Timbal

They'd been calling him "El Rey" for years, but Tito Puente really proved it on this, one of his best original LPs on Tico. Yes, this is the one with "Oye Como Va," one of the brightest, most exuberant Latin performances of the century, but El Rey Bravo has plenty of other features for Puente's tight pachanga orchestra…

The king of the Latin-American dance field is Tito Puente. Once again, the diminutive maestro demonstrates his dominance with this new recording of popular Latin-American rhythms. In this exciting outing, Tito Puente and his orchestra lay down a driving irresistible beat that moves from beginning to end in a pulsating performance. Tito Puente and his orchestra create an added appeal with their ensemble singing which lends an authenticity to the music. Their vocal performance like everything else sparkles with vitality.

Parting Shot represents a most special moment for Steve, because it is the first time that he has felt ready to present an entire recording dedicated to Latin Jazz. Anthony Jackson, Manolo Badrena, and Steve are together yet again, alongside their bandmate of 20 years, Dennis Chambers, where, joined by master Latin musicians, Marc Quinones and Bobby Allende, they have crafted these 10 pieces of music. It is their hope that everyone will enjoy the recording to the fullest.

Pianist Omar Sosa and his band fuse divergent musical influences on the CD Prietos. Sounds from Morocco, Ecuador, Venezuela, Ivory Coast, Brazil, the United States, and Burkina Faso coalesce with musical sensibilities from Sosa's homeland of Cuba. Especially striking on Prietos is the intertwining of hip-hop verse with traditional sounding Yoruban lyrics and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Though the contrast between the urban U.S. art form and the time-honored Cuban tradition may appear to be bit incongruous, Sosa and his crew of talented musicians make it flow on such tunes as "Takes a Second."

Dave Pike has long been one of jazz's and Latin music's finest vibraphonists although he often gets overlooked. Peligroso, which is dedicated to Cal Tjader and Milt Jackson, was his first Latin jazz project in years. The influence of Tjader in particular is felt throughout the catchy boppish tunes which include eight of Pike's originals. Strong support is given by trumpeter Carl Saunders, trombonist Rich Pullin, Michael Turre on flute and baritone, and a rhythm section with Bobby Matos on timbales and Robertito Melendez on congas. The music is joyful, swinging, and infectious; difficult to resist!

The London symphonies, sometimes called the Salomon symphonies after the man who introduced London to Joseph Haydn, were composed by Joseph Haydn between 1791 and 1795. They can be categorized into two groups: Symphonies Nos. 93–98, which were composed during Haydn's first visit to London, and Symphonies Nos. 99–104, composed in Vienna and London for Haydn's second visit.
Every London Symphony, apart from one (No. 95), has a slow introduction to the first movement.