There’s something inherently corny about a bogaloo album. But that same element, combined with the rich sound of big bands and an irresistible swing, makes this compilation a delight. Spanning the two decades of New York-based dance music that gained international attention in the 1960s and 1970s, this “Rough Guide” goes from the classic sound of Pete Rodriguez y Su Conjunto to the inventiveness of a forward-looking Charlie Palmieri (“Bogaloo Mania”) and the more contemporary salsa sound of the Fania All Stars. There’s also little-known gems: Willie Colón’s “Willie Whopper,” sung in English to a rock’n’roll/bogaloo beat, is priceless. A collector’s item.—LC
