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Very early work from the team of Ricardo Ray and Bobby Cruz – a stone cooker that shows that they were perfectly matched, right from the start! The rhythms are super-tight – way more so than on later recordings – and the instrumentation has all the jazzy flourishes that really seem to set the vocals soaring – a fluid, soulful style that really shows the changes this young pair were bringing to Latin music at the time! The whole thing's great – not really Latin soul, but a great precursor, with equally open energy – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Viva Richie Ray", "Yenyere Jala Jala", "Bravo De Verdad", "Mi Guaguanco", "El Montuno De Hoy", and "Pachanga Medley".

The front image here isn't really one you'd want to put in a book of Latin Record cover art – but the record's another strong one from the time from Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz – a continuation of their blend of salsa rhythms and spiritual themes – quite unique for any artists of the time! The religion is upfront in the lyrics here, but the rhythms are still quite lively and Latin – and given that vocals are in Spanish, the message doesn't come across nearly as strongly to us Anglos – leaving us to focus most strongly on the overall sound of the record, which is still plenty darn great. Titles include "Vive", "Tu Ausencia", "Senales", "Caridad", "Buscame", "Nabucodonosor", and "Coco Coquito".

One of the real standouts in the career of Ricardo Ray and Bobby Cruz – a record of incredible tightness, and one that set a whole new level for Puerto Rican salsa in the 70s! There's still a few traces here of the Latin Soul years – sometimes in the rhythms, at other times in the record's use of an additional female vocalist – who sings behind Bobby's vocals in a really cool way on some of the best numbers. But the main focus here is really on the tightness of the instrumentation – razor-sharp in the arrangements, and served up in a lean mix of piano, trumpets, and percussion. Titles include a nice slow funk remake of "Fire & Rain", plus "Sondido Bestial", "No Tin Pena", "La Vimari", "Cha Cha Huele Chango", and "Volver".

A landmark moment in the New York scene of the 70s – and a mindblowing document of the energy and lifestyle of the city's growing Latin scene at the time! The film combines live performances from the legendary Cheetah nightclub with amazing street footage – woven together in a rich tapestry of music and culture that documents the reality of life in Spanish Harlem at the time. Musicians featured include a veritable "who's who" of the New York Latin world – such as Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Bobby Cruz, Ricardo Ray, Bobby Valentin, and Hector Lavoe – but even without the music, the documentary footage alone makes the film an instant treasure! Approximately 86 minutes.

By the mid 70s, the New York Latin scene was boomin' so large it could easily fill venues like Yankee Stadium – as you'll hear on this excellent live set from the Fania All-Stars, a monster record that easily ranks with the best live Latin sides of the time – like Eddie Palmieri at Sing Sing, the Tico-Alegre All Stars at Carnegie Hall, or Mongo Santamaria at Yankee Stadium! Tracks are nice and long – a real mix of soul and Latin, with slight funk and electric touches – and players include Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Bobby Valentin, Mongo Santamaria, Ricardo Ray, and Roberto Roena. Vocals are by a host of singers that include Santos Colon, Hector Lavoe, Ismael Rivera, and Celia Cruz – and titles on this first volume include "Pueblo Latino", "Mi Gente", "Diosa Del Ritmo", and "Soy Guajiro".

A landmark moment in the New York scene of the 70s – and a mindblowing document of the energy and lifestyle of the city's growing Latin scene at the time! The film combines live performances from the legendary Cheetah nightclub with amazing street footage – woven together in a rich tapestry of music and culture that documents the reality of life in Spanish Harlem at the time. Musicians featured include a veritable "who's who" of the New York Latin world – such as Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Bobby Cruz, Ricardo Ray, Bobby Valentin, and Hector Lavoe – but even without the music, the documentary footage alone makes the film an instant treasure! Spanish language film with English subtitles for the limited narration, with newly remastered sound. Also included are Live At The Cheetah Vols 1 & 2 on 2CDs. Vol 1 is easily one of the best by the group – and features long tracks that really capture the jamming intensity that occurred on stage when this many great artists were brought together in one space. Includes "Introduction Theme (Cheetah)", "Quitate Tu", "Descarga Fania", and "Anaconda". Vol 2 is just as great – and this set includes 3 previously unreleased tracks! Includes "Ponte Duro", "Estrellas De Fania", and "Ahora Vengo Yo" and more – plus the bonus tracks "Cocinando", "Abran Paso Part 1" and "Abran Paso Part 2".