Alejo Duran sings and tells his life (Colombian archives, 1986)

Alejo Duran is a legend in Colombia, as king of the most popular style: Vallenato. This day of 1986, going out the recording studio where he comes back to events of his life, Alejo Duran said to the interviewer: "I would like this reel to be kept up to the day I die... supposing this day ever happens". He died three years later and this LP was released in 1989.

Carnaval in Santiago de Cuba (1960s)

(Le Chant du Monde, LDX 4250).

Carnavals tour stops for sure in Cuba, through the release of this LP by french label Le Chant du Monde. Liner notes from the cuban writer Alejo Carpentier remind the historical background of original african and Spanish influences blending in Santiago, the second city founded in Cuba.

Caribbean Rhythms from San Andres (Folklore, 1957)

(Folkways FW 8811).

San Andres is a caribbean island with english west indies influence. This is noticeable musically, but this island having being part of nicaraguan and now colombian territory, it also integrates latin culture and spanish language.

Great salsa lessons from Japan

I was wondering how come japanese people are so good at dancing salsa... I got the answer finding this sheet within a Fania japanese reissue from the 1975 Hector Lavoe - La Voz (well, this travelling LP is salsa from Puerto Rico, produced in New York, reissued in Japan, found in Senegal, now spinning in France...)

A lot to discover - Sonodisc cover (1970s)

Here is a sheet from Sonodisc who distributed from 1970 african and caribeean music.