MIMS Guest Mix: New Regency Orchestra (TRC + ¡COMO NO! / London, UK)
Ahead of their first London show since playing the main stage at We Out Here, this coming Friday at London’s Colour Factory, we are excited to share a special mix by TRC founder and NRO curator Lex Blondin celebrating the musical influences of London’s premier Latin jazz big band, New …
Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound “II” (1970, International/Fania)
About eight years ago a good friend (shout out to Hector) and I put together a mix as a promo for a store we had established back in Orlando, Florida. Rather than handing out flyers, we felt it was more effective to make some mixes and add a commercial at …
Forgotten Treasure: Dax Pacem “La Tumba” (Sociedad Records)
The third installment of Sociedad‘s Dura Series is another perfect representation of the heavy and elite flavors of New York City salsa. From the signature sound of the band to the backstory of the label they were on, Dax Pacem embodies the golden era of salsa. Their legendary stage battles …
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 …
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 …