Barretto-Power

The late great conguero, vocalist and bandleader Ray Barretto was the first US-born percussionist to bring the African-based conga drum into jazz. Barretto worked across a range of sub-genres within Latin jazz, always mindful that his astounding technical abilities never overshadow his collaborative work with the Fania All-Stars – that dream team of musicians from leading salsa label Fania Records – or within his own mighty orchestra. When the now seminal Barretto-Power was released in 1972, the first in a string of genre-defining Afro-Caribbean masterworks, it was a reminder that Barretto was indeed the salsa don, the El Jefe of a scene in which live music and dancing made spirits soar and venues pulsate.

Variously featuring a fiery three-man trumpet line, a knock-your-socks-off rhythm section and occasional vocals from now legendary salsa singer Adalberto Santiago, Barretto-Power is chock full of tracks that any salsa DJ worth their clavé still has on repeat: evergreen salsa dura jams ‘Quitate La Máscara’ and ‘De Qué Te Quejas Tú’. There's the timbale-tastic funk of ‘Power’, and the consummate bolero ‘Se Que Volveras’. Other stellar albums by Barretto might have diverted attention from this one. But 50 years on, it proceeds at full throttle.