Description

1LP Vinyl – CR01008

The 70s were the most important decade in the history of the musical genre now known as salsa. One of the most popular artists in the history of salsa reemerged at the beginning of this decade: José “Cheo” Feliciano. “Cheo,” as he is lovingly known, was isolated from the disco scene while recovering from a drug addiction. Once recovered, he begin preparing for his return to the stage in 1972.

The singer joined up with composer Catalino “Tite” Curet Alonso, who was beginning to stand out as an excellent composer and gaining recognition for his brilliant writing on salsa numbers – particularly by artists of the Fania label. From the union of these two Afro-Caribbean superstars was born “Cheo,” an extended-length album marking the salsa artist’s triumphant return.

One of the songs on the album, “Pa’ que afinquen,” a delectable Guajira number penned by Curet Alonso, told the magnificent singer’s story to a public longing for his return. At the same time, it served to officially introduce Curet Alonso, launching what would be, in my opinion, one of the most subtle, most honest, and most heartfelt songs from that marvelous era. The subtlety of these lyrics communicates in particular the reason for the charismatic singer’s exile, as well as the state of the Latin music scene prior to the return of the transcendental Afro-Cuban sound that forged the music of the Fania label. This track landed Cheo Feliciano right where he belonged: among the best singers of the time, a position he has maintained ever since. With the mythic “Anacaona,” also written by Curet Alonso, Feliciano made the top play lists at radio stations in New York as well as Puerto Rico. Subsequent hits such as “Si por mi llueve,” written by Feliciano; “Franqueza cruel,” one of the most romantic songs of all time; “Eso es el Guaguancó;” and “Mano caliente,” by Curet Alonso – all magnificent manifestations of Afro-Caribbean musical sentiment – guaranteed the musical prowess of Feliciano, and catapulted Tite Curet Alonso into fame as one of the best salsa composers in the world.

https://youtu.be/klLdQxBtCTA