Customer Reviews

Rican/Struction

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This one marked the end of Barretto's legacy at Fania, though he went on to record at least one more after Rican/Struction...Among the notables in this band--Oscar Hernandez (piano), Papo Vasquez (Trombone), Sal Cuevas (Bass), Adalberto Santiago (Lead Vocals)...released originally in 1979.

"Rican/Struction" was the album that on which Ray reunited with the great sonero Adalberto Santiago--restarting what had been an extremely successful partnership. "Al Ver Sus Campos", "Un Dia Sere Feliz", "Tumbao Africano" and "Adelante Siempre Voy" remain among Ray's best recordings and this CD is one of the five most influential and successful Salsa recordings of all time. No serious salsero should miss out on this CD.

No serious salsero should be without this CD as it's simply and undeniably an undisputed all-time classic. This album brought together all of the elements that made the previous Barretto/Santiago collaborations so special but added two very jazzy and experimental numbers ("Algo Nuevo" and "Tumbao Africano"). The great Adalberto Santiago's vocals are glorious and beyond any reproach whatsoever on such immortal masterpieces as "Ya Ves", "Al Ver Sus Campos" and "Algun Dia Sere Feliz". Almost 30 years after its original release this album remains as important and enjoyable as back then and...it's a MUST for your CD collection.

The brilliant virtuosity and transcendent soul of Ray Barretto is marvelously served up for all to gorge on like a lechon asado in this sophisticated display of over-the-top jazz changes combined with sweat inducing salsa rhythms and heavyweight-champ vocals. The heat and pulse of deep New York City Salsa Sensibility burns bright here. This is the real deal and Barretto kicks some serious ass. There are none better examples of what 1970's New York City Puerto Rican no-holds-barred salsa was all about. Mainstream convention and fluff were thrown out the window. Live this.

Compre en 1979 este disco en LP. Al principio era extrano para miun disco de ese tipo ya quela salsa de NY estaba decayendo y se escuchaba mas la de venezuela o Colombia, pero luego entendi el mensaje: Ray siempre estaba un paso adelante,la salsa ya habia dado todo de si,y esos temas furiosos y con muchos arreglos jazzisticos significaban un aviso de resurgimiento ("reconstruccion"), era salsa de Nueva York!!!,sonido de calle con mucho sabor y sobretodo lo que le apasionaba a Ray: JAZZ. A lo largo de su estadia en Fania, sus discos suenan asi, acordes complejos para el comun del bailador salsero.Ni hablar de Adalberto Santiago, su voz esta intacta ,aun en los dos ultimos conciertos del Carnegie Hall donde los vi el 2003 y 2005.

Este disco refleja la cumbre de la musica y del movimiento llamado Salsa!!,luego de ello ya no hay mas, Se podra hacer mas Latin Jazz pero en Salsa, comenzo la decadencia.

No real stand outs on this recording. Nonetheless, it's a fair to good example of late 70's salsa, with some funky bass playing by Sal Cuevas.