Rough Guide to Boogaloo
From the retro-chic cover art to the sprightly, hip song selections,The Rough Guide to Boogaloorevels in the innately urban sensibility of the genre. Boogaloo originated in New York's inner-cities in the late 1960s and spawned an array of excellent bands and vocalists, but it has never received much broad recognition.The Rough Guide to Boogalooaims to change that, nicely showcasing the trademark blend of Cuban salsa rhythms and American soul. Notable luminaries dominate the album, including Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, Ismael Rivera, and Willie Colon. Bobby Valentin riffs confidently on theBatmantheme, which perfectly showcases boogaloo's inherent ability to bend and shape various genres and styles. In fact, rock and blues influences are naturally included throughout the collection. Celia Cruz, this compilation's lone female artist, stands tall and proud during "Tumbaloflesicodelicomicoso," a tongue-twisty gem that serves as further proof of the late singer's ever-shifting musical talent.--Joey Guerra