Indestructible [Import]

Ray Barretto | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 1994)
• Format: Import
• Label: Charly UK
• ASIN: B000006LMZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,101,629 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hijo de Obatalá

2. El Diablo

3. Yo Tengo un Amor

4. La Familia

5. La Orquesta

6. Llanto de Cocodrilo

7. Ay No

8. Indestructible

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

RAY BARRETTO

Making the transition from the ghettos of New York Latin barrios to the heights of the music world requires enormous character. Such is the case of Ray Barretto. Never straying from his roots, he was a great admirer of swing, jam, jazz, and the genres' most noted figures, such as Dizzy Gillespie. He made these genres his own, standing out as a great vocalist. His career took on a new dimension in 1967, when he replaced Mongo Santamaría in the Tito Puente Orchestra, with whom he recorded his first album, "Dance Mania." The album's success would set the stage for his future professional career. Between 1968 and 1975, Barretto recorded a total of nine albums on the Fania label, a label which he helped to create. He was a sensitive artist, open to all musical currents and manifestations, which allowed him to experiment with the many different rhythms he infused with his unique style. The musical legacy of Ray Barretto included a Best Latin Album Grammy in 1989 for "Ritmo en el corazón," which he recorded with Celia Cruz. In 1990, he took a seat of honor in the Salon de Fama for International Latin Music. He was also honored with the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters award. These were the most prestigious of the many awards he won over the course of his career. With his death, his life may have ended, but his star shines on more brightly than ever in the musical heavens.

RAY BARRETTO

Del "ghetto" de los barrios latinos de la ciudad de Nueva York, a monopolizar un nombre famoso entre los grandes de la música requiere haber recorrido un largo camino. Este es el caso de Ray Barretto. Sin apartarse de sus raíces de origen, fue un gran admirador del "swing", "jam" y "jazz", y de sus más connotadas figuras como Dizzy Gillespie. Géneros que también hizo suyos destacándose como un excelente intérprete. Su carrera adquiere otra dimensión cuando en 1967, reemplaza a Mongo Santamaría en la orquesta del Maestro Tito Puente, con quien grabó su primer álbum "Dance Mania". El éxito que alcanzó esta producción, pautaría lo que sería su futura carrera profesional. Entre los años 1968 y 1975, Barretto grabó un total de nueve álbumes para el sello Fania del que fuera uno de sus miembros fundadores. Fue un artista sensible y abierto a todas las corrientes y manifestaciones musicales, lo que le permitió incursionar en los más variados ritmos a los que le imprimió su personalísimo sello. El legado musical de Ray Barretto incluye un premio Grammy en la categoría de "Música Latina Tropical" en 1989 por su producción, "Ritmo en el Corazón" que grabara con Celia Cruz. En 1990 pasó a ocupar un sitio de honor en el "Salón de la Fama de la Música Latina Internacional", y también, fue galardonado con el premio "Jazz Masters del National Endowment for the Arts". Ultimos reconocimientos de los tantos recibidos en su trayectoria profesional. Con su fallecimiento se apaga su vida, pero su estrella brilla en el firmamento musical con más intensidad que nunca.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUCH A CLASSIC THAT EVEN V2 MUSIC HAD THE INTELLIGENCE OF REMAKING A UK VERSION OF IT!!!, July 15, 2008

By 

S. "A fan of contemporary Latin Music from th... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indestructible (Audio CD)

This 1973 Ray Barretto salsa CLASSIC album is GREAT for the people who like a dynamic, agressive and also instrumental style of New York Salsa. There's not 1 weak track here, although the nice Cha-Cha-Chá Yo Tengo Un Amor (from great Puerto-Rican song author Rafael Hernández) has a bit too much Bolero music in it for me, (think of the bolero parts as the THICK bread of a nice sandwich filling...)

The biggest hits ever from this album are the 1st song El Hijo De Obatalá (with Barretto taking a Conga Drum solo) and the title track at the end Indestructible, where Little "Ray" Romero takes a technically very good and fiery timbale solo.
To be honest, the song Llanto De Cocodrilo was almost as popular as the 1st two I've already mentioned. It is one fast paced and rhythmical track with LOTS of excitement with Cuban Trumpetist Roberto Rodríguez taking excellent and dynamic trumpet solos along the arrangements around the end of the song.
One tune I enjoyed very much is the slightly underrated Son-Montuno El Diablo which although is fairly slow, has a great intensity, good rhythm and good Trumpet solos again by Roberto Rodríguez.
La Familia is also excellent, fast paced, exciting and dynamic;
and the musicality, and instrumentality of La Orquesta (written by the same Roberto Rodríguez, again) are also GREAT!

I'm going on for too long FOR NOTHING!...

We all know this album, it's GREAT, it's DEFINITELY one of Barretto's top 2-3 albums out of ALL the ones he did for Fania, and DEFINITELY one of his most consistent ones as well.
"7.5" AMAZING SONGS OUT OF 8!

A FAMOUS CLASSIC!...

DO NOT MISS OUT!

G-E-T I-T!

(Please hear the FULL album available at faniarecords.com (UK Site) by clicking NEXT at the bottom of the Ray Barretto Artist page.)

Sound Quality: A HIGH 8/10! This 2006 remastered Cd is the BEST version of this album that I've ever heard remastered! The French Sony Music Media 'Collector's' one from 2nd July 2001 (with light brown edge) isn't 'all that' in terms of sound quality, ALTHOUGH it has 6 bonus songs!...
Concerning this version, you can almost imagine that you're hearing the original Vinyl sound quality, with a VERY GOOD volume as well! WICKED!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sound on this reissue!, July 20, 2008

By 

coa1881 "SALSERO SUPREME" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indestructible (Audio CD)

One of Barretto's most important recordings from the 1970's where he was at his peak. These cats swing hard!
The reissue itself sounds better than the prior release from the mid 90's. Very clear and defined sound. It comes with a very informative essay and original artwork.
Good job Emusica (Fania's new owners)!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Barretto, June 17, 2008

By 

penton42 (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indestructible (Audio CD)

After reading the umteenth review that says such-and-such book or CD is a "must have," I start to wonder what to believe. Well, believe me when I tell you that this IS an essential recording that no one who loves salsa should be without. Along with Rican/Struction, Indestructible was Barretto at the height of his talent. Don't quibble, buy it.