(All capsule reviews 2001 and prior are by Kevin Moore; reviews and comments 2003 and later are by Bill Tilford.)

2012: Tiene Que Ser Manolin (Xplosion Entertainment Inc): Manolin chose to cover all the bases in this CD/DVD combo - there is a little bit of everything.   People who listen to all styles will probably love this CD; people who listen to some styles but not others will probably love some tracks but not others. You can read our review here. 

2006:  Grandes Exitos (El Inspector De La Salsa) - This is a digital remastering of the previous Grandes Éxitos release. 

2004: La Mitad ... de Miami (Sony Discos/Orfeon) Another compliation album.  

2004: Hall of Fame: Historia Musical (Orfeon Records) - This is a 3 CD compilation of previous hits, and there is apparently also a 1-CD release at about the same time from the same label called Medico de la Salsa under the title Manolin and the Salsa All Stars. 

2003: Giro Total (RCA International) - This outing was a step away from Timba and, as the title implies,  crafted for the more general Latin Pop and Salsa Romantica markets.   

2001 - El puente (live 2-disc set) - This album was actually released in October of 2002. It was recorded live in Miami and has absolutely incredible live energy, 4 songs not included on any studio disc, and a healthy assortment of the very biggest hits from the previous 3 studio albums. It also has extended arrangements of the earlier songs with additional coros, and the mix is probably better than Para mi gente or De buena fe. The only downside is that Manolín's already questionable singing is less accurate in concert. If his singing doesn't bother you, this is the perfect starting place - like a greatest hits album with the kicker that the band plays with a searing hot live energy not found on any studio timba CD. Each disc contains one set, and each has a completely separate, extensive review with lots of audio and historical information on Manolín, his band, and the various controversies that seem to always be swirling around him.

click here for a full review with multiple audio examples

1998 - Jaque mate - This CD was actually released in 2001, but recorded in Cuba in 1998. It has some abrupt telltale fades which bely the fact that Manolín's political difficulties prevented him from completely finishing the disc and from releasing it for over 3 years. That said, Jaque mate has by far the best mix of his 4 studio albums and the music is comparable to De buena fe, if slightly less inspired. The track listing shows "Pegaíto, pegaíto (new version)" as the 12th of 13 tracks, but in fact, there are only 12 tracks and Pegaíto is not on the album (it is on De buena fe and El puente). Nevertheless I recommend this as the first studio Manolín disc to buy if mix quality is a big priority, and the second, after De buena fe, if you care a lot more about the music than the mix.

1997 - De buena fe - I consider the 1997 masterpiece, "De Buena Fe", to be one of the best Timba CD's ever recorded from a musical standpoint, although its mix is not particularly thrilling. Every song is a standout and the album has the "flow" from beginning to end that sets truly great albums apart from those that are just collections of hits. "Somos Lo Que Hay" is one of THE definitive Timba tracks, capturing the spirit and creative magic of Timba in all of its aspects. "Que le Llegue la Mano" is the controversial song that started the rift with the Cuban government which eventually resulted in Manolín's permanent relocation to Miami. "No lo Comentes" and "Pegaíto, Pegaíto" are still staples of Manolín's concerts. There's nothing remotely resembling a weak track here. The musicianship is superb, with the endlessly inventive tumbaos of Chaka, Luis and Nápoles and the interwoven drum and timbale fills of the Pututi brothers, playing as if their two bodies were controlled by a single heart and brain. Los Chamacos execute their funky R&B-laced horn lines with precision and Haila and Vannia of Bamboleo collaborate with Manolín's brother Lázaro and Team Cuba member Enrique "El Gordo" Pérez on some of the most creative and perfectly conceived and executed coros ever recorded. There are also brief and thrilling cameo appearances from Roberto and Mayito of Los Van Van.

AUDIO EXCERPT 1 - Somos lo que hay

AUDIO EXCERPT 2 - No lo comentes

AUDIO EXCERPT 3 - Pegaíto, pegaíto

1995 - Para mi gente - About half of "Para mi gente" is every bit as strong as "De Buena Fe", with the remainder being in a lighter, more pop vein. This album also has a strong flow. It begins and ends with different versions of "La Bola", the single biggest hit in the history of Cuban music - 52 weeks at #1 on the charts. "La mitad de La Habana" and "Te conozco mascarita" are highlights from the middle of the album and the final ascent from "Ella No Vale Nada" to "Me Pasé de Copas" to "Voy a Mí" to "La bola" is very satisfying. It's been released with two different covers, but the contents are the same.

AUDIO EXCERPT 1 - La bola

AUDIO EXCERPT 2 - Te conozco mascarita

AUDIO EXCERPT 3 - Me pasé de copas

More Excerpts - Purchase

1994 - Una aventura loca - the debut album, produced by José Luis Cortés of NG La Banda. It's also a solid CD, "A pagar allá", the title track and Manolín's version of "Paloma sin nido", the song that he wrote for NG La Banda. It's well worth having, but only if you already have the other four albums.

AUDIO EXCERPT - Aventura loca

Grandes Éxitos - It may have more, but this appears to have only 8 tracks, four from "Para mi gente" and four from "Aventura Loca". The choices are good, but even the person looking for a sampler is better off buying "De buena fe" or "Para mi gente", which have 11 songs each.

Somos Lo Máximo - No idea what this is! The title is part of a coro from De buena fe's "Somos lo que hHay". It's probably another greatest hits collection. If you know any more about it, please email us.