Search - Issac Delgado :: La Formula

Issac Delgado has the Fórmula!

kaysee@salsapower.com | The Bahamas, courtesy Salsapower.com | 01/24/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The covers of this latest work by Issac Delgado capture the different moods of the music within their borders, at once lively and subdued, pensive and exuberant, enticing and mysterious.Produced by Delgado himself, with arrangements from Juan Manuel Ceruto and Joaquín Betancourt, this album runs the gauntlet from the more straightforward sounds of salsa through a range of rougher Cuban timba sounds, jazz, ballad, and cumbia (on a bonus track), all the way to a lush samba. In its course, it amply samples and showcases the talents of Mr. Delgado.On the timba end of things one will find "Amor sin ética," "El solar de La California," "La fórmula," "El pregón del chocolate," "Malecón" and "Afortunada tu." Each of these songs easily lends itself to the smoother openings which highlight Issac's singing voice, but also breaks effortlessly into the style of choruses and pregones which reflect the modern Cuban sound. On a more straightforward salsa note are "O estas loca," "Caricias," "A ti todo" and "Te perdono," which lean towards the more jazz, rhythm and blues influenced, and 'straightforward' salsa of the United States. Then there are the odd birds, like "Nadie me quiere bailar," which doesn't fit any of the molds but which I really like, and "España tiene" which features Pablo Milanés. "Quando" features the adventurous Issac performing a Brazilian samba and singing in Italian! Nevertheless, it seems to work, as, amazingly, do all the variations one finds across the album.Another way to look at this album is from the words of El Chévere himself. As he says in the title track, "La fórmula," "Tengo una fórmula que sé que no fallará, un poquito de to' el mundo" (I have a formula that I know never fails, a little bit of everybody). In looking at the credits, this certainly appears to be true. Delgado also draws our attention to the sea wall which "imaginably unites the mystery and power of the earth and ocean". It is not difficult to believe that Issac Delgado intends this album to be his own personal "Malecón", uniting the power and mystery of the different musical forms from which he has drawn. This album is certainly worth the buy, providing both listening and dancing enjoyment to its listeners."

Issac and Gonzalo - An unbeatable combination!!!

Tom Pena | Brooklyn, NY United States | 02/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"LA FORMULA (The Formula) is, in my opinion, one of Issac Delgado's best efforts to date. This recording marks the reunion of Issac with Gonzalo Rubalcaba (the extraordinary pianist/arranger/composer.) When these two gifted individuals collaborate, they transcend the ordinary and take Salsa (Cubana) to the next level.LA FORMULA has something for everyone: Salsa, Timba, Samba, ballads and even a Comparsa (carnival music.)It is difficult to pick out a favorite track, however, QUANDO; GRACIAS A LA VIDA and EL PREGON DEL CHOCOLATE stand out. If you are looking for Salsa with a twist, something unique, fresh and swinging, look no further, LA FORMULA is it!"

Most talented and somewhat obscure.

James A. Martinez | 03/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an incredible find!! Why hasn't the Latin world given this guy his due and on put him on the very top? I've never heard so much talent, effort and imagination in a Salsa/Son CD. Very few cd's have actually given me goose bumps, listen to "Quando" and tell me if you're not amazed, chance taking brilliance. "Gracias a la Vida", is totally outside the box and wonderfully composed. Buy it and discover Issac."