Hot salsa for every salsa-taste, from swingin' dance-floor power packers by Conjunto Colores, El Gran Combo, and Victor Cruz, to smoother, more romantically swingin' tunes from Jose Alberto, Lalo Rodriguez, and Michael Stuart. Then, a sampling of some of the fusion work going on in salsa, with a plena-flamenco fusion from Plena Libre, a conga-salsa-jazz fusion from Descarga Boricua, and a cumbia-salsa-compas fusion from Joe Arroyo. A little Cuban sound lovingly done by Colombian band Orquesta Sublime, then yet another Cuban homage from that classic '75 collaboration of Celia, Johnny, Justo, y Papo. Eddie Palmieri surprises once again, and we finish with a live number from Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound.

A great lineup of mostly classics this time, and a great sampling of all the various styles of salsa. We start with another dance-floor hit from Chino Nunez, then we hear the song that launched Frankie Ruiz's career, the one song that puts him in the company of salsa's greatest. We hear rich performances from La Sonora Poncena, Cheo Feliciano, and Eddie Palmieri's orchestra, then a cover of Roberto Roena's classic "Parece Mentira" from Orquesta Tabaco y Ron. Next, a special look at one of salsa's supergroups--the 1975 collaboration of Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, Justo Betancourt, and Papo Lucca that gave us "Recordando el Ayer," one of the finest albums from the Fania catalog. Then, the purely Cuban sound of Manuel Licea, and Africando delivering an homage to Cuban guaracha. And we close with La Sonora Dinamita from Colombia, in one of their early hits.

Fired up after the Oscar D'Leon concert... This week, we offer a review of that concert, with a brief sample to give you a sense of what it sounded like. But there's much more in this week's show, too: Tito Puente with a tasty mambo, then back to Colombia, for Fruko y Sus Tesos, Sonora Carruseles with Gabino Pampini, and Tupamaros. From Puerto Rico, Pedro Conga's orchestra; then Celia Cruz, and some mellower tunes from Tito Nieves, Jorge Cabrera, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, and Gilberto Santa Rosa in a set of hits from the '90s. And you'll hear a very early example from Eddie Palmieri--1962! And we close with an equally vintage one from Cortijo y Su Combo with Ismael Rivera.

So get ready... The Lion of salsa has been loose in Korea! And we're still recovering from it!

Oscar D'Leon is on a tour of Japan and Korea, si senor! And that's not all! Salsa is in the news for the month of August, with Oscar's tour, plus the release of "El Cantante"--the film about Hector Lavoe.

This podcast--the second within a week--is equally eventful, with a look at where Oscar and his band will be performing while in Japan and Korea, and later, a closer look at what the critics are saying about "El Cantante". Plus, we feature Ruben Blades' unique classic, "Buscando America."

And the music is as hot as ever, or as beautiful: Besides tracks from Oscar, Blades, and Lavoe, we have Orquesta de La Luz from Japan, Chino Nunez, a rare '60s boogaloo from Ray Rodriguez, more Cuban son and timba from Sierra Maestra, Albita, and Celina Gonzalez, and closing with another groovy Colombian number from Quinto Mayor.

Yes, salsa is in the news, and we hope this podcast puts us in the news too--at least for you!

We're back from vacation and ready to swing with more salsa! This week, it's another set of classics, but this time a bit more laid back. We start with Willie Colon in one of his 90's hits--a tune everyone will know. Then, Poncho Sanchez in a live salsa jam, and Ray Barretto once again. We've got more of the Latin Brothers, too. Then, we take a look at the piano work of Oscar Hernandez, comparing his sound in Barretto's band with some of his more recent work with Ruben Blades. Next, we dance to Africando, then more of the classic Cuban sound with Sierra Maestra and Carlos Embale. Jimmy Bosch gives us a sample of his hard-hitting salsa with a social edge, and Hector Lavoe treats us to one of his great Cuban covers. Roberto Torres closes the show. That's more than an hour, and one of the most fascinating sets yet, from Radio Macondo.

It's an hour of salsa fuerte this week on RADIO MACONDO, with lots of hot, powerful grooves, and a generous serving of classics. Artists include Edwin Bonilla y Su Son, Nora from Orquesta de La Luz, the Colombia All-Stars, Luis Perico Ortiz, Tito Rojas, Willie Rosario, Justo Betancourt, Poncho Sanchez, Ray Barretto, Oscar D'Leon, and an obscure but fun one from the '60s by Bobby Montez. It's RADIO MACONDO... for that extra kick.

A real mix this week, with some of the finest examples of classics, Colombian hits, and hot Cuban grooves. We start with a 1978 track by La Salsa Mayor, then into contemporary salsa romantica  from Edgar Joel and Hector Tricoche. Next, off to Colombia for Los Nemus, Tupamaros, and the Latin Brothers. Plus, a gorgeous, soulful track from Africando. Then, more classics--three in a row from the Fania label, with Johnny Pacheco (Fania's founder!), Louie Ramirez, and the Blades/Colon duo once again. We seal it all up with two hot numbers from Cuba: Isaac Delgado and Charanga Habanera.

More of that tasty Macondo blend this week, with swinging modern hits from Edwin Bonilla, George Delgado, Frankie Ruiz, Jose Alberto, Victor Manuelle, and Eddie Santiago. Then a hot classic set from Africando, Tito Puente, Hector Lavoe, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, and El Gran Combo as it was in the 60s. Then, closing with a smooth cha-cha from Chocolate Armenteros.

It's the first podcast in two months, and we can't wait to dance that salsa once again! We're back every week through the summer, and we kick things off with a great lineup of hot Colombian, smooth romantica, and classic mambo and charanga. Artists this week: N'Klabe, Alberto Barros y Los Titanez de la Salsa, Yorman D'Leon, Johnny Rivera, Tito Rojas, Mimi Ibarra, Roberto Blades; then classics from Conjunto Rumbavana, Beny More, Ray Barretto, Hector Tricoche, Fruko y Orquesta, and Africando. We have missed that Macondo blend, and now we can't wait to get another cup!

You've found the only podcast on the Internet with a full hour of hot, classic-edged salsa, spiced with a touch of Cuban son. That's RADIO MACONDO.

Back for a another cup of the Macondo Blend? Each week, we serve it up hot, in a brew of new and classic together. It simmers, it boils, and sometimes it steeps, smooth and mellow. This week's artists, in the order we drop them into the pot: First, the hot set, with Sonora Carruseles, cuz we know how much you like that; Yolanda Rayo; Frankie Ruiz; Salsa Fever; and Victor Manuelle. Then, the classic set, with Louie Ramirez ; Hector Lavoe; and two from Willie Colon in collaborations with Ruben Blades and Celia Cruz. Then, for that double shot of Cuban, Los Van Van and Son de Aca.

NEW! Buy the music you hear on this podcast at Amazon.com!

Pass your mouse over the artists' names in this week's show notes, and you will see a featured album. Click on the Amazon link in the window, and browse the album.

Every Purchase helps support Radio Macondo!

And visit the new RADIO MACONDO store... click on the link to the left of this blogpage. There you will find the latest salsa releases, offered in association with Amazon.com.

AND NOW... As a public service to our listeners, you can now shop at Descarga.com. Albums not available at Amazon now have links to Descarga.com, the largest Latin music retailer on the Internet.

We like to think to think of ourselves as a contributor to "global warming"... seems like every week just gets hotter around here. This week, we spread even more hot rhythms around the globe with these artists: Jose Alberto, Rikoson All Stars, Ruben Blades, Ismael Miranda, Willy Chirino and Celia Cruz, Oscar D'Leon, Tito Rojas, Quinto Mayor, Juan Luis Guerra, Joe King, El Gran Combo, and for the finale, Tito Puente.  No worries, though. This kind of heat will make even the polar bears happy.

This week, we light that salsa fire with two dance favorites from Celia Cruz and DLG. Then, some swinging, hot Cuban salsa from Descarga Boricua, Adalberto Alvarez, and La Gran Banda de Venezuela. Next, we cool things off with a few guajiras--mid-to-low tempo, great for new dancers--featuring Chocolate Armenteros, Africando, and Sonora Dinamita with their particularly Colombian style. Ruben Blades leads the final set, followed by some salsa pop from Jerry Rivera and Chayanne.

It's one of the swingin-est hours yet, this week on RADIO MACONDO.

One salsa song packs as much of a kick as three cups of coffee--or at least that's what DJ John thinks. And how did he arrive at that conclusion? Well, he heaped on 11 scoops of high-energy, big-hit salsa, fine Colombian grade, including Roberto Blades,Yolanda Rayo, Grupo Niche, Orquesta El Equipo, and Colombia All-stars. And just as we were about get a cup, the pot exploded with Tito Puente and La Lupe, followed by Orquesta Gitana. Then, we were finally able to kick back and savor the aroma with some son cubano from Septeto Matamoros and Adalberto Alvarez. And of course, no coffee break would be complete without a generous helping of ... Azuca'!... from the Queen herself, Celia Cruz. And for that extra shot of espresso, we finish with hit mambo-salsa from Cubanismo.

We figure that's the equivalent of 33 cups of coffee for every single listener. But no one's counting...we're too busy dancin'. Yes, you'll be addicted, but with no caffeine nerves afterwards.

Spring is just one week away... the mornings are chilly but the days are gorgeous! And this week on Radio Macondo, we're playing salsa to fit the season, with a great mix of hot stuff to warm you up and cool stuff to help you relax and take in those gentle spring breezes. First, the hot salsa, and we mean fiery: Joe Arroyo with one of his best-known numbers; Kent Gomez with a salsa/boogaloo/jazz fusion from the '70s; and La Sonora Carruseles once again, this time featuring sultry Cubana Raquel Zazoya on vocals. Then, we relax a bit, with mid-tempo bomba-salsa from Ruben Blades and Willie Colon; Willy Chirino, and Peru's own Melcochita. Turning down the heat quite a bit now, it's Victor Manuelle, Ray Sepulveda, La Fuga, and Pedro Conga in a great set of Salsas Romanticas. But, wait, it is nearly spring, after all, so we've got to celebrate with one last, blistering number from Edwin Bonilla (don't dare miss that one!)

RADIO MACONDO gives you the hottest salsa every week, and this one is a scorcher, starting with Sonora Carruseles, then Maraca, Fatal Mambo, La Salsa Mayor, La Sonora Poncena, Oscar D'Leon, Tito Rojas, Orquesta de la Luz, and Orquesta Mulenze. Then, from Cuba, some simmering son, turning hot at the end, with Papo Oviedo, and a new one from Ahi Na' Ma'! Every track just raises the temperature even more, this week on Radio Macondo.

The hottest, swinging-est hour of music on the Internet! This week, we dance and groove to salsa from across the Americas, with Jose Mangual Jr., Ray Barretto, Quinto Mayor, Sextero Cafe, and Louie Ramirez. Then, El Gran Combo once more, along with Gilberto Santa Rosa. Back to Colombia, too, with Luis Alberto, The Latin Brothers, and Fruko y Sus Tesos with Joe Arroyo. Plus classics and Cuban hits from Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe, Cubanismo, and Los Van Van.

This week, Valentine's Day is on the way, and Cupid is buzzing around the studio at Radio Macondo. Yes, it's an hour of nothing but love songs with swing y sabor. Every song this week is a modern romantic classic! Willy Chirino lights the candle, then a whole host of Salsa angels join to serenade you and get you dancing with that special someone: Willie Colon, Roberto Blades, Marc Anthony, El Gran Combo, Gloria Estefan, Orquesta de La Luz, Grupo Niche, Sierra Maestra, Afro-Cuban All-Stars, and Ruben Blades. It's an hour designed to make your heart beat, y con clave tambien. An hour for lovers... this week, on RADIO MACONDO.

The hottest hour of music in the podisphere, with a great selection of up-tempo, classic-sounding salsa. The bulk of this week's selections come from Puerto Rico, starting things off with Ray Barretto, then Pete Rodriguez. El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico returns with a recent hit, then two numbers from Willie Colon, including one from that immortal duet with Celia Cruz. Then, we drop by Colombia, for a look at Joe Arroyo's social commentary. Next, back to Puerto Rico with a gorgeous live number from La Sonora Poncena. But that's not all... There's also Oscar D'Leon, Africando, Jose Alberto, and, from Cuba, Manolito y Su Trabuco. Straight ahead, unstoppable salsa... Salsa, y na' ma'! This week, on Radio Macondo.

It's the hottest hour of music in the podosphere, and this week, we reach back and pay tribute to '70s salsa... No, wait, '20s salsa... Oh, whatever. We start with some modern dance favorites from Sonora Carruseles, Frankie Ruiz, the MP All-stars in an unabashedly self-promoting, but tasty, track, and Orquesta Tabaco y Ron. Then, it's time to play "Name that Tune" once again, and this time DJ John tests us with an easy one, reaching all the back to, yes, the 1920s. Next, into a classic set, with Mario Bauza, an encore from Larry Harlow's Orchestra, and both the Palmieri brothers, back to back once again. Finally off to Cuba, with two tracks from the island, and one from Miami Cuban superstar Willy Chirino. Young or old, everybody's got a reason to dance at MACONDO!

The hottest hour of music on the Internet is back again, this week featuring a great mix of salsa, son, mambo, and plena--romantica or dura, classic or new. We start with Eddie Torres, then a tribute to Cuban tres player Nino Rivera by the Afro Cuban All-stars; then into some "sweet" salsa, with Victor Manuelle and Jose Alberto delivering some tasty, mellow treats, and Ismael Miranda reminding us how this music can make us fall in love. Next, DJ John plays "Name that Tune," as he takes a look at one of the greatest and most covered of all Cuban standards--written, of course, by Miguel Matamoros (pictured at right), and performed by Tito Puente. Celia Cruz joins in with a classic 60's son-boogaloo, followed by Joe Cuba with Cheo Feliciano, and Larry Harlow's great 70's big band. We go bold and brash with Hector Lavoe in one of his defining live performances, then Fruko y Sus Tesos from Colombia. And we close out the podcast with a real Puerto Rican plena. What a mix! It's simmering at first, exploding at the end... RADIO MACONDO!

RADIO MACONDO takes you into the new year, with the hottest weekly hour of music in podcasting: an hour of pure salsa, classic and new. This week's artists: Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Quintana, Pedro Jesus, Hansel y Raul, Erick, Descarga Boricua with Justo Betancourt, Roberto Roena y Su Apolo Sound, Bobby Quesada with some true boogaloo, Hector Lavoe with Willie Colon, and Orquesta Reve from Cuba.

Bien vestido y listo para las fiestas! That's RADIO MACONDO for the New Year, as we celebrate with a sampling of the newest, brightest, and hottest salsa acts today. Every track this week...with the exception of one classic...was released in mid-2006, and these hot sounds are what's carrying salsa into the New Year! Here's who's coming to the party: Tito Rojas, with the holiday greeting, Pequeno Johnny paying tribute to the ladies, Pedro Conga, Alberto Barros and his Titanez de Salsa, and Anthony Cruz. Then, a hot new one, just in, from Africando, and a blistering performance from Son Cafe. Next, a little salsa romantica with Cesar Aviles, Giro, Tito Gomez, and one classic from Grupo Niche. Finally, we send out the old year old-style, with Daniel Ponce and a traditional rumba. So, make us a part of your New Year's celebration... play us at your party, or use it to warm up for the gala! It's RADIO MACONDO... the hottest hour in podcasting!

This week, DJ John keeps the talkin' to a minimum and the salsa to the max, spinning up-tempo dance-floor favorites from Jose Alberto, Ismael Miranda, Orquesta de la Luz, Oscar D'Leon, Hector Tricoche, Adolescents' Orquesta, Pasion Juvenil, Johnny Ray, Jerry Galante, Rey Ruiz, and India. Then, a classic from Fruko y sus Tesos with Joe Arroyo, and closing out with Beny More doing a tribute to Chano Pozo. Non-stop swingin' and swirlin', this week on Radio Macondo.

Radio Macondo... The only audio podcast devoted solely (and SOUL-ly) to pure Salsa, with a dash of the Cuban son thrown in. And this week: One of the major trends in salsa has always been the "supergroup"... Gatherings of the hottest stars to jam! RMM does it every year, but Fania did it first. And this week, we hear two examples of Fania All Stars givin' their everything to pay tribute to their music. Test your singer-savvy, and see how many of these voices you can recognize! Then, into a great set of salsa romantica, with Jose Alberto, Tito Nieves, Maelo, Oscar D'Leon, and Grupo Niche.  Next, Tito Puente and La Lupe cut loose for a frenzied performance, and we hear Bebo Valdez with a little jazz-mambo. Also: down to Puerto Rico for more Plena Libre, then another gorgeous number from the tightest salsa band on Earth: Africando. Take the salsa-singer challenge... on RADIO MACONDO!

RADIO MACONDO returns after another studio upgrade, and the salsa sounds even better! This week's playlist includes Edwin Bonilla, Quinto Mayor, Tony Vega, Rafael De Jesus, and La Gran Banda de Venezuela. Then, a touching story about how Radio Macondo reaches even to the remotest parts of Cuba--where there is no Internet! A special request for DLG goes out, then more salsa romantica from Luis Damon and Jose Alberto, followed by a gorgeous love song from Ruben Blades. Plus, The Latin Brothers from Colombia, a classic son from Sierra Maestra, and a contemporary plena from Eddie Palmieri.