The release of Ry Cooder's Buena Vista Social Club in 1997 once again ignited Latin music fever in the U.S. and spawned the release of a parade of albums under what became the Buena Vista Social Club trademark or Roots of Buena Vista. I often get asked which of these albums I'd recommend, so here's a list of albums you'll enjoy.

Courtesy Nonesuch RecordsRy Cooder's original 1997 hit album, featuring Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo. Just a lucky coincidence we ever got to hear these wonderful musicians; the originally scheduled band never showed up.
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Another of the original Social Club cast, this album contains wonderful, classic songs of the
son genre. Also appearing on the album are Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer and Eliades Ochoa.
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Ibrahim Ferrer was a featured singer on the original BVSC album and has a voice that echoes the sound of the island. This album is a treasure for your collection, especially since it's the last one; Ferrer died in August, 2005.
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The man who brought you "Chan Chan" was actually named Maximo Francisco Repilado Munoz (now there's a mouthful) and this album of his some of his greatest hits is a great way to wind down at the end of the day. Segundo died last July, but will always be remembered for his Borsalino-type hat and everpresent cigar.
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Buena Vista is a neighborhood in Havana with plenty of "pista" - literally meaning "trail", but colloquially describing a place where there's lots of action. The album puts young and old "soneros" side by side and is a great example of the old Havana classics.
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