano (a classic with the New York flavor)
11. Tito Rodríguez – El Que Se Fué (my favorite tune from my favorite vocalist)
12. Cortijo y su Combo – Quítate De La Vía, Perico (another fun song at a 60’s house party)
13. Típica 73 – La Candela (one of my Top 10 bands of all – time)
14. Willie Colon/Héctor Lavoe – Abuelita (reminds me of my visits to grandma in PR)
15. Tito Puente – Ran Kan Kan (loved all the versions he recorded)
16. Oscar D’Leon – Me Voy Pa’Cali (the best club hit with virtually no commercial airplay)
17. Ismael Miranda – Borinquén Tiene Montuno (one of my favorite homenages to PR)
18. Eddie Palmieri – Adoración (Ismael Quintana was my favorite during this time)
19. El Gran Combo – Un Verano En Nueva York (best homage to my NY)
20. Tito Rodríguez – Cara De Payaso (Big Band at its best)
21. Ray Barretto – Vale Más Un Guaguancó
22. Willie Colon/Rubén Blades – Pedro Navaja
23. Eddie Palmieri – Un Día Bonito
24. La Solución – La Rueda (my introduction to a good friend Frankie Ruiz)
25. Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz – Agúzate (great innovators)
26. Willie Colon/Héctor Lavoe – Barrunto
27. Tito Puente – Complicación
28. El Gran Combo – Brujería
29. Orchestra Harlow – Arsenio (best tribute to El Ciego Maravilloso)
30. Sonora Ponceña – Rumba En El Patio (when I first fell in love with the Ponceña sound)
31. Bobby Valentín – Júrame
32. Eddie Palmieri/Cheo Feliciano – Anacaona (also with Fania All-Stars)
33. Ray Barretto – Ban Ban Quere (from my second favorite Barretto album)
34. Ángel Canales – Ana Isaoco (the first big hit of an iconic, ‘different’ vocalist)
35. Héctor Lavoe – Mi Gente (as well as the Fania All – Star live version)
36. Fania All – Stars/Rubén Blades – Sin Tu Cariño (one of Rubén’s best)
37. Pacheco y su Charanga – Acuyuye (led the early New York charanga craze of the 60’s)
38. Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco – Quimbara (one of the best duos ever)
39. Tito Rodríguez – Mama Guela
40. Grupo Niche – Cali Pachanguero (another club dance gem)
41. Puerto Rico All Stars – Reunión En La Cima (challenge to FAS)
42. Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz/ Rafael de Jesús – De Patitas
43. Oscar D’Leon – Mi Bajo Y Yo (the big hit just before I met him at TH Records)
44. Típica 73 – Yo Bailo De Todo (from my favorite T – 73 álbum)
45. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – El Que Se Fue (my favorite cover version)
46. Joe Cuba Sextet – A Las Seis (the premiere sextet sound)
47. Bobby Valentín – El Jibaro y La Naturaleza (my intro to another friend Marvin Santiago)
48. Héctor Lavoe – Periódico De Ayer
49. Celia Cruz/Willie Colon – Usted Abuso
50. Tito Rodríguez – Vuela La Paloma (a favorite of my parents)
51. Los Van Van – Sandunguera (Por Encima Del Nivel)
52. Sonora Ponceña – Canto Al Amor
53. Willie Colon/Rubén Blades – Pablo Pueblo
54. Joe Arroyo – En Barranquilla Me Quedo (the best from Colombia’s giant of the 80’s)
55. Ray Barretto – Que Viva La Música (a national anthem for many)
56. El Gran Combo – Teléfono
57. Héctor Lavoe – El Cantante (the song and seeing him showed realism in his life)
58. Dimension Latina/Oscar D’Leon – Lloraras
59. Eddie Palmieri – El Día Que Me Quieras (the best LP with only 5 songs on it)
60. Pacheco y su Charanga – Acuyuye (big hit of the 60’s Charanga/Pachanga era)
61. Sonora Ponceña – Sonora Pal Bailador
62. Louie Ramirez/Ruben Blades – Paula C
63. Willie Rosario – Botaron La Pelota
64. Tito Puente – El Cayuco
65. Eddie Palmieri – Muñeca
66. Julio Castro y La Masacre – El Pregonero (my introduction to another friend Tito Nieves)
67. Ray Barretto – Canto Abacua
68. Willie Colon y Hector Lavoe – La Murga (de Panama)
69. Fania All-Stars – Piano Man
70. Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos – El Nazareño
71. Sublime – Coqueta
72. Joe Cuba Sextet – El Pito (I’ll Never Go Back To Georgia) (Joe never went to Georgia)
73. Sonora Ponceña – Mi Lindo Yambu
74. Ray Barretto – Guarare
75. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Todo Tiene Su Final
76. Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco – Cucala
77. Willie Rosario- Busca El Ritmo
78. Eddie Palmieri – Oyelo Que Te Conviene (two great versions with Ismael Quintana and Lalo Rodriguez
79. Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Pueblo Latino (also a great version with FAS)
80. Machito y sus Afro-Cubanos – Sambia
81. Roberto Roena y su Apolo Sound – Mi Desengaño
82. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Panameña
83. Sonora Ponceña – Boranda
84. Oscar D’Leon – Bravo De Verdad
85. Ray Barretto – El Hijo De Obatala
86. Tipica 73 – Pa’ Gozar (NY meets Cuba)
87. Charanga 76 – Soy (Hansel & Raul debut)
88. Johnny Pacheco – Esa Prieta
89. Eddie Palmieri – Revolt/La Libertad Logico
90. Tito Rodriguez – Cuando, Cuando, Cuando
91. Sonora Ponceña – Yambeque
92. Tommy Olivencia y su Orquesta La Primerisima – Trucutu
93. Cano Estremera/Bobby Valentin – La Gringa
94. Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco – Toro Mata
95. Eddie Palmieri/Lalo Rodriguez – Nada De Ti
96. El Gran Combo – Timbalero
97. Alegre All Stars – Manteca
98. Batacumbele – Se Le Ve (Songo in Puerto Rico)
99. Tito Rodriguez – Yambu
100. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – La Banda (orig. by Peruvian Enrique Lynch)
101. Eddie Palmieri – Pa’ Huele
102. Sonora Ponceña – Timbalero
103. Orchestra Harlow – Señor Botanico
104. Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Soy La Ley
105. Willie Rosario – El Timbal De Carlitos
106. Tito Rodriguez – Estoy Como Nunca
107. Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos – Las Caras Lindas
108. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Ah-Ah, O No (another favorite from my youth)
109. Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Que Humanidad (one of the true universities of Salsa along with Eddie Palmieri and Irakere- jazzier with many stars who went on their own to record as leaders)
110. Eddie Palmieri – Pa’ La Ocha Tambo
111. Eddie Palmieri- El Dia Que Me Quieras (from the classic ‘white album’ with only 5 tracks)
112. Machito y sus Afro Cubanos – Chango Ta’ Veni
113. Cheo Feliciano – Canta (amazing arrangement with strings)
114. The Lebron Brothers – Salsa y Control
115. Charlie Palmieri/Vitin Aviles – La Hija De Lola
116. Joe Cuba Sextet – Mambo of The Times (best English/Salsa song of all time)
117. El Gran Combo – Vagabundo
118. Frankie Ruiz – El Camionero (1st Salsa LP to generate 3 Top 10 hits in a year)
119. Sonora Ponceña -Bomba Carambomba
120. Johnny Pacheco – Agua Del Clavelito
121. Beny More – Francisco Guayabal
122. Tito Puente – Babarabatiri (Machito also had an excellent version)
123. Willie Rosario – Lluvia (better swing than the Adalberto Alvarez version)
124. Don Gonzalo Fernandez – Repicao (on SAR when tracks began to get extnededfor club play)
125. Tito Rodriguez – Chevere (my favorite cha cha of all time)
126. Tipica 73 -La Botija De Abuelito
127. Sociedad 76 – La Solucion De La Salsa
128. Irakere- Dile A Catalina
129. Willie Rosario – Chango Ta’ Beni
130. Ismael Quintana – Mi Debilidad (the FAS version is also good)
131. Fania All Stars – Ponte Duro (original by Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound)
132. Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental Nuevayorquino – Anabacoa
133. Jose Mangual Jr. – Campanero (great cowbell solo)
134. Eddie Palmieri – Justicia (one of the early social commentary songs)
135. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Traicion (one of those songs that made the Apollo Sound so unique)
136. Hector Lavoe – El Todopoderoso (my first true exposure to a Christian salsa song)
137. Ray Barretto – Cocinando
138. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Calle Luna, Calle Sol
139. Tito Puente – Niña y Señora
140. Justo Betancourt – Pa’ Bravo Yo
141. Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Ahi Na’ Ma
142. Joe Arroyo – Pal Bailador
143. Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Catalina La O
144. Lalo Rodriguez – Maximo Chamoro
145. Jose Mangual Jr. – Cuero Na; Ma
146.Willie Colon/Ismael Miranda – No Me Digas Que Es Muy Tarde
147. Johnny Pacheco – Mango Mangue
148. Willie Rosario – Boba
149. Guayacan Orquesta – Oiga, Mire y Vea
150. Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Los Tamalitos De Olga
151. Eddie Palmieri -Azucar (the first song to break the rule of a short song for radio)
152. La Critica/Oscar D’ Leon – Monta Mi Caballo
153. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Piraña
154. Justo Betancourt – No Estas En Nada
155. Orchestra Broadway – Presentiniento
156. Wllie Rosario – Esa Que Yo Conoci
157. Louie Ramirez – El Poeta Lloro
158. Ray Barretto – Son Con Cuero
159. Orchestra Harlow – Tumba y Bongo
160. Chappottin y sus Estrellas – Mi Son, Mi Son, Mi Son
161. Mon Rivera – Karakatis-ki (my childhood favorite trabalengua)
162. Irakere – Xiomara (Tipica 73 also has an amazing version)
163. Tommy Olivencia – Plante Bandera (the first big hit I heard with Chamaco Ramirez)
164. Orquesta Aragon- Cachita
165. Gilberto Santa Rosa – La Agarro Bajando
166. Tommy Olivencia – Mujeres Como Tu
167. Celia Cruz/Ray Barretto/Adalberto Santago -Nadie Se Salva De La Rumba
168. Willie Rosario – Mi Amigo El Payaso
169. Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Tocala (one of my favorite descargas/jam session)
170. Conjunto Clasico – Pau Pau
171. Sonora Ponceña – Moreno Soy (Bobby Valentin’s version was ‘Naci Moreno’)
172. Fania All Stars/Celia Cruz- Bemba Colora (the FAS concert anthem that united the fans)
173. Cortijo y su Combo – Monta Mi Caballito (childhood favorite in our apartmen)
174. Ralphy Santi y su Conjunto – Ansia
175. Hector Lavoe – Vamos a Reir Un Poco
176. Johnny Pacheco – Guaguanco Pal Que Sabe
177. Bobby Valentin/Cano Estremera – La Boda De Ella
178. Sonora Ponceña – Hasta Que Se Rompa El Cuero
179. Willie Rosario -El Callejero
180. Fania All Stars – Quitate Tu
181. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe- Aguanile
182. Johnny Colon – Merecumbe
183. Eddie Palmieri – Nunca Contigo
184. The Lebron Brothers – Amazona
185. Fania All Stars – Son, Cuero y Boogaloo
186. Eddie Palmieri – Lindo Yambu
187. Orchestra Harlow – La Cartera
188. Sonora Ponceña – Suena El Piano
189. El Gran Combo – La Soledad
190. Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco – La Sopa En Botella
191. Oscar D’ Leon – Hechicera
192. Elio Reve y su Charangon – Mi Salsa Tiene Sandunga
193. Johnny Pacheco/Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – La Escencia Del Guaguanco
194. Willie Colon/Ruben Blades – La Maleta
195. Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz- La Zafra
196. Tito Rodriguez- Bilongo
197. Willie Colon – El Gran Varon
198. El Gran Combo – Aqui No Ha Pasado Nada
199. Bobby Valentin – Cuando Te Vea (also originally done by Tito Puente)
200. Tommy Olivencia – Como Lo Hacen
201. Cortijo y su Combo – Maquino Landera
202. Celia, Johnny. Justo y Papo – Besitos De Coco
203. Pacheco y su Charanga – Alto Songo
204. Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – Numero Seis
205. La Terrifica – Casa Pobre, Casa Grande
206. Ismael Quintana – Al Mirarte A Ti
207. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Vo So
208. Tipica 73 – Rumba Caliente
209. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Esta Navidad
210. Willie Rosario – Ojala Que Te Vaya Bonito
211. Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’ – Disculpeme Señora
212. Conjunto Libre – Imagenes Latinas
213. Gilberto Santa Rosa – Cantante De Cartel
214. Ismael Miranda – Maria Luisa
215. Willie Rosario – Me Vas a Hechar De Menos
216. Celia y Johnny – Tres Dias De Carnaval
217. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Que Se Sepa
218. Hector Lavoe – Hacha y Machete
219. El Gran Combo – No Hay Cama Pa’ Tanta Gente
220. Cortijo y su Combo – Cucala, Cucala
221. Nestor Torres – Voulez-Vous Dancer
222. Celia Cruz – La Vida Es Un Carnaval
223. Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Goza La Vida
224. Hector Lavoe – Bandolera
225. Willie Colon – Idilio
226. Celia Cruz y La Sonora Ponceña – Sonaremos El Tambo
227. Cuco Valoy – Juliana
228. Henry Fiol -Mala Suerte
229. Graciela/Mario Bauza – La Botanica
230. El Gran Combo – Julia
231. Conjunto Libre – Porque Tu Sufres
232. Beny More – Santa Isabel De Las Lajas
233. Ray Barretto – Quitate La Mascara
234. Willie Rosario – Te Regalo Un Cancion
235. Charanga De La 4 – Aqui Hay Un Hombre Gozando
236. El Gran Combo – Mundy Baja
237. Willie Colon/Ruben Blades – Siembra
238. Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Juaniquita
239. Eddie Palmieri – Pagina De Mujer
240. Sonora Ponceña – Fuego En El 23
241. Mulenze – Para Ti Bailador
242. Oscar D’ Leon – Mis Hijos
243. Tipica 73 – Canuto
244. Willie Colon/Ruben Blades – Plastico
245. Sociedad 76 – La Manzana
246. El Gran Combo – El Menu
247. Ruben Blades & Seis Del Solar – Buscando America
248. El Gran Combo – La Reina
249. Tipica 73 -Xiomara
250. Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – La Moral
251. The Lebron Brothers – Musica, Musica, Musica
252. Roberto Torres – El Caminante
253. Bobby Valentin – Asi Asi
254. Eddie Palmieri- Colombia Te Canto
255. Henry Fiol – Picoteando Por Ahi
256. Tito Puente – Oye Como Va
257. Fajardo y sus Estrellas – La Charanga
258. Machito y su Orquesta – Yo Soy La Rumba
259. El Gran Combo – La Fiesta De Pilito
260. Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – Sonero Del Barrio
261. Orquesta Novel – Salud, Dinero y Amor
262. Gene Hernandez y Novedades – Siempre
263. Tito Rojas – Nadie Es Eterno
264. Willie Rosario – Me Tendran Que Aceptar (Tu Abuelo y Tu Papa)
265. Bobby Valentin – Pirata De La Mar
266. Charanga America – Ayudame San Antonio (another club favorite)
267. Guayacan Orquesta – Torero
268. Hector Lavoe – Rompe Saraguay
269. Sonora Ponceña – Noche Como Boca E’ Lobo
270. Joe Arroyo – La Rebellion (No Le Pegue a La Negra)
271. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – La Hija De La Vecina
272. Orchestra Novel – La Batalla De Los Barrios
273. Henry Fiol – No Hay Mal Que Por Bien No Venga
274. Tito Gomez – Veneno
275. Ismael Miranda y La Revelacion – Asi Se Compone Un Son
276. Willie Rosario – Bajo La Luna
277. Machito y sus Afro Cubanos – Sopa De Pichon
278. Sublime – Cantinero
279. Wayne Gorbea y su Conjunto Salsa – Alo Alo
280. Ismael Miranda con Orchestra Harlow – Abran Paso
281. Mon Rivera – Lluvia Con Nieve
282. Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Ritmo De Pollo
283. El Gran Combo – Hojas Blancas
284. Ruben Blades y Seis Del Solar – Todos Vuelven
285. Charanga Casino – Soñador
286. Willie Rosario – Si No Estas Conmigo (from best Rosario album from A-Z)
287. Lalo Rodriguez – Tu No Sabes querer
288. Vilato y Los Kimbos – Hoy y Mañana
289. Orchestra Harlow – Que Sera Lo Que Pelaen
290. Hector Lavoe -Songoro Consongo
291. Mario Ortiz All Star Band – Chinita
292. Alfredo De La Fe – Toca Alfredo Toca
293. Sonora Ponceña – Madrugando
294. Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz – Camaron
295. Orchestra Broadway – Barrio Del Pilar
296. El Gran Combo – Mujer Celosa
297. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound- Marejada Feliz
298. Los Van Van – Anda, Ven y Muevete
299. Fania All Stars/Cheo Feliciano – El Raton
300. Machito y su Orquesta – El As De La Rumba
301. Wayne Gorbea y su Conjunto Salsa – Lo Que Dice Justi (club favorite)
302. Conjunto Clasico – Vamonos De Rumba
303. Bobby Valentin- Mi Ritmo Es Bueno
304. Eddie Palmieri – La Malanga
305. Ray Barretto – Arrepientete
306. Justo Betancourt – Distinto y Diferente
307. Charanga Casino – Ganas De Bailar El Son
308. Ismael Rivera y Los Cachimbos – De Todas Maneras Rosas
309. Celia, Johnny, Justo y Papo – Ritmo, Tambor y Flores (Sonora Matancera original)
310. Santiago Ceron – Canta Si Va Cantar
311. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – La Mora
312. Tommy Olivencia – La Rumba Sin Evelio
313. El Gran Combo – El Guaguanco Del Gran Combo
314. Eddie Palmieri – Un Puesto Vacante
315. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Que Me Castigue Dios
316. Marvin Santiago – Fuego a La Jicotea
317. Papaito – El Guajiro De Cunagua
318. Puerto Rico All Stars – Los Tambores
319. Orchestra Broadway – Las Musiqueras
320. Charanga 76 – Regresaras
321. Ray Barretto – Adelante Siempre Voy
322. Ismael Miranda – Las Esquinas Son
323. Pupi y Pacheco – Salsa
324. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Tu Loco Loco, Pero Yo Tranquilo
325. Sonora Ponceña – Vas Por Ahi
326. Monguito El Unico – Yo No Soy Mentiroso
327. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Juana Peña
328. Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – A Primera Vista
329. Sonora Ponceña – Jubileo 20
330. Eddie Palmieri – El Molestoso
331. El Gran Combo – Si No Me Dan De Beber
332. Tito Rodriguez – Avisale a Mi Contrario
333. Louie Ramirez – El Titere
334. Johnny Pacheco/Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Dulce Con Dulce
335. Juan Carlos Alfonso y su Dan Den – Viejo Lazaro
336. Tito Puente – Cuando Te Vea
337. Cachao y su Ritmo – Cogele El Gusto (Cuban Jam Sessions in Miniature)
338. Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz – Guarachimbe
339. Eddie Palmieri – Ritmo Alegre
340. Adalberto Alvarez y su Son – El Bongosero Mentiroso
341. Hector Lavoe – Para Ochun
342. Johnny Pacheco/Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Viralo Al Reves
343. Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’ – Sueño Contigo
344. Bobby Valentin – Huracan
345. Cortijo y su Combo – Madame Calalu
346. Willie Colon/Ruben Blades – Tiburon
347. El Gran Combo – El Arbolito
348. Tommy Olivencia – Que Se Mueran De Envidia
349. Jose Mangual Jr. – Que Lo Diga El Tiempo
350. Gilberto Santa Rosa – Que Manera De Quererte
351. Tito Puente – El # 100
352. Angel Canales – Bpmba Carambomba
353. Machito y sus Afro Cubanos – La Paella
354. Oscar D’ Loen – Calculadora
355. Tito Puente – Separala Tambien
356. Willie Colon – Oh, Que Sera
357. Joe Cotto – Dolores (with Mon Rivera)
358. Don Gonzalo Fernandez – Cancion A Un Individuo
359. Ray Barretto – Se Traba
360. Celia Cruz -Que Le Den Candela
361. Jose Mangual Jr. – Pa’ Que Te Cuento
362. Charanga 76- Te Vas Con El Viento
363. India/Eddie Palmieri – Mi Primera Rumba
364. El Gran Combo – Y No Hago Mas Na
365. Fania All Stars/Ismael Quintana – Mi Debilidad
366. Fruko y sus Tesos- El Preso
367. Cheo Feliciano – Mapeye
368. Eddie Palmieri – Palo Pa’ Rumba
369. Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz – Amparo Arrebato
370. Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Los Compadres
371. Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Lamento De Concepcion
372. El Gran Combo- Achilipu
373. Bobby Valentin – El Muñeco De La Cuidad
374. Pete Rodriguez – Micaela
375. Ray Barretto – La Orquesta
376. Eddie Palmieri – Bajo Con Tumbao
377. Willie Rosario – Anuncio Clasificado
378. Tito Nieves – Amores Como Tu
379. Cortijo y su Combo – Elena, Elena
380. El Gran Combo – Azuquita Pal Café
381. Orlando Marin – La Casa
382. Charanga Casino – Baila Charanga
383. Cheo Feliciano – Experto En Ti
384. David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera – No Estamos Locos
385. Adalberto Santiago – Ay Caray
386. Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’ – A La Hora Que Me Llamen Voy
387. Marvin Santiago – Vasos En Colores
388. Wayne Gorbea y su Conjunto Salsa – Me Lo Dice Justi
389. Gilberto Santa Rosa – No Me La Llames
390. Conjunto Clasico – Faisan
391. Fania All Stars/Hector Lavoe – El Rey De La Puntualidad
392. Oscar D’ Leon – Tributo a Beny More (Medley)
393. Tito Rodriguez – Aprietala En El Rincon
394. Raulin Rosendo – Uno Se Cura
395. Pupi y Pacheco – Picunina
396. Sonora Ponceña – Changuiri
397. Los Van Van – La Habana No Aguanta Mas
398. Charlie Rodriguez y su Orquesta – Caprichito
399. Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz – Bomba Camara
400. Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos – Dime Por Que
401. El Gran Combo – Goyito Sabater
402. La Terrifica – Hinca La Yegua
403. Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Decidete
404. Ray Barretto -Arallue
405. Luigi Texidor – Tema De Una Flor
406. Oscar D’ Leon – Yo Quisiera Saber
407. Grupo Niche – Buenaventura y Caney
408. Joe Arroyo y La Verdad – Bam Bam
409. Ray Barretto- Llanto de Cocodrilo
410. Joe Arroyo y La Verdad – La Noche
411. Meñique – Madre
412. Willie Rosario – Si Yo Tuviera Un Millon
413. Tito Puente – Que Sera (Mi China)
414. Hansel y Raul – Maria, Teresa y Danilo
415. Las Maravillas De Florida – Al Excelente Tresero
416. Ray Barretto – Todo Se Va Poder
417. Celia Cruz y Sonora Ponceña – Soy Antillana
418. Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Alabanciosa
419. Charlie Rodriguez y su Orquesta – Ven Mi Mora
420. Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz – Alabao
421. La Solucion- Una Canita Al Aire
422. Ismael Quintana – El Juez Final
423. Cortijo y su Combo – El Negro Bembon
424. Charanga 76- Ya No Interesa
425. Issac Delgado – El Pregon Del Chocolate
426. Tito Rodriguez – El Sabio (Hector Lavoe does a superb version)
427. Eliades Ochoa y El Cuarteto Patria -Chan Chan
428. Pete Rodriguez – Arranca En Fa’
429. Ralphy Leavitt y La Selecta – Siempre Alegre
430. Louie Ramirez y Ray De La Paz – Lluvia
431. Cheo Feliciano & Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez (RMM La Combinacion Perfecta) – Soneros De Bailadores
432. Bush y su Nuevo Sonido – La Chola Caderona
433. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Timbalero
434. Angel Canales – Lejos De Ti
435. Tipica Ideal – Abidjan Cset Tres Joli
436. Costa Brava – Cualquiera Menos Tu
437. Cheo Feliciano- Nabori
438. Nestor Torres – Goza Como Yo
439. Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos – Si Te Cojo
440. Orchestra Harlow/Celia Cruz – Gracias Divina
441. Orchestra Broadway – Arrepientete
442. Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – Recuerdos De Arcaño
443. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Te Conozco
444. Tipica Novel – No Me Regañes
445. El Sabor De Nacho – Batalla Sanson
446. Tito Rodriguez/Louie Ramirez – El Mulato Rumbero
447. Sarabanda – Barranquilla Arrebatao
448. Cano Estremera/Bobby Valentin – La Gringa
449. Machito y sus Afro Cubanos/Graciela – Ay Jose
450. Ray Barretto- Prestame Tu Mujer
451. Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – El Dia De Mi Suerte
452. Joe Cuba Sextet – Cachondea
453. Willie Rosario – Cuando Se Canta Bonito
454. Cortijo y su Combo- Volare
455. Louie Ramirez -Feo Pero Sabroso
456. Andy Harlow – La Loteria
457. The Lebron Brothers – Sin Negro No Hay Guaguanco
458. Alex Leon -Meneate
459. Africando- Yay Boy
460. Jose Mangual Jr. – Yuyumbe
461. Celia Cruz/Sonora Matancera – Yerbero Moderno
462. Orchestra Broadway – El Bailarin
463. Jose Mangual Jr. -El Mil Amores
464. Willie Rosario -Fisico
465. Tipica Novel – Salsa En Nueva York
466. Tito Rodriguez – Mango Del Monte
467. Tipica 73 – Sonaremos El Tambo
468. Ray Barretto- Hipocresia y Falsedad
469. Machito/Lalo Rodriguez- Mi Ritmo Llego
470. Tito Rodriguez – En El Balcon
471. Sonora Ponceña – Hachero Pa’ Un Palo
472. Eddie Palmieri – Asi Es La Humanidad
473. Tito Rodriguez – La Toalla
474. Ray Barretto – Ahora Si
475. Celia y Johnny – Canto A La Habana
476. Orchestra Broadway – Pelencho
477. Ismael Quintana – Tambo (Me Acompaña El)
478. Tito Rodriguez – Blen, Blen, Blen
479. Fania All Stars/Ismael Miranda & Hector Lavoe – Que Barbaridad
480. Conjunto Clasico – Piraguero
481. Tito Rodriguez – Arriba Cumbiaremos
482. Beny More – Que Bueno Baila Usted
483. Mario Ortiz All Star Band – Para Los Bravos
484. Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Bailala Pronto
485. Cortijo y su Combo – Bombon De Elena
486. Eddie Palmieri – No Critiques
487. Santiago Ceron – Al Que Le Pique
488. Willie Chirino – Oxigeno
489. Tipica Novel – Tiene Sabor
490. Markolino Dimond – Aguardiente
491. Issac Delgado – La Sandunguita
492. Joe Quijano – La Pachanga Se Baila Asi
493. Charanga America – Chiquilla
494. Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’ – Rio Manzanares
495. Oscar D’ Leon – Yo Soy
496. Vitin Aviles – Sufre
497. Ismael Quintana – Maestro De Rumberos
498. Charlie Palmieri – Tiene Sabor
499. Chappotin y sus Estrellas – Alto Songo
500. Justo Betancourt – Ella Esta En Otra Rumba
The giants of the ‘Salsa Dura’ era were 25 stars and the charangas: El Gran Combo, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Machito, Libre, Tito Rodriguez, Charlie Palmieri, Tipica 73, Ray Barretto, Roberto Roena, Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, Willie Rosario. Bobby Valentin, Mario Ortiz, The Fania All Stars, the charangas of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, Celia Cruz, Larry Harlow, Ismael Miranda, Ismael Quintana, Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz, Cortijo, Ismael Rivera, and Louie Ramirez. By the 2000’s only a few of these names have remained but new acts have surfaced and become the next pioneers. Stay tuned for the new lists!