Imagine yourself sipping a fresh cuba libre, hanging out in the local 
colmado and switching channels between New York, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Republica Dominicana, Venezuela… You’re listening to Radio Transmundial, a trip through latin music from the 60′s and 70′s.

Radio Transmundial was put together by the ever-exquisite Funky Bompa, based in and operating out of Brussels, he is known to cross seas and mountains on the regular, only to go dig up latin beauties on wax. Bompa promised me on his next travels he’d take with him a proper camera, but for now, he had this to say:

“I was on that motorcycly for a long hour risking my life at every turn. This was in the summer of 2008 in the North East of Dominican Republic, on the peninsula of Samana. I needed to cross the peninsula to reach Las Terrenas (a bit like St-Tropez in the 60s, as they say over there…). dunno if I would do it again, but it was damn exciting! The video is bad quality but it gives a very nice insight on the dominican inner land (?) Like I say : forget the 5 stars resort, go the oldschool way !”

The mix was put together as a sort of introduction to the different latin styles from the 60′s and 70′s. It takes time and homework to catch the connections and differences between every style. Characteristics like rhythmic or harmonic patterns, composition and size of the band as well as the recording time, it all defines the sound of each style and comes into account when studying them.

Bompa drained his masterbrain of all its latin knowledge only to present an impressively extended tracklist, integrating comments, original liner notes and pertinent links wherever possible. Lots of valuable information is available right down the block, so feel free to dig deeper by clicking through artists and genres etc.

Right click and download Funky Bompa – Radio Transmundial. Make sure to download the cd cover, and for the latin aficionados, start memorizing the tracklist with accompanying liner notes:

1. Broadway Orchestra Black orpheus (Gema 1964)

Genre: Dengue/
Mambo (NYC)
We start off with the oldschool sound of the charanga, which isn’t actually a style but defines a type of band with violins and flute.

2. Los Galleros – Soledad (Discos Fuentes 1965)


Genre: Cumbia (Colombia)
Lovely singing on the typical rhythmic pattern of the Colombian national dance. A favorite among more killers on this sought-after compilation LP. This record was released on the famous Colombian label 
Discos Fuentes.

3. Ricardo Ray – More Richie (
Alegre 1968) EDIT

Genre: Mambo (NYC/Puerto Rico)
Known as the ‘embajador del piano’, Richie used to team up with
Bobby Cruz, signing many popular hits. He was also one of the first to ever record 
Boogaloo. He serves us this mambo with an early salsa feel. Slightly edited by Funky Bompa.

4. Pedro Rodriguez & Orchestra – Barripi mompo
Sutton) EDIT

Genre: Mambo (NYC)
It’s a bit confusing as there is no bossa nova on this budget record. I’d go for a mambo here… Neither exists any info about a possible link with boogaloo composer 
Pete Rodriguez.

5.
Grupo Irakere – Chekere son (Areito 1978) EDIT

Genre: Fusion (Cuba)
Incredibly funky groove from the pioneering band of 
Chucho Valdes (piano). This Cuban band earned worldwide respect with it’s electric fusion of traditional son, African rhythms, funk and jazz. Recently covered by 
Roberto Fonseca.

6.
Joey Pastrana – Cry back EDIT

Genre:
Latin Soul (NYC)
Pastrana had his success in NYC before cutting this LP in Puerto Rico (PR). ‘Cry back’ got this typical 
Latin soul sound, with the steady drums and easy pop singing. If you speak Spanish, check Pastranaís interview .

7. Pete Rodriguez y su Conjunto ñ Soy el rey (Alegre 1966)

Genre: Descarga/
Boogaloo (Puerto Rico/NYC)
Not to be confused with the salsa singer,
Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez, Pete is by many considered the king of boogaloo. He unleashes incredible energy here, starting with a descarga and ending on a short but heavy boogaloo beat.

8.
Eddie Palmieri – 
Estamos chao (Tico)


Genre: Mozambique (Puerto Rico/NYC)
A classic theme by one of my favorite pianists and arrangers. Like Dengue, Mozambique is a sub-genre of mambo, with strong congas and this early stripped down salsa feel. Love that powerful trombone-only horn section.

9. Felix Del Rosario ñ Victor y Memelo (Kubaney)

Genre: Merengue (Dominican Republic)
It’s quite hard to find merengue that doesn’t get too mellow. This one, however, is as hard as it can get. The punchy percussion and crazy horn solo makes it a dancefloor hit. Watch out for this composer from San Francisco de Macoris, DR.

10. Puerto Rico All-Stars – Oye lo que te conviene (Jason)

Genre: 
Salsa (
Puerto Rico)
Classic salsa taken from a tribute record to Pto Rico’s repertoire. The tune was selected by Eddie Palmieri himself and features Pto Rico’s typical big band sound. Probably recorded around 76-77.

11. Carmen Rivero y Linda Vera ñ Cumbia del monte (Caytronics)

Genre: Cumbia (Colombia)
This record was presented as a tool to promote cumbia as the new craze in the 60′s I believe. Check the commercial liner notes. Both Linda Vera and Carmen Rivero really excel on this record, with a tight sound and great piano playing.

12. 
Joe Cuba Sextet – Mujer Divina (Tico 1973) EDIT


Genre: Guajira/Son (NYC)
The guajira is characterized by it’s slow pace and minor key harmonies. Joe Cuba adds his flavor with some lovely vibes. His sextet was setting transition between the fading 50′s big bands and the 60′s boogaloo and salsa.

13. Julio Castro & Orquesta La Masacre ñ Dolor esquina miseria EDIT (New Generation 1979)

Genre: 
Salsa (
Puerto Rico)
Nervous instrumental salsa from Puerto Rico, edited into a powerful interlude. Check the interview of Julio Castro himself 
here. The man played with the best, but never really got big as a leader. Pop singer 
Tito Nieves started in his band.

14. 
Ray Barretto – 
El diablo (Fania 1973)


Genre: Guajira/Son (NYC)
This LP came at a turning point in Barretto’s career as Fania’s percussion master. Some sidemen just left his band, but he rebound and made it a hit record. The sophisticated sound and jazzy solo parts in ‘El Diablo’ still stand out today.

15.
La Playa Sextet – 
Riendo con cha cha (Embajadores)

Genre: Cha cha (NYC)
Though La Playa Sextet is credited for this track, the liner notes are all about 
Charlie Palmieri, who was hot in the 60′s NYC scene. Enjoy the Playa’s distinctive guitar sound on this laid back cha cha.

16. Orchestra Harlow & Junior Gonzalez – Rio rita (Fania 1976)


Genre: Salsa (NYC)
Larry Harlow is another 
Fania All Star. This Jewish pianist converted to latin music lays down a thrilling psychedelic salsa jam with fuzzing guitars and sudden rhythm changes. Not very common for a salsa big band on a big label.

17.
Tito Puente & his Orchestra – 
Black Brothers (Tico 1973)

Genre: Latin soul (NYC)
Tito Puente is another master percussionist and gathers an impressive catalogue. He was already singing big mambo hits in the 50′s and managed to keep the pace for almost three decades at the time he recorded this classic tune.

18.
Grupo Folklorico y Experimental Nuevayorquino – Choco’s guajira (Salsoul 1975)


Genre: Guajira (NYC)
Thanks to bands like these, the Cuban roots never really disappeared in the Big Apple. They play us an oldschool guajira at it’s best, with the typical Cuban ”Cuban tres”
tres intro, a great flute solo plus Caito, a 
Sonora Matancera veteran, in the coro.

19.
Hector Lavoe – Periodico de ayer (Fania 1976)


Genre: Salsa (NYC)
Hector Lavoe made it big in the Fania family too. This track was a major hit that still gets everybody singing along today. A lovely ballad with romantic strings and sweet horns. 
Willie Colon did the arrangements and made it my favorite salsa.