Generoso Jimenez "El Trombon Majadero" (Bembe, 1998)
A wonderful album of super-swank dance music from a former member of Beny More's band. These mid-'60s sessions were made recorded not long after More's death in 1963, and they show Jimenez in peak form. Sharp horn charts that anticipate the punchiness of New York salsa, but also show a strong jazz influence. This is a really fun record... well worth tracking down!

Generoso Jimenez "Generoso Que Bueno Toca Usted" (Pimienta/Universal Latino, 2002)
Jimenez is still holding his own and banging out some tasty Cuban dance music, even at this late date. Ths is a very good record, although if I had to complain about anything on here, it would be the repetitive "Cherry Pink" -styled brass sting, which crops up all over this album, and seems a bit overused. Otherwise, this is sharp, solid musicianship!

Generoso Jimenez "Ritmo/Trombon Majadero" (Disconcorme/Malanga Music, 2007)
A delicious reissue of two early-1960s albums by Cuban trombonist Generoso Jimenez, a veteran of Bebo Valdes and Beny More's bands, and a longtime fixture in the Cuban jazz movement. Jimenez cut his teeth playing nightly gigs in Havana's booming Batista-era nightclub scene, playing with and backing many of the top talents in Cuba, as well as visiting stars from the United States. It was as a key member of Beny More's band that he really made his mark, jamming with other descarga jazz legends, such as Chocolate Armenteros, Cachao Lopez, Papito Hernandez and others. These two solo albums, Ritmo (1960) and Trombon Majadero (1965), were recorded both before and after More's untimely death, and show Jimenez and his cohorts playing at peak strength. Some of the harder horn arrangements are a bit merciless and play against the fluidity of the percussion... But there's no questioning the soulfulness and power of these ensembles... Latin jazz fans will definitely want to snap this up.

Los Jubilados "Cero Farandulero" (Rounder/Corason, 1998)
Although this Cuban album came out in '98, it didn't get widespread distribution until a couple of years later... Still, let's be thankful that it came out at all, 'cause it's a real doozie! Super-fab old-style dance music - son montunos and guarachas -- from a group of veteran musicians, ex-members of some of the island's best Depression-era dance bands. (The group's name means "pensioners" in Spanish... a cute joke about their considerable age...) Mainly acoustic, with some tasteful horn riffs, and tasty, soulful vocals. This record is a lot of fun, and a real standout amid the flood of post-Buena Vista releases available these days. Check it out!