Tropical Dinner Party

Sensuality and sustenance are elemental to Latin tropical music, and bandleader Perez Prado gave us a dinner party and dance classic with his flirty take on "Sabor a Mi." A big-beat remix has brought new fun and flavor to Cal Tjader's "Soul Sauce." And Brazilian favorites by Sergio Mendes, Baden Powell and Bebel Gilberto have also given tropical momentum to countless dinner parties.

There is no party-time joy quite like Larry "El Judio Maravilloso" Harlow's band singing the praises of tropical delights and jibaro pastorals, on "Mango del Monte." From further southwest on the map come the vibrant colors of Salvador, Brazil's Timbalada. And how many table conversations have found fuel in Cachao's mambos?

Mongo Santamaria's Afro-Cuban flute jazz on "Sabor" is a crucial, if slightly obscure, part of the playlist. Salsa stylist Jose Alberto sings of Creole flavor. Sonora Dinamita supply kooky cumbia fun with "Mayonesa." And find out what hipsters have long known about Miho Hatori's winsome, post-Cibo Matto samba forays.

A proper tropical-style dinner party evokes the sensuality and sustenance so much a theme of tropical Latin music. From odes to mofongo and mangos to the subtle bossa sway of Baden Powell's guitar, these are the sultry favorites that sing of flavors brought and feelings pursued.