Cortijo Y Su Combo - Invites You To Dance (1958)

These are the tunes that opened a new era in the history of Puerto Rican popular music, and they were the forerunner of the musical expression that would become Puerto Rican salsa; these musical moments have long become part of Puerto Rican folklore, as they have been part of the public consciousness and some of their national musical repertoire as well. It also opens the possibility of a styling that would break the Cuban mold and push new avenues for contemporary interpretation. Rafael Cortijo's influence as percussionist has remained unequaled, and Ismael Rivera's inventive improvisations have set new standards for countless future soneros. The band's raw, funky approach is a source of unadulterated joy; beyond indispensable, popular music cannot go without the mention of this transcendental organization.~José A. Estévez, Jr.