I am often asked about what music to buy and where to get it from. This is my fave list – hope you like it too:

Fast

Fruko y sus Tesos –  Sale el Boogaloo, Pachanga con la Playa
Sonora Carruseles – Micaela, Twist Boogaloo, El Pito, Boogaloo Pa Gozar, Luz de Cumbia
Africando – Betece, Lindas Africanas
Celia Cruz – La Vida Es Un Carnaval
Crystal Sierra – Playa No More
Edwin Bonilla – Con Tu Movimiento, Yo Soy La Candela
El Gran Combo – Me Libere
Los Van Van – Temba, Tumba y Timba, Tim-Pop Con Birdland
Sur Caribe – Por Y Para Maria

Medium

Wayne Gorbea – Cogle el Gusto
Africando – Lindas Africanas, Mapao
Grupo Gale – Las Chicas De La Esquina
Manolito y Sue Trabuco – Marcando La Distancia
Sonora Carruseles – Micaela, Boogaloo Pa Gozar
Oscar Rizo Y Su Conjunto Barroco – El Sonero Del Barrio

Slow

Wayne Gorbea – Saboreando Vengo, Yolanda
Africando – Scandolo, Diaraf
Bailables Cubanos – Habana City
Edwin Bonilla – Cuenta Bien
Grupo Gale – Boogaloo Con Gale
Rubén Blades – Camaleón

You can get good compilations – look for the above artists.  For beginners avoid the fast tracks.  Otherwise try itunes and Amazon and even eBay.

Music is very personal so my taste may not be yours – but if you want a first CD to get you started try Salsa Picante CD by Wayne Gorbea which has a good mix of slow to fast – from Amazon – You can listen to it on line before you buy.