Search - Ray Barretto :: Indestructible

One of Barretto's Fania masterpieces! Buy it!!!

coa1881 | New York, NY USA | 02/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record is a classic New York salsa album. Recorded in 1973, it features Tito Allen on vocals, Menique, Hector Lavoe and Justo Betancourt on coro, Little Louie Romero on timbales, Roberto Rodriguez on trumpet, "the man from Colombia" Eddie Martinez on piano and Tony Fuentes on bongo and bell.

There are no weak tunes or fillers on the album. The original LP sounds great and the 90's cd reissue is better than most on the Fania label. Hopefully the new batch of emusica-Fania reissues will improve on the sound and add much needed liner notes.

It is a pleasure to hear such musicianship and vitality come alive from this recording. It is different from his earlier releases in that the change in band personnel brought out different textures of the band. This album has a much harder sound and truly swings.

As for the songs, again, no fillers. They're all great. Just listen closely to the percussion breaks.

His masterly conga playing will surely be missed."

Barretto's Best "Tipico" Album

Francisco M. Fernandez | Los Angeles, CA USA | 05/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was Ray Barretto's first album after part of his band had left him to form Tipica '73, and it is arguably his best one. A few of the songs are new interpretations of old standards (ie. "La familia" was originally done by the Sonora Matancera, and "Ay No" by Tito Rodriguez), while others are originals (like Roberto Rodriguez's "La orquesta"). Regardless, they are all excellently played. The arrangements are imaginative, and the players are outstanding. But what in my opinion, makes this album special are Eddy Martinez's piano, Art Webb's flute, and especially, Tito Allen's vocals. I heartily recommend it to anyone who appreciates fine Cuban music."