New releases this week: International

Review: Craft Latino's vinyl reissue of Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe's 1970 album La Gran Fuga is a welcome revival of one of Latin music's most iconic collaborations. Newly remastered and pressed on 180-gram vinyl, this release allows listeners to experience the brilliance of Colon and Lavoe's sixth album in all its glory. With classics like 'Barrunto,' 'Pa' Colombia,' and 'Abuelita,' 'La Gran Fuga' presents the duo's unparalleled creativity and commercial success. Backed by a talented lineup of musicians overseen by Johnny Pacheco, Colon and Lavoe push the boundaries of salsa music, incorporating diverse musical traditions and delivering dance-floor hits alongside emotive ballads. The album's iconic cover art, featuring Colon's "Malo" alter-ego in an FBI wanted poster, adds to its cultural significance. Despite initial controversy, La Gran Fuga became a massive success, earning the duo their second Gold certification and solidifying their place in Latin music history. Retrospectively praised as "essential music" and lauded for its confidence and flexibility, La Gran Fuga remains a shining emblem of the Colon/Lavoe musical aesthetic. As listeners revisit these timeless tracks, they're reminded of the duo's remarkable talent and enduring legacy.

Review: Orchestra Mambo International pays vibrant tribute to the golden era of mambo with their latest singles, 'Mambo Te Llama' and 'Del Callejon.' Drawing inspiration from the legendary Tito Puente, the band infuses uptempo Latin dance rhythms and punchy brass arrangements reminiscent of the mambo craze that swept the world in the mid-20th century. 'Mambo Te Llama' captures the essence of the genre with its infectious Afro-Cuban rhythms and lively instrumentation. The track features stellar piano, trombone, and conga solos, keeping the flame of mambo alive with its energetic delivery. On 'Del Callejon,' Orchestra Mambo International showcases a slower mambo groove, accompanied by soulful vibes and captivating solos on timbales, trombone, and trumpet. The incorporation of vibes, popularized by Tito Puente and Cal Tjader in the 1950s, adds a classic touch to the composition, paying homage to the mambo vibes style while infusing it with their unique flair. Both tracks, exemplify Orchestra Mambo International's dedication to preserving and revitalising the spirit of mambo music with their fiery performances and authentic homage to the genre's roots.