When the temperature closes in on 95, as it did yesterday in New York, I put on Latin music. Growing up without air conditioning in Manhattan's Washington Heights in the 1960s, heat meant the thumping beat of a big square electric fan, a wash cloth, and hearing boogaloo and early salsa while walking down Broadway, especially from 175th to 158th streets.
Over the years, I've collected quite a bit of Latin music thanks to the guidance of knowledgeable friends. I'm not sure how hot it is where you are, but when the heat is on, you're ready for the following 10 albums:
Machito's Kenya (1957). Here's Conversation, featuring Cannonball Adderley, Doc Cheatham, Eddie Bert, Ray Santos, Joe Newman among others...
Johnny Blas's Skin and Bones (1997). Here's Cool Blas...
Tito Puente's Dance Mania (1957). Here's El Cayuco...
Eddie Palmieri's Azucar Pa' Ti (1965). Here's Cuídate Compay...
Charlie Palmieri's Canta Vitin Aviles (1975). Here's La Hija de Lola...
Hector Lavoe's Reventó (1985). Here's De Que Tamaño Es Tu Amor...
Celia Cruz's Celia & Johnny (1974). Here's Vieja Luna...
Olga Guillot's Faltaba yo (2001). Here's No Sigas por Favor...
Martin & Oscar's Su Majestad el Son y... Su Excelencia El Bolero (2007). Here's Homenaje a Oriente...
Los Hermanos Colon's Natural (1994). Here's Through the Years...
