Various Artists - Big Bad Boogaloo (2002)

Showcasing the Latin Boogaloo sound--basically a fusion of \nblack soul and Latin rhythms--that dominated the New York underground \nfrom 1966 to 1969, Big Bad Boogaloo\n is the missing link between the urban funk of James Brown and the \nriotous cha cha beats of Cuba and Puerto Rico. As usual with all \nHarmless releases, the compilation is jam-packed with quality tracks \nthroughout. Obscure artists as well as the more well-known figures of \nthe Latin movement sit together comfortably making this an ideal album \nfor connoisseurs as well as those new to the genre. It kicks off in \nstyle with Joe Bataan's \""Subway Joe\"", a tale of life on the New York \nmetro backed by a chugginly infectious backbeat and frenetic double \nhandclaps, followed by offerings from Ray Barreto (\""Mercy, Mercy Baby\""),\n ace percussionist Orlando Marin (\""Out of My Mind\"") and The Tico \nAllstars with a superb live version of \""Descarga Bugaloo\"" featuring \nLatin superstar Tito Puente--a track that encan