CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Library

CUNY DSI Archives and Library Facility at The City College of New York

 

To fulfill its research, archival, and library missions, the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute has a state-of-the-art facility housing the Dominican Archives and the Dominican Library. The facility is used primarily to preserve and provide access to the archives and library collections and to support the Institute’s research program and activities. The facility is climate-controlled (temperature and humidity) and features a reference/gallery area with seating, videoconferencing, and computer equipment for meetings related to the work of the Institute and to showcase exhibits.

Dr.Wilhelmine Wiese-Rometsch donates part of her father's bibliographic collection

Last year our library received a large bibliographical donation from Dr.Wilhelmine Wiese-Rometsch, daughter of the late Dr. Hans Paul Wiese Delgado (1928- 2001), a former diplomat, president of the State Sugar industry and author of the best-selling book Trujillo: Amado por muchos, odiado por otros, temido por todos (Trujillo:  Loved by Many, Hated by Others, Feared by All). Wiese’s memoirs recount his personal experience next to Dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo (1891-1961). Prof. Sarah Aponte would like to acknowledge Dr. Wiese-Rometsch for donating parts of her father vast, and diverse personal library to the Dominican Library at CUNY DSI. Few personal collections that we know of have captured the historical reality of a time period in Dominican history such as that of Dr. Hans Paul Wiese Delgado.In fact, his personal book collection enhances our library’s ability to provide primary and secondary sources to students, researchers and the general public interested in Dominican studies as well as contemporary socio-economic and political history of Latin America and the Caribbean region. Our blog is glad to present an overview of his collection.

Overview

This collection offers a unique view of a country where— at times of financial and political crisis particularly in the early 1930s and by the end of the 1950s, the state –through the use of naked violence, social control and blackmail—was able to exert a considerable amount of influence over the population. This collection contains several out of print and valuable books such as first edition copies of Trujillo: Causas de una tiranía sin ejemplo [Trujillo: Causes of a Tyranny without Precedent] and Crisis de la democracia de América en la República Dominicana [Crisis of Democracy in America in the Dominican Republic] by former Dominican president Juan Bosch (1909-2001). These first editions are not only rare books but also represent historical records of an epoch in turmoil. For example, these publications effectively present to the reader some of the views of the exile community who resided in a number of countries in Latin America from where they were able toexpress their opposition to the state of affairs in the Dominican Republic. These exilic texts by Bosch shed light on the tragedy that befell intellectuals, activists and anyone else who was forced to leave the country. But in spite of all this, exiles like Bosch did not despair and against all odds, made an extraordinary effort to explain to the world the nature of the regime and how it came about.  Such is the case of Trujillo: Causas de una tiranía sin ejemplo, published in Caracas, Venezuela in 1961 which coincidentally, was the same year when Trujillo was assassinated. This long essay attempts to examine the rise of and subsequent political consolidation of the despot by looking at the class and social composition that shaped his personality and thirst for power. With this book, Bosch put an emphasis on educating people about the social origins of dictatorial rule in this part of the Americas.

Additionally, some of the first editions have a special focus on the Dominican revolution of 1965 such as Acción dominicana: 1965¿Intervención o cooperación? [DominicanAction: 1965 InterventionorCooperation?]. This is a foreign policy report by the Center for Strategic Studies out of Georgetown University. The book is useful in the sense that provides insight into the minds of policy expects and analysts inside and outside of the Beltway who were trying to make sense of “the crisis in Santo Domingo”—a crisis that added an extra headache to the United States government as War in Vietnam became more unpopular among the American public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another book that covers the 1965 revolution and civil war is Santo Domingo: Barricadas de odios [Santo Domingo: Trenches of Hate], a partisan book that gives the word “objectivity” a bad name.It was written by Antonio Llano Montes, a Mexican journalist who at first pretends to takeamiddle-of-the- road approach, but at the end, paints a negative picture of some of the key protagonists of the armed insurrection.  Full of fallacies and misinformation, the book is a must read for those interested in the hegemonic reach of the Cold War. More importantly, the book—published in Mexico— is a reflection of the internationalization of the Dominican revolution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In this section, we highlight some books that add to the diversity of the Dr. Hans Paul Wiese Delgado collection:

Despradel, Fidelio. Historia gráfica de la revolución de abril. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana:Editora Nuevo Rumbo, 1975. Print.

This seminal book is one of best publications on the civil war, revolution and subsequent U.S. military intervention that took place beginning in the week of April 24^th of 1965 in the Dominican Republic, two years after a military coup overthrew Juan Bosch who became the first-democratically elected president of the 20^th century. It is clear from the start that the author’s sympathies lie with the armed popular revolt. The author, a theorist and leading member of the 14^th of June Movement (1J4) as well as the renegade son of a prominent government official during the Trujillo dictatorship, gives a detailed account of what Dominican historian Roberto Cassá calls the most important historical event in the Dominican Republic.This encyclopedic book is an important visual resource that sheds light on the events that led to the military coup as well as the counter-coup led by a young, academically trained military leadership within the army that aimed at restoring Bosch to power.The book highlights the role of the various political formations ranging from the left, center left, social Christians, and ultra-right wing; the composition of the Comandos Populares (civilian military units), the role of artists and intellectuals organized in the Frente Cultural [literal translation: the Cultural Front], the role of women as well as Haitian immigrants and exiles and fighters from other nationalities. Additionally, the book highlights a city—Santo Domingo, where most of the fighting took place—and a courageous people under siege by U.S military troops and their local allies.

Inoa, Orlando. Los árabes en Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana: Amigo Del Hogar, 2013. Print

This book gives an insightful overview of the history of Arab immigrants and their descendants in Santo Domingo. Additionally,the book sheds light on the emigration of people from the Levant (what is today Syria, Lebanon and Palestine) to Haiti as well as the connections of Arab families who settled in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.The author provides an in-depth understanding of some of the most distinctive characteristics of the Arab migration to the Dominican Republic. Just to cite an example from the book: “This migration was composed of young children of mountain farmers whose meager savings was spent on the transport to get to America. Upon arrivingand settling in the Dominican Republic living conditions were not very good. They lived in a wooden house with a zinc roof high above the road and seven gates; a witness remembers arrival of these first Arab to the city ofSanto Domingo.” Lastly, the book touches upon the incorporation of Arabs into Dominican society and their relationship with different social classes as well as their chosen career paths into technical, medical and academic professions in the Dominican Republic.

Los árabes en Santo Domingo will interest readers investigating migrations to the Dominican Republic, the Arab presence in the Americas, Middle Easter history, Colonialism in Africa and the Levant, Dominican History, and Dominican society.

Cruz Segura, Juan José. Bajo la barbarie la juventud democrática clandestina, 1947-1959: testimonio de un protagonista. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana: Taller, 1997.Print.

This book is a first-witness account by Juan Jose Cruz Segura, a former militant of the left-wing Juventud Democrática which grouped together important segments of the middle class who opposed the Trujillo regime.This written account by a member of the internal resistance is a recollection of the imperishable memory of all those who with helped in any way they could to put an end to an era of tyranny: not only himself but his peers whose friendship and shared struggle during those fateful years of uncertainty he recalls. The book is filled with observations of the string of events in political climate endured by many. For several decades, the majority of the population—and perhaps, almost all, were not aware of some the details surrounding the organization, composition and activities of the internal resistance comprised mainly by youth.The book also includes photographs of participants during the early days of clandestine activities (1947/59), exiles, independent groups, political prisoners, and finally,those who died in the struggle.

Bajo la barbarie la Juventud Democrática clandestina, 1947-1959: testimonio de un protagonista is essential reading to students and researchers working on the Trujillo era and struggles of anti-trujillistas in the Dominican Republic and abroad.

SelinSaladin, Roberto B. Historia del Banco de Reservas de la República Dominicana, 1941-1981. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana: Editora del Caribe, C. por A, 1982. Print.

This is a book on the history of the Reserve Bank of the Dominican Republic from 1941 to 1981.Dr. Roberto Saladin (a Dominican of Arab descent) presents the birth of the institution in 1941 and the significant influence it had on the life of the country.He composed this book with strict evidence and testimonies from officials of the time period. The book can be a useful primary source for students and researchers on banking, finances and economy of the nation and it gives consideration to the institution which since its inception has participated directly or indirectly in major projects that have materialized in the Dominican Republic. 

Other highlights

In this collection we came across notes and newspaper clippings that were either attached or hidden inside the books. In some respects, this is a sort of annotated collection. One of the most intricate things we found was an article (published in El Sol newspaper on July 6, 1981) titled Peña Gómez, Sacha Volman y otros alongside a business card belonging to Sacha Volman. The article was written by Dominican Social scientist Juan Isidro Jiménez Grullón (1903-1983). The author exposes the hidden political activities of Sacha Volman, who was an advisor to former President Juan Bosch and also collaborated with the late Dr. Francisco Peña Gómez. Jiménez Grullón traces the history Sacha Volman’s involvement in the PRD since its inception. Thus, Jiménez Grullón is displeased with the lack of ineptitude shown by Peña Gómez for hiding what several American authors had written and insisted: that Sacha Volman was a Hungarian intelligence agent who in 1950 became a member of the New York branch of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) and had ever since been an active member of this party. He also organized a school in Costa Rica in the 1950s called the Institute of Political Education [Instituto de Educación Política] attended by Juan Bosch while he was in exile in Costa Rica. Volman was responsible for infiltrating the PRD during the time of US military invasion and occupation in 1965.Dr. Hans Paul Wiese Delgado had this clipping in a book titled Inside the Company: CIA Diary by Philip Agee along with instructions on the cover to view pages 429 and 644.In the diary, Agee explains Volman’s political activities abroad and in the Dominican Republic with the PRD. Agee writes that “Volman earlier set up the Institute of Political Education in Costa Rica where we sent young liberal political hopefuls for training.” Philip Agee confirms his own collaboration with Volman and the Institute of Political Education in Costa Rica as a former CIA agent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of the collection

Dr. Hans Paul Wiese Delgado’s collection will provide researchers and students alike a glimpse into the thoughts and opinions of a man who was an eye witness to many of the events that transpired in Dominican history. His annotationsare found in books by Miguel Guerrero such as Enero de 1962 ¡El despertar dominicano! as well as and in Antonio Ocaña’s Testimonio para la historia. Many of his annotations are represent his own views, contradictions, doubts and interpretations of what might have or might not have happened in the past.These personal divagations and observations can be found in many of the books of this collection.

The collection will be available to anyone who is interested in learning about Dominican History. For those interested in conducting research the late Dr. Hans Paul Wiese Delgado and others,this is could be the starting place as some of his book choices and annotations might give a small but useful glimpse of his social and political thought.

Jhensen Ortiz, Library Intern

Amaury Rodríguez/Guest contributor

IDENTITY and MAGIC at CUNY DSI

Prof. Sarah Aponte would like to thank VICINI for donating this magnificent publication. Images from the book Identity and Magic: Folk Dances of the Dominican Republic will be on view from May 17 to August 17. The opening reception will feature the well-known Dominican folklorist Dagoberto Tejeda Ortiz and will be held on Friday May, 17^th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Admission to the reception is free and open to the public: please register at http://identity-and-magic.eventbrite.com

Identidad y magia: bailes folklóricos de la República Dominicana / Identity and Magic: Folk Dances of the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana: Vicini, 2012.

This beautiful coffee table book recounts the history and evolution of folkloric dances in the Dominican Republic. The book was written by Dagoberto Tejeda Ortiz, a well-known researcher who has dedicated many pages to investigating the subject.  (Many of his books are available at DSI for perusal). It narrates the story of the Dominican Republic’s folk dances through multimedia: writing, photography, illustration and a documentary video. This combination provides a great, interdisciplinary overview of dances and themes examined in each chapter.

Identity and Magic Folk Dances of the Dominican Republic is an important resource for researchers, students, dancers, musicologists, ethnographers, musicians and the general public interested in Dominican folkloric traditions, dances, and history.  It is a comprehensive text that seeks to spread, share and promote the essence of folk dances and culture in the Dominican Republic.

Jhensen Ortiz, Library Intern

Videoteca Chango Prieto: preserving Dominican oral tradition

Videoteca Chango Prieto [Chango Prieto Video Library] reflects on the continuity of African arts, customs and social life in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean region as well as the new creole culture that emerged out of the uninterrupted interaction of slaves, freemen and laborers in the sugar plantations and other spheres of society molded by both pre-capitalist and modern-day capitalist modes of production.  But this online resource also reflects on the interactions between the islands--Haiti, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Jamaica, Cuba, and Dominican Republic--and the transnational nature of anthropological studies in the Dominican Republic whose center of gravity shifted  from the study of the Taínos indigenous people to the living and breathing legacy of Afro-Dominican people. Following that line of thought, one of the major contributions of the Chango Prieto Video Library is the preservation of oral tradition, an endeavor that took off in the1970s with the birth of the Convite research and musical group.  Founded in 1994 by anthropologist and author Soraya Aracena, Video Chango Prieto is not only an innovative resource, but it is also the first of its kind. According to its web site, the collection is comprised of more than 350 unedited videos.

The audiovisual collection, compiled by Aracena over the years as part of her ethnographic fieldwork research into Afro-Dominican culture, showcases the work of a number of artists, cultural animators, filmmakers, musicians with little or no access to commercial media and financial resources. Shot in cinéma vérité, these digital videos cover the following subjects: musical genres and dances from a diverse ethnic heritage that includes Haitians, West Indians, Cubans and descendants of slaves in the Dominican Republic (wild Indians, gagá,  bomba, , jazz, salves); carnival celebrations, death rituals; harvest celebrations— a legacy of freemen community from the U.S that settled in what is today known as Samaná Province in the northeast; folk medicine, fashion, art, children’s games, body decoration and much more.  

This video library and web site is recommended viewing to students, researchers, anthropologists, folklorists, musicians, plastics artists as well as the general public.  Some of the key research areas are: The Caribbean region, Latin America, colonial history, linguistic differentiation in the Caribbean, afro-Caribbean music, carnival celebrations, funerary rites, syncretic religion systems, sugar production, and West Indian and Haitian laborers in the Dominican Republic.

Amaury Rodríguez/Guest contributor

 

Dr. Dennis R. Simó T. dona sus publicaciones a DSI

La profesora Sarah Aponte agradece al Dr. Dennis R.Simó Torres la donación a nuestra biblioteca de estas dos publicaciones—reseñadas más abajo— a través de la Dra. Ramona Hernández. Sin duda alguna, esta gentil donación enriquece en gran medida nuestros anaqueles.

Simó Torres, Dennis R. Una experiencia de gestión universitaria orientada a la innovación.Santo Domingo, República Dominicana: Editora Búho, 2012.

Este libro del Dr.Simó Torres, rector de la universidad APEC en la República Dominicanadel 2001 al 2007, hace un recuento de la experiencia profesional del autor al frente del reputado alto centro de estudios. 

Pasado, presente y futuro se entrelazan en torno al papel de la enseñanza en la República Dominicana.  En resumidas cuentas, el autor presenta su propia visión en miras a implementar políticas que estén acordes con los cambios sociales y económicos de la sociedad.

Desde el pódium.Santo Domingo, República Dominicana: Editora Búho, 2012.

El contenido de este libro gira hacia lo variopinto: desde discursos académicos, panegíricos, charlas,  discursos de graduación, conferencia y memorias de una gestión enriquecedora en frente de la Universidad APEC y el mundo académico en la República Dominicana. A través de estos textos, se presenta al lector aspectos claves en torno a la vida social, cultural y económica del país desde un ángulo particular. 

Estas dos publicaciones son consulta obligada para investigadores y el público en general interesado en la presente situación del sistema educativo dominicano así como la trayectoria de las universidades privadas en la República Dominicana y el área del Caribe hispano. 

Amaury Rodríguez / Colaborador invitado

Raquel Cepeda's new memoir, Bird of Paradise: How I Became Latina

Prof. Sarah Aponte would like to acknowledge the donation and recent publication of Raquel Cepeda to the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Library.

Cepeda, Raquel. Bird of Paradise: How I Became Latina. New York, NY: Atria Books, 2013. Print.

A marriage between her personal memoirs and description of the research into her ancestral DNA, in Birds of Paradise Cepeda addresses uncovering her roots by discovering her family history, her Dominican neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, and ultimately her ancestral DNA.

She formulates with emphasis what it meant for her to grow up in New York City and the journey she embarked to find her identity and history.Cepeda celebrates vividly her ethnic makeup and with raving honesty; she dissects concepts of race, identity, and ancestral DNA among Latinos by using her own Dominican-American story as a specific example.

This publication is essential reading for students and researchers working on Dominican identity, Dominican- Americans, Culture heritage, Dominican History, DNA-Ancestral Research and Dominican migration.

Library Intern

Jhensen Ortiz

New publication on the portrayal of Dominicans in the International Press by Sully Saneaux and Dr. Ramona Hernández

Prof. Sarah Aponte would like to acknowledge the donation and recent publication of Columnist Sully Saneaux and CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Director Dr. Ramona Hernandez.

Saneaux, Sully, and Ramona Hernández. La República Dominicana Y La Prensa Extranjera Mayo 1961- Septiembre 1963 (Desde La Desaparición De Trujillo Hasta Juan Bosch). Santo Domingo, República Dominicana: Biblioteca Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, 2013. Print.

The authors analyze the relationship of the Dominican Republic and principal international news organizations from May 1960 to September 1963. The authors were interested in finding what false pretenses and inaccurate information was being publicized during this time period. In addition, it was crucial for them to detect the accuracy of the news, the propaganda, and subjectivity from the reporters in the news media. They examine articles from news organizations in Portugal, Italy, and China, to name a few.

The book will definitely resonate with Dominicans who were affected by the political instability following the five years after Trujillo's death and provide readers an understanding of the perceptions in the news coverage relating to political events in the Dominican Republic during this time period.

La República Dominicana Y La Prensa Extranjera is essential reading to political science and history students as well as researchers working in the fields of Cold War studies, Media Communications, Journalism, Dominican History, Dominican Politics, Juan Bosch, and U.S. foreign policy.

Jhensen Ortiz

Library Intern

 

José Miguel de la Rosa donates his play La loca de la estación Central to DSI

Professor Sarah Aponte would like to thank José Miguel de la Rosa for donating his play La loca de la estación Central at the 6^th Annual Hispanic/Latino Book Fair of New York.

La loca de la estación Central (Mexico City: miCielo ediciones, 2010) is a play by José Miguel de la Rosa that takes place in Grand Central Station in New York. De la Rosa sets the stage for La Loca, literally the crazy woman, to tell her back story. She speaks to the other characters with little to no interruptions. Her parts are lengthy and in them she plays the role of multiple characters, including a younger her, that play an important role in her past, which in turn affects her view of the present. This method of storytelling by the author creates a sort of play within a play, only that the crazy woman’s play suffers being interrupted by characters and the events going on in the present instead of stage directions. José Miguel de la Rosa gives us acts within acts and this intertwined text that starts off as a secondary narrative becomes the main narrative that dictates when the play ends.

The presentation of the package should also be noted. It contains La loca de la estación Central printed in a notepad as well as a packed-in hand puppet of a woman, most likely representing la Loca, which can be used to act out the dialogue in the play.  

Both items represent a new and fun way of interaction between the play and those reading and/or listening to the play.

Once again thanks to José Miguel de la Rosa for making La loca de la estación Central part of the collection at the Dominican Studies Institute.

This work is recommended for those interested in contemporary dramas, Dominican dramas and/or authors, and José Miguel de la Rosa.

Antonio Perez, Library Intern

Professor Dulce María Gray donates her new book to DSI

Prof. Sarah Aponte would like to thank West Valley College Professor Dulce María Gray for donating her recent publication.

Gray,  María Dulce. Meanderings on the Making of a Diasporic Hybrid Identity. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 2013.

This book covers Gray’s reflections on changes and constructions of a hybrid ethnic and cultural identity.

She delves into her own Dominican American family experiences and analyses how Dominican American literature shapes her own understanding of ethnic identity.

The novel will definitely relate to not just the Dominican American experience, but anyone’s ethnic and cultural identity experience.

Meanderings on the Making of a Diasporic Hybrid Identity is an important resource for researchers, students and readers who are interested in ethnic identity, culture heritage, Dominican History, Dominican-American Literature, and Dominican immigration.

Jhensen Ortiz

Library Intern

Maria Farazdel donates her books to DSI

Professor Sarah Aponte would like to thank Maria Farazdel who donated her books Entre voces y espacios/ Amongst Voices and Spaces and Poetic Reflections: My Little Paradise at the 6^th annual Hispanic/Latino Book Fair of New York.

             

Entre voces y espacios (Charlston, WV: Obsidiana Press, 2012) is a poetry book with 80 different poems.All poems are presented in Spanish and English, giving the reader a look into the bilingual mind of María Farazdel. Since the poems are presented in both languages this book serves as great material for monolingual speakers or those looking to expand knowledge of one language with help from the other. In Entre voces y espacios the poet succeeds in saying plenty with few words. When it comes to Farazdel’s poetry looks sure can be deceiving since the poems are composed of short stanzas but, have plenty of content.

                  

My Little Paradise (Bloomington, IN: Xlibris Corporation, 2010)  is a collection of poetry based on the feeling of longing to return to ones homeland. Farazdel shares her feelings towards missing, obtaining, and then letting go of her “little paradise”, the Dominican Republic. She misses the island but most of all she misses the times she had.The poetic voice returns to the island but must leave again, to her new home. The book is composed of several poems printed on pages with personal photographs taken during her stays in the Dominican Republic; it creates a visual presentation of the words and feelings she expresses.

 

These two poetic collections are available for anyone interested- in/researching Dominican Republic, Dominicans, Dominican Literature, Contemporary literature, Bilingual Speakers, and/or María Farazdel.

Antonio Perez, Library Intern

iASO Records donates music albums to our Library

Chief Librarian Sarah Aponte would like to thank Benjamin de Menil and iASO Records for their kind donation of Dominican-related music volumes to our Library.

This donation includes something for everyone, especially bachata enthusiasts and interests. Bachata Breakdown: for dancers, instructors, musicians and enthusiasts is an album that includes a breakdown of bachata rhythms and sounds coupled with the rhythm a dancer needs to hold while dancing. This sort of album is perfect for those learning how to dance and for those looking to teach others about bachata.

The DVD Bachata Breakdown: ¡En Vivo! gives the same sort of introduction but this time you get to see everything in video form, with the musicians playing their instruments and introducing the sounds and rhythms they will be playing.

 

 

La Familia Soriano is a music album that introduces the world to the musical talents of Joan Soriano’s sisters Nelly and Griselda, and brother Fernando. This album offers 14 tracks, some of which are solo tracks as well as collaborations between the siblings. Something notable about this album is that some of the songs included are covers. The covers give us a look into the personalities and likenesses since the artist, be it Joan or any of his siblings, insert some of their own flare that makes their version stand on its own when compared to the original rendition. For example “Unión eterna”, “Cuanto lloré”, and “Vamos hablar inglés”.

El Duque de la Bachata is one of Joan Soriano’s solo works. The album features 12 tracks, which are a mix of bachata and merengue. Soriano delivers on every track, conveying happiness and good times in tracks like “María Elena” and sadness and uncertainty in tracks like “Su lado de cama” and “¿Que pasará mañana?” As a bonus the DVD The Duke of Bachata is included. This DVD gives us a glimpse into the life of Soriano as a struggling bachatero trying to “make it”. For more in depth information on this DVD please click here.

The compilation album Bachata Legends features artists such as Ramón Cordero, el Chivo Sin Ley, and Leonardo Paniagua. This album takes us to the early days of bachata when the musical style would best be referred to as amargue (bitterness) with tracks such as “Con el amor no se juega” by Augusto Santos and “Bendita nena” by El Chivo Sin Ley. Bachata Legends features 14 tracks somehow different from the mainstream bachata. This album is a plus for the traditional bachata enthusiasts or for those interested in hearing their favorite hits in a higher fidelity.

Running with the theme of traditional bachata, we have Puerto Plata and his albums Casita de Campo and Mujer de Cabaret, both include traditional bachata songs. The albums also include some original work that corresponds well with the classic tracks, showing that the old school bachata is ingrained deeply in the blood of Puerto Plata.

 

Once again thanks to Benjamin de Menil and iASO Records for donating and bringing out all this music for the world to hear and enjoy. Aside from the music quality, the packaging of the discs themselves should also be noted; some come in cardboard cases that feature art, booklets that contain biographies and other historical information surrounding the artist and the music. The albums as well as their packages are made with great care and appreciation for those enthusiasts and for those new comers who would love to learn more about this music genre. If you would like to know more about iASO records please visit iasorecords.com

Antonio Perez, Library Intern