Buscando America

Performer: Ruben Blades
Artist: Ralph Irizarry
Engineer: David Rodriguez
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Ruben Blades (vocals, acoustic guitar, maracas); Mike Vinas (electric guitar, bass, background vocals); Oscar Hernandez (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Ray Adams (drums); Louie Rivera (bongos, percussion, background vocals); Eddie Montalvo (tumbadoros, percussion, background vocals); Ralph Irizarry (timbales, percussion). Principally recorded at Eurosound Studios, New York, New York between May and August 1983. After honing his salsa chops in the 1970s in lengthy stints with the bands of Ray Barretto and Willie Colon, Panamanian Ruben Blades formed his own band, Seis del Solar. BUSCANDO AMERICA, Seis del Solar's first album, introduces Blades's unique fusion of salsa, rock, and Caribbean rhythms, and the full range of Blades' literate, witty lyrics and expressive vocal flair. Though the politically pointed angle of Blades's words will be lost on those with a language barrier (Blades sings only in his native Spanish), the inventive, accessible nature of his music should appeal to many. Blades concocts a musical stew that includes Latin jazz ("Todos Vuelven"), reggae ("Desapariciones"), African folk ("Caminos Verdes"), and art music (the pell-mell narrative of "G.D.B.D."). The opening cut, "Decisiones," kicks off with a retro-'50s doo-wop intro before segueing into high-octane salsa. Remarkably, Blades pulls off his synthesis of styles with aplomb, remaining true to his Latin roots even while pushing and expanding his musical vision. BUSCANDO AMERICA, Blades's first fully developed personal statement, is the opening salvo in the formidable, diverse discography of this multi-talented musician.

Panamanian singer/songwriter Ruben Blades is a key figure in contemporary Latin music. He came to New York in the 1970s and entrenched himself in the salsa scene, writing for and performing with a number of key players, and forming a significant partnership with salsa legend Willie Colon. In the '80s, Blades's solo career took off as he set about modernizing salsa with his group Seis del Solar. Around the same time, he embarked on a successful acting career that would continue for decades. Blades's music is often strongly informed by his activist politics, a fact that became duly apparent when he ran for President of Panama in 1994.

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