V.A. - The Rough Guide To Brazil : Rio De Janeiro (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Cutting down the usual mass of music contained in any given Brazilian compilation, and following the more regional focus of the Bahia Rough Guide, this album covers the more urban music of Brazil -- the samba, bossa nova, carioco, and so on. Some electronic samba opens the album, followed quickly by a rendition of a classic Gilberto Gil piece. Fusions of samba with electronica, bossa nova with funk, and MPB with soul and jazz make themselves heard here. The classic compositions of Jobim, Gil, Powell, and others also find their way in simultaneously. Some of the most interesting stuff here is the least standard for the area. Ed Motta sounds like an old Michael Jackson dance record, Beth Carvalho enhances an old piece with notions of "Over the Rainbow." The sounds aren't as contemporary as one might expect given the massive life in Rio currently, but there are some interesting pieces here that make a decent cross-stylistic set. by Adam Greenberg
1    Moisés Santana – Algeria 3:07
2    Equale – quele Abraço 2:24
3    Clara Moreno – Ela (Rap Da Clara) 5:35
4    Trio Mocotó – Chiclete Com Banana 4:17
5    Nei Lopez – Samba De Eleguá 3:43
6    Beth Carvalho – Folhas Secas 3:16
7    Fernanda Porto – Só Tinha De Ser Com Você 4:16
8    Quinta – Construção    4:51
9    Ed Motta–    Tem Espaço Na Van    4:05
10    Nelson Sargento–    Agoniza Mas Não Morre    2:10
11    Paulo Bellinati & Mônica Salmaso–    Canto De Ossanha    3:52
12    Elizete Cardoso–    Chega De Saudade    3:27
13    Renato Piau & Luiz Melodía–    Fadas    2:55
14    Jards Macalé–    Rei De Janeiro    3:49
15    Marcelinho Da Lua Feat. Seu Jorge–    Cotidiano    5:23
16    B'Negão–    A Verdadeiro Dança Do Patinho    3:42

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Samba (2013) 2xCD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist 1 :
1 Alcione – Duas Faces 5:13
2 Partideiros Do Cacique – Meu Bloco 3:06
3 Velha Guarda da Portela Feat. Marisa Monte – Volta Meu Amor 4:22
4 Rogê – A Nega E O Malandro 4:47
5 Teresa Cristina – Coisas Banais 3:40
6 Samba Urbano – Deixa 2:05
7 Moyseis Marques – Samba, Ciência Da Graça 3:14
8 Samba Um – Malandro Dpdp 4:21
9 Luísa Maita – Lero-Lero 4:43
10 Odilara – Já É 3:41
11 Mart'Nália – Cabide 2:17
12 Márcio Local – Soul Do Samba 3:16
13 Loop B – Drill Samba/Samba Da Furadeira 2:31
14 Mané Sagaz – Um Samba Que Não Sai 4:15
15 Samba Chula De São Braz – Samba, Cachaça E Viola 9:18
Tracklist 2 :
Introducing ... Ruivão
1 – Criação É Ato Continuo 2:59
2 – Todas As Cores Num Hino 3:56
3 – O Jogo Termina Aos 90 3:35
4 – Sou Sambista Dr Fé 3:30
5 – Pout-Pourrit De Partido Alto: Dia De João / Apelo / Disfarce 4:20
6 – Sambas Da Vida 3:41
7 – Eu Vejo 2:59
8 – Sol Bordado 3:07
9 – Pingo Da Vela 3:48
10 – Rapaz Sagaz 3:54
11 - Não Me Encarregue De Enviar Fax 3:08

V.A. - The Rough Guide To The Music Of The Andes (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of the greatest things about the Rough Guide series is the incredible diversity that they try to pack into the albums. Every style that the producers can find in a region will find its way onto the album in question. This is no exception to the rule. An album of music from Chile, Peru, and the whole of the ancient Incan territories, this one has plenty of the panpipe playing that people recognize as Andean. It also has slightly newer introductions to the Andean scene, such as charangos (a lute like instrument made from the shell of an armadillo). More striking are the newest additions, the nuevo cancion, a "new song," tied in with the politics of revolution in Chile. Guitars and newer vocals were added, and the performers doubled as political rallying points, lobbyists, and rebels (Victor Jara, here on track 17, was actually tortured and murdered during the course of a revolution as a political prisoner). On top of all this, the great world diva Susana Baca makes an appearance as well, showcasing her talent as a vocalist. For someone interested in the full range of music from the Andes, this would be a great starting point. For those that have already tuned into a given sector of the music, other options may present themselves as superior. by Adam Greenberg  
Tracklist:
1 Savia Andina – Tempestad 3:01
2 Los Kjarkas – Puedo Vivir Sin Tu Amor 4:04
3 Emma Junaro – De Regresso 5:11
4 Rumillajta – Atahuallpa 4:44
5 Eddy Navia – Daniela Soledad 3:57
Written-By – Eddy Navia
6 Inti Illimani – El Hacha 5:24
7 Ernesto Cavour – Leño Verde 2:34
Written-By – Ernesto Cavour
8 William E. Centellas – Chaquiras De Luz 3:30
Written-By – William E. Centellas
9 Nelly Enriqueta Ulloa Mealla – Me Querido Potosi (Si Supieras)    3:20
10 Awatiñas – Quirquinchos De Corazón 4:34
11 Fernando Jimenez – Virgenes Del Sol 3:16
12 Jenny Cárdenas – Jallalla 4:00
13 Susana Baca – Maria Lando 5:37
14 Picaflor De Los Andes – Un Pasajero En Tu Camino 2:37
15 Orquesta Los Tarumas De Tarma – Alianza Corazón 2:35
16 Sukay – Conception 3:48
Written-By – Eddy Navia, Gabriel
17 Victor Jara – Te Recuerdo Amanda 2:33
Written-By – Victor Jara

V.A. - The Rough Guide To The Music Of The Andes : Bolivia (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

If you thought the music of the Andes was all pan pipes and funny little guitars and melancholy songs about condors, think again. This very fine collection of music from Bolivia focuses on performers from La Paz, the country's largest city, and it showcases a fascinating variety of sounds. It opens with "El Guajojo" by Esther Marisol, who sings in a sweetly rich alto voice and whose music is typified by an elegant, almost decorous mood that falls somewhere between fado and samba. A similar delicacy informs Zulma Yugar's "El Transnochador," a lovely song accompanied by those flutes and double-strung guitars (called charangos) that you're used to hearing. Also noteworthy are the lurching and horn-heavy (wait for it -- the horns come in about halfway through) "En el Funeral del Rio" by Luis Rico and the sumptuously beautiful "Añoranzas" by the all-female conjunto folklorico Grupo Bolivia. Everything on this richly diverse album is worth hearing, with the possible exception of the poorly recorded and halfheartedly performed "Dalia Morada" by Enriqueta Ulloa. by Rick Anderson
Tracklist:
1 Esther Marisol – El Guajojo 3:22
2 Arawi – Chofercito 4:09
3 Zulma Yugar – El Trasnochador 3:32
4 Ernesto Cavour – Greda Mestiza 2:28
5 Semilla – Wistu Vida 4:29
6 Ana Cristina Cespedes – Paloma Del Alma Mia 4:33
7 Savia Andina – K'alanchito 3:36
8 Grupo Bolivia – AÑoranzas 3:31
9 Enriqueta Ulloa – Dalia Morada 3:39
10 Luis Rico – En El Funeral Del Rio 6:09
11 Luzmila Carpio – Bartolino Sisaman 3:04
12 Los Kjarkas – Senora Su Hija 2:58
13 Betty Veizaga Y El Grupo Pukaj Wayra – Ulala Kiskita 3:37
14 Grupo Aymara – Huellas De Mi Llamita 3:06
15 Emma Junaro – De Regresso 5:12
16 Rafael Arias Paz – Kaluyos Tradicionales 3:31

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Cumbia (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Cumbia is to Columbia what samba is to Brazil, tango is to Argentina, and merengue is to the Dominican Republic -- it isn't the country's only style of music, but it is definitely its most famous and popular. Numerous cumbia compilations have come out in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America; one of them is The Rough Guide to Cumbia. This collection, released in 2000, spans the 1950s-1990s, although it tends to favor classic cumbia over contemporary cumbia. Regrettably, World Music Network fails to provide recording dates; if the company didn't want to go to that trouble, it could have at least listed the years in which the CD's 22 tracks were released. But to the Network's credit, the sound quality is good and its choices are usually first-rate. Listeners are exposed to some of cumbia's true heavyweights thanks to classics by Lucho Bermúdez ("Columbia Tierra Querida," "Danza Negra"), Alfredo Gutiérrez ("La Banda Borracha"), Leonor González Mina ("Yo Me Llamo Cumbia"), and Jaime Llano González ("Cumbia en Azul"). Meanwhile, Lisandro Meza's "Salsipuedes" from 1991 is among the collection's more modern recordings. One thing the compilation doesn't get into is the cumbia of Mexico and the southwestern U.S., where Mexican artists have been playing their own interpretations of cumbia; this disc is Columbian all the way. The Rough Guide to Cumbia is hardly the last word on cumbia, but it's generally rewarding and can serve as a fine introduction to the style, although it would have been nice if the World Music Network had listed recording dates. by Alex Henderson  
Tracklist:
1 Alberto Pacheco – Cumbia Cienaguera 3:39
2 Romulo Caicedo – La Luna Y El Pescador 3:04
3 Henry Castro – Cumbia De Colombia 3:00
4 Lucho Bermúdez Y Su Orquesta – Colombia Tierra Querida 2:34
5 Tamara – Maria Candela 3:00
6 Leonor González Mina – Yo Me Llama Cumbia 3:05
7 Alfredo Gutiérrez Y Sus Estrellas – La Banda Borracha 3:19
8 Chico Cervantes – Fiesta En Corraleja 2:50
9 Corraleja 71 – La Pollera Colora 2:16
10 Romulo Caicedo – Guepa Je 2:46
11 Edmundo Arias – Cumbia Sobre El Mar    2:40
12 Lisandro Meza – Salsipuedes 3:39
13 Jaime Llano González – Cumbia En Azul 2:48
14 Cristobal Perez Y Su Conjunto – La Negra Celina 2:20
15 Pepe Molina – Cumbiambera 2:24
16 Leonor González Mina – Navidad Negra 3:36
17 Los Hispanos – Atlantico 2:06
18 Los Black Stars – La Piragua 3:24
19 Guillermo González Y Su Orquesta – Tolu 2:46
20 Los Falcons – Cumbia De Sal 3:14
21 Jaime Llano González – Cumbia Sampuesana 3:06
22 Lucho Bermúdez Y Su Orquesta – Danza Negra 2:25

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Colombian Street Party (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of the beauties of this disc is that most of the artists are unknown on the international scene -- only the excellent Columbiafrica has made any real impact, and that was small. But there's some outstanding material here, not only from that band, but also Chocquibtown's native hip-hop on "Somos Pacifico" and Radio Cumbia's "El Pipiloco," where the cumbia truly does become a party rhythm with the addition of some great scratching. Much the same is true of the accordion-powered Grupo Retrovisor, while the wonderfully named Dr. Krapula lets the electric guitars go crazy with "Luchando Voy." Interestingly, the collection starts with something very rooted in "Merengue Fato," although still eminently danceable, and to close it connects the dots between Colombia and Africa with Makina El Karibe's "El Vendeor." The whole thing even touches on acoustic pop with Creole's three-chord trick on the English language "Hold On." Yes, there are other tracks that don't match the quality, but as a party album, it definitely fits the bill. by Chris Nickson
Tracklist:
1 Sixto Silgado, Paito  Y Los Gaiteros de Punta Brava – Merengue Faroto 3:01
2 Radio Cumbia – El Pipiloco 3:39
3 Grupo Retrovisor – Mecánica 4:02
4 La-33 – La Fea 3:55
5 La Contundencia – El Rastrillo 6:02
6 Mojarra Electrica – El Hueco (DJ Slow Remix) 4:29
7 Dr Krapula – Luchando Voy 3:18
8 Chocquibtown – Somos Pacifico 3:50
9 Creole – Hold On 4:49
10 Joe Arroyo Y La Verdad – En Barranquilla Me Quedo 5:12
11 David Dely & Tumba Y Quema – Son Maloso 5:06
12 Calambuco – Métele 2:35
13 Colombiafrica – Tus Huellas 5:03
14 Grupo Saboreo – La Vamo A Tumbar 5:35
15 Makina Del Karibe – El Vendeor 4:26

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Calypso Gold (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Calypso is Trinidad's art form, grounded in Africa, but very much of the West Indies, growing out of slave culture. It's the mainstay of Carnival -- even now, there's still a calypso tent -- and it's a world compiler Jean Michel Gibert knows very well. These really are some of calypso's golden moments, going back to the relatively early days of recording with Monrose's String Orchestra (sounding not unlike a sophisticated American string band), to King Radio in the '40s, or Calypso Rose offering "Rum & Coca Cola," which became a major U.S. hit for the Andrews Sisters, down to calypso's heyday in the '50s, when Lord Kitchen, Mighty Bomber, and Lord Pretender were iconic figures in a genre that briefly went worldwide. But it's not just the performers; the best calypso songs have entered the lexicon of popular music, like "Scandal in the Family," "Mary Ann," or "Man Smart Woman Smarter." Although much calypso has been topical or local, those -- among many others -- have found lasting international fame. The compilation also explores a couple of interesting little side streets -- calypso in French and in Creole, which have never figured largely, but are still significant. All in all, a very satisfying disc that works beautifully as a calypso primer. by Chris Nickson
Tracklist:
1 Sir Lancelot – Scandal In The Family 3:02
2 King Radio – Mathilda 2:43
3 Lord Pretender – Human Race 3:46
4 Calypso Rose – Rum & Coca Cola 4:09
5 Caresser – Edward The VIII 3:07
6 The Mighty Bomber – Ugly Woman 3:00
7 Lion – Mary Ann 2:25
8 Relator – Nora 3:53
9 Lord Kitchener – Ah Bernice 3:01
10 Duke Of Iron – The Lost Watch 2:58
11 Tiger – Gold In Africa 3:00
12 Kiskedee Trio – Congo Barra 3:01
13 Caresser – Madam Khan 2:54
14 Atilla – La Reine Maribone 2:51
15 Sam Manning – Amba Cay La 3:00
16 Belasco's Orchestra Feat Houdini – Blow Wind Blow 3:05
17 Houdini – Caroline 3:03
18 Monrose's String Orchestra – Old Lady Old Lady 2:55
19 Houdini – Uncle Jo' Gimme Mo' 3:08
20 King Radio – Man Smart Woman Smarter 3:05

V.A. - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Jamaica (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Compilation producer Steve Barrow had a monstrous job awaiting him in assembling a single-disc representation of music in modern Jamaica. While the giant ghost of Bob Marley's influence still flies high in the Caribbean sky, the island of Jamaica has never stopped for a moment looking for the next rhythm, song trend, or DJ style to further its reputation as one of the most musically progressive places on earth. The enhancement of this 20-track collection with a data track containing information on travel and guides to where to experience Jamaican music makes this a doubly wonderful offering. By leaving Marley and the original Wailers -- as well as Lee Perry, King Tubby, Augustus Pablo, and other early innovators -- off the compilation, Barrow left himself and the set open to criticism, but also opened up space to offer the work of important innovators from years past who have not received the recognition they've deserved, as well as current scientists who are creating an entirely new reggae from the ashes of the past. Among the old school heroes are I-Roy and Big Youth -- who almost invented the DJ dancehall style -- and John Holt, who as a producer, singer, and songwriter has placed too many hits to count on the Jamaican charts. There are also contributions from the Maytals, Junior Reid, the late soul-reggae crooner Dennis Brown, style-smart singer Lopez Walker, and Laurel Aitken. From the middle years there is Roland Alphonso with his "Payton Place" and Cornel Campbell with "I Shall Not Remove." But the set comes full circle when it showcases Yami Bolo's "Blood a Run," the ragga dancehall-lighting speech-rap of Shabba Ranks, Home T & Cocoa Tea's "Holding On," and finally, Luciano's "Poor & Simple" (offering ample evidence as to why he is being called the finest reggae singer on the planet). The CD choices are arguable; every single track could have been another by the same or a different artist -- such is the wealth of material Barrow had to choose from. But this is what he chose; this is the vision of Jamaica's vast musical treasure trove he chose to share as a soundtrack, a travel guide through the island's musical history, and a killer dance party album. It is not to be missed.
(This Comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our Blog ´O Púbis da Rosa´)
Tracklist:
1 Laurel Aitken – Mas Charlie (Prisoner Song) 2:44
Written-By – Laurel Aitken
2 Basil Gabbidon – Going Back To Ja 2:52
Producer – Vincent "Randy" Chin
Written-By – Basil Gabbidon, Vincent Chin
3 The Maytals – John & James 2:02
Producer – Randy Chin
Written-By – Frederick Hibbert, Vincent Chin
4 Baba Brooks – Shank I Sheck 2:41
Producer – Vincent 'King' Edwards
Written-By – B. Brooks
5 Ken Boothe & Stranger Cole – Home Home Home 2:25
Producer – Vincent "Randy" Chin
Written-By – Ken Boothe, Vincent Chin
6 Phyllis Dillon – Don't Stay Away 2:31
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – John Holt
7 Lord Creator – Such Is Life 2:31
Written-By – Kentrick Patrick, Vincent Chin
8 Roland Alphonso – Payton Place 3:41
Producer – Bunny Lee
Vocals [Mc-ing] – Don
Written-By – B. Lee, R. Alphonso
9 John Holt – Everybody Needs Love 2:27
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written By – Copyright
10 Impact All Stars Featuring Tommy McCook – Jaro 3:23
Written-By – Clive Chin
11 I-Roy – Hospital Trolley 2:54
Producer – Clive Chin
Written-By – Roy Reid
12 Cornel Campbell – I Shall Not Remove 4:01
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Cornel Campbell
13 Dennis Brown – Together Brothers 4:19
Written-By – Brown
14 Big Youth – Wolf In Sheep Clothing 2:55
Written-By – Manley Buchanan
15 Lopez Walker – Fly Away 6:11
Producer – Roy Francis
Written-By – Lopez Walker
16 Triston Palma – Spliff Tail 3:02
Backing Band – The Soul Syndicate Band
Mixed By – Scientist
Producer – Ossie Thomas
Written-By – Triston Palma
17 Junior Reid – Boom Shack A Lack 3:33
Backing Band – The High Times Band
Producer – King Jammy
Written-By – Delroy Reid
18 Home T., Cocoa Tea & Shabba Ranks – Holding On 3:59
Producer – Augustus 'Gussie' Clarke
Written-By – C. Scott, M. Bennett, R. Gordon
19 Yami Bolo – Blood A Run 3:44
Producer – Trevor 'Leggo' Douglas
Written-By – R.E. McLean
20 Luciano – Poor & Simple 3:36
Backing Band – The Firehouse Crew, Sly & Robbie
Producer – Fatis Burrell
Written-By – J. McClymont, P. Burrell

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Ska (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In keeping with the Rough Guide standard, this single-disc compilation of tracks from producer Vincent "Randy" Chin's personal stash is nothing less than stellar. While there are many well-known acts here -- the Skatalites (three selections) and the pre-reggae Maytals (two) -- there are plenty of obscurities here. In fact, 12 of the album's 21 tracks have not been reissued since they were first recorded and released as singles. Some of the rarities include Rico Rodriguez's "Rico Special" from 1961 and the jump blues-derived "A Little Mashin'" by Bunny & Skitter from that same year. The early-'60s material is special because it shows how wide-open the ska scene was to embracing anything and everything it could adapt -- check out "Blockade" from 1961, a boogie-woogie number twisted and turned through a horn section headed by Rodriguez into a slow ska burner. And then there's Basil Gabbidon's unique use of the electric guitar in "Iveree" from 1962. Smooth-voiced Alton Ellis is featured here in one of his earliest sessions with Eddie Parkins in a doo wop performance set to a ska rhythm -- killer stuff. Cornel Campbell's sweet vocal on "Make Hay" from 1963 offers a hint of what was to come, with him bringing the spirits of Frankie Lymon and Dion into his singing style. In all, this is thoroughly enjoyable, with great liner notes and sequencing. Audiophiles may have a tough time with some of this, as Jamaican recording studios were hardly state of the art, but the sound is more than adequate and the performances far outweigh any shortcomings in the masters. Rock-solid.
(This Comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our Blog ´O Púbis da Rosa´)
Tracklist:
1 The Skatalites – Malcolm X 2:31
Written-By – Lee Morgan
2 Rico Rodriguez – Rico Special 3:20
3 Bunny And Skitter – A Little Mashin' 2:08
4 Basil Gabbidon – Iveree 2:19
5 Bobby Gaynair / Rico Rodriguez / Dizzy Johnny, Richard Ace – Blockade 2:23
6 Alton & Eddie – Let Me Dream 1:48
7 Bunny & Skitter – Leave Out Babylon 1:43
8 Rico Rodriguez – Rico Farewell 2:51
9 Cornell Campbell – Make Hay 2:51
10 Roland Alphonso – Blow Roland Blow 2:26
11 The Maytals – Someone's Going To Bawl 2:08
12 Lester Sterling – Skaramont 2:10
13 Naomi Adams – Woman Of Samaria 2:24
14 The Skatalites – Ska-Racha 2:13
15 Lord Creator – Don't Stay Out Late 2:40
16 Don Drummond – Sam The Fisherman 3:10
17 Stranger & Ken – Revelation 1:38
18 The Skatalites – Freedom Ska 2:29
19 The Maytals – Lost Penny 2:15
20 The Skatalites – Baby Elephant Walk 2:53
Written-By – Henry Mancini

V.A. - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Haiti (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Haiti might be one of the poorest countries in the world, having barely survived the brutal regimes of Papa Doc Duvalier and his son, Baby Doc, but it still produces some remarkable music, as this compilation, intelligently put together by BBC DJ Andy Kershaw, shows. While there are plenty of the native compas grooves (a kind of slowed-down Dominican merengue that remains eminently danceable), ranging from the Mini All Stars to the smoother sound of Mizik Mizik and Tabou Combo, plenty of varying Haitian styles are represented, whether it's the swinging big band of Orchestre Tropicana; the punk/traditional fusion of Ram; the Fugees-influenced rap of Masters of Haiti, who sound superb on "Ti Chans"; the Cuban connection of Haitando; or the zouk-soukous freedom of DP Express, which links Haiti directly with the recent music of West Africa, and has the added bonus of fabulous guitar and sax solos, and some very sophisticated arranging on the tune. Those links run deep, though, and Boukman Eksperyans explore them on "Baron," in their racine style, with its strong voudou elements. Issa El Saieh et Son Orchestre and Super Jazz des Jeunes help represent the older contingent, while the wonderfully raw Ti Coca & Wanga Negess give a version of the unofficial Haitian anthem, "Ayiti Cherie." A fascinating look at some of the best music in the Caribbean. by Chris Nickson  
Tracklist:
1 Coupé Cloué – Gacon Bôzô 7:42
2 Masters of Haiti – Ti Chans (Pou Ayiti) 5:42
3 Ti-Coca & Wanga Negess – Ayiti Cherie 2:56
4 Les Fantaisistes De Carrefour – Ti Yannick 1:56
5 Orchestre Tropicana – Haiti, Perle Des Antilles 5:55
6 Haitiando – Gròg Mwen 4:34
7 Mini All Stars – Tioul #3 (Pimp #3) 7:34
8 RAM – Marassa Elu 4:21
9 Mizik Mizik – Blakawout 5:34
10 Boukman Eksperyans – Baron 5:55
11 Nemours Jean-Baptiste – Manman Tyoul La Sou 3:00
12 Super Jazz Des Jeunes – Appran La Vie 9:50
13 D.P. Express – Bariè 9:50
14 Tabou Combo – Chalè Lanmou 5:53
15 Issa El Saieh – Haiti 3:00

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Voodoo (2013) 2xCD / Mp3

Tracklist 1 :
1 Grupo Vocal Desandann – Guide Nibo 2:05
2 Lord Nelson –    Shango 4:19
3 Dr John – Marie La Veau 3:54
4 Gangbé Brass Band – Segala 4:28
5 Baden Powell And Vinicius De Moraes – Canto De Xango 5:50
6 Bata Ketu – Osain/Osanyin 10:33
7 Lazaro Ros & Olorun – Cantos Iyesa 4:26
8 Toto Bissainthe – Dey 3:37
9 Maria Bethânia – Canto De Oxum 5:13
10 Conjunto Folklorico Nacional De Cuba – Yemaya 9:00
11 Steve Gray – New Orleans Funeral 2:32
12 Craig Klein Feat. John Boutte – Marie Laveau 6:52
Tracklist 2 :
Bonus CD: Erol Josué Régléman    
1 Hounto Legba 3:20
2 Madam Letan 5:14
3 La Souvenance    2:47
4 Madichon 4:34
5 Ochan Lavi 4:30
6 Balize 3:51
7 EAtomp'A 4:23
8 Garçon Solide 4:23
9 Vire Wonn 4:55
10 Ti Moun Yo 4:03
11 Yege Dahomen 5:45
12 Nadoki Nadoka 3:45
13 Krepsol 4:07

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Central America (2001) Mp3

This is the first comprehensive single-disc collection of the various popular and folk styles from the Central American region of the world. Included on this album's 17 selections are representative tunes of the styles of Guatemala (marimba), Belize (brukdown), Nicaragua (trova), Honduras (punta), and countless variations incorporating reggae, salsa, son, cumbia, and local styles. The performers are well-known in the region, and especially in their native countries, so this is not a collection of field recordings. Nowhere is this more evident than in the album's opener by Belize's Andy Palacio; "Nagúara," from his album Keimon, is a solid blend of infectious pop with a traditional rhythm (garifuna). He makes a second appearance with "Lasmiselu," and it too is irresistible in its pop appeal and killer rhythmic invention. Also present is the truly wonderful Guadalupe Urbina with "Agosto Azul," from Costa Rica, a sublime blend of poetry and music. The crossbreeding, the miscegenation here, is almost unbelievable for its invention of new styles from old. Take Philip Montalvan's "Bilwi Luhpia Mairin," which is a seamless fusion of reggae and folk music from Nicaragua's indigenous Miskito tribe. But there are folk elements too, from Mr. Peters & His Boom & Chime, with his virtuoso accordion playing fronting a band playing brukdown, a form of black Creole music from Belize, or Guatemalan musician Jursino Cayetano's paranda, which uses garifuna drums, acoustic guitar, and Latin and Spanish rhythms in a folk song. There are also tracks here from Panama, El Salvador, and other nations. Whatever your taste is, it is at least reflected here. But for most listeners, this music will be a revelation, a stunning wake-up call that, even in the widespread marketplace ghetto called "world music," there is much that is within easy distance of our ears, yet never heard on these shores. Thank goodness for the Rough Guides and others like them. This isn't just good music, it is essential music for everyone interested in the world around them. A fantastic collection.
(This Comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our Blog ´O Púbis da Rosa´)
Tracklist:
1 Naguara 0:42
Andy Palacio (Belize)
2 Luna Llena 6:00
Guillermo Anderson (Honduras)
3 Calandria 3:57
Jursino Cayetano (Guatemala)
4 Agosto Azul 4:54  
Guadalupe Urbina (Costa Rica)
5 Lamiselu 3:28
Andy Palacio (Belize)
6 Bilwi Luhpia Mairen 4:51   
Philip Montalvan     (Nicaragua)
7 Lugua Hama Lurudu 3:26     
Lugua (Honduras)
8 Por Esa Negra 4:12   
Guillermo Anderson (Honduras)
9 Retorno 3:46   
Romulo Castro  (Panama)
10 El Salvador 4:42
Carlos Mejia Godoy (Nicaragua)
11 Bihine Mi Bak Dehn Taak 3:17    
Mr. Peters And His Boom & Chime (Belize)
12 Fire 3:42
New Revelation (Costa Rica)
13 Wabouga 4:21    
Lincoln Lewis (Belize)
14 La Herencia del Pela'o 4:36   
Romulo Castro (Panama)
15 El Negrito 4:11
Sergio Morales (Costa Rica)
16 Alaporio 4:49
Peter Flores (Belize)
17 Nicaragua, Nicaragüita 3:29  
Carlos Mejia Godoy (Nicaragua) 

V.A. - The Rough Guide To The Cuban Music Story (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Fast on the heels of the turn-of-the-millennium Cuban music craze spawned by the Afro-Cuban All Stars and the Buena Vista Social Club's reappearance, Rough Guides released a book detailing the complexity and variety of the Cuban music scene, and an accompanying album. Admittedly, the album leaves out a huge amount of the variety present in Cuban music (the Cuba Classics series might not be a bad choice for that end), and primarily ignore the African-based Santeria works as well, though the influence of African rhythm is ever present in some aspect of the music. The album opens up with the master of mambo singing (and more), Beny Moré, and a signature number. A nice piece from an old tres master precedes works from the outstanding (but only once recorded) Afro-Cuban Jazz Project and the Afro-Cuban All Stars. The old masters have their time with works from Mario Bauza and Bebo Valdés (Chucho's father), both from the early '90s. A nice guajira is followed by an Eliades Ochoa bolero that includes some sax work from Manu Dibango, and ex-Irakere member Orlando Valle shows off his flute work with his newest group, Maraca. Another tres piece precedes an Orquesta Aragón cover of a Senegalese Wolof tune, and Jesus Alemany's two groups are presented serially with ¡Cubanismo! and Sierra Maestra. The album finishes with some electrolatino from German Azúcar Letal and a piece from the venerable pianist Peruchin to bring the album full circle to the early years of Cuban greatness on the world scene. There are countless albums of Cuban music to be had out there, and a huge number are certainly worth hearing. This album is certainly among the ranks of the best, as it collects some of the standouts over time in the slightly narrowed field of Cuban dance music (leaving out a good deal of jazz, Santeria, and rock in the process, but making a much more coherent and enjoyable whole). by Adam Greenberg
Tracklist:
1 Beny Moré – Bonito Y Sabroso 2:55
2 Niño Rivera – El Jamaiquino 4:24
3 Afro Cuban Jazz Project – Campina 5:59
4 Afro Cuban All Stars – Al Vaivén De Mi Carreta 7:41
5 Mario Bauzá – Chucho 3:51
6 Bebo Valdés – To Mario Bauzá 6:02
7 Guillermo Portabales – El Carretero 3:08
8 Cuarteto Patria & Manu Dibango – Quizás Quizás 6:33
9 Maraca – Quiero A Mi Guajira 5:05
10 Pancho Amat – Fania 4:34
11 Orquesta Aragón – Yaye Boy 3:49
12 ¡Cubanismo! – Aprovecha 4:48
13 Sierra Maestra – Tibiri Tábara 3:35
14 Azúcar Letal – Somos Lo Maximo 5:38
15 Peruchín – Laura 2:40

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Afro-Cuba (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Here is an anthology that has been needed for some time. A brief, concise, yet deep and authoritative collection of music that goes further than paying lip service to the Afro-Cuban connection. Here the continental differences are erased in a widespread look at cross-pollination and cultural miscegenation. The great glory of this collection is that it does not solely focus on the Africa to Cuba connection. Instead, its 14 cuts show the exportation of African rhythms to Cuba and the return of song forms like the son and bolero back to Africa. Beginning in Africa with Cheikh N'Digël Lô and Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca and then slipping to a mixed track with Quartetto Patria with the saxophone athletics of Manu Dibango, the story is told first in rhythm and more rhythm. Shifting, changing beats and accents offer all of the erratic foundations needed for love songs and the telling of village stories. When the disc begins to make its move to Cuba, it first features the blood-red rhumbas of Sierra Maestra, a band that embodies both places in its mix without discriminating. Later, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Patato, and even the hot jumping sons of the Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro intertwine with the music of the Super Eagles and the slippery Orchestra Baobab, exchanging enunciations, harmonies, and all manners of call and response as well as rhythm. This is a steaming volume, digging so deep into the beach soil of these two places that it's a wonder they are untied by geography instead of by the pain of the slave trade from five hundred years ago. They are brothers in rhythm, sisters in song. This is an essential volume for any serious world music library.
(This Comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our Blog ´O Púbis da Rosa´)
Tracklist:
1 Cheikh N'Digël Lô – M'Beddemi 4:24
2 Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca – Le Rendez-Vous 4:20
3 Africando – Trovador 4:13
4 Cuarteto Patria & Manu Dibango – Rumba Makossa 4:32
5 Super Cayor De Dakar – Xamsa Bopp 4:14
6 Orchestra Baobab – Boulmamine 5:52
7 Super Eagles – Viva Super Eagles 2:59
8 Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro – Porque Me Guardas Rencor 5:13
9 Sierra Maestra – ¿Dónde Va Chichi? 5:11
10 Balla Et Ses Balladins – Assa 6:22
11 E.T. Mensah – Senorita 3:03
12 Lázaro Ros – Yewa 3:37
13 Afro-Cuban All Stars – Elube Changó 3:56
14 Patato Feat. Samba Mapangala – Kora-Son 6:30
Featuring – Samba Mapangala

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Latin Psychedelia (2013) 2xCD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While Brazil is certainly known as one of the go-to regions for psychedelic music, artists from all over Latin America were experimenting with their sounds, adding bits of freaked-out rock & roll to their traditional forms to create something new and exciting. Shining a light on the output of the entire region, The Rough Guide to Latin Psychedelia offers the perfect overview of the whole scene, supplementing its two discs of far-out Latin jams with essays and other information in the liner notes to create the perfect starter kit for anyone looking to explore the weirder side of Latin music. by Gregory Heaney
Tracklist 1 :
The Rough Guide To Latin Psychedelia    
1 Joe Cuba Sextet – Psychedelic Baby 3:13
2 Johnny Rivera & The Tequila Brass – Cloud Nine 3:31
3 Flash & The Dynamics – Guajira Psicodelica 3:10
4 Frankie Dante & Orchesta Flamboyán  Con Larry Harlow – Dame Un Tipi 3:38
5 Los Nombres – Todos 3:18
6 Wild Wind – A Drink Or Two 3:14
7 Brownout – Olvidalo 3:59
8 Juan Pablo Torres – Pastel En Descarga 3:07
9 Ocote Soul Sounds – En El Temblor 3:36
10 Tita Duval Y El Nuevo Ritmo De Bobby Rey – La Playa Dorada 2:20
11 Afrosound – Baila Mi Rumbita 2:44
Featuring – Jamie Ley
12 Conjunto El Opio – Piratas En El Titicaca 3:25
13 Los Destellos – El Boogaloo Del Perro 3:27
14 Los Pakines – Tomalo O Dejalo 3:54
15 Los Texao – La Pelea Del Gobernador 4:32
16 Traffic Sound – La Camita 2:45
17 Spiteri – Campesina 5:22
18 Chicha Libre – Number 17 3:18
Tracklist 2 :
Bonus CD: The Rough Guide To Los Destellos    
1 – Onstá La Yerbita 6:13
2 - Volando Con Destellos 3:21
3 – Guajira Sicodelica 3:22
4 – Boogaloo De Los Destellos 2:29
5 – Noche De Garua 3:17
6 – La Cumbia Del Sol 3:52
7 – Tu Jugaste 5:08
8 – El Campesino (Soy Un Campesino) 2:50
9 – El Eléctrio 3:09
10 – Descarga Destellos 3:22
11 – Volando Alto 3:12
12 – La Fatidica 3:15
13 – Sin Un Querer 3:25

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Urban Latino (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Think urban music and chances are it's R&B and hip-hop that spring to mind. But that's a thought limited to North America and Europe. Latin music has developed its own urban sound in recent years. Yes, it draws from the sources above, but they're only two facets of the whole. Add in the burgeoning reggaeton genre, rock, ska, and dance music, as well as regional variations from cumbia to samba, and you have the fuel for a very hot fire. This excellently compiled disc explores many of those -- although, as the notes admit, it's not comprehensive. There's some material that doesn't work too well; Asilo 38 try too hard to sound tough and gritty with their rap, only to become clichéd, while El Otro Yo del Otro Yo's rock sounds disturbingly like early R.E.M. with anemic radio reception. Much of the rest is exciting, like Ska Cubano's thrilling, melodic mix of ska and Cuban music, or Zona Marginal's hard-hitting "No Mas." It's the kind of disc where every tack brings a surprise, be it the electronica of Holger Hiller's "Macome (Yoruba BPR Mix)" or the massed overdubbed samba percussion of Arakatuba's "Riva (Gringo Jo Remix)." Ska is also a big component here, a beat favored by many bands, like Doctor Krapula. What this proves is that urban Latino tastes are far more varied than some other cultures -- and they make a hell of a lot of good music. by Chris Nickson  
Tracklist:
1 Zona Marginal – No Más 4:18
2 Triangulo Oscuro – A Moverse 3:21
3 Doctor Krapula – El Pibe De Mi Barrio 2:47
4 Actitud Maria Marta – Eres Re-lindo 3:40
5 Chacka – Contigo 2:46
6 Ska Cubano – Coqueteando 3:21
7 Asilo 38 – Vencer O Morir 3:32
8 Nava – Hey You 4:57
9 Yerba Brava – Sos Un Cheto 4:12
10 Arakatuba Feat. Liliana Chachian – Riva (Gringo Jo Remix) 6:11
11 Holger Hiller – Macomé (Yoruba BPM Mix) 5:16
12 Judiny Feat. Caroline – Amor A Primera Vista 3:28
13 Charanga Cakewalk – El Indio 4:21
14 El Otro Yo Del Otro Yo – Una Salida 3:07
15 Bostich – Polaris 6:53

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Salsa De Puerto Rico (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 A distinctive blend of country and city, Puerto Rican salsa balances the sound of the rural West Indies familiar to fans of Cuban music (plaintive vocal choruses, trilling flutes) with the hard groove learned by a generation of Nuyorican immigrants whose parents traded San Juan for the Bronx during the '30s and '40s. The Rough Guide to Salsa de Puerto Rico compiles a baker's dozen of Puerto Rican classics, and unlike its companion volume on Latin jazz released around the same time, goes to the trouble of digging through the crates for a few vintage classics. The opener, fittingly, comes from cuatro player Yomo Toro, a master of a rural style (jibaro) who nevertheless played with some of the best modernists of salsa's '70s peak: Willie Colón and the Fania All-Stars. Best of all, the disc reissues "Todo Tiene Sue Final" and "Que Bien Te Ves," a pair of unjustly obscure '70s classics from Willie Colón, both recorded with Hector Lavoe (one of the most respected voices in salsa) and both perfectly illustrating Colón's sumptuous meld of infectious grooves, pop hooks, and a hearty evocation of the past. Fellow Fania heroes Eddie Palmieri and Jose "El Canario" Alberto also have excellent features, Palmieri's coming from his 2002 descarga classic La Perfecta II. While many salsa fans would've preferred hearing a few more of their favorites, the compilers wisely gave equal space to contemporary artists, both dance-based (like Nava or Plena Libre) and more traditional (Los Pleneros de la 21). Also fitting is the closer, a performance by the group Paracumbe that bookends Yomo Toro's opener by providing an academic, musicological perspective on rural styles like bomba and plena. by John Bush  
Tracklist:
1 Yomo Toro – Una Pena En La Navidad 4:47
2 Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe  – Todo Tiene Su Final 5:00
3 Eddie Palmieri – Tirándote Flores II 5:29
4 Plena Libre – Consuelo 4:06
5 Jimmy Bosch – Muy Joven Para Mi 5:16
6 Manny Oquendo – Que Humanidad 7:24
7 José "El Canario" Alberto – Déjate Querer 5:08
8 Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe – Que Bien Te Ves 3:35
9 Tito Puente & His Latin Jazz All-Stars – Espresso Por Favor 5:59
10 Nava – Mujer Boricua 3:16
11 Truco* & Zaperoko – Vámonos Pa'L Carnaval 4:44
12 Los Pleneros De La 21 – Don Pedro 4:26
13 Paracumbé – Cico Mangual 3:01

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Salsa Dance (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As with Rough Guide's other releases, their Guide To Salsa Dance offers a wide and well-informed selection of the best tracks from this genre. The collection includes Jose Alberto's "El Canario," as well as tracks by Celia Cruz, Joe Cuba Sextet, Willie Colon, La Misma Gente, and the Afro-Cuban All-Stars, and captures the passion and energy of salsa in a fine introductory package. by Heather Phares
Tracklist:
1 José Alberto 'El Canario' – Me Dejo Picao 4:40
2 Celia Cruz – El Negro Bembon 3:42
3 La Misma Gente – Raquel 5:05
4 Afro-Cuban All Stars – A Toda Cuba Le Gusta 5:45
5 Charlie Palmieri – Al Que Le Pique 4:40
6 La Sonora Ponceña – La Pollera Colora 3:56
7 Somos 21 (We Are 21) – Roberto 5:33
8 Jimmy Bosch – Descargarana 6:41
9 Tambó – Coco My My 3:33
10 Oscar D' Leon – Lloraras 4:33
11 Miguelito Valdés with Tito Puente Orchestra – Los Hermanos Pinzones 4:44
12 Joe Cuba – Prestame La Olla Teresa 2:45
13 Sierra Maestra – Tibiri Tabara 3:35
14 Son De La Loma – Mariana 5:13
15 Willie Colón – La Murga 5:30

V.A. - The Rough Guide to Salsa Dura NYC (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Salsa dura, or hard salsa, is the old school sound of the New York barrios that's been revived as an answer to the splintering of Latin music. Happily, it sounds as good today as it did in the '60s and '70s; indeed, a few of the artists, like Eddie Palmieri, were playing in the old days. This revival hits hard indeed, making the feet twitch and the mouth smile, especially on cuts like "Naci Rumbero" from Jimmy Delgado, an old hand whose timbales burst with energy on the breaks. Jimmy Bosch, held in the highest regard as a trombonist, shines with his band on "El Embajador," a wonderfully charged piece with a firm groove and plenty of room for soloing -- a descarga, or jam, for all intents and purposes. Rounding the CD off with a salsa taken on "I Get a Kick Out of You" is a fine idea, even if it's a bit more glitzy than the rest of the material here. If you thought the golden days of salsa were a few decades in the past, what's on here will show just how wrong you are. It's still very much alive, and kicking like a mule. by Chris Nickson
Tracklist:
1 Eddie Palmieri – Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso II 5:22
Written-By – Eddie Palmieri
2 Wayne Gorbea – Estamos En Salsa 5:55
Written-By – Ramon Rosado
3 Los Soneros Del Barrio – Babaila 4:40
Written-By – Catalino Curet Alonso
4 Jimmy Delgado – Naci Rumbero 5:28
Arranged By [Trad Arr] – Jose Madera
Written-By – John Santiago, Marin Lefty Medina
5 Chino Nuñez – Aqui Cada Uno Viene Con Lo Suyo 4:50
Arranged By – Pablo 'Chino' Nuñez, Willie Ruiz
Written-By – Ernesto Ramos
6 Chico Alvarez – Oigan Mi Rumba 5:47
Arranged By – Rene Hernandez
Written-By – Florencio Hernandez, Mercedes Alvarez
7 Jimmy Bosch – El Embajador 6:48
Arranged By [Trad Arr] – Angel Fernandez
Written-By – Jimmy Bosch
8 George Delgado – Mi Ritmo Llegó 4:30
Arranged By – Pablo 'Chino' Nuñez
Written-By – Carlos Adorno
9 Las Estrellas Cobo – Don Ramón 5:15
Written-By – Las Estrellas Cobo
10 Ricky González – Mi Rumba Es Candela 8:15
Written-By – Ricky González
11 Joe Quijano And His Conjunto Cachana – I Get A Kick Out Of You 4:06
Arranged By – P. Moss
Written-By – Cole Porter

V.A. - The Rough Guide To Boogaloo (2005) Mp3

Since it's the first widely available CD compilation to focus on the boogaloo, Rough Guide to Boogaloo shouldn't be faulted too much for its oddly superior tone when dealing with such a populist genre. Lighting up the streets of Spanish Harlem during the late '60s, the boogaloo was a supremely infectious merger of Latin, popcorn soul, and rock. It had all the ingredients for a commercial juggernaut, and by all rights it should have ruled the pop charts for at least a few months. (And why it didn't needs more space than could be provided here.) Although nearly every Latin artist based around New York recorded at least one boogaloo during the late '60s and early '70s, it flourished most in the hands of younger artists, as well as those already based in commercial pop or jazz. While the Rough Guide primer includes several top-drawer jams, it wastes precious space by giving two performances each to a trio of Latin heavyweights (Tito Puente, Ismael Rivera, and Fania All-Stars, plus one from Celia Cruz) who recorded boogaloos in the same way that Fats Domino recorded the odd Beatles number during the late '60s -- to capitalize on the commercial success of a style that they had, in large part, been a prime influence on. But other than Joe Cuba, Ray Barretto, and Bobby Valentin, most of the prime boogaloo names are absent from this disc; no Joe Bataan or Johnny Colon, no Willie Bobo, Harvey Averne, or Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz, not even a Tom & Jerry-O nugget to lighten the proceedings. The impression is that the pop end of the boogaloo fad doesn't qualify as serious music for a survey such as this; perhaps instead of "limiting" the scope to Spanish Harlem, Rough Guide should've investigated the rural roots of the boogaloo in, say, Scarsdale? A few highlights finally crop up toward the end of the disc, including Bobby Valentin's "Use It Before You Lose It" (one of the best boogaloos ever), along with Ray Barretto's killer soul shot "A Deeper Shade of Soul" and an early song from salsa innovator Willie Colón. by John Bush  
Tracklist:
1 Pete Rodriguez Y Su Conjunto – Do The Boogaloo 3:46
2 Tito Puente Y Su Orchestra – Fat Mama 2:56
3 Charlie Palmieri – Boogaloo Mania 3:05
4 Ralph Robles – Soul Nitty Gritty 4:13
5 The Lebron Brothers Orchestra – Boogaloo Lebron 2:45
6 Bobby Valentin – Batman's Boogaloo 2:45
7 Tito Puente Y Su Orchestra – Timbalito 2:08
8 Fania All Stars – Son, Cuero Y Boogaloo 8:29
9 Ismael Rivera Y Sus Cachimbos – Ismael Y Monchito 3:10
10 The Joe Cuba Sextet – Oh, Yeah 3:09
11 Ralph Robles – Getting Happy    3:03
12 Fania All Stars – Viva Tirado 5:19
13 Celia Cruz – Tumbaloflesicodelicomicoso 2:24
14 Ismael Rivera Y Sus Cachimbos – Maggo's Boogaloo 2:36
15 Willie Colon – Willie Whopper 2:38
16 Ray Barretto – A Deeper Shade Of Soul 2:46
17 Bobby Valentin – Use It Before You Lose It 3:01
18 The Gilberto Sextet – Good Lovin' 3:48