Latin Jazz -- Your Top 5

#1 Vince Mendoza's Jazzpan'a project with WDR big band, Los Joven'os Flamencos and guests such as Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Al Dimeola, Steve Gadd and Steve Khan.
#2 Miles Davis/Marcus Miller "Siesta"
#3 Marcus Stockhousen "Sol Metizio"
#4 Bueno Vista Social Club
#5 Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, Paco DeLucia's "Sunday Night at San Francisco"
#6 The same as in #5 "Passion, Grace and Fire".

A couple more:

#7 Azylum "Crazy Rhythm"
#8 Rhythmstick with Dizzy Gillaspie, Airto Morera and Flora Purim
#9 Toots Thielemans "Brazil Project"
#10 Chick Corea "My Spanish Heart".

Poncho Sanchez, "Latin Spirits"

Here's mine:

1. Joao Gilberto, Cayetano Veloso & Gilberto Gil, "Brasil", Philips 6328 382, on Dutch Vinyl. Wheew, this will blow you away! One of the finest vocal recordings I've ever heard! Stumbled on this one when I was in Akihibara, Japan. Top notch sound and performance!

2. Cal Tjader, Gozame! Pero Ya... Nice sonics and solid performance. Cut number 3 on Side 2, "Will You Still Be Mine?" makes me get up and play air-conga everytime!

3. I second Marakanetz on Rhythmsticks, Flora Purim just shines on this CD. The late Bob Berg also puts on a show stopper!

4. Poncho Sanchez, "La Familia" on Concord Picante. What can I say, Poncho is the Conga King! Fantabulous dynamics!

5. Clementine, "Continental Bleu" on Orange Blue CD. Her traversals of "Easy Living" and Michael Franks' "Don't Be Blue" will leave you drooling with orgasmic delight! He-he! And wait till you hear "Outra Vez"...!

Marakanetz- That's amazing your number 5, I can't believe the played right through till Sunday! The two copies I have say it was "Friday Night in San Fransisco" :o)

Just a comment,actually.Investigate all of Caribbean Jazz Project's releases.(Check Ebay and Half.com)
Tony Martinez-Cuban Power Power
Michael Camillo-all
The Latin Project (2003)
Tracer

Check out Victor Feldman.

jerry gonzales and the fort apache band: moliendo cafe and rumba para monk
chico o'farril big band: carambola
eddie palmieri:arete
mongo santamaria:skin on skin
bobby matos, don't remember title

1. Batacumbele - Live at University of Puerto Rico - an LP from the 80s that is well worth seeking out. Feautures the MONSTROUS conguero Giovanni Hidalgo when he was still called Manenguito. Absolutely slamming!

2. Mario Bauza and his Latin Allstars - Tanga Suite - 1992 CD on Messidor. Fabulous latin big band ensemble playing transcendent arrangements by Chico O'Farrill.

3. Cal Tjader - Soul Sauce - an LP from the 60s that is probably on CD. Has that great fluid Tjader vibes sound, but this one knocks me out because Armando Peraza's conga playing is just so tasty. I don't know of anyone that gets a better "sound" from los cueros. Check out Afro Blue, a full course meal that one.

4. Francisco Aguabella - H2O - a recent LP, but definitely on CD on the Cubop label. Excellent ensemble sound with cool arrangements that feature a lot of sweet horn harmonies. Francisco is a great conguero that is not nearly as well known as he ought to be. He cooks with the best of them.

5. Daniel Ponce - Arawe - an LP from the late 80s. Has a few late 80s pop elements on a few tunes that I don't love but otherwise a great and varied disc by another of the reigning conguero elite.

got lots more faves but no more time to list.

A lot of food for thought -- thanks gang!