There will likely be lots of scoffing at Marc Anthony's interpretation--both on disc and onscreen--of late salsa singer Hector Lavoe. But let's not forget that Anthony is a salsa superstar in his own right. He has anchored some of the genre's most thrilling moments and has taken salsa to audiences not normally exposed to the sweltering sound. The El Cantante soundtrack is a solid effort, notable for Anthony's dedication to recreating Lavoe's distinct delivery and phrasing. He puts aside his own emotive stylings for a more subdued performance on several tracks, including the celebratory "Mi Gente" and the mournful "Escandalo." Anthony is virtually unrecognizable during "Che Che Cole," "Quitate," and the standout "Que Lio," which makes the project all the more intriguing. Jennifer Lopez, Anthony's wife in real life and onscreen in El Cantante, croons pensive closing ballad "Toma de Mi." Even without the film, the soundtrack stands as an earnest homage to a tragic icon. --Joey Guerra

Over 10 million albums sold worldwide. Awarded over 12 Latin and standard gold and platinum certifications by the RIAA. Has won a total of 16 "Premino Lo Nuestro" Awards in the span of his career. Holding the record of winning the most "Premios Lo Nuestro" Awards of all artist. Marc Anthony first single will be "Mi Gente" distributed on June 7th. Radio impact date: June 12th. Two versions will be available. Radio contests around album release date. Radio VIP will be invited on May 16th and May 24th to the movie screening in New York.

Hector Lavoe continues to be the source of tributes, covers, drama, and films. This collection of carefully remastered original songs affirms that the attention is well deserved. It features some of the classic hits he recorded together with Willie Colon. The influence of Lavoe will continue to be felt in the Latin music world, but nothing beats listening to this remastered original.

Héctor Lavoe siempre sera una fuente de tributos, Albumes, portadas, obras de teatro, y peliculas. Esta coleccion de temas originales remasterizados otorgan la atencion que se merece el gran cantante. Adicionalmente, contiene canciones clasicas que grabo con Willie Colon. La comunidad latina continuara sintiendo el impacto de Lavoe, pero en realidad, no hay nada mejor que escuchar este Album original remasterizado.

A great among greats, this great artist's life was marked by a tragic destiny. Héctor Lavoe's interest in music began in his native Puerto Rico. In search of new opportunities, he traveled to New York with a suitcase full of dreams and the firm goal of landing a job in the music world. The road ahead was not an easy one. There were many obstacles to overcome, and the price was high, as it often is for immigrants. He held down precarious day jobs for bad pay; but at night, he gave free rein to his dreams, performing in various night clubs. Johnny Pacheco happened to hear him perform at one of those night clubs. In Lavoe he discovered a powerful voice and the easiest of manners. He was so impressed that he told Willie Colón he had found a singer for the recording of his first album, "El malo." The combination of Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón enriched the world of salsa and set the stage for their collaboration, which lasted seven years. It also gave birth to 10 albums, full of vibrant songs that spoke the language of the street, a type of musical narrative that the public identified with, one that cemented salsa as a genre. In 1975, Fania Records decided to launch its singers with the most hits as soloists. Thus began a new phase of Héctor Lavoe's career, just as brilliant and successful, boasting the release of many albums that are now part of his rich musical legacy. His life was an open book, each page of which documented the tragedy and heartbreak that marked and influenced the rise and fall of his brilliant professional career. Héctor Lavoe died on June 29, 1993, at 46.

Grande entre los grandes, y marcado por el tràgico sino que el destino les tiene reservado, fue imagen y semejanza la vida de este gran artista. Héctor Lavoe inicio sus inquietudes artisticas en su Puerto Rico natal. Pero en busca de nuevas oportunidades y ampliar su horizonte, viaja a Nueva York con un equipaje de sueños y el firme proposito de labrarse un lugar en la mùsica. El camino a transitar no le fue fàcil, fueron muchos los obstàculos que tuvo que superar y pagar el alto precio que todo intento le tiene reservado a los inmigrantes. Trabajos precarios y mal remunerados durante el dia, y por las noches, darle rienda suelta a sus sueños presentàndose en clubes nocturnos. En una de aquellas presentaciones, coincide con el Maestro Johnny Pacheco que lo escucha cantar. Descubre en él, una voz potente y un personalisimo modo de comunicar. Tan impresionado quedo, que le hablo a Willie Colon que buscaba un vocalista para la grabacion de su primer àlbum "El Malo" La fusion de Héctor Lavoe y Willie Colon, enriquecio el género salsero y marcaria pautas de una union que duro siete años, y diera como fruto una rica cosecha de la que se derivaron diez producciones con un contenido de temas vibrantes que hablaban el lenguaje del hombre de la calle, una especie de narrativa musical con la que se identifico el pùblico y solidificaria la salsa como género. En 1975 el sello Fania decide lanzar a sus cantantes de màs éxitos como solistas. De este modo, Héctor Lavoe inicia una nueva etapa en su carrera, no menos brillante y exitosa con el lanzamiento de varias producciones que ya son parte de su rico legado musical. Su vida, un libro abierto en el que escribiera en cada una de sus pàginas, tràgicas y desgarradoras vivencias en el aspecto personal que lo marcaron e influyeron en la decadencia y ocaso de su brillante carrera profesional. Héctor Lavoe muere el 29 de junio de 1993 a los cuarenta y siete años.

This is Lavoe in top form! His signature tune "El Cantante" is here. Produced by Willie Colon!!!
This remastered edition, although a bit better than the old Fania cd pressing lacks depth and detail. If you have a turntable look around for the Fania LP. No type of remastering will duplicate the sound of a LP.
And another thing--one of the pictures in the tray card is actually not Hector. It seems to be Ray Barretto. -- coa1881 "SALSERO SUPREME" (New York, NY USA)

Like many of his boricua compatriots, Willie Colón was born and raised in the heart of the Latin neighborhood of the Bronx. It was this very neighborhood where he drank from the fountain of teen angst, sharing with his compatriots his sorrows and aspirations. This inspired in him a profound devotion to his cultural roots. Musician, composer, arranger, singer, producer, director, and community leader: Colón wore all of these hats, gaining recognition as both an artist and a human being. He started out in the music business at such a young age that his mother had to sign his first contract for him. Ever since then his career has covered all facets of music, as proven by his prolific discography, which boasts more than 30 million records sold. Such sales earned him countless gold and silver-selling albums, as well as several Grammy nominations. Colón is also known for his participation on albums with such names as Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, and many others. Willie Colón, known for his excellence, and well aware of the power and influence he held over the mass media, established himself as a civil- and community-rights leader. For his contributions, he won recognition and awards, such as the plaque that bears his name on the Bronx's "Walk of Fame." It was this very city that was birthplace and home to many of his compatriots who came to the United States in search of a better future.

Como muchos de sus compatriotas boricuas, Willie Colàn nacià y crecià en el corazàn del barrio latino del Bronx, New York. El mismo barrio en el que bebià la savia màs pura de sus inquietudes juveniles, compartiendo con los suyos quebrantos y aspiraciones que le inculcaron una profunda devociàn por sus raíces culturales. Mùsico, compositor, arreglista, cantante, productor, director y líder comunitario, es la trayectoria que le ha dado reconocimiento como ser humano y artista. Se inicià en la mùsica a tan temprana edad que su madre tuvo que firmar su primer contrato por él. Desde entonces, su carrera siempre ascendente cubrià todas las facetas de la mùsica, como consta su prolífica discografía, con un total de màs de treinta millones de discos vendidos por los que se le han concedido infinidad de Discos de Oro y Platino, y varias nominaciones para optar por el codiciado premio Grammy. Se ha destacado también por colaborar en producciones con grandes nombres en el àmbito musical como: Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, entre otros muchos. Willie Colàn, solidario por excelencia y consciente del poder e influencia que ejerce en los medios de comunicaciàn masiva, se ha erigido líder por los derechos civiles y comunitarios, por lo que ha recibido premios y reconocimientos como la placa que lleva su nombre instalada en el "Paseo de la Fama" en el Bronx. El mismo barrio, hogar y cuna de muchos de sus compatriotas llegados a estas tierras con la esperanza de un futuro mejor.