TITO PUENTE / EDDIE PALMIERI - Masterpiece / Obra Maestra (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For anyone wondering when the two most luminary voices in New York Latin jazz would finally join forces, even if for just a moment, the 2000 release of Masterpiece/Obra Maestra is the answer. A collaboration between big-band Latino king Tito Puente and salsa/jazz great Eddie Palmieri is the stuff that clave dreams are made of. Both taking turns as writing/conductor/performer, Palmieri and Puente affect each other's artistry in an infinitely satisfying way. Puente fans will delight in the addition of salsa-driven choro and sonero, unquestionably the handiwork of his counterpart. Palmieri enthusiasts will certainly notice and appreciate the indisputably Puente-penned sexy horn lines and band sound. Who but the mighty RMM label could have either conceived or produced such promising pursuit? Like a modern-day Fania, RMM can be credited with some of the most innovative and impacting projects of its time. The band sound is rich and sultry, featuring both the unmistakable virtuosity of Palmieri's solo work and the incendiary fury of Puente, the undisputed timbal master. If there is one flaw to be found in Masterpiece/Obra Maestra, it is that it was not followed up with dozens of more joint ventures from these towering musical giants. by Evan C. Gutierrez  
Tracklist :
1     La Última Copa 5:09
Francisco Canaro / Juan Caruso
2     Muddy's Club Blues in Weinheim 3:24
Eddie Palmieri
3     Cielito Lindo, La Negra Mariachi Medley 5:03
Quirino Mendoza
4     Marchando Bien 4:14
Francisco Aguabella / Eddie Palmieri
5     Picadillo Jam 5:17
Tito Puente
6     El Puente Mundial 5:50
Jerry Medina / Tito Puente
7     El Beso 6:25
Adrian Ortega Marti / Fernanado Moraleda
8     El Bochinche 4:19
Eddie Palmieri / R.M. Prieto
9     Enseñame Tú, Piensalo Bien Bolero Medley 6:45
Roberto Manrique
10     Paris Mambo 4:12
Eddie Palmieri
11     Yambu Pa' Inglaterra 3:56
Eddie Palmieri
12     Itutu Aché 8:01
Eddie Palmieri
Credits :
Acoustic Bass [Guitarón] – Ramón Ponce Jr.
Acoustic Guitar [Vihuela] – Karlo Magno
Backing Vocals – Hermán Olivera, Kevin Ceballo, Nestor Sánchez
Bandoneon [Bandiñon] – Héctor Del Curto
Bass – Bernie Miñoso, Joe Santiago
Bata, Chanter – Milton Cardona
Bongos – Johnny Rodriguez
Bongos, Bata – Javier Oquendo
Castanets [Castonettes] – Luisito Quintero
Conductor – Eddie Palmieri, Ray Santos, Tito Puente
Congas – George Delgado, Johnny Rodriguez, José Claussell
Congas, Bata – Pali Mejias
Drums – Phoenix Rivera
Maracas, Claves – Herman Olivera
Piano – Eddie Palmieri, Sonny Bravo
Producer – Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente
Saxophone – Dioris Rivera, Enrique Fernández, Ivan Rentas, Mario Rivera, Mitch Frohman, Paquito D'Rivera, Pete Miranda, Pete Yellin, Phil Vieux
Timbales – José Claussell, José Madera
Timbales, Other [Vibes] – Tito Puente
Tres – Nelson González
Trombone – Chris Washburne, Conrad Herwig, Lewis Kahn, Reynaldo Jorge
Trumpet – David "Piro" Rodriguez, John Walsh, Nelson Jaime, Ray Vega, Tony Lujan
Violin – Francisco Rios, Leonardo Rios, Mario Mota 

CELIA CRUZ • TITO PUENTE - Cuba y Puerto Rico Son ... (1966-2006) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although they'd appeared together several times, this was the first time that Celia Cruz and Tito Puente had been featured together on an LP, and fortunately not the last. Cuba y Puerto Rico Son… has firepower like no listener could have expected, despite the fact that two of Latin music's most explosive artists were headlining an LP. All of the major Cuban and Puerto Rican forms are heard, from the opening mambo ("La Guarachera," with no holds barred) to bomba (the equally frenetic "La Plena Bomba Me Llama"), and a softer detour into bolero for "Desencanto." (Celia even sang a sultry pop number for "Mi Desesperacion.") Puente's orchestra is in prime form, and he provides all the arrangements, while Cruz ably matches the band for energy. An outing remarkably free of salsa, Cuba y Puerto Rico Son… covers nearly every popular Latin rhythm and remains one of the high points in each artist's nearly incomparable discographies. by John Bush
Tracklist :
1     La Guarachera 2:44
Rafael DaVila
2     Mi Desesperación 3:15
Roberto Cole
3     La Plena Bomba Me Llama 2:47
Rafael DaVila
4     Descencanto 4:10
Luis Amadori / Enrique Santos Discépolo
5     Cumbiando 2:33
Henry Castro
6     Tinicue 3:05
Eduardo Angulo
7     No Hay Amigos 2:54
Eliseo Grenet
8     Me Acuerdo de Ti 4:03
Gustavo Seclen
9     No Juegue con el Diablo 2:45
Pablo Chorot
10     Herencia Gitana 3:11
Mostazo / R. Perello / S. Cantabrana     
11     La Rueda 2:03
Victor Manuel Mato Argumendo
12     Salve Pa'ti 2:12
Rafael DaVila
Credits :
Saxophone – Al Abreu, Jesus Caunedo, Milt Hisler, Shepp Pullman  
Choir/Chorus – Santos Colon, Felo Brito, Willie Torres,       
Vocal, Choir/Chorus – Celia Cruz
Congas – Frankie Malable
Bongos, Cencerro – Jimmy Centeno, Jose Mangual Jr.,
Piano – Gilbert Lopez
Arranger, Choir/Chorus, Conductor, Drums, Musical Direction, Timbales, Vibraphone – Tito Puente
Bass (Acoustic) – Bobby Rodriguez
Trombone – Mark Weinstein, Sonny Russo, Barry Rogers, Jose Rodriguez,
Trumpet  – Pat Russo, Victor Paz, Pedro "Puchi" Boulong, Jimmy Frisaura,