Best Recordings of 2009

This past year offered great music in the genres of salsa, latin jazz, timba and afro-cuban from the latest to some great compilations of vintage material. Here are my picks:

Mario Ortiz All Star Band "Tributo 45 Anniversario"

Latin Giants Of Jazz "Ven Baila Conmigo"

Edwin Clemente "Aqui Traigo La Rumba, Bailador"

Cuban Masters Ensemble "Del Pasado Al Presente"

Tiempo Libre "Bach A Havana"

Jimmy Bosch "A Millon"

Arnaldo Y Su Cosmopolita "En Otra Direccion"

Calle Real "Me Lo Gane"

Sonora Poncena "55 Anniversario"

Ismael Miranda "De Regreso Al Son"

Orestes Vilato "It's About Time"

Concha Buika/Chucho Valdes "El Ultimo Trago"

Coto Pincheira "The Sonido Moderno Project"

Various "Tite Curet Alonso: Alma De Poeta" (2 cd tribute)

Tito Rodriguez "El Inolvidable" (2 cd retrospective)

Alexander Abreu/Havana d'Primera "Haciendo Historia"

Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos "Cubano Cubano"

La Excelencia "Mi Tumbao Social"

Miguel Zenon "Esta Plena"

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet "Bien Bien"

Los Soneros De Gallo "Gallos De Pelea"

Nestor Torres "Nouveau Latino"

Aymee "Corazon Sonero"

Recent releases out of the oven:

Venezuelan Masters Orchestra "Live In France: Dux Toros Y Salsa"

DJ Ricky Campanelli (w/El Nino Jesus) "Salsa Como Debe Ser"

Los Soneros Boricuas y Estrellas De Envidia "De Un Pajaro Las Dos Alas"

Avance "Incontrolable"

Honorable Mentions:

Alberto Barros "Mano A Mano"

Conjunto Imagen "Afinando"

Choco Orta "Ahora Mismo"

Best Local Recording that you don't know about yet:
Various Artists "Live At Jelly's - Club Havana"
Lina G. Torio "Mestiza" EP