In the Seventies, the Fania label ruled the Latin music scene in New York – and, arguably, the world. This two-CD comp moves from Cuban traditionalism to the R&B fusion called boogaloo to salsa, the pan-Latin genre that – via its marketing smarts and talent monopoly – Fania basically invented. The hits are here: Willie Colón's "Che Che Colé," Hector Lavoe's anthems "El Cantante" and "Mi Gente," Rubén Blades' "Mack the Knife"-script-flip "Pedro Navaja." On "Quimbara," Celia Cruz reclaims salsa's grafted Cuban roots as birthright, bringing it all back home.
Listen to Willie Colón's "Che Che Colé":
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