Obra Maestra (Masterpiece)

Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 18, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rmm Records
• ASIN: B00004TRUP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,481 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Big Band
  #15 in	Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Mambo
  #53 in	Music > Latin Music > Tropical > Salsa

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The original title of Tito Puente's final album was Por Fin--"Finally"--a reference to the fact that Puente and fellow Latin-jazz titan Eddie Palmieri never had recorded together, despite Puente's work with pianist Palmieri's brother Charlie early in their careers. Obra Maestra--"Masterpiece"--however, is an equally apt description for this set of a dozen mostly uptempo performances recorded shortly before Puente's death in May of 2000. While engaging in the infectious dance rhythms and perfectly calibrated, often blaring, ensemble horn statements you'd expect, the group also revels in the many shades of subtlety inherent in the arrangements. Two medleys of mariachis and boleros are especially fine-tuned, and it's gratifying also to hear the rest of the players make room for Palmieri's immaculately off-kilter solo on "Marchando Bien." Puente himself is as sizzling as ever, although he seems content to throw in his lot with the rhythm section, basking once more in the glorious sound. --Rickey Wright

From Rhythm Magazine
The concept alone could cause Latin music fans to max out-Tito Puente (El Rey del Timbal) and Eddie Palmieri (The Sun of Latin Music)-collaborating for the first and only time along with some of the hottest vocalists in the business. Puente's complex, polished dance-hall sound with its nod to classics mixed with Palmieri's passionate, brass-heavy street syncopation make for a potent swing that's guaranteed to send dancers to heaven. Purists may complain that Palmieri with his denser vibrations sometimes steals the show, but whatever the case, the sum total of this CD is magical. Oscar D'Lesn lends his glamorous tenor to a mambofied medley of "Cielito Lindo" and "La Negra" and to the sassy, sophisticated "Paris Mambo." An especially felicitous melding is the Puente classic "Picadillo," reincarnated here as a down-tempo jam with the horns going to town in solos and Palmieri prowling up and down the keyboard in a dialogue with Tito's frisky timbales. There are two spectacular cha-cha-chas: "El Puente Mundial," sung by Frankie Morales and Jerry Medina while the horns croon to each other and El Rey struts his stuff; and the hypnotic "El Bochinche," with Jerry Medina, Michael Stuart, and Hermann Olivera talking/singing like boys in the 'hood. Big band Latin will never get any better than this. Classy Obra Maestra was Puente's last recording, and it's a fitting memorial to the man who changed the face of Latin music forever. -Patricia Chao

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The long awaited collaboration by Tito and Eddie!, July 19, 2000

By	Thomas Pena (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

The long awaited Tito Puente/Eddie Palmieri collaboration, "Maestra Obra - Masterpiece" is here.

These two musical giants have shared the stage (and competed intensely) with their respective bands in the Palladium days. However, this is the first time they have worked together. Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri are night and day artistically, however, here they pool their collective genius to bring us a swinging repertoire of compositions that encompass a wide range of styles.

Eddie Palmieri is known as being eclectic, outspoken and a self proclaimed "pain in the you know what." Other AKA's include madman, genius and the son of Latin music. I like to think of Eddie as a musical rogue warrior blazing his own unique trail with no excuses. Tito Puente is the undisputed King, El Rey, El Maestro, an ambassador of Latin music and more recently, the elder statesman. They have both been thrilling audiences for over 50 years.

The supporting cast is too numerous to mention, however, here's a few of the artists featured just to wet your appetite: Paquito D' Rivera, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, Oscar De Leon, Michael Stuart, Herman Olivera, Frankie Morales, Milton Cardona, Nelson Gonzalez and the list goes on. The concept of the recording is global, with compositions dedicated to Spain, Great Britain, Germany, Paris, Africa and Germany.

On first listen, it is difficult to single out a favorite composition. However, I suspect that I will find new things to appreciate with every listen. Everyone concerned with this recording rose to the occasion and put in fine performances. Tito, good to the last drop, was in top form right up until his untimely death.

It is sad to think that Tito will not be here to celebrate this project. However, he is without a doubt, present in spirit. Tito has passed the (spiritual) and musical baton to Eddie. In a recent interview, Eddie stated that in his opinion, he was not as well suited as Tito for the task. Time will tell. Be that as it may, Tito and Eddie have created a Masterpiece of a recording, no holes barred.

I predict this will be the (Latin music) album of the year. Moreover, I see Grammy nominations for both Eddie and Tito (the sixth Grammy for each, a total of 12!) What a legacy, what a recording!

Que Viva La Musica Latina!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album is just wonderful, December 13, 2000

By	Roberto A. Fernandez (San Juan, PR USA) - See all my reviews

This CD saw the light shortly after Titos's departure. I immediately acquired it, and have listened to it for five months now. You have to allow yourself to discover the music of this one! The singers are just incredible. Nowhere else will you find together such great performers as Oscar D'Leon, the late Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez (who sings track 4, not D'Leon), Jerry Medina (who does not cease to amaze me and I have enjoyed since his days with Batacumbele), Michael Stuart (probably the second best young singer in latin music today; the best has to be Marc Anthony), Frankie Morales (Tito's singer) and Herman Olivera. All of them did a great job.

The arrangements are superb, and the quality of the sound is also remarkable. The selection and variety of the songs is also noteworthy. My favorites are tracks 2, 6, 9 and 12, but I like them all. I sincerely think that this one is worthy of a Grammy nomination and cannot think of another CD that should get such award in the corresponding category.

This album is worthy of the great Tito Puente. As to Eddie Palmieri, I saw him in San Juan last October with Tito's Band and all the singers in the album, and he put a great show. Palmieri is a remarkable musician. D'Leon, Medina, El Conde, Stuart, Olivera and Morales were all just perfect. That concert showed once again the quality of Puerto Rican and Latin musicians and was the perfect homage for Puente, in the presence and with the participation of Tito Jr. too. Five stars for MASTERPIECE!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, The Masters Recorded a Masterpiece, August 18, 2000

By	Sam Rodriguez (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri after 40 years of recording experience finally recorded together and made music history once again. Like they said, you should never judge a record by its cover. However, Masterpiece can really be judged by its cover. Just to see Puente and Palmieri on the same cover is worthy of our time in that Tito remained king and Eddie is the Son of Latin music. For sure this recording is what collectors will define as a true piece of mastery and a lesson to the new generation of recording artists in the tropical salsa music genre.

Ralph Mercado should receive an award for this one. He truly did something special for the salsa recording industry and global salsa consumer market. Felicitaciones -- congratulations to Ralph Mercado at RMM. This work represents the true definition of excellent salsa music.

Obra Maetra/Masterpiece is truly a dancer's music delight. After years of music experimentation in Latin jazz Tito Puente produced a live music production at Birdland,which earned him a Grammy. Now, to complete his life achievements, he produced one of the greatest music productions to conclude the 20th century. This Obra Maestra is a true statement that the old school of salsa is much, much better than the new class. No questions, no comparisons, no doubt.

Masterpiece combines the very best old school recording and engineering methods, methods, and along with new voices and melodies. When you see John Fausty on the credits then you know it's got to be good. This man understands what salseros love and have always demanded. Plus when Milton Cardona gets involved in recordings...there again...things will sound just great. And now, new generations can see and will finally get an education of the true value of classic salsa versus modern contemporary salsa; esto es sabroso! If you still don't understand what I'm trying to say just read the essay by Felipe Luciano...it's one of the best descriptions I have ever read.

Felipe Luciano wrote, "We should micro-disc this C.D. and hang it around all our childrens neck like an azabache. It will ward off evil. It will protect against intolerance, apathy, and mediocrity. And it will say softly or loudly, depending on where you are, where you live,how you dance your life, Masterpiece is the song of a people, then, now, forever."

I just love how it starts out "La Ultima Copa" in traditional Palmieri salsa style and with the full brass section that has dominated Puente's mambo recording sessions; BEAUTIFUL... GET IT, GET IT, GET IT Oscar D' Leon is even singing with Mariachis... Plus track 4 features Pete El Conde Rodriguez singing a son montuno with Nelson Gonzáles on tres and a solo by Palmieri...esto si es de la buena para tu cabeza; asi que alimentáte y sueltáte esa trensa musical de temas mongos que hablan de lo mismo. Aqui llegó la menta de los bailadores y los niches. Remember this...you will never see Puente and Palmieri pictured together playing dominoes and twelve tracks of music along with 100 years of music history; El Puente Mundial onto the 21st Century. Masterpiece is Tito Puente's last gift to us; get your copy before they run out.