¡Merengue!

There is merengue all over the Caribbean, but its roots lie in the Dominican Republic. And it doesn't get much rootsier than on this classic among classics of the merengue music. Recorded 'in the field' in 1977, this album just jumps with joy and energy.

El Ciego de Nagua (plenty of videos on YouTube) has two tracks on this lp. And I just love the accordion merengues of La Macana and Nicolas Gutierres and his group, who unfortunately remain untraceable outside of these recordings. But my favorite tracks are the two from the "Grupo de Bachata" (is that the name or what they are?).
No accordion, but some great guitar.

LLST 7351

The Godfather

Cuco Valoy started his extensive musical career with his brother Martin. The duo went by the name of Los Ahijados, which can mean "the godsons" or "the foster sons". This must be a reference to the legendary Cuban son duo Los Compadres, who they considered to be their musical padres.

Cuco later set off on a slightly different road, with his band Los Virtuosos and later La Tribu.

Lately he is better known in his native Dominican Republic as the father of Ramón Orlando (one of his fourteen sons).

Maybe I am looking in the wrong place, but the albums of Los Ahijados appear to be very hard to find. That's a pity, as I am sure you will agree after listening to this wonderful double album. It's filled with the unique Ahijados mix of son and merengue. As an added bonus this album contains some brilliant tracks featuring an organ. My (most) favorite tracks are 'Dos Almas' (Two souls) (which I only knew as a kind of chachacha by Sonora Matancera) and 'Solito Con Las Estrellas' (Alone with the stars).

CD 1349/1350-2 (new link April 12, 2015)