1. La Cura Frankie Ruiz
Frankie Ruiz' first massive hit as a solo artist. Already almost a veteran of the scene, Ruiz was the first Latino artist with a $1M record deal and he went on to become one of the best-selling Latino artists ever. Even by today's standards, long after his tragic death, Ruiz remains a hugely popular artist with 9M monthly listeners on Spotify alone. His distinctive voice, impeccable timing and swing, have made him an artist to last the ages.
2. Decisiones Ruben Blades
One of the best albums in the history of Latino music, Buscando America is a testament of Blades' talent as a songwriter and a band leader. All songs are lyrically phenomenal, this track being probably the most popular because of its dancing edge.
3. Cali Pachanguero Grupo Niche
Colombian salsa was not taken seriously until Jairo Varela and Alexis Lozano Created Grupo Niche. Lozano later split and created Orquesta Guayacan, but it was Varela who rode the earlier success of Colombian salsa, and Cali Pachanguero has become the “de facto” anthem of La Feria de Cali and one of the most played songs in salsa clubs around the world
4. Ven Devorame Otra Vez Lalo Rodriguez
Rodriguez won a Grammy award at the age of 17 as part of Eddie Palmieri’s band. By the time he recorded his biggest hit, Ven Devore Otra Vez (Come, Devour Me Again) in 1988 he was already a big name in Latin music but this song became the first “global” salsa tune. It was hit in Europe, mostly Spain, where even a cover version was released by flamenco pop sensation Azucar Moreno.
5. Estar Enamorado Louie Ramirez & Ray de la Paz
If there is a controversy on who “created” romantic salsa, there is no controversy on who put it on the map. Also known as the Quincy Jones of Salsa, Louis Ramirez was one of the most creative forces in salsa music. Alongside with his compadre, one of the most gifted soneros and salsa singers, Ray de la Paz, they released the album Noche Caliente and romantic/erotic/sensual salsa went mainstream. This was their first single.
6. Señora Ley Conjunto Clasico
When everyone was getting jiggly with it with their lyrics and creating simpler and simpler arrangements, Conjunto Clasico, a “Son” outfit with a young Tito Nieves as their main singer, was going back to the cuban roots of Salsa. This song from 1986 was a testament of how good music lasts the test of time - whenever it gets played today, the dance floor still gets packed!
7. Lagrimas Roberto Blades & Orq. Inmensidad
Ruben’s younger and lesser known but no less talented brother (the only latino to win 3 Grammys as producer, singer and songwriter), this was his first hit as part of the band La Inmensidad, a collective of young Latino musicians in Miami, led by the also Panamanian Raul Gallimore. This song, despite the quality of its recording not being great, is an anthem in the Latin Caribbean and still kicking these days
8. Oh, Qué Será? Willie Colon
After his incredible run as band leader and producer for Hector Lavoe and Ruben Blades, Colon decided to have a go at singing. He ended up making one of the most iconic salsa tracks of the decade with a version of Chico Buarque’s O Que Será? (Sung in duet with Milton Nacimento) and an intro by Larice Lispector, a young Brazilian/Ukranian writer. Despite the song and the whole album being a total experiment, it was a phenomenal success for Colon and Fania and still considered one of the greatest masterpieces of salsa.
9. Me Diste de Tu Agua Bobby Valentín
While not the biggest hit of its time, this is one of Bobby Valentín's many songs that has stood the test of time—sounding just as fresh today as it did when it was first released. Featuring a young Luisito Carrión on vocals, the track showcases Valentín’s brilliance as one of salsa’s most creative forces since the 1970s. Released at the height of the salsa romántica craze, Valentín proved that romantic salsa could still have rich, sophisticated arrangements—steering clear of the bland, watered-down sound that was flooding the market.
10. Te Regalo el Corazon Gran Combo
Classy romantic salsa from PR’s most revered and loved salsa band. When the old cats found themselves being left behind by the new crop of good looking salsa singers, Gran Combo shifted slightly to more romantic songs but kept it as swinging as usual, recording some of their most popular songs in that decade.
Enjoy all the great salsa hits of all the decades 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 your tix before prices go up! Tickets here
