Cinco de Mayo is a regional holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.

 

I thought I would put together a list of essential latin-themed lps that can get you in the mood to celebrate (I know a lot of them are from Puerto Rico but whatever):

 

Joe Bataan - Riot

Eddie Palmieri - Vamonos Pal Monte

Joe Cuba - Bang, Bang, Push, Push, Push

Cal Tjader - Soul Sauce

Pete Rodriguez - I Like It Like That

Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers - Yaina

Charlie Palmieri - Latin Bugalu

Fania All Stars - Live in Puerto Rico

Charlie Haden - Liberation Music Orchestra

Ray Barretto - Barretto Power