Salsa Legend – José Alberto “El Ruiseñor”



Two years after his album Mi Tumbao, Cuban vocalist Jose Alberto “El Ruiseñor” returns with his most recent phonogram Salsa Legend. Released by the English record company Tumi Music, José Alberto Tamayo Díaz gives new life to legendary Salsa pieces of all time. Classics, adored for the dance floor, receive new harmonic treatments and in the voice of the Bayamese.

The phonogram opens with the classic Azuquita pa’l Café, penned by Perín Vázquez (Pedro Flores Vázquez) and popularized by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico in the voice of Andy Montañez. Later, we listened to El gran Varon, a song by Omar Alfano recorded by Willie Colon and La Juma De Ayer, written by Walfrido Guevara and popularized by the Italian-American singer Henry Fiol. On this occasion Jose Alberto adds new nuances and impregnates a great flavor to this theme, with also different harmonies. The classic by Los Van Van composed by Juan Formell and included on the album Los Van Van, Vol. I in 1969. El Ruiseñor puts a special accent and flavor on Siéntate Ahi (Sandy Omar González) by Oscar D’ León. Mata Siguaraya, also recorded by Oscar D’ León himself and his Salsa Mayor, although originally performed by Benny Moré, is a composition by pianist Lino Frías, which was also recorded on a phonogram by Sonora Matancera in the voice of Celia Cruz. Jose Alberto also continues to profess his admiration for Venezuelan salsa, and especially for the bassist and singer Oscar D’León, in the next number, the piece Sigue Tu Camino, which D’Leon recorded in his time with the Latin Dimension. El Ruiseñor attests to its versatility also in Salsa Romantica with the El Grupo Niche classic Una Aventura. One of the most covered Salsa songs, Lloraras, finds its niche in this production. The phonogram closes with the very tasty, with airs of Plena, No Hay Cama pa tanta gente, written by Flor Morales Ramos and recorded by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

Tracks: Azuquita pa’l café; El gran Varón; La Juma De Ayer; Marilu; Sientate Ahi; Mata Siguaraya; Sigue Tu Camino; Una Aventura. Lloraras; No hay cama pa’ tanta gente.

Original Text by DJ El Chino – Solar Latin Club