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The Mantecas represent one of the finest concentrations of experience and talent in Latin and Jazz music ever to be based in the UK. A pure uplifting Latin Jazz music celebration, limited edition 250 copies: not-to-be-missed, recorded at different locations in London during 2025/26 "On their fabulous fourth album, The Mantecas (formerly Manteca) have moved the needle all the way in the direction of Latin jazz (or jazz latino). In their early years, the London-based eight-piece played a mix of salsa, Cuban timba, boogaloo, Latin funk and descarga (jazzy, improvised Latin jam session), with plenty of vocals, strictly geared for the dance floor. Along the way, the jazz-descarga aspect emerged as a stronger force, though all sorts of other ingredients, from afrobeat to Afro-Cuban, cumbia to samba, ebbed and flowed throughout. Although there's nothing new with the concept of doing an album of instrumental Latin tracks in a jazz mode that's still dance-friendly (Machito, Sabú Martínez, Tito Puente and Tito Rodríguez all waxed jazz latino albums like that long ago), what's new here is The Mantecas' very fresh and confident interpretation of the idiom. And while they share something in common with the accessible, danceable Latinized soul jazz of someone like Mongo Santamaría or Willie Bobo, as well as the Afro-Cubop roots of Chano Pozo, they also bring to mind the more jazz-oriented improvisational legacy of Pozo's amigo Dizzy Gillespie, which is reflected in The Mantecas' explorations of a handful of 20th Century modern jazz giants as they rework timeless classics by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Oliver Nelson and Wayne Shorter. For this release, all seven tracks are essentially Latin renditions of jazz standards or are Latin jazz originals. There's a mix of jazz and Latin rhythmic structures, instrumentation, arranging, and sensibilities at play, and it's a very natural sounding mélange. Like their previous albums, some of the tunes feature a club-ready blend of hot and cool, in a Latinized British acid jazz / soul jazz way." - Pablo "DJ Bongohead" Yglesias, 2026

International ensemble Classico Latino are proud to present their new album 'Salsa Classics' featuring salsa legend Julio Ernesto Estrada aka 'Fruko and virtuoso violinist Omar Puente. Drawing on the familiar Bolero and Tango, as well as lesser-known rhythms such as the Pasillo and Joropo, Classico Latino's new album displays the amazingly varied stories and emotions of Latin America.

'Salsa Classics' features collaborations with Colombian multi-instrumentalist and salsa legend Julio Ernesto Estrada aka 'Fruko,' a behemoth of the international salsa scene and an awe inspiring musician, who adds much creativity and authenticity to the project. The recording also features Cuban born violinist Omar Puente, a highly skilled virtuoso with a plethora of achievements, including being first violin with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra, touring with Buena Vista's Ruben Gonzales and performing with high profile figures across a truly diverse range of genres, including John Williams, Jools Holland, and Wynton Marsalis, to name just a few.

Hard-hitting latin-tinged super-group Grupo Magnético formed from backgrounds in funk, hip-hop & soul, united by a love of Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Fania and classic New York salsa. They have worked with legendary musicians from Cuba, Venezuela and America & over time the group, led by Toby "El León" Shippey, developed their own set and sound.

These two tracks have been lifted from the Athens Of The North album Positivo from 2018 and feature 'Vulcano V El Gato' (Medley) with 'Somos Latinos' on flipside. Already supported by DJ Koco, Patrick Forge, Colin Curtis Gilles Peterson, Kevin Beadle ,DJ Amir, Mr Thing, Dom Servini, Coco Maria, Cosmo Sofi, Rainer Truby, Miche, Skeme Richards, Elsewhere Sonido, DJ Gilla and more ! Limited to 300 hand numbered copies ! No repress.

"Wow. Sounds like '74 downtown NY Fania Records... Absolutely brilliant. " - Gilles Peterson

"This reissue features all-analog mastering from original tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl with original artwork reproduced on an old-school tip-on jacket.

2023 is the centennial of Tito Puente’s life and Craft Latino will have initiatives yearlong promoting the legacy of Tito. "

Yellow Vinyl

Hawaii's legendary Latin superstar Rolando Sanchez & Salsa Hawaii's smash hit "ALOHA MAMBO" Vinyl 7" EP will be released worldwide after its debut in Japan. The jacket illustration by Tammy Yee invites you to a Latin Paradise in Honolulu as you groove to vibrant Latin beats, island-style.

Rolando Sanchez
Rolando Sanchez & Salsa Hawaii
Rolando Sanchez is an award-winning songwriter/producer of Hawaii's leading Latin Jazz, Latin Rock, Salsa percussionists, singer-songwriters, and the owner of RSC Music. Originally from Nicaragua, he began his career in the suburbs of San Francisco and moved to Hawaii in 1984.

He has shared the stage with many of the best of Latin musicians including Tito Puente, Pet & Sheila Escovedo, and regularly appears at BLUE NOTE HAWAII, a mecca of island jazz. In addition, he hosts a live radio show, "LA ONDA LATINA," every Sunday on KNDI-AM1270, featuring the hottest mix of Latin Music in the islands.

He is a leader in the Hawaii-Latino world that connects his hometown of Nicaragua in Central America, to New York, California and Hawaii with a Latin sound infused with island flavors.