NG La Banda – En La Calle

One of the great Cuban latin-jazz bands, NG La Banda was led by flautist José Luis Cortés and are known for being the originators of the “timba” rhythm, a Cuban sub-genre blending Cuban son with salsa, American Funk/R&B, and Afro-Cuban folkloric music. Released in 1990, En la calle was arguably the first timba album and is still one of the best. Featuring digital keyboards, beautifully shifting arrangements, and an eclectic mix of musical styles, En La Calle is a shining example of timba’s deep romanticism and powerfully moving percussion rhythms. The final two tracks are both sung by the great Issac Delgao. “Necesito una amiga” is a beautiful pop-leaning tune that was later made into a hit in the U.S. by Johnny Rivera and Sergio George.

Recommended – Full Listen