Best of the best!
B. London | Chicago | 05/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Richie Ray,aka Ricardo Ray [Maldonado] has been a pioneer in Latin music. A NewYorkian this Puerto Rican American goes all the way back to the 60's glory days at Fania and then with Salsero Bobby Cruz in Columbia he was instrumental in starting the Salsa craze. Since then he has been a born again Chridtian and plays religious music just as well. Blending bebop lines like bop pianist Al Haig, Gospel inflected soul ala Les McCann, classical Chopin, nobody can light a Son Montuno straight Salsa piano like he can-except for the sadly passed on Palmieri brothers. This is his best recording featuring a full fledged great big Mambo band, his cookin' solos, and an exquisite sound recording. This is the BEST of all his fine Latin work. Ole!"