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!