Ricardo Ray - Three Dimensions (1966)

The album is a textbook example of the New York Latin sound of the mid-1960s. Here, traditional Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms (guaguancó, mambo, cha-cha-cha) boldly blend with American rhythm and blues, soul, jazz improvisations, and even elements of classical music. Richie Ray's virtuoso, explosive piano playing (with energetic montunos) combines with a powerful double-trumpet section and rich vocals.

The title "Three Dimensions" perfectly captures the musical concept of the release. Ricardo Ray and his long-time creative partner, vocalist Bobby Cruz, sought to present Latin music on three levels: traditional Caribbean roots for sophisticated dancers, African-American soul/R&B for urban youth, and complex instrumental jazz for aesthetes.

The album was recorded in New York City and became one of the releases that laid the foundation for the upcoming boom in the Boogaloo style (bilingual Latin soul). The album features both Spanish-language and English-language tracks.

It was here that Richie Ray began to actively incorporate his famous classical quotations: for example, in the track "El Mulato," he masterfully weaves fragments from the works of J.S. Bach. The album cemented the Ray-Cruz duo as leading innovators and rebels of the New York scene, paving the way for a contract with Fania Records.