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In the '70s and '80s, salsa made North America its home away from home. Musicians from Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic flocked to the vibrant Latin music scene of New York. After that, though, Latin jazz groups stole the instrumentally talented and Latin MTV took the best looking. The center of Latin music swang back to the Caribbean. The new release by Spanish Harlem Orchestra, "Across 110th Street" may swing it once again back to el norte.
Something of a Buena Vista Social Club, SHO's senior members have lost none of their vitality. It helps that the 17-strong band has also been filled out with plenty of younger players, such as Jimmy Bosch and a powerful percussion section who can turn on a beat, letting one groove drop before picking up an even more intense one.
Singing alongside vocalists Ray de la Paz and Willie Torres. Ruben Blades is featured as a special guest, and he has never sounded better. Complemented by the tight horn section and urgent montuno rhythms from pianist and leader Oscar Hernandez, they re-create the vibe of old-school salsa -- and produce one of the genre's best recordings.