La Moderna de siempre

Ray Barretto’s La Moderna de siempre captures the bandleader at the helm of Tico’s vibrant Latin dance catalog, steering through danzon, guaracha, son montuno, and charanga with the assured touch of a master percussionist. The album cycles through bolero, cha-cha, guaguancó, and pachanga—a sweeping survey of Cuban and Puerto Rican forms that showcases Barretto’s timbales work against lush orchestral arrangements. Essential for collectors of 1960s Tico releases and anyone tracking the evolution of New York Latin jazz.