Asalto Navideño
From Victor Manuelle and Gilberto Santa Rosa to Ismael Rivera and Cheo Feliciano, many salsa stars have taken on the challenge of recording a Christmas album. Excellent as these collections may be, they pale in comparison to the Christmas LPs recorded during the '70s by Héctor Lavoe and his partner in crime, Willie Colón.
The first Asalto Navideño album came out in 1970 - following the release of Cosa Nuestra and La Gran Fuga. Puerto Rican crooner Héctor Lavoe and Nuyorican producer, composer and trombonist Willie Colón had developed a new sound that complemented Lavoe's throaty soneos with the epic riffs of a two trombone lineup. This musical coming of age happened right at the heyday of the New York salsa explosion. The timing was perfect and the duo's aesthetic sounds edgy and fresh to this very day.
Christmas in Puerto Rico is an intoxicating experience - a celebration anchored on heartwarming food and funky music. Asalto Navideño salsifies a choice selection of the island's Christmas tunes, singing of boricua traditions with a combination of nostalgia and pride. It is one of the most soulful albums ever made by Lavoe and Colón - and it includes the hit single "La Murga," a staple across Latin American dancefloors. Part of the album's success can be credited to the presence of cuatro master Yomo Toro, who permeates the recording with the roots of authentic boricua folk.
Asalto Navideño Vol. 2 was released in 1973. From the opening strains of "Cantemos," it becomes evident that the recipe was still intact. Featuring Lavoe at the peak of his vocal power, this second installment included such classic songs as "La Banda" and "Dona Santos."
By 1979, the partnership between Héctor and Willie had ended. But Lavoe ached to record a third Asalto installment. He teamed up with Yomo Toro and former Sonora Matancera vocalist Daniel Santos for the album Feliz Navidad. Even though it lacked the impact of the previous two, it boasts more than its share of memorable moments, including the opening "Montserrate" and the fiery Yomo Toro composition "La Parranda Fania."
Christmas music would never be the same again.
From Victor Manuelle and Gilberto Santa Rosa to Ismael Rivera and Cheo Feliciano, many salsa stars have taken on the challenge of recording a Christmas album. Excellent as these collections may be, they pale in comparison to the Christmas LPs recorded during the '70s by Héctor Lavoe and his partner in crime, Willie Colón.
The first Asalto Navideño album came out in 1970 - following the release of Cosa Nuestra and La Gran Fuga. Puerto Rican crooner Héctor Lavoe and Nuyorican producer, composer and trombonist Willie Colón had developed a new sound that complemented Lavoe's throaty soneos with the epic riffs of a two trombone lineup. This musical coming of age happened right at the heyday of the New York salsa explosion. The timing was perfect and the duo's aesthetic sounds edgy and fresh to this very day.
Christmas in Puerto Rico is an intoxicating experience - a celebration anchored on heartwarming food and funky music. Asalto Navideño salsifies a choice selection of the island's Christmas tunes, singing of boricua traditions with a combination of nostalgia and pride. It is one of the most soulful albums ever made by Lavoe and Colón - and it includes the hit single "La Murga," a staple across Latin American dancefloors. Part of the album's success can be credited to the presence of cuatro master Yomo Toro, who permeates the recording with the roots of authentic boricua folk.
Asalto Navideño Vol. 2 was released in 1973. From the opening strains of "Cantemos," it becomes evident that the recipe was still intact. Featuring Lavoe at the peak of his vocal power, this second installment included such classic songs as "La Banda" and "Dona Santos."
By 1979, the partnership between Héctor and Willie had ended. But Lavoe ached to record a third Asalto installment. He teamed up with Yomo Toro and former Sonora Matancera vocalist Daniel Santos for the album Feliz Navidad. Even though it lacked the impact of the previous two, it boasts more than its share of memorable moments, including the opening "Montserrate" and the fiery Yomo Toro composition "La Parranda Fania."
Christmas music would never be the same again.
Monthly Contest:
ASALTO NAVIDENO QUIZ
Take our quiz and see how much you know about the making of the classic album (answers below)
1. What's el maestro Yomo Toro's instrument of choice?
a) The Cuban tres
b) The Puerto Rican cuatro
c) Saxophone
2. Who is in charge of the spoken intro in the first volume of Asalto Navideño?
a) Radio DJ Polito Vega
b) Héctor Lavoe
c) Johnny Pacheco
3. What year did the Feliz Navidad album come out?
a) 1968
b) 1979
c) 1992
Answers
1b 2a 3b
"TRAIGO LA SALSA"
Our free download this month is a real gem. Culled from the Asalto Navideño album, "Traigo La Salsa" personifies the Christmas spirit, Fania style.
It combines the rootsy cuatro of Yomo Toro with Willie Colón's soulful trombone riffs and Héctor Lavoe's chocolaty vocalizing to convey a message of nostalgia and togetherness.
Héctor remembers Christmas in Puerto Rico and brings salsa to the rest of the world.
Even though he is no longer with us, the fire in his voice shines on.
Our free download this month is a real gem. Culled from the Asalto Navideño album, "Traigo La Salsa" personifies the Christmas spirit, Fania style.
It combines the rootsy cuatro of Yomo Toro with Willie Colón's soulful trombone riffs and Héctor Lavoe's chocolaty vocalizing to convey a message of nostalgia and togetherness.
Héctor remembers Christmas in Puerto Rico and brings salsa to the rest of the world.
Even though he is no longer with us, the fire in his voice shines on.
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