Omara Portuondo - Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo
Have you ever seen in the movies one of those romantic scenes where a record is put on and a couple embraces, immediately entranced by sensual Latin sounds as they dance around the living room? If you'd like to replicate that mood, here's your chance. Recorded a decade ago in Havana, Portuondo works here with a band made up of Buena Vista Social Club all-stars, turning up the heat from the get-go with opening cut "Donde Estabas Tu?," a slinky dance number with an upbeat groove that belies the fact that the lyrics recount the cancellation of a party and dissatisfaction with the errant hombre who caused it (all lyrics are in Spanish but the enclosed booklet translates). Translations aside, it is a pure joy here to listen to Portuondo's singing and the consummate musicianship, either while dancing or wishing you were. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl and remastered from the original analogue tapes.

Guillermo Portabales - El Carretero
Here's a 16-song compilation of Portabales' work, originally released in 1996 and released here on vinyl for the first time ever. A highly-influential Cuban singer and guitarist, Portabales is renowned throughout Latin American and in West Africa, where acts like Orchestra Baobab have covered his songs. This is not party music; sure there are lively dance numbers like "Cumbiamba" and "Oye Mi Son," but mostly what's on offer here is far more personal as Portabales sings with a tone that conveys a yearning that's palpable whether you understand Spanish or not. Portabales' guitar work is sublime in its intricacy, and El Carretero makes for a great listen when in a reflective mood. Portables died in 1970 when he got hit by a car after a performance. Remastered and on 180-gram vinyl and with an insert with lyrics and credits.