Willie Colon & Ruben Blades – Siembra (Fania/Código Music 463 950 7078-2, 2010)
Willie Colon & Ruben Blades – Siembra Live (Fania/Código Music 463 950 7077-2, 2010)
One of the essential salsa albums is available again in a special edition format. Siembra is a legendary album that catapulted Panamanian singer and songwriter Rubén Blades to international fame. Produced by salsa giant Willie Colon (trombone and vocals), Siembra was originally released in 1978 album and became a commercial success throughout Latin America. Siembra sold more than four million copies worldwide, which was exceptional for a salsa album. “I wanted to prove that audiences were more intelligent than they were being given credit for,” says Blades.
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
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
