Fivorites #7: Maite Hontelé dazzling salsa songs Paard van Troje asked the Dutch but Colombia based trumpet player Maite Hontelé about her top 5 of dazzling salsa songs. This is what she came up with. 1. Grupo Folklorico y Experimental Nuevayorquino - Cuba Linda A record from 1975, a hommage to Cuban music, recorded in New York by all the stars of the then latin heaven. My favourite trumpet player ‘Chocolate’ Armenteros is on there as well. The song Cuba Linda is simply legendary. 2. Issac Delgado - La Titimania Issac Delgado is one of my favorite Cuban singers. Last year I played a show with him in Cuba: an unforgettable experience. The song swings to the max and has its own unique sound: modern Cuban salsa without being all too complex. La Titimania is an old song that’s been performed by Los Van Van, but has been rearranged by Alain Pérez, who gave it a whole new vibe. 3. La Sonora Ponceña- Rumba en el Patio This is my favorite salsa band from Puerto Rico. They’re with four trumpet players, so you could say that I might be a bit biased. Yolanda Rivera, the singer of this song, has a unique, beautiful voice that hits me straight in the heart when I hear it. Pianist Papo Lucca has been the band leader of this band since decades now and my personal musical hero. 4. Alain Pérez - Camino del Oso To me, Alain Pérez is the most important Cuban musician and composer. He sings the song ‘Qué Bonito’ on my last cd, of which we made a video as well. Alain is a musical Renaissance man. He has been the musical leader and arranger of Celia Cruz, amongst others. 5. Pete 'El Conde' Rodriguez - Dulce con Dulce A classic in the salsa genre. This is New York in the seventies pur sang. Unfortunately Pete ‘El Conde’ has passed away, but he has been one of the most important singers of the ‘salsa dura’ movement. Maite will be performing live at Paard van Troje on Saturday March 29, 2014. For tickets, click here.