Search - Gran Combo :: Aqui No Se Sienta Nadie

From the era of the "Monsters of Salsa", call it Godzilla

Enrique Fernandez Roberts | Washington, DC | 01/31/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"El Gran Combo is one of Salsa's oldest and most respected bands. Around now for more than 30 years, the sound has stayed fresh despite changing line ups and singers. Done in the late 70's/early 80's era (la epoca de los monstros de salsa, hence my review title), this album reflects one of the best line ups El Gran Combo ever had.



It starts with a track about being left for an ugly man. It moves quickly and follows a steady beat. Not as exciting, but a good intro.



Track 2 exemplifies the talents of this band's congueros, who start it out right. The band eventually jumps into this slow starting song, giving it a solid crescendo.



Track 3, about a jealous husband, is funny and catchy. The examples of the man's jealousy get more extreme as the song goes on, leading one to wonder where else they can go with it. A lot of fun to listen to, this song marks the end of the first half. From here on in, it only gets much better.



Track 4 is another slow starter about a woman who's leaving her man. Around halfway, the congueros and horn section players do their bit, and the song goes from a sad lament to a powerful commentary. She's leaving, and there's nothing that can be done except sing like there's no tomorrow.



Track 5 is one of my favorite songs of all time. This is the sort of song with plenty of innocence and innuendo to appeal to everyone. Starting off with a call to a young woman, her man asks her to stay home today because it's about to rain. The song flows freely, with the lyrics following a path around the breaks. By the time the chorus arrives, you too will be asking this sweetie to return to her nido de amor. Once the lyrics are learned, this is one of the best songs to sing with friends while walking back from the beach. Well, at least it is for me...



Track 6, Brujeria, is one of the most dancy, catchy and easy to follow salsa songs ever. A man falls for a santera, and wonders whether his love for her is real, or the result of witchcraft. The chorus is so addictive on this song that it's a great song to play for people who've never heard salsa before. IF the listener isn't totally HOOKED by now, they will be after a stint of brujeria.



7 is the low point, a track about a break up. Not much here, but it's worth a listen.



Now for the end song that makes you wish there were another 20 on this album. These guys do a cover of "mujer boricua" one of Puerto Rico's better known oldies. It's a standard, but these guys tear this song up! The horns open it, the singer pays his tribute to the classic, and then they set it all on fire man. WOW is this song hot! The lyrics about wanting a woman with dark eyes, black hair y que sea boricua are powerful, fun, and will make you want to love a Borinqueña if you don't already.



My only beef with this fantastic album is that many of the songs take a while to build up. When they finally do build to the choruses, the song inevitably ends, leaving the listener with this longing for more. It's only about 40 minutes long, and every time I play this album, my whole body seems to want another hour or two of el gran combo.



This is one of salsa's best bands, and this is one of the best albums they've ever done. From the era of "los monstros de salsa", this album is Godzilla!"

Oldies but goodies

Ines Perez | The big apple (New York) | 07/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this group of singers are fabulous. I indeed recommend it to those who enjoy how real music used to be like. I own this paticular item on record but I am looking for it in cassette form. Take it from me I wouldn't steer you wrong on this classic. Happy listening!"

Salsa at its finest!!

D. Morales | Holland, MI United States | 01/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of those rare pleasures in life...when Salsa was SALSA...the term coined by Newyoricans in the seventies for what had been Rhumba music- originating in Cuba...this is salsa .In the seventies and early eighties the best came forward..it wasn't about filler or commercial appeal- no videos with scantily clad ladies shaking ( not that there's anything wrong with that ) this was pure quality this is a must for any salsa afficionado...this album along with the stuff Willy Colon, Ruben Blades and Hector Lavoe were putting out make a Dance party to be remembered...(dance lessons not included)...get it! go ahead...do it! you'll be glad you did!"