After releasing three albums with Columbia Records, Puerto Rican born bandleader and vocalist Joe Quijano wasn’t finished leaving his mark on Latin Music. He formed Cesta Records, which went on to release some of the finest Salsa, Rumba and Latin music ever laid to wax.

In 1963 Quijano, along with Charlie Palmieri, arranged a jam session with Latin session players from around NYC. Inspired by impromptu sessions Quijano had stumbled on in Cuba, what transpired was a brilliant series of recordings that were almost forgotten.
​
The sessions were recorded at Nola Studios and would go unreleased until 1974 when Quijano sold the license to Harvey Averne and his Coco Records. Without Quijano’s wishes, the brass at Coco Records decided to fabricate crowd noise to the original recordings. Even with their tampering, you cannot deny the wonderful musicianship and magical playing on this record.

As a kid I hated “Piano Rock.” The instrument was for Jazz and recitals and got in the way of cocksure singers and their typically strong rhythm sections. But in the 70’s FM radio was littered with it and it was hard to ignore.

When Toto released their debut album in 1978 it was pushed aside by the press as a feeble attempt at older session players cashing in on their talents. The songs weren’t viewed as radio friendly, and only a means to showcase their musicianship. Also, the band wasn’t very pretty.  

“Hold the Line” was the exception and became a smash hit. It was the perfect soundtrack behind every roller rink and pinball arcade. Over the years I’ve come to adore it, especially the promotional video which appears to be the owner of a pizza shop singing on stage with a bunch of middle-aged office workers.
​
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htgr3pvBr-I