Llorarás Oscar D’León y La Dimensión Latina (1975)
The quintessential salsa song! At a time when New York and Puerto Rico dominated the salsa scene worldwide, Venezuela's dancing, singing double-bassist Oscar D’León and his band disrupted the market and became household names. Over 40 years later, Llorarás remains one of the most played salsa songs across the globe.
Pedro Navaja Rubén Blades and Willie Colón (1978)
Rubén Blades was never your typical salsero. By the time he recorded this first single from Siembra - an album many consider the greatest salsa record of all time - under Willie Colón's production, he was already a respected songwriter with a few albums under his belt. But no one could have predicted the massive hit that Pedro Navaja - at 7 minute 22 seconds long - would be.
El Nazareno Ismael Rivera (1974)
Arguably the best sonero ever, Ismael Rivera was already a massive figure in Latin music. After a few years in jail and a strained relationship with his label Fania, Rivera never quite regained his former commercial momentum. Still, during this period, he created some of his finest work, with El Nazareno standing out as a masterpiece.
El Cantante Héctor Lavoe (1978)
For many, the greatest salsa singer ever. Lavoe’s pain and tribulations were well known, and no other song captured them as powerfully as El Cantante (written by Rubén Blades). It's a soul-baring anthem, recorded on the album Comedia, that became Lavoe’s signature song as it came to reflect the tragedy of his own life.
Isla del Encanto Orquesta Broadway (1975)
When Fania’s sound started becoming repetitive, a movement within the NYC salsa scene returned to salsa's roots — with the charangas leading the way. Orquesta Broadway was one of the most popular of them all, and Isla del Encanto became their anthem.
Baila Que Baila Típica 73 (1978)
One of the greatest salsa bands of their era, Típica 73 were actually the only American salsa band to record in Cuba after the revolution. Baila Que Baila, featuring a young José Alberto “El Canario,” encapsulates the spirit of New York salsa in the '70s.
Anacaona Cheo Feliciano (1971)
Cheo Feliciano is often considered the most complete salsa vocalist ever — combining Héctor Lavoe’s sweet tone with Ismael Rivera’s sonero skills. Having found fame (and struggled with addiction) early on, Anacaona marked Cheo’s triumphant comeback — and it remains one of the greatest salsa songs ever recorded.
Boranda Sonora Ponceña (1977)
One of the most iconic salsa bands of all time. Boranda, released in 1977, marked the peak of Papo Lucca’s creative run with Fania Records. A masterpiece of salsa arrangement and originality, it showcases Lucca’s incredible piano technique at its finest.
Guararé Ray Barretto (1975)
By 1975, Ray Barretto was already a giant of Latin music. That year, he recruited two relatively unknown singers — Rubén Blades and Tito Gómez — and delivered one of salsa’s great albums, with Guararé as its lead single. Another Cuban classic turned into a Fania-era salsa anthem.
Un Verano en Nueva York El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico (1975)
Recently sampled by Bad Bunny on his mega-hit DTFM album, this track is already a must for salseros worldwide. From their album 7, it showcases El Gran Combo — the greatest salsa band ever — at the peak of their powers, a form they have impressively maintained to this day.
Enjoy all the great salsa hits at a special 'Salsa is Back' edition of LatinoLife in the Park - the UK's largest music festival - on Sunday 20 July in Walpole Park, London W5. Main stage salsa headliners include TROMBORANGA and RENE ALVAREZ' TRIBUTE TO HECTOR LAVOE, celebrating the music of La Voz (The Voice). Meanwhile our NYC Salsa 'Immersive Experience' will transport festival goers to New York's Golden Era of Salsa. get you tix before prices go up! Tickets here
