Customer Reviews

Indestructible

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!!!

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)!

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.

After Adalberto Santiago left the band there was concern about what Ray would go next. Here is the answer, a super classic. Hijo de Obatala, El Diablo, Ay No, Llanto de Cocodrilo and Indestructible are all 5 stars + you have the classic cover to boot!

Enjoy!

This record is a classic New York salsa album. Recorded in 1973, it features Tito Allen on vocals, Menique, Hector Lavoe and Justo Betancourt on coro, Little Louie Romero on timbales, Roberto Rodriguez on trumpet, "the man from Colombia" Eddie Martinez on piano and Tony Fuentes on bongo and bell.

There are no weak tunes or fillers on the album. The original LP sounds great and the 90's cd reissue is better than most on the Fania label. Hopefully the new batch of emusica-Fania reissues will improve on the sound and add much needed liner notes.

It is a pleasure to hear such musicianship and vitality come alive from this recording. It is different from his earlier releases in that the change in band personnel brought out different textures of the band. This album has a much harder sound and truly swings.

As for the songs, again, no fillers. They're all great. Just listen closely to the percussion breaks.

His masterly conga playing will surely be missed.

I have this album as one of the most influential album in the history of salsa. Barretto's group has a very interesting story that lead to the very creation of the album. Most of the group's members including Adalberto Santiago and Orestes Vilato left Barretto to form Tipica 73. This exodus lead to the creation of this album and the rest is history. The album has one of the most solid track listings ever with "El hijo de Obatala", "Llanto de Cocodrilo", "Indestructible", "Ay No" and "El Diablo" being all top-notch songs that are just full of rhythm, flavor and energy like no other. The exodus and the creation of Tipica 73 was probably a blessing. It has been said that Barretto became extremely depressed because of this, and although I feel for him, I am also glad because it inspired one of the best salsa albums of all time. Definitely an essential any serious fan MUST have.

Sidenote:

As for the person that gave this album a 3 star review based on the cover art, the cover art is probably the most fitting covers an album has ever had. An interesting note about this is that Izzy Sanabria, the creator of many of Fania's album covers said in an interview that Barretto vehemently didn't want this cover because he thought people would make fun of him. It turned out to be the complete opposite as people frequently complimented him on it and it really went well with the title track,whole concept of the album and the whole history behind it (most of Barretto's group leaving to form Tipica 73.)

This timeless 1973 release can be viewed as both the start of a new era for Ray and as a tribute to his musical roots. Virtually every genre of Afro-Latin music is represented here (guaguanco, cha-cha-cha,descargas, bolero,etc.) and Tito Allen's ultra-smooth and soulful but very powerful vocals make this CD a "MUST HAVE" for your collection. Over 30 years after its original release this album still smokes!!! "El Hijo De Obatala", "El Diablo" and the timeless title track make this indispensable!

This was Ray Barretto's first album after part of his band had left him to form Tipica '73, and it is arguably his best one. A few of the songs are new interpretations of old standards (ie. "La familia" was originally done by the Sonora Matancera, and "Ay No" by Tito Rodriguez), while others are originals (like Roberto Rodriguez's "La orquesta"). Regardless, they are all excellently played. The arrangements are imaginative, and the players are outstanding. But what in my opinion, makes this album special are Eddy Martinez's piano, Art Webb's flute, and especially, Tito Allen's vocals. I heartily recommend it to anyone who appreciates fine Cuban music.

This album will blow your socks off or wear your soles down. The firey vocals, clave, thundering brass section, unparalled breaks, and solos, especially by master conguero Barretto, leave one breathless. The lineup of monster musicians and especially the lead vocals of the under appreciated Puerto Rican sonero Tito Allen, make "Indestructible" one of Ray's best offerings to salsa dancers. If ever one needed a flawlessly executed example of salsa con bastante sabor, this is the one. Listen to Ray's flawlessly executed solo on El Hijo De Obatala following the piano's and then the re-entry of the remaining musicians including the roaring brass section in hot pursuit of Tito Allen's vocals. There is not a regrettable cut on this album including boleros. La Familia, La Orquesta, Llanto de Cocodrilo, Indestructible, Ay No, and Adelante Siempre Voy are all classics in NYC salsa dura. I'd gladly pay double the asking price for this superb recording. Listen very closely and you might hear Hector Lavoe lending his support on coro.

Some stuff moves you in life, and then some stuff moves you. This my friend is an explosion of rythm and culture. Our people have so much to be proud of, such a history of indelable works, never shall we seem grim, in the eyes of adversity. Our achivements are the testaments to our ongoing lucha. PARA TODA LA HENTE BORIQUA ! J. RIVERA