Ruben Blades - De Panama A Nueva York (1970)

Rubén Blades had little fame or name recognition when he first arrived in New York in the late '60s, but by 1970 he had gained a release under his own name on the highly respected Alegre label. The reasons for the confidence placed in him are evident from that LP, De Panama a New York, recorded with the orchestra of Pete "Boogaloo" Rodriguez. Although it would be four years before Blades earned another one, he made this one count, writing all but one of the songs and proving that he had the musical and vocal chops to become a star (if not in 1970, then later). At least two of the Rubén Blades skills later to become hallmarks in the salsa repertoire are here: the strong vocals that reach (and sustain) soaring heights, plus the compelling songwriting, with folk tales turned into bewitching story songs. Rodriguez's orchestra is a great complement to Blades' singing, providing not only instrumental power where needed but also subtlety on the openers to Blades' folk tales. After De Panama a New York fizzled as a commercial entity, Blades left New York for several years, but Latin fans who recognized quality marked him as someone to watch.~De Panama a New York Review by John Bush