Hot Fuzzy Navel

Ordinary night

Ray Barretto - "Teacher of Love" (mp3)
(Purchase here)

Los Lobos - "Cielito Lindo" (mp3)
(Purchase here)

Arsenio Rodríguez - "Linda Cubana"(mp3)
(From Arsenio Rodriguez Y Su Conjunto's Recuerdos De Arsenio)

Happy June. Even though here in NYC it looks/feels more like April, with a splash of mug for proper shweats. So, even if this is just a note on the run, here's a snifter from the reactivated Fania Records to welcome back Mr. Sunshine. Keeping with the times, the label has initiated a new DJ mix series called Fania Live to spread the word on nuyorican soul. DJ Rumor helms the first installment with a trademark blend of the required, breaks, and more. The Barretto cut above is a burner, but it's only a snippet -- hey, it's a mix, but you get the pi'ture. In conjunction with the pending release, Wax Poetics hosts a lurvely party tonight in DUMBO with everybody's favorite Afro-Filipino dude, Joe Bataan.

To round out this round, a quick shot from Los Lobos' debut. "Cielito Lindo" is a mariachi staple, and I had the good fortune of dancing to an especially drunken rendition this past weekend at a wedding in, again, DUMBO.

And, because no warm weather party would be complete sin los cubanos, a little Arsenio to lighten your load.

And if none of this is so much your flavor, try this:



Say Hai to the cello player.

PS - I promise a more thorough post soon...