Boogaloos de Siempre
This 2006 anthology from Universal Music's Latin division may not look like much and could have used far better packaging but it comes the closest as anything out there to being a definitive "greatest hits" bugalú compilation. Not only does it include "Lookie, Lookie" (which wasn't really even a hit despite its historic importance), but it also has such major tracks as "Bang Bang," "Aye Que Rico," Pete Rodriguez's "I Like It Like That," "Gypsy Woman" by Joe Bataan, "Boogaloo Blues" by Johnny Colon and a few, lesser known (but equally strong) bugalús such as the TnT Band's "Mr. Slick" and "It's Not What You Say" by Ali Baba (aka Louie Ramirez). It's as good a starting point as any and is a compilation that has flown under the radar given how little fanfare surrounded it.

El Barrio - The Bad Boogaloo - Nuyorican Sounds 1966 to 1970
Fania Records has long been considered one of the forces that helped end bugalú's reign, especially in building the salsa movement without many key bugalú bands who, just years earlier, were helping the upstart label grow into the powerhouse it became by the 1970s. Yet these days, ironically, Fania is taking a leading role in bringing attention back to the bugalú with a slew of compilations and reissues, many of which are bringing key bugalú albums and songs to CD for the first time ever. The El Barrio series is a relatively new set of anthologies developed to various aspects of the Latin soul/bugalú era.

Bad Boogaloo is a 16 track compilation featuring many great bugalús but not necessarily the "usual suspects." "Aye Que Rico" shows up (again) but otherwise, the comp tends to focus on slightly less obvious choices, including Johnny Ventura's exceptional "Guajira With Soul," the Latinaires' classic "Camel Walk," a rarity from King Nando, "Mama's Girl" and the "Queen of Latin Soul" herself, La Lupe, with her fiery rendition of "Fever."

Fania Live 01
Fania has also green-lit a series of Latin soul/bugalú mix-CDs, including selections put together by DJ Format, Gilles Peterson and DJ Le Spam. The DJ Rumor mix, the first in the Fania Live series, is both an excellent primer as well as an easy way to get a slow party started. Rumor shows some slick mixing skills in finding ways to jump from, for example Ray Barretto's "Teacher of Love" to Joe Cuba's "Gimme Some Love" to Tito Puente's "Pata Pata." An outstanding treat to listen to.

Nu Yorica Roots!
For those interested in exploring the greater Latin soul genre, this compilation is absolutely essential in providing an introductory course into the Latin music scene in New York during the 1960s. It includes everything from Tito Puente's scorching "Oye Coma Va" to the proto-bugalú "El Pito" by Joe Cuba to Ray Barretto's mesmerizing classic, "Acid" to the chattering "Descarga Cachao" by Tito Rodriguez.

Gozalo - Bugalú Tropical Vol. 1
As noted before, bugalú's influence went far beyond American borders and spread throughout the international Latin music scene, especially down Central and South American to countries like Panama, Colombia and especially Peru. Not only did Peru have one of the biggest Latin music markets in South America, but bugalú became a massive trend there as well. Gozalo compiles some of the best of the bunch with two different volumes. The first in that series includes excellent examples of Peruvian bugalú from the likes of Nilo Espinosa, Mario Allison Y Su Combo, and the great Alfredo Linares Y Su Sonora band.

Big Ol' Bag O' Boogaloo Vol. 1 - 3
Unfortunately, this three volume series of dance floor bugalú jams is only available on vinyl but for those armed with a turntable, it's well worth checking out at least one (if not all three) discs. Most of the songs are drawn from the Speed label — a smaller label compared to the Fania, Tico and Alegre juggernaughts, but incredibly deep within the Latin soul world. Some of the better Speed alum featured in the series include Frankie Nieves ("Symphony Sid In Acapulco"), Orquesta Olivieri's "African Guajira" and that ubiquitous "Happy Soul With a Hook" by Dave Cortez, plus its two doppelgangers: "Hippy Skippy Moon Strut" by the Moon People and "I'll Be a Happy Man" by the Latin Blues Band.