As a Nuyorican, the sound of summer for me has always been not the oceans waves but rather salsa music. For me then the Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s new release, United We Swing, available May 15th, couldn’t come at a better time. These Grammy wining artists bring classic big band salsa via Spanish Harlem, NYC more commonly known as el barrio. United We Swing reminds me of when I was a child watching my mother get dressed up to go dancing at the Palladium or the old Copacabana where dancing, not drinking or picking up a date, was the main affair, and the musica was live not dj’ed. With good reasons, the musicians that make up the Spanish Harlem Orchestra have worked with the legends of salsa like Tito Puente, Hector Lavoe, and Celia Cruz.

One would think it not easy to follow on the success of their previous album, Across 110th Street, which won the Grammy for Best Salsa Album in 2004. With their third album, United We Swing, they have not only matched but surpassed expectations. En El Tiempo Del Palladium plays tribute to the golden age of Latin dance institutions through a son montuno.

The 13 member band teases you to sit still while listening to the cd, especially track 4, Se Formo la Rumba, which builds to what can only be described as an aural orgasm. One can only imagine their sound live, the way classic salsa should be heard. Nine of the 13 tracks are original compositions shouting out East Harlem and its musical legacy which the Spanish Harlem Orchestra keeps alive and fresh.

If by the 5th track you haven’t gotten the hint that this music is to dance to, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra director, Oscar Hernandez, gets direct and urges its listeners to Sacala Bailar or else they will.

Because salsa is meant to be danced en paraja, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra brings a little romance barrio style with Que Bonito and with Joe Cuba’s cha cha cha done here in three part doo-wop harmony, Mujer Divina. These are songs you want your partner, hand at your hip, to whisper into your ear.

Another way to pay tribute to salsa dura that ruled the dance floors of 60’s and 70’s is to cover some tunes from them like Ahora Si, a hit from the age of the Fania All Stars.

Because Spanish Harlem was and always be a cultural center for and by Puerto Ricans , and now a growing mix of other Latinos, Spanish Harlem Orchestra gives a big ole Wepa! Via the Plena con Sabor.

As a special surprise treat, the last track, Late in the Evening/Tarde en la Noche feature the musical legend, Paul Simon.

If you can’t get to a club to hear the Spanish Harlem Orchestra play live, buying United We Swing and blasting it from your open window with a bunch of friends dancing in your sala, classic el Barrio style, is the next best thing. So do it.

Image Via / Six Degrees Records