Fania Fire: Reissues from Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe

In terms of fostering the active Latin music scene in New York City back in the late '60s and early '70s, Fania Records stands out as a major purveyor of some of the finest recorded music of the genre. Founded in 1964 by musician Johnny Pacheco and his lawyer Jerry Masucci, Fania built a roster of talented artists including Rubén Blades, Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz and Andy Harlow. Pacheco would form the Fania All-Stars in 1968, the ensemble featured in the film Our Latin Thing (1972) as well as performing to an audience of 45,000 at Yankee Stadium in 1973. After many years of spotty availability, the Fania holdings of over 19,000 masters are now curated by Craft Recordings and the company is celebrating the label's 60th anniversary.

Willie Colón
The Big Break-La Gran Fuga
Craft Recordings
2024

Following on the heels of several previous reissues of groundbreaking albums from trombonist Willie Colon, Craft brings us The Big Break—Lan Gran Fuga. The sixth Fania album from Colón would also be his second one to gain Gold Record status. The rhythm section alone is one of legend including master percussionists Milton Cardona, Jose Mangual, and Louie Romero. The key ingredient in the combustible mix would have to be Héctor Lavoe, arguably the greatest salsa singer ever.

The classic 'son' pattern kicks in on the brassy "Abuelita," a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Lavoe's grandmother and her amusing stories. Joe Torres' piano genius is on full exhibition throughout "Panameña," along with some spicy trombone interjections by Colón. By contrast, "No Cambiare" is a meditative minor number that roughly translates into 'I won't change.' The irony is that Lavoe in later years was unable to change the destructive behaviors that ultimately contributed to his early demise. An album full of traditional and contemporary textures kneaded gently, "Ghana'e" commences full Santeria style with overdubbed vocals and drums before moving into boogaloo territory.

Hector Lavoe
De Ti Depende
Craft Recordings
2024

Having joined Willie Colón in 1967, Héctor Lavoe spent close to ten years with the bandleader and found it to be a suitable arrangement in that Colón would bear the load of leading the ensemble and the associated tasks. Nonetheless, in 1975 Lavoe decided to go out on his own, releasing his debut album, La Voz, that year. His sophomore release, De Ti Depende finds the vocalist coming into his own as a leader with the help of Colón. "Hacha Y Machete" is Lavoe's tip of the hat to the trombonist with pianist Joe Torres laying the foundation for an incendiary performance.

Yomo Toro's guitar opens up the wistful title track and on the slower numbers such as this, you get to hear the burnished and melancholy approach that Lavoe brought to his music. It is no wonder that he would be dubbed "the voice." Another leisurely-paced track, "Tanto Como Ayer" adds strings to a lush mix that further illuminates Lavoe's range as a singer and artist. By the time the album ends with "Mentira," a whole lot of ground has been covered and the popular misconception of salsa music being a one-trick pony goes right out the window. Thanks to reissues such as this one, a wider audience will hopefully blossom to enjoy the fruits of the Fania cornucopia.

Tracks and Personnel

The Big Break-La Gran Fuga

Tracks: Ghana'e; Colombia; No Cambiare; Sigue Feliz; Barrunto; Abuelita; Panameña; Cancion Para Mi Suegra.

Personnel: Willie Colón: trombone; Héctor Lavoe: vocals; Joe Torres: piano; Santi Gonzalez: bass; Willie Campbell: trombone; Carlos Berrios: trombone; Milton Cardona: congas; Louie Romero: timbales; Jose Magual: bongos.

De Ti Depende

Tracks: Vamos a Reir Un Poco; De Ti Depende; Periodico De Ayer; Consejo De Oro; Tanto Como Ayer; Hacha Y Machete; Felices Horas; Mentira.

Personnel: Héctor Lavoe: vocals; Jose Mangual: bongos; Milton Cardona: congas; Joe Torres: piano; Papa Vazquez: trombone; Harry De Aguiar: trombone; Ray Feliciano: trumpet; Santi Gonzalez: bass; Yomo Toro: guitar; Willie Colón: vocals; Rubén Blades: vocals.