This special edition of Siembra contains all the songs from the original LP, including salsa classics such as "Pedro Navaja," "Plástico," "Buscando Guayaba," "Dime" and "Siembra." This is salsa at its best, inspired by Cuban son montuno and guaracha, mambo, Venezuelan rhythms and even a bit of disco at the beginning of the opening title "Plástico". "Pedro Navaja" comes with a fotonovela, where music meets compelling storytelling and fascinating comic book illustration. Rubén Blades’ lyrics bring a wide array of emotions to the mix: passion and love as well as as socio-political messages of ethnic pride, solidarity and Pan American unity.
One of the great aspects of the Fania reissues is that they always include bonus material. In this case there is an alternate take of "Pedro Navaja," a studio merengue version of "Ligia Elena" (a song recorded for Siembra but held back for the duo’s subsequent album), a "TV track" instrumental version of "Plástico," and a ten-minute-plus remix of the title tune by New York based DJ and producer Joaquin "Joe" Claussell.
Coinciding with this special reissue of Siembra, Fania Records has released a previously unheard live concert album with the same material, recorded March 22, 1980 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, New Jersey. Siembra Live features Ruben Blades with the Willie Colon band, which included "Professor" Joe Torres on piano, Sal Cuevas on bass, and Johnny Almendra on timbales, and four trombones.
The music selection on Siembra Live includes five pieces from Siembra: "Pedro Navaja," "Plástico," a stretched-out version of "Buscando Guayaba" that clocks in at 13:14," "Dime" and "Ojos." Additional material includes live versions of the classic "Pablo Pueblo" and Catalino "Tite" Curet Alonso’s "Plantación Adentro" from the Willie Colón and Rubén Blades album Metiendo Mano.
Siembra is a must have classic by two of salsa’s finest interpreters.
Buy the CDs or digital downloads: Siembra and Siembra Live
