World Party

Bebo is considered one of the figures of the golden age of Cuban music and also performer of Afro-Cuban jazz. Since his departure from Cuba in 1960 to settle permanently in Sweden in 1963, Bebo disappeared from the musical memories of his Cuban people and spent more than 30 years out of his career until he reappeared in 1994 managing to recover his memory and triumphing with several of his jobs at the Grammy Awards. This album is a reissue of a compilation of recordings made in 1959, shortly before his departure from Cuba, with his orchestra (the first 11 issues), to which is added 4 Bebo cuts playing piano and featuring the ensemble 'Los Cordobeses'.

As of 2002, conga player Poncho Sanchez had been recording for Concord Records' Concord Picante imprint for 20 years, a good point at which to pause and take stock of his 20 albums for the label. The Ultimate Latin Dance Party does just that, selecting 23 key tracks from 18 of those albums on a two-disc set running over two hours. Sanchez pays tribute to his predecessors on such songs as Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man," Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia," and a "Tito Medley" dedicated to Tito Puente and including "Oye Como Va." Among the guest stars joining his band are Joey DeFrancesco, Eddie Harris, Mongo Santamaria, and Puente himself. While this best-of cannot replace Sanchez's extensive catalog for fans, it is a generous compilation for more general listeners, who should be able to get a good idea of the conga player's lively, exuberant style.

An instrumental Polka holiday collection. Craig Duncan is no stranger to the Nashville music community. His talents on violin, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, guitar, bass, and viola can be heard on numerous Nashville recordings. A graduate of Appalachian State University and Tennessee State University, Craig is a member of the North American Fiddler's Hall of Fame and Who's Who in Music and Musicians. In addition to his recording credits, Craig Duncan has written over 30 music instruction publications for Mel Bay Public.