Afro-Latin Party sizzles with its steamy Afro-Latin poly rhythms, shimmering horns and sensual vocals.  No doubt it's listeners will be salsa dancing while they listen to compilation and it refuses to be background music (although I do have fun typing to these beats).  The ten tracks on this CD go boldly onto multicultural dance floors or someone's living room while featuring Afro-Latin bands from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Congo, Jamaica, U.S. and Croatia.  Croatia?  Cubismo, not to be confused with the UK based Cuban group, Cubanismo, hails from Croatia and yet, this group is seriously Latino from their conga beats, to their sparkling horns--you'd think they just got off a boat from Puerto Rico instead of the Balkans.

Another surprise for some listeners is the Oregon based Pepe & The Bottle Blondes (as if blonde hair is a Latina trait), led by Madrilenian Pepe Raphael.  Although this group is more kitsch than authentic, they seem to take at least the musical portion of their track, seriously.  And there is probably an enclave of Oregonians dancing the cha cha cha and keeping the rain away from their part of the Pacific Northwest.  Three of the ten tracks are by Africando, a group that needs no introduction to the Afro-Latin dance and music community.  Ska Cubano marries Jamaican ska with Afro-Cuban beats, Jose Mangual Jr. brings us the catchy Ritmo Con Ache.  Chico Alvarez, Ronald Rubinel's Salsa Kolor and Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca round out this luscious set of dance tracks.

Surprisingly, this CD is mostly acoustic traditional Afro-Cuban music.  There are a lot of dance-related recordings these days relying heavily on programmable drums and synthesizers while not employing some of the hottest percussionist and pianist talent. It has never made sense to me why anyone would need to doctor African or Latin poly rhythms.  It is those acoustic drum-heartbeats that connect us to the earth.  I realize that there are many of you out there who will not agree with me.  But for those of you who relish acoustic music, check out Afro-Latin Party.  Putumayo

PLH