Customer Reviews

Together

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

 

 

Together was released in the early 1970's, in a period when many salsa artists felt they had to do tunes in English to get the rest of their work released. The title track is an example of the miserable results that usually followed. Ray sings, "I know a beautiful truth and it's helped me be free, I know I'm black and I'm white and I'm red, the blood of mankind flows in me, And so in every face I see, I see a part of you and me TOGETHER...". Fortunately, Adalberto Santiago takes over the vocal duties on the rest of the tracks. The result is fantastic, cooking salsa. "Hipocresia y Falsedad", "No Olvido a Caracas", "De Donde Vengo", "Vive and Vacila" and "Invitacion al Son" are straight-ahead salsa masterpieces. "Tin Tin Deo", a Chano Pozo classic made famous by Dizzy Gillespie closes out the CD in an Afro/ Latin Jazz/funk percussion showcase. This group really played well together: Adalberto Santiago, Roberto Rodriguez (tpt), "Papy" Roman (tpt), Orestes Vilato (timbales), Tony Fuentes (bongos), Luis Cruz (piano), Andy Gonzalez (bass). They broke up in this form shortly after this recording and, although Barretto formed a solid group with replacement players, many prefer this line-up. Andy Gonzalez ended up playing with his brother Jerry in the Fort Apache Band.

On this 1971 release, Ray Barretto's band gives us some of the most hard-hitting and funkiest Salsa ever recorded. The straight-ahead guarachas "Adiviname Y Olvidate", "Vive Y Vacila" and "De Donde Vengo" are Barretto masterpieces which are handled superbly by the legendary and golden-voiced sonero Adalberto Santiago while theupbeat son montunos "Invitacion Al Son" and "Hipocresia Y Falsedad" are very much tipico-flavored and very tough but classy. Buy this CD while it's still available!

When you think of Ray Barretto, surely "Indestructible" or "Que Viva la Musica" are the first albums that come to mind. "Together" has been greatly overlooked as it has some great stuff from El rey de las manos duras. "Adiviname y Olvidate" "Invitacion al Son" are great tracks. "Tin Tin Deo" is more of a jazz tune with just awesome congas, which dominate the song very well. I say the song might of gone a bit long (8 mins.) but still a nice track if you're into a jazzy sound. "Vive y Vacila" has to be my pick for the standout track on this one album with its extremely catchy sound, great piano, good short conga solo, and Adalberto's powerful voice. Add great lyrics and you have the makings of hit. Like I said, greatly overlooked but an extremely good album by Barretto.

Louis Cruz on piano and arrang. Plus Chano Pozo on Tin Tin Deo.

*On a side note, the import version has pretty good sound quality for those interested.*