Patacon Pisao

Joe Arroyo would be proud. Much better than Johnny Ventura's version, though I consider myself a light fan of Ventura's merengue. Cartagena is calling. 

La historia negra

Joe Arroyo sings of slavery and Cartagena. One of my favorite salsa numbers by far, "Rebelion" is essential Colombian music. No le pegue a la negra!

Joe Arroyo and Haitian Sounds

Colombian-Haitian musical kinship is beautiful. And without a doubt, Joe Arroyo seems to be the epitome of Colombian salsa eager to embrace its Caribbean roots. Check out "A Mi Dios Todo Le Debo," "Musa Original," "Panama Me tombe," "Lina," "Yo," and "Yuvidu." It seems like Arroyo loved Haitian music, as well as zouk and other genres from the Caribbean and West Africa.

La noche

Lovely Colombian kompa! Possibly my favorite Joe Arroyo song, it reminds me of "Ti Carole" by Nemours and a few other hits, but with a thoroughly 'modern' sound a greater emphasis on the drums. This is the kind of music I need to find more of, Colombian coastal music reflecting Haitian and Caribbean influences! 

Barranquilla

A classic salsa jam from Joe Arroyo, a Colombian legend's tribute to one of the most Caribbean of cities in Colombia. The rhythms are infectious and now I know I must see this great city one day. En Barranquilla me quedo!

Musa Original

I am really digging Joe Arroyo these days, a Colombian salsa legend. He even covered Haitian kompa songs, revealing the diversity of Caribbean Colombian music. Although "Musa Original" is a cover of Accolade de New York, Arroyo showed his worth on more Colombian salsa-styled music, as can be heard here, featuring jazzy piano.