Top 500 Salsa Dura Songs of All-Time by Nelson Rodríguez

Eleven years ago, July 2014, to be exact I wrote an article for Herenca Latina.com & Latinos Unidos Record Pool.com blog page titled ‘The Top 500 Salsa Songs of All Time’ that included 99 ‘Salsa Romantica’ songs.

Over the past decade I have seen an array of online articles making erroneous claims of ‘The Best Salsa’ submitted by dancers/Club DJ’s (choosing songs they believe are the best for dancers) and others who claim ‘The Best’ is more of a preference list compared to a list of what are or were the ‘best’ totally overlooking the criteria I had mentioned in 2014.

Last year I read an article in Billboard on the future stars of the ‘Salsa’ genre that were to be the saviors of Salsa. I did not know Salsa needed saving! Yes, we no longer have commercial radio stations support of ‘Salsa Dura’, record stores because of the lack of record sales that no longer makes the store a viable place of business, club DJ’s playing the hot new tracks coming out from all corners of the world, distribution, media support (no magazines or newspapers and even social media support). I also realized that the true ‘hardcore’ Salsero of yesterday and today does not know many of the names that were on this list. So, I did my research and a few of them panned out as future bright stars. What a coincidence that the names that are being thrown out on the internet are ‘Salsa Romantica’ and Tropical music names. While I will acknowledge some of these new Salseros because I have heard them do ‘hardcore’ with the romantic songs Billboard mentions. But I cannot respect or except any of these lists if they do not include names that have been holding the fort like Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Don Perignon, Choco Orta, Tromboranga, Rico Walker, Edwin Perez, Pedro Bermudez, Ruben Blades/Roberto Delgado, Steve Guasch, Josean Rivera, Edwin Lebron, Mercadonegro, La 33, La Excelencia, Reunidos Por La Salsa, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, La Maxima 79, The Echo Park Project, La Paris All Star Orchestra, Tony Succar, Javier Fernandez, Aymee Nuviola, and many others that while older should be looked at as true warriors of our music and supported as such. The list I read about in Billboard may be the future for ‘Salsa Romantica’ but not ‘Salsa Dura’. All these claims (mostly coming from dancers around the world that basically are picking songs for dancing purposes which I understand) should not be titled ‘best of’ ALL TIME.

I have also read a series of online articles and lists on Salsa that scared the ‘bejesus’ out of me with their choices of what’s the best. It’s the best for dancers and includes mostly modern songs with a few ‘old skool’ classics. Maybe if some of these articles would have made their intent clear I would be able to accept their criteria.

This led me to rethink my list from 2014 and retitle it “The Best 500 Salsa Dura Songs of All Time” and setting some parameters to this list that I believe to be the ultimate list up to the 90’s. I developed a certain criteria for this listing that will later expand to 1000 ‘Salsa Dura’ Songs of All Time as follows:

1-A compilation of the greatest hits that played on commercial radio that were not only big hits but that today identify the artists and established an era as classics still being heard today.

2-These songs mostly from the 60’s through the 90’s will be recognized by fans worldwide as songs with longevity that have had multiple remakes and the test of time (not a song that just popped up in the past decade).

3-These songs are memorable songs we know the lyrics to and sing them at concerts, at clubs, in our cars and at home. They remind us of certain concerts, clubs, festivals and events in our lives. These are also the songs DJ’s revisit at a wedding, birthday, graduation or a house party for many decades.

4-Songs cannot be exclusive to Puerto Rico or New York, for example, but to many parts of the world. Today that means hits in multiple parts of the world: Central, North & South America, Asia, the Orient, Europe. etc. Songs on everyone’s playlists at clubs and radio shows that they refer to as vintage classics.

5-The arrangements in many of these songs (particularly in the 70’s) are explosive and innovative and the lyrical content of the songs are definitive and memorable. All of the songs are by ‘Hall of Fame’ musicians that arranged, composed, improvised, produced and sang on these gems.

6-The list does not include Boleros, Merengues or Latin Jazz that will be compiled on other lists. Each of these genres deserve their own ‘best of’ lists.

Now as for ‘Salsa Dura’ early AM radio was the way hits were made that led to huge record sales prior to the 2000’s. That’s why I stopped this list in the 90’s and I will post in the future a list of the best from 2000 to 2025. While AM was the commercial way and controlled by power brokers at the labels I believe, as many others do, that the true pioneers of ‘Salsa Dura’ were the non-commercial radio DJ/Hosts on small radio stations that have kept this music alive since the 50’s, especially in New York, Puerto Rico (smaller commercial radio specialty shows), California and Florida.

In the 60’s and 70’s my favorite radio hosts were Symphony Sid, Joe Gaines, Dick Ricardo Sugar, Roger Dawson, Carlos DeJesus and Felipe Luciano (the ex-Young Lord, newscaster, poet). In Los Angeles it was Chico Sesma that I heard about from Max Salazar, a mentor and friend. But when I came into the business as a professional in the 80’s I met many of the best radio had to offer that I believed were the true pioneers of the future in radio: Max Salazar, Jose Cheo Diaz, Chico Mendoza, Vicki Sola, Nancy Rodriguez, Jorge Quintana, Tomas Algarin, Chico Alvarez, Pedro Liz, Al Anton, Nelson ‘Radames’ Rodriguez (mi tocayo), Al Angeloro, all in NY/NJ and by the 90’s (in New York) Nando Albericci and Mickey Melendez; Taino Roldan (in Oklahoma of all places); David Ortiz (in Philly); Jose Masso (Boston); Luis Medina & Chuy Varela (in San Francisco), Carlos Lando & Arturo Gomez (in Denver, Colorado); and the crews from Alma Del Barrio (Alan Geik, Nina Lenart, Julio Vigoreaux, Guido Herrera, Eddie Lopez, Tony Cruz, Joaquin Del Toro & Gustavo Aragon), while Canto Tropical had Hector Resendez & Kathy ‘La Rumbera’ Diaz and today Armando Nila ‘El Caballero Salsero’; Raul Rico Jr. (in Oxnard, Ca.); Rae Arroyo (in LA); and Henry Brun (in Texas); Ray Cruz (in Hawaii). All of these DJ’s not only defend the old classics but helped me promote the new ‘Salsa Erotica’ that started slowly in the mid 80’s and became ‘Salsa Sensual’ and eventually ‘Salsa Romantica’ (first at TH Records then RMM Records). Over the decades I spoke to the radio hosts and listened to many of their shows and developed this list that started to take form in the late 70’s because of them. Non-commercial radio shows, that were on once a week, were not afraid to play everything they deemed good and payola did not affect their choice of music. Payola was only for Top 40 commercial radio stations that were on the air 24 hours/seven days a week. By the 90’s I came in contact with salsa shows in Mexico, Venezuela, England, London, Spain and other international markets.

For all of us in the 60’s and 70’s Fania (the Latin Motown) was the label we all knew but it was not exclusively Fania as there were many other labels and hundreds of other artists. In the 70’s it was a movement that conquered the world and a new generation of dancers (Salsa Congress’ in the 90’s took that to a new level). Fania had grown into a conglomerate that purchased many other labels since the 60’s and because of their exposure is prominently represented in these 500 songs. Fania today just releases their catalog of labels as MP3’s and vinyl re-issues.

I support what is happening today with the new generation of ‘Salseros’ but everything should be in its proper context. That’s why I will also have a column on the ‘Best Salsa Romantica of All Time’, ‘The Best Salsa from the 2000’s (2000-2025)”, ‘The Best Latin Jazz’ and the ‘Best Merengues of All Time’ that I having been working on for some years now.

‘Salsa Dura’ continues to be an umbrella that includes Guaracha, Guaguanco, Son, Guajira, Mambo, Son Montuno, Charanga, Cha Cha Cha and even Bomba/Plena. These are genres that are represented on my list and I used 2000 as the breaking point since everything changes just before 2000. Jimmy Bosch and Orquesta de Jazz & Salsa Alto Maiz (from Iowa) were the first to revisit ‘Salsa Dura’ with no care about commercial radio support. Alto Maiz was actually doing mostly covers since 1989. Johnny Polanco & La Amistad and The Spanish Harlem Orchestra followed suit. Of course you have acts like Eddie Palmieri, Sonora Ponceña and others that never left the ‘Salsa Dura scene.

The 2000’s are different because of the lack of media/marketing support such as record labels, commercial radio, record stores, the sale of CD’s, press reviews, television and video shows. So we need to look at those years through the present (2025) differently from a lack of marketing perspective.

For now, I hope you enjoy this list that is the 500 of the best based on all my research are listed in no particular order so don’t look at it as a #1 through # 500 but just 500 of the best. After living that golden age of radio in New York, seeing the lists and witnessing the salsa movement from outside as a fan and then inside as an industry professional.

TOP 500 Salsa ‘Dura’ Songs of All-Time

Eddie Palmieri – Vámonos Pal Monte (just the opening conga and organ riffs set me off)

Willie Colon/Héctor Lavoe – Che Che Cole (my happy song when I was 14 years old)

Ray Barretto – Indestructible (from my first favorite Barretto album)

Eddie Palmieri – Puerto Rico (the realization of my PR roots)

Tito Puente – Para Los Rumberos (my love for Puente came when I heard this song)

Machito y sus Afro Cubanos – Tanga (horns that introduced me to the Jazz arrangement)

Fania All Stars – Juan Pachanga (All –Stars at their height with the great Rubén Blades)

Orchestra Broadway – Isla Del Encanto (my #1 for many years)

Orchestra Harlow – Señor Sereno (my introduction to the many great Jewish musicians)

Conjunto Libre – Lamento Borincano (a classic with the New York flavor)

Tito Rodríguez – El Que Se Fué (my favorite tune from my favorite vocalist)

Cortijo y su Combo – Quítate De La Vía, Perico (another fun song at a 60’s house party)

Típica 73 – La Candela (one of my Top 10 bands of all – time)

Willie Colon/Héctor Lavoe – Abuelita (reminds me of my visits to grandma in PR)

Tito Puente – Ran Kan Kan (loved all the versions he recorded)

Oscar D’Leon – Me Voy Pa’Cali (the best club hit with virtually no commercial airplay)

Ismael Miranda – Borinquén Tiene Montuno (one of my favorite homenages to PR)

Eddie Palmieri – Adoración (Ismael Quintana was my favorite during this time)

El Gran Combo – Un Verano En Nueva York (best homage to my NY)

Tito Rodríguez – Cara de Payaso (Big Band at its best)

Ray Barretto – Vale Más Un Guaguancó

Willie Colon/Rubén Blades – Pedro Navaja

Eddie Palmieri – Un Día Bonito

La Solución – La Rueda (my introduction to a good friend Frankie Ruiz)

Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz – Agúzate (great innovators)

Willie Colon/Héctor Lavoe – Barrunto

Tito Puente – Complicación

El Gran Combo – Brujería

Orchestra Harlow – Arsenio (best tribute to El Ciego Maravilloso)

Sonora Ponceña – Rumba En El Patio (when I first fell in love with the Ponceña sound)

Bobby Valentín – Júrame

Eddie Palmieri/Cheo Feliciano – Anacaona (also with Fania All-Stars)

Ray Barretto – Ban Ban Quere (from my second favorite Barretto album)

Ángel Canales – Ana Isaoco (the first big hit of an iconic, ‘different’ vocalist)

Héctor Lavoe – Mi Gente (as well as the Fania All – Star live version)

Fania All – Stars/Rubén Blades – Sin Tu Cariño (one of Rubén’s best)

Pacheco y su Charanga – Acuyuye (led the early New York charanga craze of the 60’s)

Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco – Quimbara (one of the best duos ever)

Tito Rodríguez – Mama Guela

Grupo Niche – Cali Pachanguero (another club dance gem)

Puerto Rico All Stars – Reunión En La Cima (challenge to FAS)

Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz/ Rafael de Jesús – De Patitas

Oscar D’Leon – Mi Bajo Y Yo (the big hit just before I met him at TH Records)

Típica 73 – Yo Bailo De Todo (from my favorite T – 73 álbum)

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – El Que Se Fue (my favorite cover version)

Joe Cuba Sextet – A Las Seis (the premiere sextet sound)

Bobby Valentín – El Jibaro y La Naturaleza (my intro to another friend Marvin Santiago)

Héctor Lavoe – Periódico De Ayer

Celia Cruz/Willie Colon – Usted Abuso

Tito Rodríguez – Vuela La Paloma (a favorite of my parents)

Los Van Van – Sandunguera (Por Encima Del Nivel)

Sonora Ponceña – Canto Al Amor

Willie Colon/Rubén Blades – Pablo Pueblo

Joe Arroyo – En Barranquilla Me Quedo (the best from Colombia’s giant of the 80’s)

Ray Barretto – Que Viva La Música (a national anthem for many)

El Gran Combo – Teléfono

Héctor Lavoe – El Cantante (the song and seeing him showed realism in his life)

Dimension Latina/Oscar D’Leon – Lloraras

Eddie Palmieri – El Día Que Me Quieras (the best LP with only 5 songs on it)

Pacheco y su Charanga – Acuyuye (big hit of the 60’s Charanga/Pachanga era)

Sonora Ponceña – Sonora Pal Bailador

Louie Ramirez/Ruben Blades - Paula C

Willie Rosario – Botaron La Pelota

Tito Puente – El Cayuco

Eddie Palmieri – Muñeca

Julio Castro y La Masacre – El Pregonero (my introduction to another friend Tito Nieves)

Ray Barretto – Canto Abacua

Willie Colon y Hector Lavoe – La Murga (de Panama)

Fania All-Stars – Piano Man

Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos – El Nazareño

Sublime – Coqueta

Joe Cuba Sextet – El Pito (I’ll Never Go Back To Georgia) (Joe never went to Georgia)

Sonora Ponceña – Mi Lindo Yambu

Ray Barretto – Guarare

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Todo Tiene Su Final

Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco – Cucala

Willie Rosario- Busca El Ritmo

Eddie Palmieri – Oyelo Que Te Conviene (two great versions with Ismael Quintana and Lalo Rodriguez

Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Pueblo Latino (also a great version with FAS)

Machito y sus Afro-Cubanos – Sambia

Roberto Roena y su Apolo Sound – Mi Desengaño

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Panameña

Sonora Ponceña – Boranda

Oscar D’Leon – Bravo De Verdad

Ray Barretto – El Hijo De Obatala

Tipica 73 – Pa’ Gozar (NY meets Cuba)

Charanga 76 – Soy (Hansel & Raul debut)

Johnny Pacheco – Esa Prieta

Eddie Palmieri – Revolt/La Libertad Logico

Tito Rodriguez – Cuando, Cuando, Cuando

Sonora Ponceña – Yambeque

Tommy Olivencia y su Orquesta La Primerisima - Trucutu

Cano Estremera/Bobby Valentin – La Gringa

Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco – Toro Mata

Eddie Palmieri/Lalo Rodriguez - Nada De Ti

El Gran Combo – Timbalero

Alegre All Stars – Manteca

Batacumbele – Se Le Ve (Songo in Puerto Rico)

Tito Rodriguez – Yambu

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – La Banda (orig. by Peruvian Enrique Lynch)

Eddie Palmieri – Pa’ Huele

Sonora Ponceña – Timbalero

Orchestra Harlow – Señor Botanico

Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Soy La Ley

Willie Rosario – El Timbal De Carlitos

Tito Rodriguez – Estoy Como Nunca

Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos – Las Caras Lindas

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Ah-Ah, O No (another favorite from my youth)

Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Que Humanidad (one of the true universities of Salsa along with Eddie Palmieri and Irakere- jazzier with many stars who went on their own to record as leaders)

Eddie Palmieri – Pa’ La Ocha Tambo

Eddie Palmieri- El Dia Que Me Quieras (from the classic ‘white album’ with only 5 tracks)

Machito y sus Afro Cubanos – Chango Ta’ Veni

Cheo Feliciano – Canta (amazing arrangement with strings)

The Lebron Brothers – Salsa y Control

Charlie Palmieri/Vitin Aviles – La Hija De Lola

Joe Cuba Sextet – Mambo of The Times (best English/Salsa song of all time)

El Gran Combo – Vagabundo

Frankie Ruiz – El Camionero (1st Salsa LP to generate 3 Top 10 hits in a year)

Sonora Ponceña -Bomba Carambomba

Johnny Pacheco – Agua Del Clavelito

Beny More – Francisco Guayabal

Tito Puente – Babarabatiri (Machito also had an excellent version)

Willie Rosario – Lluvia (better swing than the Adalberto Alvarez version)

Don Gonzalo Fernandez – Repicao (on SAR when tracks began to get extnededfor club play)

Tito Rodriguez – Chevere (my favorite cha cha of all time)

Tipica 73 -La Botija De Abuelito

Sociedad 76 – La Solucion De La Salsa

Irakere- Dile A Catalina

Willie Rosario – Chango Ta’ Beni

Ismael Quintana – Mi Debilidad (the FAS version is also good)

Fania All Stars – Ponte Duro (original by Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound)

Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental Nuevayorquino – Anabacoa

Jose Mangual Jr. – Campanero (great cowbell solo)

Eddie Palmieri – Justicia (one of the early social commentary songs)

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Traicion (one of those songs that made the Apollo Sound so unique)

Hector Lavoe – El Todopoderoso (my first true exposure to a Christian salsa song)

Ray Barretto – Cocinando

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Calle Luna, Calle Sol

Tito Puente – Niña y Señora

Justo Betancourt – Pa’ Bravo Yo

Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Ahi Na’ Ma

Joe Arroyo – Pal Bailador

Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Catalina La O

Lalo Rodriguez – Maximo Chamoro

Jose Mangual Jr. – Cuero Na; Ma

146.Willie Colon/Ismael Miranda – No Me Digas Que Es Muy Tarde

Johnny Pacheco – Mango Mangue

Willie Rosario – Boba

Guayacan Orquesta – Oiga, Mire y Vea

Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Los Tamalitos De Olga

Eddie Palmieri -Azucar (the first song to break the rule of a short song for radio)

La Critica/Oscar D’ Leon – Monta Mi Caballo

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Piraña

Justo Betancourt – No Estas En Nada

Orchestra Broadway – Presentiniento

Wllie Rosario – Esa Que Yo Conoci

Louie Ramirez – El Poeta Lloro

Ray Barretto – Son Con Cuero

Orchestra Harlow – Tumba y Bongo

Chappottin y sus Estrellas – Mi Son, Mi Son, Mi Son

Mon Rivera – Karakatis-ki (my childhood favorite trabalengua)

Irakere – Xiomara (Tipica 73 also has an amazing version)

Tommy Olivencia - Plante Bandera (the first big hit I heard with Chamaco Ramirez)

Orquesta Aragon- Cachita

Gilberto Santa Rosa – La Agarro Bajando

Tommy Olivencia – Mujeres Como Tu

Celia Cruz/Ray Barretto/Adalberto Santago -Nadie Se Salva De La Rumba

Willie Rosario – Mi Amigo El Payaso

Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Tocala (one of my favorite descargas/jam session)

Conjunto Clasico – Pau Pau

Sonora Ponceña – Moreno Soy (Bobby Valentin’s version was ‘Naci Moreno’)

Fania All Stars/Celia Cruz- Bemba Colora (the FAS concert anthem that united the fans)

Cortijo y su Combo – Monta Mi Caballito (childhood favorite in our apartmen)

Ralphy Santi y su Conjunto – Ansia

Hector Lavoe – Vamos a Reir Un Poco

Johnny Pacheco – Guaguanco Pal Que Sabe

Bobby Valentin/Cano Estremera – La Boda De Ella

Sonora Ponceña – Hasta Que Se Rompa El Cuero

Willie Rosario -El Callejero

Fania All Stars – Quitate Tu

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe- Aguanile

Johnny Colon – Merecumbe

Eddie Palmieri – Nunca Contigo

The Lebron Brothers – Amazona

Fania All Stars – Son, Cuero y Boogaloo

Eddie Palmieri – Lindo Yambu

Orchestra Harlow – La Cartera

Sonora Ponceña – Suena El Piano

El Gran Combo – La Soledad

Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco – La Sopa En Botella

Oscar D’ Leon – Hechicera

Elio Reve y su Charangon – Mi Salsa Tiene Sandunga

Johnny Pacheco/Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – La Escencia Del Guaguanco

Willie Colon/Ruben Blades – La Maleta

Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz- La Zafra

Tito Rodriguez- Bilongo

Willie Colon – El Gran Varon

El Gran Combo – Aqui No Ha Pasado Nada

Bobby Valentin - Cuando Te Vea (also originally done by Tito Puente)

Tommy Olivencia – Como Lo Hacen

Cortijo y su Combo – Maquino Landera

Celia, Johnny. Justo y Papo – Besitos De Coco

Pacheco y su Charanga – Alto Songo

Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – Numero Seis

La Terrifica – Casa Pobre, Casa Grande

Ismael Quintana – Al Mirarte A Ti

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Vo So

Tipica 73 – Rumba Caliente

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Esta Navidad

Willie Rosario – Ojala Que Te Vaya Bonito

Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’ – Disculpeme Señora

Conjunto Libre – Imagenes Latinas

Gilberto Santa Rosa – Cantante De Cartel

Ismael Miranda – Maria Luisa

Willie Rosario – Me Vas a Hechar De Menos

Celia y Johnny – Tres Dias De Carnaval

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Que Se Sepa

Hector Lavoe – Hacha y Machete

El Gran Combo – No Hay Cama Pa’ Tanta Gente

Cortijo y su Combo – Cucala, Cucala

Nestor Torres – Voulez-Vous Dancer

Celia Cruz – La Vida Es Un Carnaval

Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Goza La Vida

Hector Lavoe – Bandolera

Willie Colon – Idilio

Celia Cruz y La Sonora Ponceña – Sonaremos El Tambo

Cuco Valoy – Juliana

Henry Fiol -Mala Suerte

Graciela/Mario Bauza – La Botanica

El Gran Combo – Julia

Conjunto Libre – Porque Tu Sufres

Beny More – Santa Isabel De Las Lajas

Ray Barretto – Quitate La Mascara

Willie Rosario – Te Regalo Un Cancion

Charanga De La 4 – Aqui Hay Un Hombre Gozando

El Gran Combo – Mundy Baja

Willie Colon/Ruben Blades – Siembra

Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Juaniquita

Eddie Palmieri – Pagina De Mujer

Sonora Ponceña – Fuego En El 23

Mulenze – Para Ti Bailador

Oscar D’ Leon – Mis Hijos

Tipica 73 – Canuto

Willie Colon/Ruben Blades – Plastico

Sociedad 76 – La Manzana

El Gran Combo – El Menu

Ruben Blades & Seis Del Solar – Buscando America

El Gran Combo – La Reina

Tipica 73 -Xiomara

Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – La Moral

The Lebron Brothers – Musica, Musica, Musica

Roberto Torres – El Caminante

Bobby Valentin – Asi Asi

Eddie Palmieri- Colombia Te Canto

Henry Fiol – Picoteando Por Ahi

Tito Puente – Oye Como Va

Fajardo y sus Estrellas – La Charanga

Machito y su Orquesta – Yo Soy La Rumba

El Gran Combo – La Fiesta De Pilito

Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – Sonero Del Barrio

Orquesta Novel – Salud, Dinero y Amor

Gene Hernandez y Novedades - Siempre

Tito Rojas – Nadie Es Eterno

Willie Rosario – Me Tendran Que Aceptar (Tu Abuelo y Tu Papa)

Bobby Valentin – Pirata De La Mar

Charanga America – Ayudame San Antonio (another club favorite)

Guayacan Orquesta – Torero

Hector Lavoe – Rompe Saraguay

Sonora Ponceña – Noche Como Boca E’ Lobo

Joe Arroyo – La Rebellion (No Le Pegue a La Negra)

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – La Hija De La Vecina

Orchestra Novel – La Batalla De Los Barrios

Henry Fiol – No Hay Mal Que Por Bien No Venga

Tito Gomez – Veneno

Ismael Miranda y La Revelacion – Asi Se Compone Un Son

Willie Rosario – Bajo La Luna

Machito y sus Afro Cubanos – Sopa De Pichon

Sublime – Cantinero

Wayne Gorbea y su Conjunto Salsa – Alo Alo

Ismael Miranda con Orchestra Harlow – Abran Paso

Mon Rivera - Lluvia Con Nieve

Fajardo y sus Estrellas – Ritmo De Pollo

El Gran Combo – Hojas Blancas

Ruben Blades y Seis Del Solar – Todos Vuelven

Charanga Casino – Soñador

Willie Rosario – Si No Estas Conmigo (from best Rosario album from A-Z)

Lalo Rodriguez – Tu No Sabes querer

Vilato y Los Kimbos – Hoy y Mañana

Orchestra Harlow – Que Sera Lo Que Pelaen

Hector Lavoe -Songoro Consongo

Mario Ortiz All Star Band – Chinita

Alfredo De La Fe – Toca Alfredo Toca

Sonora Ponceña – Madrugando

Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz – Camaron

Orchestra Broadway – Barrio Del Pilar

El Gran Combo – Mujer Celosa

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound- Marejada Feliz

Los Van Van – Anda, Ven y Muevete

Fania All Stars/Cheo Feliciano - El Raton

Machito y su Orquesta – El As De La Rumba

Wayne Gorbea y su Conjunto Salsa – Lo Que Dice Justi (club favorite)

Conjunto Clasico – Vamonos De Rumba

Bobby Valentin- Mi Ritmo Es Bueno

Eddie Palmieri – La Malanga

Ray Barretto – Arrepientete

Justo Betancourt – Distinto y Diferente

Charanga Casino – Ganas De Bailar El Son

Ismael Rivera y Los Cachimbos – De Todas Maneras Rosas

Celia, Johnny, Justo y Papo – Ritmo, Tambor y Flores (Sonora Matancera original)

Santiago Ceron – Canta Si Va Cantar

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – La Mora

Tommy Olivencia – La Rumba Sin Evelio

El Gran Combo – El Guaguanco Del Gran Combo

Eddie Palmieri – Un Puesto Vacante

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Que Me Castigue Dios

Marvin Santiago – Fuego a La Jicotea

Papaito – El Guajiro De Cunagua

Puerto Rico All Stars – Los Tambores

Orchestra Broadway – Las Musiqueras

Charanga 76 – Regresaras

Ray Barretto – Adelante Siempre Voy

Ismael Miranda – Las Esquinas Son

Pupi y Pacheco – Salsa

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Tu Loco Loco, Pero Yo Tranquilo

Sonora Ponceña – Vas Por Ahi

Monguito El Unico – Yo No Soy Mentiroso

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Juana Peña

Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – A Primera Vista

Sonora Ponceña – Jubileo 20

Eddie Palmieri – El Molestoso

El Gran Combo – Si No Me Dan De Beber

Tito Rodriguez – Avisale a Mi Contrario

Louie Ramirez - El Titere

Johnny Pacheco/Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Dulce Con Dulce

Juan Carlos Alfonso y su Dan Den – Viejo Lazaro

Tito Puente – Cuando Te Vea

Cachao y su Ritmo – Cogele El Gusto (Cuban Jam Sessions in Miniature)

Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz – Guarachimbe

Eddie Palmieri – Ritmo Alegre

Adalberto Alvarez y su Son – El Bongosero Mentiroso

Hector Lavoe – Para Ochun

Johnny Pacheco/Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Viralo Al Reves

Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’ – Sueño Contigo

Bobby Valentin – Huracan

Cortijo y su Combo – Madame Calalu

Willie Colon/Ruben Blades – Tiburon

El Gran Combo – El Arbolito

Tommy Olivencia – Que Se Mueran De Envidia

Jose Mangual Jr. – Que Lo Diga El Tiempo

Gilberto Santa Rosa – Que Manera De Quererte

Tito Puente – El # 100

Angel Canales – Bpmba Carambomba

Machito y sus Afro Cubanos – La Paella

Oscar D’ Loen – Calculadora

Tito Puente – Separala Tambien

Willie Colon – Oh, Que Sera

Joe Cotto – Dolores (with Mon Rivera)

Don Gonzalo Fernandez – Cancion A Un Individuo

Ray Barretto – Se Traba

Celia Cruz -Que Le Den Candela

Jose Mangual Jr. – Pa’ Que Te Cuento

Charanga 76- Te Vas Con El Viento

India/Eddie Palmieri – Mi Primera Rumba

El Gran Combo – Y No Hago Mas Na

Fania All Stars/Ismael Quintana – Mi Debilidad

Fruko y sus Tesos- El Preso

Cheo Feliciano – Mapeye

Eddie Palmieri – Palo Pa’ Rumba

Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz – Amparo Arrebato

Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez – Los Compadres

Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Lamento De Concepcion

El Gran Combo- Achilipu

Bobby Valentin – El Muñeco De La Cuidad

Pete Rodriguez – Micaela

Ray Barretto – La Orquesta

Eddie Palmieri – Bajo Con Tumbao

Willie Rosario – Anuncio Clasificado

Tito Nieves – Amores Como Tu

Cortijo y su Combo – Elena, Elena

El Gran Combo – Azuquita Pal Café

Orlando Marin – La Casa

Charanga Casino – Baila Charanga

Cheo Feliciano – Experto En Ti

David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera – No Estamos Locos

Adalberto Santiago – Ay Caray

Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’ – A La Hora Que Me Llamen Voy

Marvin Santiago – Vasos En Colores

Wayne Gorbea y su Conjunto Salsa – Me Lo Dice Justi

Gilberto Santa Rosa – No Me La Llames

Conjunto Clasico – Faisan

Fania All Stars/Hector Lavoe – El Rey De La Puntualidad

Oscar D’ Leon – Tributo a Beny More (Medley)

Tito Rodriguez – Aprietala En El Rincon

Raulin Rosendo – Uno Se Cura

Pupi y Pacheco – Picunina

Sonora Ponceña – Changuiri

Los Van Van – La Habana No Aguanta Mas

Charlie Rodriguez y su Orquesta – Caprichito

Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz – Bomba Camara

Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos – Dime Por Que

El Gran Combo – Goyito Sabater

La Terrifica – Hinca La Yegua

Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Decidete

Ray Barretto -Arallue

Luigi Texidor – Tema De Una Flor

Oscar D’ Leon – Yo Quisiera Saber

Grupo Niche – Buenaventura y Caney

Joe Arroyo y La Verdad – Bam Bam

Ray Barretto- Llanto de Cocodrilo

Joe Arroyo y La Verdad – La Noche

Meñique – Madre

Willie Rosario – Si Yo Tuviera Un Millon

Tito Puente – Que Sera (Mi China)

Hansel y Raul – Maria, Teresa y Danilo

Las Maravillas De Florida – Al Excelente Tresero

Ray Barretto – Todo Se Va Poder

Celia Cruz y Sonora Ponceña – Soy Antillana

Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Alabanciosa

Charlie Rodriguez y su Orquesta – Ven Mi Mora

Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz – Alabao

La Solucion- Una Canita Al Aire

Ismael Quintana – El Juez Final

Cortijo y su Combo – El Negro Bembon

Charanga 76- Ya No Interesa

Issac Delgado – El Pregon Del Chocolate

Tito Rodriguez – El Sabio (Hector Lavoe does a superb version)

Eliades Ochoa y El Cuarteto Patria -Chan Chan

Pete Rodriguez – Arranca En Fa’

Ralphy Leavitt y La Selecta – Siempre Alegre

Louie Ramirez y Ray De La Paz – Lluvia

Cheo Feliciano & Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez (RMM La Combinacion Perfecta) – Soneros De Bailadores

Bush y su Nuevo Sonido – La Chola Caderona

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Timbalero

Angel Canales – Lejos De Ti

Tipica Ideal – Abidjan Cset Tres Joli

Costa Brava – Cualquiera Menos Tu

Cheo Feliciano- Nabori

Nestor Torres - Goza Como Yo

Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos – Si Te Cojo

Orchestra Harlow/Celia Cruz – Gracias Divina

Orchestra Broadway – Arrepientete

Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia – Recuerdos De Arcaño

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – Te Conozco

Tipica Novel – No Me Regañes

El Sabor De Nacho – Batalla Sanson

Tito Rodriguez/Louie Ramirez – El Mulato Rumbero

Sarabanda – Barranquilla Arrebatao

Cano Estremera/Bobby Valentin - La Gringa

Machito y sus Afro Cubanos/Graciela – Ay Jose

Ray Barretto- Prestame Tu Mujer

Willie Colon/Hector Lavoe – El Dia De Mi Suerte

Joe Cuba Sextet – Cachondea

Willie Rosario – Cuando Se Canta Bonito

Cortijo y su Combo- Volare

Louie Ramirez -Feo Pero Sabroso

Andy Harlow – La Loteria

The Lebron Brothers – Sin Negro No Hay Guaguanco

Alex Leon -Meneate

Africando- Yay Boy

Jose Mangual Jr. – Yuyumbe

Celia Cruz/Sonora Matancera – Yerbero Moderno

Orchestra Broadway – El Bailarin

Jose Mangual Jr. -El Mil Amores

Willie Rosario -Fisico

Tipica Novel – Salsa En Nueva York

Tito Rodriguez – Mango Del Monte

Tipica 73 – Sonaremos El Tambo

Ray Barretto- Hipocresia y Falsedad

Machito/Lalo Rodriguez- Mi Ritmo Llego

Tito Rodriguez – En El Balcon

Sonora Ponceña – Hachero Pa’ Un Palo

Eddie Palmieri – Asi Es La Humanidad

Tito Rodriguez – La Toalla

Ray Barretto – Ahora Si

Celia y Johnny – Canto A La Habana

Orchestra Broadway – Pelencho

Ismael Quintana – Tambo (Me Acompaña El)

Tito Rodriguez – Blen, Blen, Blen

Fania All Stars/Ismael Miranda & Hector Lavoe – Que Barbaridad

Conjunto Clasico – Piraguero

Tito Rodriguez – Arriba Cumbiaremos

Beny More – Que Bueno Baila Usted

Mario Ortiz All Star Band – Para Los Bravos

Manny Oquendo y su Conjunto Libre – Bailala Pronto

Cortijo y su Combo – Bombon De Elena

Eddie Palmieri – No Critiques

Santiago Ceron – Al Que Le Pique

Willie Chirino – Oxigeno

Tipica Novel – Tiene Sabor

Markolino Dimond – Aguardiente

Issac Delgado – La Sandunguita

Joe Quijano – La Pachanga Se Baila Asi

Charanga America – Chiquilla

Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’ – Rio Manzanares

Oscar D’ Leon – Yo Soy

Vitin Aviles – Sufre

Ismael Quintana – Maestro De Rumberos

Charlie Palmieri – Tiene Sabor

Chappotín y sus Estrellas – Alto Songo

Justo Betancourt – Ella Esta En Otra Rumba

The giants of the ‘Salsa Dura’ era were 25 stars and the charangas: El Gran Combo, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Machito, Libre, Tito Rodriguez, Charlie Palmieri, Tipica 73, Ray Barretto, Roberto Roena, Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentin, Mario Ortiz, The Fania All Stars, and the charangas of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were Celia Cruz, Larry Harlow, Ismael Miranda, Ismael Quintana, Luis ‘Perico’ Ortiz, Cortijo, Ismael Rivera, and Louie Ramirez.

By the 2000’s only a few of these names have remained but new acts have surfaced and become the next pioneers. Stay tuned for the new lists!