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Explosivos is a lovingly-curated compilation of vintage floor-fillers from the era, culled from the vaults of the scene’s leading player — the world-famous Fania family of labels. This set, available on both CD and 10 × 7” box set as part of the Vampisoul Jukebox Series, is a real treat for fans of the scene, containing a judicious mix of classics and ultra-obscurities.

The grooves overflow with personality, from Queky Alma’s none-more-Latin vocals on ‘Deep’ to the lounge vibe of The Latin Gents’ ‘Chicharrones’. ‘Electric Latin Soul’ by Flash & The Dynamics throws some Hendrix-inspired guitar stylings in to the mix, whilst the loping latin-funk of Bobby Valentin’s classic ‘Use it Before You Lose It’ positively swaggers under the weight of its own charisma.

With 20 tracks on the disc it could have painted a slightly broader picture of the late-1960s NY Latin scene, with the jukebox concept perhaps to blame for lending the compilation a slightly one-note feel. However, Explosivos holds up as a representative selection of tunes from an exciting era when the youth of Spanish Harlem mixed up their musical heritage with the hottest sounds of the day, in the process asserting their identities and creating some timeless music.