Forgotten Treasure: Eddie Lebron “Ghetto Records presents Eddie Lebron” (1970)
Every record digger has albums that simply elude them. Doesn’t matter how many rat feces infested basements they rummage through or how many pounds of sweat they have lost digging through piles upon piles upon piles of Herb Albert albums, certain albums just seem to never show up. Ghetto Records …
“Here Come The Lords” Mix by the Salsa Brothers (Christian Martir & Safe Stadick)
If there is one thing I’ve always respected about Sociedad Records’ Christian Martir is his unwavering commitment to culture specifically his own patria of Puerto Rico. Wether its through informing us about the past here on MIMS or releasing incredibly important records on Sociedad Christian takes the uptmost care in …
Forgotten Treasure: Carlos Ramos y su Orquesta Fuego “Tecato” (1973)
In essence, records are the historical link between an artist’s ambition and a passionate music lover like yourself. Special records are full of incredible music while acting as a reference to a historical era and musical genre. With Carlos Ramos y Su Orquesta Fuego‘s LP “Tecato” we are talking about …
Tribute to HECTOR LAVOE – Selected by Asma
Hector Juan Pérez Martínez better known as Hector Lavoe aka El Cantante de los Cantantes is a Puerto Rican salsa legend. The iconic figure left Ponce at sixteen to settle in NYC and a year later was recording vocals for Willie Colon (Fania label co-founder). After lending his stupendous voice to a …
Forgotten Treasure: Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam & Full Force “I Wonder If I Take You Home” (1985)
I’ve been telling anyone who will listen that Latin Freestyle is due for a re-evaluation. With the sci-fi electro of Cybotron, Hashim and Man Parrish explicitly informing a lot of today’s most interesting dance music production—its wiggly synths and mechanized funk percussion creeping into the Night Slugs camp’s output, among …
In Memoriam: Raphy Leavitt – Puerto Rican composer, founder of “La Selecta”
I first heard “Jibaro Soy” on the “Pa’lante! Siempre Pa’lante” documentary about the Young Lords Party back in the day. As a kid who was strictly a Hip-Hop head I had no idea who was singing on the track. I actually thought it was Celia Cruz due to the singer’s …
Future Classic: Quantic presents The Western Transient “A New Constellation”
via Tru Thoughts: “Quantic Presents The Western Transient is the latest project from Will “Quantic” Holland, bringing together a handpicked band of some of his favourite musicians to realise a set of new compositions paying homage to the rich, lively and intimate quality of the classic soul and jazz recordings. …
Marcos Valle Radio Session + Interview on NTS
Absolutely brilliant radio session with Far Out Records on London’s NTS Radio with a very special guest in the studio. Legendary Brazilian singer and songwriter Marcos Valle shares some stories behind some of his key records and the history and social context of Brazil in the 60’s and 70’s. A …
Mix of the Day: Daptone Podcast by Christian Martir
I was honored to have been asked by Daptone Records to do a mix for their Podcast series. It was the first time a “non-soul” mix was featured, so I had to represent. The mix goes from straight guaguanco to mozambique to plena. Essentially the soul music of Puerto Ricans. …
Forgotten Treasure: The Har-You Percussion Group (1969, ESP Disk)
Uptown baby, Uptown. Once you pass the Upper West and East Sides of Manhattan you are quickly transferred to a whole new world. From Harlem up through Washington Heights and all the way into Inwood, the diversity of cultures and realities that you experience are what gives New York City …
Forgotten Treasure: Eddie Palmieri “In Concert At The University Of Puerto Rico” (1971, Coco Records)
After watching Eddie Palmieri perform last week, I posted a picture on Instagram with the caption “I want to put Eddie Palmieri in a time capsule. So in case thousands of years from now Puerto Ricans no longer exist and they speak of us like they do of lost civilizations, …
Mix of the Day: Discos Alma “Pana-Soul”
Latin rythms have influenced music throughout america but less is discussed about Soul music’s influence on latin music. Panama is a region overflowing with some of the finest latin soul ever put to wax but to put together a full mix of these songs is quite a digging feat indeed. …