VA - El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul [4CD Box Set] (2011)

New York City has always been a hotbed for musical innovation. Each neighborhood has a unique sound of its own.However, the sounds and styles of Spanish Harlem became a music form of their own and as such, something truly special. This box set is the fruits of a massive crate digging focused on the sounds of ''El Barrio.'' The set features four distinct collections culled from Fania's massive archives and includes repertoire from other Fania owned labels such as Cotique and Speed. These chapters in Fania history feature funky Latin sounds, Boogaloo, Latin Disco and Latin Soul. Many of the tracks actually defy genre categorization as they are the perfect blend of a variety of cultures and influences. The artists featured are none less than world renowned musicians such as Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Fania All Stars, Joe Bataan, Louie Ramirez, and Tito Puente. Also included are the rare and sought after artists such as Johnny Colon, Seguida, Café, Dave Cortez and more all doing their hard to find classics. A must-have for all and a great gift for the season.