Harvey Averne is a legend in the music business. His track record runs from playing accordion in the post-war Catskills to working with Madonna in 1980s New York. But, it is as a producer of Latin music that his reputation rests. A man with an active mind he made Coco Records in his own image, focusing on not just one form of Latin music, but a fusion of salsa dura, via latin soul, disco, to latin pop. Like all the best latin labels he also made sure that there was room for the old greats as well as the emerging talent. The rewards were exceptional, 1975's Eddie Palmieri album 'The Sun Of Latin Music' won the first ever Grammy for Latin Music.

This vinyl LP and extended CD represents the very best of Averne’s extraordinary Seventies output at Coco prior to his audacious attempt to sign Madonna at the close of the decade. Includes the incendiary “Nunca Contigo” featuring Lalo Rodriguez capturing the sound of New York salsa and winner of the 1975 Latin Grammy Award.

Curated and annotated by Dean Rudland (Acid Jazz) in New York City.

TRACK LIST LP

SIDE A

1. Barrio Band – Heavy Duty
2. Toro – Small Folk Reservation
3. Cortijo – La Verdad
4. Eddie Palmieri – Nunca Contigo
5. Orquesta Cimarron – Cimarro

SIDE B

1. Ralfi Pagan – Girl From The Mountain (Disco Version – a Tom Moulton mix)
2. Fajardo ‘76 (Jose Fajardo) – C’mon Baby, Do the Latin Hustle (Oye Mami Ven Y Baila El Latin Hustle)
3. Orquesta Cimarron – You’ll Never Find Another Love 
4. Machito Orchestra with Lalo Rodriguez – Mi Ritmo Llego (My Rhythm Is Here)
5. Joe Quijano – Azuquita Mami (Sugar For Me Babe)