Top Ten Picks for 1999
Elmer González
1. William Cepeda: My Roots and Beyond (Blue Jackel)
2. Chucho Valdés: Briyumba Palo Congo (Blue Note)
3. Tony Martínez: Maferefun (Blue Jackel)
4. Tito Puente: Mambo Birdland (RMM Records)
5. Willie Rosario: Back to the Future (J&N Records)
6. Lalo Schifrin: Latin Jazz Suite (Aleph Records)
7. Chico O’Farrill: Heart of a Legend (Milestone)
8. Rubén Blades: Tiempos (Sony)
9. Papo Vázquez: At the Point Vol. 1 (CuBop)
10. Rumba Club: Espiritista (Palmetto Records)
Jesse “Chuy” Varela
1. Santana: Supernatural (Arista)
2. Los Van Van: Llego Van Van (Havana Caliente-Atlantic)
3. La India: Sola (RMM)
4. Ruben Blades: Tiempos (Sony)
5. McCoy Tyner: And The Latin All-Stars (Telarc Jazz)
6. Jesus “Chucho” Valdes: Briyumba Palo Congo (Blue Note)
7. Regina Carter: Rhythms of the Heart (Verve)
8. William Cepeda Afrorican Jazz: My Roots and Beyond (Blue Jackel)
9. Osdalgia: La Culebra (Lusafrica)
10. Various: Viva Cubop (Cubop)
Nelson Rodríguez
1. William Cepeda: My Roots and Beyond (Blue
2. Chucho Valdes: Briyumba Palo Congo (Blue Note)
3. Tito Puente: Mambo Birdland (RMM)
4. Giovanni Hidalgo/Humberto Ramirez: Best Friends
5. Papo Vasquez: Pirates & Troubadours
6. Puerto Rico Jazz Jamm: Puerto Rico Jazz Jam (CDT)
7. Willie Rosario: Juntos de Nuevo (J&N)
8. Los Van Van: Llego Van Van (Havana Caliente)
9. Caravana Cubana: (Dreamer Music)
10. Cano Estremera: Diferente (Combo)
Max Salazar
1. Willie Rosario: Back to the Future (J&N)
2. Tito Puente: Mambo Birdland (RMM)
3. Cuban All Stars: Como Pan Caliente (Nueva Fania)
4. Isidro Infante: Best of Isidro Infante (RMM)
5. Al McKibbon: Tumbao Para Los Congueros de Mi Vida (Blue Lady)
6. Johnny Blas: King Conga (Cubop)
7. Chico O’Farrill: Heart of a Legend (Milestone)
8. Jose Mangual Jr.: Son Boricua (Caiman)
9. 9 Cubop Artists: Viva Cubop Jazz (Cubop)
10. Jessica Valiente: Los Mas Valiente (Laughing Budda)
Luis Tamargo
1. Pedro Luis Ferrer: Pedro Luis Ferrer (Havana Caliente/Atlantic)
2. Hilario Duran: Habana Nocturna (Justin Time)
3. Chucho Valdes: Briyumba Palo Congo (Blue Note)
4. Frank Emilio Flynn, Guillermo Barreto/Cuban Jazz Combo: Algo Nuevo (Caney Reissue)
5. Pata Negra: The Best of Pata Negra (Milestone)
6. Ibrahim Ferrer: Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer (Nonesuch/World Circuit)
7. Mongo Santamaria: Skin on Skin (Rhino)
8. Patricia Saravia: Ritmo de los Santos (Song-o-sau’rus)
9. Sonido Isleño: El Asunto (Tresero)
10. Papo Vasquez: Pirates & Troubadours (Cubop)
Note: Irakere’s Yemaya should have occupied one of the top positions, It was released in 1998, but I did not receive it until virtually the last week of that year.
Rudy Mangual
1. Papo Vasquez: At the Point V. One
2. Chucho Valdes: Briyumba Palo Congo
3. Ray Vega: Boperation
4. Oscar D’Leon: La Formula Original
5. Puerto Rico Jazz Jam: Puerto Rico Jazz Jam
6. Cheo Feliciano: Una Voz…Mil Recuerdos
7. Brasileiro: Brasileiro
8. Hilario Duran: Habana Nocturna
9. Willie Rosario: Back to the Future
10. Jimmy Bosch: Salsa Dura
Julio Costoso
1. Jimmy Bosch: Salsa Dura (RykoLatino)
2. Various: Rumba Profunda (American Clave)
3. Willie Rosario: Back to the Future (J&N)
4. Nora: Trátame como Soy (RMM)
5. Tito Puente: Mambo Birdland (RMM)
6. Eddie Palmieri: Live! (RMM)
7. Chucho Valdés: Briyumba Palo Congo (Blue Note)
8. Ibrahim Ferrer: Ibrahim Ferrer (World Music)
9. Papo Vásquez: At the Point Vol. 1 (CuBop)
10. Víctor Manuelle: Inconfundilbe (Sony)
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COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group
