Radio Macondo Podcast

RADIO MACONDO is clear for takeoff once more! Yes, it's the first new production in nearly two months, from a brand new studio--and you'll hear the difference. Our first stop on this week's tour of Salsamerica is Cuba, with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, followed by a sample of Timba from Charanga Habanera, then more contemporary Cuban salsa from Angel Bonne. Next, it's on to Colombia, with Los Nemus and Alfredo de La Fe. On our return flight to Cuba, we stop by Puerto Rico for Andy Montanez and Willie Colon. Then, back to Cuba for some classic '50s rumba from Beny More. And Radio Macondo just doesn't stop moving: Ismael Rivera once again, then to New York for an alternative to 70s Fania. We close this mix with two more Cuban classics from Compay Segundo and Adalberto Alvarez. Yes, the musical flights are resuming, and all tickets are on us!

This week, it's a rerun of a show made in December 2005, but with some new content added. It's a great hour of salsa variety, starting with Celia Cruz's cover of "Patica de Chivo," then hits by Frankie Ruiz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Orquesta Tabaco y Ron. Then, more mid-tempo hits from El Gran Combo and Johnny Rivera. Then we pump up the tempo with a charged performance by Yolanda Rayo from Colombia. Next, it's off to Cuba once again, with conguero "Patato" Valdez and his groovy band "Muchachos del Barrio." We top it all off with classics from Ismael Miranda and Eddie Palmieri.

This salsa swings so much that our DJ had to bring along TWO pairs of shoes! Yes, were burned up the carpet with this week's lineup: Spanish Harlem Orchestra with Ruben Blades, Willie Rosario with Tony Vega, Oscar D'Leon, Adolescentes, and Miles Pena. The heat got so heavy that he had to cool us down with some traditional Cuban sounds: modern charanga from La Orquesta Original de Manzanillo, then into traditional guitar-driven son from Septeto Matamoros. But the real treat went down as smooth as a creamy helado: a sprawling 8-minute son from Conjunto Oriente. And just when we thought the fire was out, he stoked it up again with some Puerto Rican plena by Angel Torruella, then burned us to a cinder with yet another high-energy bomba-salsa from Cortijo y Su Combo with Ismael Rivera. AAAGGGUUUAAA!!!

This week's lineup: Yet another searing mambo-jazz from Tito Puente, then down to Cuba for another hit from Maraca. Contemporary hits from Los Titanes, La Sonora Poncena, El Gran Combo, Marc Anthony, an all-star performance by merenguera Brenda K. Starr featuring Tito Nieves and Victor Manuelle, and India. Then, a tribute to Al Santiago (pictured), the late producer who started the first latin record label in New York, Alegre Records, and spawned an industry, featuring a rare relic from his collection. More classics from the Alegre-Fania years, with Eddie Palmieri, Cortijo y su Combo with Ismael Rivera, and Willie Colon with Hector Lavoe.

It's an hour of "mostly classics" on RADIO MACONDO, starting with a set of true salsa treasures: Ray Barretto in a track from the 1987 album "Aqui Se Puede," then The Lebron Brothers with the original "Salsa y Control." Next up it's Cheo Feliciano, "Mapeye," and Celia Cruz with one of her last recordings, from 2001. We continue in the classic mode with two examples of son montuno from Cuba, then we hit the dance floor with yet another authentic mambo from Tito Puente. Other classics include Cortijo y Su Combo with Ismael Rivera from 1963, Colon and Lavoe with "El Malo" from 1968, Henry Fiol from 1983. We close with a set of contemporary hits from Tito Rojas, Eddie Torres with Jimmy Sabater, and Pocho Perez's Orchestra from Colombia.

Summer temperatures are here, and RADIO MACONDO has some scorching salsa from the likes of Luisito Rosario, Albita, and Bobby Valentin. But we don't want TOO much heat, so we cool things down with a Latin jazz number from Ray Barretto, followed by a nice, groovy son-salsa from Celia Cruz. El Gran Combo pays its classic tribute to summer in New York, and Tipica 73 to traditional Cuban son. And we wrap up this ode to summer with four contemporary hits: Los Titanes, Domingo Quinones, Van Lester, and Luis Damon.

Headin' down to Cali! That's our itinerary for this week... at least for a few minutes... We start with Orquesta Guayacan (photo at right) and Sonora Carruseles, two of the biggest bands from Colombia. Then we zip up to San Francisco for some cutting-edge salsa-jazz from Orquesta Gitana and Francisco Guayabal. We throw in another Tito Puente essential before hearing still another classic from Eddie Palmieri, and a modern hit in the classic mode from Bobby Valentin. Then, a great set of contemporary salsa romantica from the studios of New York, with Jose Alberto, George Lamond, Frankie Negron, and Jerry Rivera. No seatbelt reqired, but you'd better keep your dance shoes firmly tied. Radio Macondo is your guide once more for a grand tour of Salsa-merica!

We start off this week with big, modern hits from Junior Gonzales, Edgar Joel, Jon Secada, Ismael Miranda, and Tony Vega. Then, into classics with Tipica 73--Jose Alberto on lead vocal--plus Henry Fiol, and yet another great classic late '60s hit from Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe. Then, we shine the spotlight on some Cuban sounds, from the country folk of Eliades Ochoa (photo at right) to the '50s charanga of Orquesta Aragon, then back to today with Orquesta Original de Manzanilla and Plena Libre.

RADIO MACONDO is your weekly venture into Salsa and all its afro-cuban variants. And this week, DJ John is havin' a mambo-fit, and he wants to pass it on. He kicks things off with some '70s "Funktuno" from Fania All Stars, then into a whole mambo set, with Tito Puente and Beny More (photo at right), plus tributes to More and the mambo years by Oscar D'Leon and Cubanismo. Then, into classic salsa, featuring Hector Lavoe's masterpiece, "Periodico de Ayer." Willie Colon is featured, too, with three full songs, including songs he wrote and performed with Ismael Miranda and Celia Cruz. Last, some contemporary hits from Willie Rosario with Tony Vega singing, Frankie Ruiz, and that inspirational anthem, "Vivir Lo Nuestro," by India and Marc Anthony.

Salsa! Straight, shaken, and, yes, swirled. That's the cocktail we're offering at Macondo this weekend. Oh, and a little Cuban son for a chaser. Here are the tastes we're pouring in, and each alone packs a punch: First, Orquesta de La Luz with its brand of Mambo; then a '90s hit from Eddie Palmieri, another from Sonora Poncena, and a little Colombian "Chotorra" from Madera Fina. After letting it set for a minute or two, we add some lighter sounds, with salsa romantica from Adolescentes, Tranzas, Jose Alberto, Frankie Ruiz, Hector Tricoche, and Roberto Blades. We slip in an early '80s classic from Andy Montanez, then, for the final touch, a profile of Cuban son master Papi Oviedo. Guaranteed, 100% pure, all natural, but no hangover. And you'll keep coming back for more!

RADIO MACONDO salutes everyone about to take part in the May 1 marches to call attention to the conditions and lives of the 40 million-plus Latinos living in the United States, as well as the millions of immigrants of all nationalities. Then, we celebrate this marvelous Latin contribution to American music known as Salsa, with tracks by Jose Alberto, Los Van Van, Tito Nieves with Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, and Ismael Miranda; Chino Nunez and La Sonora Carruseles--all tracks of salsa ABOUT salsa. Then, into contemporary hits with Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Roberto Blades. And we close out this celebration with examples of son-about-son by Papi Oviedo, Sierra Maestra, and Ismael Miranda. Uplifting rhythms, and plenty of grooves

Feelin' a little blue? Maybe spring's gettin' you down with a little hay fever. Or maybe you're missin' your favorite dancer. Or maybe you're just tired of all the negative attitudes in modern American rock. Well, we've got a prescription to fix your soul right up! It's called... Salsa. Take a dose of Johnny Polanco's "Receta", then a heaping spoonful of Willie Rosario. Your treatment includes some sensual healing from Jose Alberto, Rey Ruiz, Victor Manuelle, and Alfredo de la Fe. Then, what you need is a vacation down in Puerto Rico, with some classic Eddie Palmieri and Tipica 73. And, of course laughter is the best medicine, with some crazy, rare Cuban mambo from Juana Bacallao and Tito Puente. Whatever's got you down, you can forget all about it, and "swing-you-conmigo," on RADIO MACONDO.

This week, a second helping of fresh salsa, just added to the RADIO MACONDO collection. We liked the fresh stuff so much last week, we had to come back for more. Featuring: Oscar D'Leon and Dimension Latina in that classic from 1972, "Lloraras"; then Andy Montanez and Dimension Latina in a "Lloraras" near-sound-alike; another 90s hit from Puerto Rican Power. Then, into another sample from the Fania Remasters, just out this year: This time it's Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe in a cut from the 1968 album "El Malo". Mongo Santamaria then introduces La Lupe in a track from 1963. Plus more recent classics from Chocolate Armenteros, Chino Nunez, and Celia Cruz. And we wind things down with a set of new hits from now: Africando, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ismael Miranda, and Jose Alberto. Still got room for more of the fresh stuff? Come on into our kitchen!

RADIO MACONDO celebrates Spring... con sabor! We welcome it with a set of tracks you won't hear (yet) on the stream--a sampling of music DJ John has just added to the collection. Featured are two tracks from a new digital remastering of the whole Fania catalog: Eddie Palmieri's "Vamonos Pa'l Monte" and Cheo Feliciano's "Anacaona," both just re-released in gorgeous digital sound. Then two newly added Tito Puente classics, and some early Puerto Rican Power with Tito Rojas singing. Last, you'll find out what DJ John considers perhaps the most "important" salsa recording ever made, and we close with more new additions by Caravana Cubana and Grupo Folklorico de New York. It's a show of classics, all made fresh as... And that's what RADIO MACONDO does best.

RADIO MACONDO helps you say bye-bye to the busy week and hello to the weekend, starting with Maraca's hit "Castigala." Featured also: an '80s classic by the duo Celia Cruz and Willie Colon, then a string of contemporary hits. The hour closes with one of the DJ's favorites: "Canto a La Habana" by Celia Cruz, plus an updating of the classic "Moliendo Cafe" by Africando, and a true bomba from Puerto Rico by Rafael Cortijo's orchestra. Tired of the work week? Tell it to get outa here!

Bien vestido y listo para las fiestas! That's RADIO MACONDO for the New Year, as we celebrate with a sampling of the newest, brightest, and hottest salsa acts today. Every track this week...with the exception of one classic...was released in mid-2006, and these hot sounds are what's carrying salsa into the New Year! Here's who's coming to the party: Tito Rojas, with the holiday greeting, Pequeno Johnny paying tribute to the ladies, Pedro Conga, Alberto Barros and his Titanez de Salsa, and Anthony Cruz. Then, a hot new one, just in, from Africando, and a blistering performance from Son Cafe. Next, a little salsa romantica with Cesar Aviles, Giro, Tito Gomez, and one classic from Grupo Niche. Finally, we send out the old year old-style, with Daniel Ponce and a traditional rumba. So, make us a part of your New Year's celebration... play us at your party, or use it to warm up for the gala! It's RADIO MACONDO... the hottest hour in podcasting!

Hot salsa for every salsa-taste, from swingin' dance-floor power packers by Conjunto Colores, El Gran Combo, and Victor Cruz, to smoother, more romantically swingin' tunes from Jose Alberto, Lalo Rodriguez, and Michael Stuart. Then, a sampling of some of the fusion work going on in salsa, with a plena-flamenco fusion from Plena Libre, a conga-salsa-jazz fusion from Descarga Boricua, and a cumbia-salsa-compas fusion from Joe Arroyo. A little Cuban sound lovingly done by Colombian band Orquesta Sublime, then yet another Cuban homage from that classic '75 collaboration of Celia, Johnny, Justo, y Papo. Eddie Palmieri surprises once again, and we finish with a live number from Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound.

A great lineup of mostly classics this time, and a great sampling of all the various styles of salsa. We start with another dance-floor hit from Chino Nunez, then we hear the song that launched Frankie Ruiz's career, the one song that puts him in the company of salsa's greatest. We hear rich performances from La Sonora Poncena, Cheo Feliciano, and Eddie Palmieri's orchestra, then a cover of Roberto Roena's classic "Parece Mentira" from Orquesta Tabaco y Ron. Next, a special look at one of salsa's supergroups--the 1975 collaboration of Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, Justo Betancourt, and Papo Lucca that gave us "Recordando el Ayer," one of the finest albums from the Fania catalog. Then, the purely Cuban sound of Manuel Licea, and Africando delivering an homage to Cuban guaracha. And we close with La Sonora Dinamita from Colombia, in one of their early hits.

Fired up after the Oscar D'Leon concert... This week, we offer a review of that concert, with a brief sample to give you a sense of what it sounded like. But there's much more in this week's show, too: Tito Puente with a tasty mambo, then back to Colombia, for Fruko y Sus Tesos, Sonora Carruseles with Gabino Pampini, and Tupamaros. From Puerto Rico, Pedro Conga's orchestra; then Celia Cruz, and some mellower tunes from Tito Nieves, Jorge Cabrera, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, and Gilberto Santa Rosa in a set of hits from the '90s. And you'll hear a very early example from Eddie Palmieri--1962! And we close with an equally vintage one from Cortijo y Su Combo with Ismael Rivera.

So get ready... The Lion of salsa has been loose in Korea! And we're still recovering from it!

Oscar D'Leon is on a tour of Japan and Korea, si senor! And that's not all! Salsa is in the news for the month of August, with Oscar's tour, plus the release of "El Cantante"--the film about Hector Lavoe.

This podcast--the second within a week--is equally eventful, with a look at where Oscar and his band will be performing while in Japan and Korea, and later, a closer look at what the critics are saying about "El Cantante". Plus, we feature Ruben Blades' unique classic, "Buscando America."

And the music is as hot as ever, or as beautiful: Besides tracks from Oscar, Blades, and Lavoe, we have Orquesta de La Luz from Japan, Chino Nunez, a rare '60s boogaloo from Ray Rodriguez, more Cuban son and timba from Sierra Maestra, Albita, and Celina Gonzalez, and closing with another groovy Colombian number from Quinto Mayor.

Yes, salsa is in the news, and we hope this podcast puts us in the news too--at least for you!

We're back from vacation and ready to swing with more salsa! This week, it's another set of classics, but this time a bit more laid back. We start with Willie Colon in one of his 90's hits--a tune everyone will know. Then, Poncho Sanchez in a live salsa jam, and Ray Barretto once again. We've got more of the Latin Brothers, too. Then, we take a look at the piano work of Oscar Hernandez, comparing his sound in Barretto's band with some of his more recent work with Ruben Blades. Next, we dance to Africando, then more of the classic Cuban sound with Sierra Maestra and Carlos Embale. Jimmy Bosch gives us a sample of his hard-hitting salsa with a social edge, and Hector Lavoe treats us to one of his great Cuban covers. Roberto Torres closes the show. That's more than an hour, and one of the most fascinating sets yet, from Radio Macondo.

It's an hour of salsa fuerte this week on RADIO MACONDO, with lots of hot, powerful grooves, and a generous serving of classics. Artists include Edwin Bonilla y Su Son, Nora from Orquesta de La Luz, the Colombia All-Stars, Luis Perico Ortiz, Tito Rojas, Willie Rosario, Justo Betancourt, Poncho Sanchez, Ray Barretto, Oscar D'Leon, and an obscure but fun one from the '60s by Bobby Montez. It's RADIO MACONDO... for that extra kick.

A real mix this week, with some of the finest examples of classics, Colombian hits, and hot Cuban grooves. We start with a 1978 track by La Salsa Mayor, then into contemporary salsa romantica from Edgar Joel and Hector Tricoche. Next, off to Colombia for Los Nemus, Tupamaros, and the Latin Brothers. Plus, a gorgeous, soulful track from Africando. Then, more classics--three in a row from the Fania label, with Johnny Pacheco (Fania's founder!), Louie Ramirez, and the Blades/Colon duo once again. We seal it all up with two hot numbers from Cuba: Isaac Delgado and Charanga Habanera.

It's the first podcast in two months, and we can't wait to dance that salsa once again! We're back every week through the summer, and we kick things off with a great lineup of hot Colombian, smooth romantica, and classic mambo and charanga. Artists this week: N'Klabe, Alberto Barros y Los Titanez de la Salsa, Yorman D'Leon, Johnny Rivera, Tito Rojas, Mimi Ibarra, Roberto Blades; then classics from Conjunto Rumbavana, Beny More, Ray Barretto, Hector Tricoche, Fruko y Orquesta, and Africando. We have missed that Macondo blend, and now we can't wait to get another cup!

You've found the only podcast on the Internet with a full hour of hot, classic-edged salsa, spiced with a touch of Cuban son. That's RADIO MACONDO.

Back for a another cup of the Macondo Blend? Each week, we serve it up hot, in a brew of new and classic together. It simmers, it boils, and sometimes it steeps, smooth and mellow. This week's artists, in the order we drop them into the pot: First, the hot set, with Sonora Carruseles , cuz we know how much you like that; Yolanda Rayo ; Frankie Ruiz ; Salsa Fever ; and Victor Manuelle . Then, the classic set, with Louie Ramirez ; Hector Lavoe ; and two from Willie Colon in collaborations with Ruben Blades and Celia Cruz . Then, for that double shot of Cuban, Los Van Van and Son de Aca.

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Pass your mouse over the artists' names in this week's show notes, and you will see a featured album. Click on the Amazon link in the window, an

We like to think to think of ourselves as a contributor to "global warming"... seems like every week just gets hotter around here. This week, we spread even more hot rhythms around the globe with these artists: Jose Alberto , Rikoson All Stars , Ruben Blades , Ismael Miranda , Willy Chirino and Celia Cruz , Oscar D'Leon , Tito Rojas , Quinto Mayor, Juan Luis Guerra , Joe King, El Gran Combo , and for the finale, Tito Puente . No worries, though. This kind of heat will make even the polar bears happy

This week, we light that salsa fire with two dance favorites from Celia Cruz and DLG . Then, some swinging, hot Cuban salsa from Descarga Boricua , Adalberto Alvarez , and La Gran Banda de Venezuela. Next, we cool things off with a few guajiras--mid-to-low tempo, great for new dancers--featuring Chocolate Armenteros , Africando , and Sonora Dinamita with their particularly Colombian style. Ruben Blades leads the final set, followed by some salsa pop from Jerry Rivera and Chayanne .

It's one of the s

One salsa song packs as much of a kick as three cups of coffee--or at least that's what DJ John thinks. And how did he arrive at that conclusion? Well, he heaped on 11 scoops of high-energy, big-hit salsa, fine Colombian grade, including Roberto Blades ,Yolanda Rayo , Grupo Niche , Orquesta El Equipo , and Colombia All-stars. And just as we were about get a cup, the pot exploded with Tito Puente and La Lupe, followed by Orquesta Gitana . Then, we were finally able to kick back and savor the aroma with some son cubano from Septeto Matamoros and Adalberto Alvarez . And of course, no coffee break would be complete without a generous helping of ... Azuca'!... from the Queen herself, Celia Cruz . And for that extra shot of espresso, we finish with hit mambo-salsa from Cubanismo .

We figure that's the equivalent of 33 cups of coffee for every single

Spring is just one week away... the mornings are chilly but the days are gorgeous! And this week on Radio Macondo, we're playing salsa to fit the season, with a great mix of hot stuff to warm you up and cool stuff to help you relax and take in those gentle spring breezes. First, the hot salsa, and we mean fiery: Joe Arroyo with one of his best-known numbers; Kent Gomez with a salsa/boogaloo/jazz fusion from the '70s; and La Sonora Carruseles once again, this time featuring sultry Cubana Raquel Zazoya on vocals. Then, we relax a bit, with mid-tempo bomba-salsa from Ruben Blades and Willie Colon ; Willy Chirino , and Peru's own Melcochita. Turning down the heat quite a bit now, it's Victor Manuelle , Ray Sepulveda , La Fuga, and Pedro Conga in a great set of Salsas Romanticas. But, wait, it is nearly spring, after all, so we've got to celebrate with one last, blistering number from Edwin Bonilla (don't dare miss that one!)

RADIO MACONDO gives you the hottest salsa every week, and this one is a scorcher, starting with Sonora Carruseles , then Maraca , Fatal Mambo , La Salsa Mayor , La Sonora Poncena , Oscar D'Leon , Tito Rojas , Orquesta de la Luz, and Orquesta Mulenze . Then, from Cuba, some simmering son, turning hot at the end, with Papo Oviedo , and a new one from Ahi Na' Ma'! Every track just raises the temperature even more, this week on Radio Macondo.