Celia Cruz - Celia y Willie (1982/2021) [Official Digital Download 24/192]

Celia Cruz’s lasting presence will be felt over the summer… 40th anniversary reissue of the Fania classic from Celia Cruz and Willie Colón featuring hits "Dos Jueyes" and "Yo Lo Puedes Decir." All analog mastering from the original tapes.

One of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century, Cuban-born singer Celia Cruz recorded nearly 40 studio albums over her long and illustrious career. In the ’70s, Cruz signed to the legendary salsa imprint Fania Records, where she would release some of her most successful titles and perform alongside many of her iconic labelmates. One such peer was horn player, singer, composer and producer Willie Colón: a hugely influential figure in Latin music and one of Fania’s most prolific talents—both in front of the microphone and behind the scenes.

1981’s Celia Y Willie marked the second of three albums by Cruz and Colón. The dynamic—and highly successful—partnership between the “Queen of Salsa” and “El Malo del Bronx” began with 1977’s Only They Could Have Made This Album, featuring Cruz on lead vocals, with Colón at the helm as producer, as well as on bass trumpet. The duo followed suit four years later with Celia Y Willie and, finally, with 1987’s Winners.

"A Celia Cruz/Willie Colon collaboration is to salseros what a Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet is to soul lovers or an Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong project is to jazz enthusiasts; in other words, you're bringing together two of the best artists that the genre has to offer. When Cruz and Colon get together, the sparks usually fly – and Celia y Willie is no exception. Considering how much this LP had going for it, one would have been surprised if things hadn't gone well. Celia y Willie is an album that boasts Cruz on lead vocals, Colon producing, salsa impresario Jerri Masucci serving as executive producer, and talent like Luis "Perico" Ortiz and Louie Ramirez helping with the arrangements, not to mention Cruz having access to excellent material. Add those things up, and it would have been surprising if Cruz hadn't soared on exuberant gems like "Kirimbambara," "Latinos en Estados Unidos," and the hit "Don Jueyes." Equally strong is "Come Down to Miami," which has an English title but offers mostly Spanish lyrics. Praising Miami, the song playfully urges New York's Latinos to say good-bye to the Big Apple's chilly winters and make Miami their permanent home. And even if you're quite happy living in New York and don't care for Miami's year-round heat, "Come Down to Miami" is still fun and infectious. A fine example of the chemistry that Cruz and Colon enjoy, Willie y Celia is happily recommended to salseros." (Alex Henderson, AMG)

TRACKLIST

1. Celia Cruz - Mi Caso
2. Celia Cruz - Cucurucucú Paloma
3. Celia Cruz - Ya Lo Puedes Decir
4. Celia Cruz - Latinos en Estados Unidos
5. Celia Cruz - Berimbau
6. Celia Cruz - Dos Jueyes
7. Celia Cruz - Kirimbambará
8. Celia Cruz - Come Down To Miami
9. Celia Cruz - Apaga la Luz
10. Celia Cruz - Hay Que Recordar



Thanks to the Original customer.