It's the 50th podcast--and the first anniversary--of RADIO MACONDO! Come celebrate with us, as we drop an hour of all-star, dance-floor shakin' salsa. Attending the party will be Oscar D'Leon, El Gran Combo, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Michael Stuart, Ray Barretto with a classic live set, Africando, Gloria Estefan, Roberto Torres, Irakere, Grupo Niche, and La Sonora Poncena. Every name's a super star this week--and these are some of DJ John's favorites, as we celebrate one full year of the only podcast on the Internet devoted solely and purely to salsa... RADIO MACONDO!

It's a grab-bag this week on Radio Macondo, so reach right in, grab a track or two, then grab your favorite partner. Or, grab another rum and coke, or a cigar. Cualquiera te mueve -- sacala! We've got mambo from BOTH Tito Puentes... el junior Y el senor. We got El Gran Combo, Celia Cruz with Willie Colon (yep, once again!), then Marc Anthony and Ray Sepulveda. But the grand prize is Maraca and his orchestra in a huge 10-minute jam, recorded live in France, then, for another helping, a 10-minute afro-caribbean suite from Descarga Boricua, and a Cuban classic updated by Cubanismo. It's a weekend of variedades--a veritable sancocho... on Radio Macondo.

RADIO MACONDO pays tribute to Puerto Rico--the beautiful island that provides the engine behind this music... Salsa! We check out some of the contemporary hits by bands from Borinquen, many of whom were present at the conception of salsa in early '60s New York. The roll call?... Ismael Miranda, Willie Rosario, Johnny Ray, Bobby Valentin, Tony Vega, Johnny Rivera. And of course, no set of salsa boricua would be complete without at least one track each from Willie Colon, El Gran Combo, and the Palmieri brothers... and we got 'em! But there's much more to salsa than Puerto Rico, so we take a side trip to Cuba for a taste of modern charanga with Candido Fabre, then down to Colombia for a classic from Joe Arroyo, and finally over to Santo Domingo for a smash hit from Manolo. Puerto Rico... the heart of Salsa, the custodian of rhythm... the land of dancing. And we go there this week, on Radio Macondo.

This week, we've got more variety and styles than ever, and more reasons for you to take a partner and start dancing! We open with Oscar D'Leon in his hit tribute to Cali, Colombia, then Sonora Carruseles. Next, it's The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Tipica 73, and a very old classic from Tito Puente. Henry Fiol, Papi Oviedo, Celia Cruz with Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Juan Luis Guerra, Los Tupamaros.... What a night for dancers! What way to swing or just groove.

Our last podcast was hot! So, this one is smoooooth. And that's because we're starting out with a tribute to the son montuno, with four examples of how contemporary artists interpret this beautiful classic form. We start with Maraca, then Orquesta La Palabra from L.A. Next, it's Ruben Blades paying his tribute to son--with a "special guest" vocalist... or is he? And Cubanismo joins in with another version of a great Cuban classic. But that's not all for this podcast, because after all that gorgeous son, we have contemporary hits from Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, then into a set of romantic salsas with Tony Vega, Miles Pena, Jerry Rivera, and George Lamond. Miguel Matamoros once wrote, "There is no more sublime way to soothe the soul than with the son montuno" -- "No hay mas sublime que el son, para el alma divertir." And that's what this week's podcast is all about. So take a break for a while... in Macondo.

It's one of our hottest hours yet! A steady stream of propulsive, high-impact salsa, starting with Celia Cruz and Willie Colon in their classic, swinging tribute to Miguel Matamoros. Then, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz kick off a jala-jala, and the party doesn't stop there! We got Ray Barretto, Sonora Poncena, Oscar D'Leon, Ruben Blades, Plena Libre, Andy Montanez with the Latin Dimension, and Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. Cool things down only at the end, with a return to Matamoros and one of his songs performed by Cuban masters Sierra Maestra, then one of Los Van Van's iconic songs--"Anda Ven y Muevete." The cost of fuel gettin' you down? Stock up on some of our kind of energy. For the dancer, it's hotter than jet fuel.

RADIO MACONDO is clear for takeoff once more! Yes, it's the first new production in nearly two months, from a brand new studio--and you'll hear the difference. Our first stop on this week's tour of Salsamerica is Cuba, with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, followed by a sample of Timba from Charanga Habanera, then more contemporary Cuban salsa from Angel Bonne. Next, it's on to Colombia, with Los Nemus and Alfredo de La Fe. On our return flight to Cuba, we stop by Puerto Rico for Andy Montanez and Willie Colon. Then, back to Cuba for some classic '50s rumba from Beny More. And Radio Macondo just doesn't stop moving: Ismael Rivera once again, then to New York for an alternative to 70s Fania. We close this mix with two more Cuban classics from Compay Segundo and Adalberto Alvarez. Yes, the musical flights are resuming, and all tickets are on us!

This week, it's a rerun of a show made in December 2005, but with some new content added. It's a great hour of salsa variety, starting with Celia Cruz's cover of "Patica de Chivo," then hits by Frankie Ruiz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Orquesta Tabaco y Ron. Then, more mid-tempo hits from El Gran Combo and Johnny Rivera. Then we pump up the tempo with a charged performance by Yolanda Rayo from Colombia. Next, it's off to Cuba once again, with conguero "Patato" Valdez and his groovy band "Muchachos del Barrio." We top it all off with classics from Ismael Miranda and Eddie Palmieri.

This salsa swings so much that our DJ had to bring along TWO pairs of shoes! Yes, were burned up the carpet with this week's lineup: Spanish Harlem Orchestra with Ruben Blades, Willie Rosario with Tony Vega, Oscar D'Leon, Adolescentes, and Miles Pena. The heat got so heavy that he had to cool us down with some traditional Cuban sounds: modern charanga from La Orquesta Original de Manzanillo, then into traditional guitar-driven son from Septeto Matamoros. But the real treat went down as smooth as a creamy helado: a sprawling 8-minute son from Conjunto Oriente. And just when we thought the fire was out, he stoked it up again with some Puerto Rican plena by Angel Torruella, then burned us to a cinder with yet another high-energy bomba-salsa from Cortijo y Su Combo with Ismael Rivera. AAAGGGUUUAAA!!!

And a very special welcome to our listeners at Sky Valley Radio, FM 88.1 on Victoria Island, Canada. Sky Valley Radio-the worldjazzbeatfunkaliciousreggae station! Visit Sky Valley Radio's website.

Back again, and ready to swing! This week's lineup: Yet another searing mambo-jazz from Tito Puente, then down to Cuba for another hit from Maraca. Contemporary hits from Los Titanes, La Sonora Poncena, El Gran Combo, Marc Anthony, an all-star performance by merenguera Brenda K. Starr featuring Tito Nieves and Victor Manuelle, and India. Then, a tribute to Al Santiago (pictured), the late producer who started the first latin record label in New York, Alegre Records, and spawned an industry, featuring a rare relic from his collection. More classics from the Alegre-Fania years, with Eddie Palmieri, Cortijo y su Combo with Ismael Rivera, and Willie Colon with Hector Lavoe.

And a very special welcome to our listeners at Sky Valley Radio, FM 88.1 on Victoria Island, Canada, joining us for the first time. Visit Sky Valley Radio's website.

It's our 40th post, si senor! DJ John is still taking a break from production, but we've been going back through all those podcasts we've made to see what we USED TO sound like. Yes, the Radio Macondo Podcast has evolved. Back before DJ John started hogging the microphone, before we started doin' all that research, there was just.... the Salsa! And so, to celebrate our 40th posting (and to give DJ John an excuse to avoid his production deadline) we're re-posting our very first one, from November 2005! You'll hear that hokey old, over-long opening promo, and DJ John's early attempt at some documentary work. But mostly you'll hear pure, straight-ahead salsa, all hits and classics. And as a special treat, we'll even give you the whole playlist (Aww, come on, RIAA, we've been good so far, so give us a break...!)

Ruben Blades, "'Tas Caliente"
Hokey over-long promo #1
Oscar D'Leon, "Mi Negra Esta' Cansa'"
Ismael Miranda, "Es Mas"
Not-so-hokey promo (still used today)
Sonora Poncena, "Fuego en el 23"
Melcochita, "A Comer Lechon"
Andy Montanez, "Dulce Veneno"
Paquito Guzman, "25 Rosas"
Hector Tricoche, "A Corazon Abierto"
DJ John presents... Cuco Valoy
Cuco Valoy, "Juliana"
Cuco Valoy, "Corta Tu Cana"
Isaac Delgado, "24 Dias"
Gilberto Santa Rosa, "Pa' Quererse No Hay Que Verse"

Y asi es... Radio Macondo, in retro! Enjoy!

It's an hour of "mostly classics" on RADIO MACONDO, starting with a set of true salsa treasures: Ray Barretto in a track from the 1987 album "Aqui Se Puede," then The Lebron Brothers with the original "Salsa y Control." Next up it's Cheo Feliciano, "Mapeye," and Celia Cruz with one of her last recordings, from 2001. We continue in the classic mode with two examples of son montuno from Cuba, then we hit the dance floor with yet another authentic mambo from Tito Puente. Other classics include Cortijo y Su Combo with Ismael Rivera from 1963, Colon and Lavoe with "El Malo" from 1968, Henry Fiol from 1983. We close with a set of contemporary hits from Tito Rojas, Eddie Torres with Jimmy Sabater, and Pocho Perez's Orchestra from Colombia.

Summer temperatures are here, and RADIO MACONDO has some scorching salsa from the likes of Luisito Rosario, Albita, and Bobby Valentin. But we don't want TOO much heat, so we cool things down with a Latin jazz number from Ray Barretto, followed by a nice, groovy son-salsa from Celia Cruz. El Gran Combo pays its classic tribute to summer in New York, and Tipica 73 to traditional Cuban son. And we wrap up this ode to summer with four contemporary hits: Los Titanes, Domingo Quinones, Van Lester, and Luis Damon.

Headin' down to Cali! That's our itinerary for this week... at least for a few minutes... We start with Orquesta Guayacan (photo at right) and Sonora Carruseles, two of the biggest bands from Colombia. Then we zip up to San Francisco for some cutting-edge salsa-jazz from Orquesta Gitana and Francisco Guayabal. We throw in another Tito Puente essential before hearing still another classic from Eddie Palmieri, and a modern hit in the classic mode from Bobby Valentin. Then, a great set of contemporary salsa romantica from the studios of New York, with Jose Alberto, George Lamond, Frankie Negron, and Jerry Rivera. No seatbelt reqired, but you'd better keep your dance shoes firmly tied. Radio Macondo is your guide once more for a grand tour of Salsa-merica!

We start off this week with big, modern hits from Junior Gonzales, Edgar Joel, Jon Secada, Ismael Miranda, and Tony Vega. Then, into classics with Tipica 73--Jose Alberto on lead vocal--plus Henry Fiol, and yet another great classic late '60s hit from Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe. Then, we shine the spotlight on some Cuban sounds, from the country folk of Eliades Ochoa (photo at right) to the '50s charanga of Orquesta Aragon, then back to today with Orquesta Original de Manzanilla and Plena Libre.

RADIO MACONDO is your weekly venture into Salsa and all its afro-cuban variants. And this week, DJ John is havin' a mambo-fit, and he wants to pass it on. He kicks things off with some '70s "Funktuno" from Fania All Stars, then into a whole mambo set, with Tito Puente and Beny More (photo at right), plus tributes to More and the mambo years by Oscar D'Leon and Cubanismo. Then, into classic salsa, featuring Hector Lavoe's masterpiece, "Periodico de Ayer." Willie Colon is featured, too, with three full songs, including songs he wrote and performed with Ismael Miranda and Celia Cruz. Last, some contemporary hits from Willie Rosario with Tony Vega singing, Frankie Ruiz, and that inspirational anthem, "Vivir Lo Nuestro," by India and Marc Anthony.

Salsa! Straight, shaken, and, yes, swirled. That's the cocktail we're offering at Macondo this weekend. Oh, and a little Cuban son for a chaser. Here are the tastes we're pouring in, and each alone packs a punch: First, Orquesta de La Luz with its brand of Mambo; then a '90s hit from Eddie Palmieri, another from Sonora Poncena, and a little Colombian "Chotorra" from Madera Fina. After letting it set for a minute or two, we add some lighter sounds, with salsa romantica from Adolescentes, Tranzas, Jose Alberto, Frankie Ruiz, Hector Tricoche, and Roberto Blades. We slip in an early '80s classic from Andy Montanez, then, for the final touch, a profile of Cuban son master Papi Oviedo. Guaranteed, 100% pure, all natural, but no hangover. And you'll keep coming back for more!

RADIO MACONDO salutes everyone about to take part in the May 1 marches to call attention to the conditions and lives of the 40 million-plus Latinos living in the United States, as well as the millions of immigrants of all nationalities. Then, we celebrate this marvelous Latin contribution to American music known as Salsa, with tracks by Jose Alberto, Los Van Van, Tito Nieves with Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, and Ismael Miranda; Chino Nunez and La Sonora Carruseles--all tracks of salsa ABOUT salsa. Then, into contemporary hits with Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Roberto Blades. And we close out this celebration with examples of son-about-son by Papi Oviedo, Sierra Maestra, and Ismael Miranda. Uplifting rhythms, and plenty of grooves, as we get ready for May 1.

Feelin' a little blue? Maybe spring's gettin' you down with a little hay fever. Or maybe you're missin' your favorite dancer. Or maybe you're just tired of all the negative attitudes in modern American rock. Well, we've got a prescription to fix your soul right up! It's called... Salsa. Take a dose of Johnny Polanco's "Receta", then a heaping spoonful of Willie Rosario. Your treatment includes some sensual healing from Jose Alberto, Rey Ruiz, Victor Manuelle, and Alfredo de la Fe. Then, what you need is a vacation down in Puerto Rico, with some classic Eddie Palmieri and Tipica 73. And, of course laughter is the best medicine, with some crazy, rare Cuban mambo from Juana Bacallao and Tito Puente. Whatever's got you down, you can forget all about it, and "swing-you-conmigo," on RADIO MACONDO.

We're reprising some of the early RADIO MACONDO podcasts from 2005...reposting some of the shows that have long since rolled off the blogpage, so everyone new to the show can catch up. And this week, we offer a whole range of hits, kicking it off with yet another Celia Cruz smash. Following up on last week's profile of Grupo Niche, we take a look at one of their musical breakthroughs--"Cali Pachanguero." DJ John plays around with some clave, and then pays tribute to the poeta de la salsa, Ruben Blades. It's another salsa flashback... from RADIO MACONDO.

RADIO MACONDO is proud to reprise one of our early podcasts--this one featuring a profile of Colombian band Grupo Niche and it's controversial leader Jairo Varela. Plus, the usual hits and classics to inspire your heart, mind, and ... feet! RADIO MACONDO--Pura Salsa, Puro Son...Pura Onda!

This week, a second helping of fresh salsa, just added to the RADIO MACONDO collection. We liked the fresh stuff so much last week, we had to come back for more. Featuring: Oscar D'Leon and Dimension Latina in that classic from 1972, "Lloraras"; then Andy Montanez and Dimension Latina in a "Lloraras" near-sound-alike; another 90s hit from Puerto Rican Power. Then, into another sample from the Fania Remasters, just out this year: This time it's Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe in a cut from the 1968 album "El Malo". Mongo Santamaria then introduces La Lupe in a track from 1963. Plus more recent classics from Chocolate Armenteros, Chino Nunez, and Celia Cruz. And we wind things down with a set of new hits from now: Africando, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ismael Miranda, and Jose Alberto. Still got room for more of the fresh stuff? Come on into our kitchen!

RADIO MACONDO celebrates Spring... con sabor! We welcome it with a set of tracks you won't hear (yet) on the stream--a sampling of music DJ John has just added to the collection. Featured are two tracks from a new digital remastering of the whole Fania catalog: Eddie Palmieri's "Vamonos Pa'l Monte" and Cheo Feliciano's "Anacaona," both just re-released in gorgeous digital sound. Then two newly added Tito Puente classics, and some early Puerto Rican Power with Tito Rojas singing. Last, you'll find out what DJ John considers perhaps the most "important" salsa recording ever made, and we close with more new additions by Caravana Cubana and Grupo Folklorico de New York. It's a show of classics, all made fresh as... well, Spring. And that's what RADIO MACONDO does best.

RADIO MACONDO helps you say bye-bye to the busy week and hello to the weekend, starting with Maraca's hit "Castigala." Featured also: an '80s classic by the duo Celia Cruz and Willie Colon, then a string of contemporary hits. The hour closes with one of the DJ's favorites: "Canto a La Habana" by Celia Cruz, plus an updating of the classic "Moliendo Cafe" by Africando, and a true bomba from Puerto Rico by Rafael Cortijo's orchestra. Tired of the work week? Tell it to get outa here!

Latin Jazz and salsa legend Ray Barretto passed away on February 17, 2006. As a very special tribute to his music and career, we offer a special two-part podcast. In part 1, we explore Ray's sound through the 1960s, featuring outstanding examples of his charanga and boogaloo recordings.

Latin Jazz and salsa legend Ray Barretto passed away on February 17, 2006. As a very special tribute to his music and career, we offer a special two-part podcast. In part 2, we hear the powerful salsa of the early '70s, featuring a classic live set recorded in 1976, then a taste of Ray's jazz explorations.

Yes, that's right. Your eyes are not deceiving you... RADIO MACONDO is back! And your ears won't deceive you either. Your feet will confirm everything when they start to move, and the smile on your face will provide absolute proof. For our big come-back bash, we've lined up contemporary salsa hits to make a true believer out of anyone who listens! The case is closed, and MACONDO is open for business!