Celia & Willie

Performer: Celia Cruz
Producer: Willie Colon
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Celia Cruz (vocals); Leopoldo Pineda, Jose Rodriguez, Lewis Kahn (trombone); Prof. Joe Torres (piano); Sal Cuevas (bass instrument); Milton Cardona (congas); Jose Mangual Jr. (bongos); Johnny Almendra (timbales). A Celia Cruz/Willie Colon collaboration is to salseros what a Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet is to soul lovers or an Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong project is to jazz enthusiasts; in other words, you're bringing together two of the best artists that the genre has to offer. When Cruz and Colon get together, the sparks usually fly -- and Celia y Willie is no exception. Considering how much this LP had going for it, one would have been surprised if things hadn't gone well. Celia y Willie is an album that boasts Cruz on lead vocals, Colon producing, salsa impresario Jerri Masucci serving as executive producer, and talent like Luis "Perico" Ortiz and Louie Ramirez helping with the arrangements, not to mention Cruz having access to excellent material. Add those things up, and it would have been surprising if Cruz hadn't soared on exuberant gems like "Kirimbambara," "Latinos en Estados Unidos," and the hit "Don Jueyes." Equally strong is "Come Down to Miami," which has an English title but offers mostly Spanish lyrics. Praising Miami, the song playfully urges New York's Latinos to say good-bye to the Big Apple's chilly winters and make Miami their permanent home. And even if you're quite happy living in New York and don't care for Miami's year-round heat, "Come Down to Miami" is still fun and infectious. A fine example of the chemistry that Cruz and Colon enjoy, Willie y Celia is happily recommended to salseros. ~ Alex Henderson

Universally acknowledged as the "Queen of Salsa," Cuban exile Celia Cruz infused her impassioned, Spanish-language songs with nostalgia for the natural beauty of her homeland, and was often influenced by the Afro-Cuban Santeria religion. Cruz's more than 40 years (1960-2003) as an international salsa star proved that she was blessed with a rich voice, flexibility, and energy. Her talents even extended onto the silver screen, with featured roles in films such as THE MAMBO KINGS. In July 2003, Cruz passed away, and fans the world over mourned the loss of their beloved performer, "La Unica."

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