Campeones

Performer: Fania All-Stars
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: From a crammed gig at the tiny Red Garter in 1968 to filling Yankee Stadium with 45,000 people in 1975, Fania All-Stars exploded on the salsa scene of the early '70s, featuring an accumulation of salsa stars and excellent musicians never before seen on one stage. Unfortunately, the same group that thrilled audiences didn't respond quite as well in the recorded medium, and especially not on compilations. Since they were a loose and jam-heavy collective, changing lineups frequently, their best work was done live, on practically side-long cuts that featured solos for nearly everyone on-stage. The two-disc Fania compilation Campeones is the first to do their entire career justice, and even better, it dedicates over half of its running time to live material. It runs chronologically, beginning with a track from the Red Garter gig and three from the later Cheetah concert in 1971 (both gigs spawned their own two-volume LP releases), as well as a full half-hour of music from the immense Yankee Stadium show (which was also documented with a pair of LPs). The studio sides include excerpts from their excellent tribute to Tito Rodriguez, as well as scattered highlights from the '70s and '80s. Yet, despite the combined firepower of their credit listings, Fania All-Stars dates never seemed quite as dynamic and exciting as the context of the same musicians in their smaller, dedicated groups. The Fania records usually functioned best as places to hear great solo playing in a group context. ~ John Bush

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