Danzas from Daniel Santos and Julita Ross

Santos sings some stately danzas de Puerto Rico. I like his approach, using Afro-Caribbean hand percussion. It's quite different from the style and accompaniment of Julita Ross, whose voice I adore, but lacks characteristically Afro-Caribbean instrumentation. Indeed, the danza is the most "European" of Puerto Rican genres, but check out "Amor Perdido." Regardless, both are great in their own ways, and Santos I like even more for singing some Haitian tunes, such as "Carolina Acao." Ross's "Odiame" is also quite good, feautring some hand percussion and less rooted in the European-influenced orchestras of the past. Indeed, there is a touch of jazz!

While you're at it, enjoy "Baranoa" by Pedro Laza y sus Pelayeros, which sounds a lot like Angel Viloria's music to my ears. I need to keep expanding my knowledge of older Colombian coastal groups and Mexican music from this era in Latin America, too. Oh, and don't forget Angel Viloria's "Rosaura." I am not sure what draws me to Angel Viloria y Su Conjunto, but the band's horns are infectious, even with the accordion.