Viva Africando

Africando's 8th studio album, this is the first not recorded primarily in New York. This time the Africando masterminds, producer Ibrahima Sylla and arranger Boncana Maiga, bring New York's top Latin musicians - led by pianist Oscar Hernandez - to Paris. There they reunite with the group's vocal stars, Medoune Diallo, Sékouba Bambino, Amadou Ballaké and Shoubou, along with distinguished guest singers from diverse African and American countries, singing, all told, in 10 different languages.

But whatever the language, with Africando it's always classic salsa - salsa dura - the hottest Afro-Latin style. That dedication to a golden sound is brought home in the album finale, a tribute to Africando by the great contemporary American champions of classic big-band salsa, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, featuring Ray de la Paz. ¡Viva!