"The COMMENTS by E. Teran "boricua" are an EXAMPLE of a person who has "very little knowledge" about SALSA MUSIC. Anyone can put "BORICUA" as being the POSTER at AMAZON and claim to be an expert. Being a TRUE BORICUA and musician I am amazed how the Gran Combo can take the SALSA "Rhythm" and keep it FRESH on this album. You need to listen to the Instruments to understand the complexity of the arrangements. I understand that some would prefer to go back to the 30's and 40's as if a "renassiance" will occur in Salsa Music. This is SALSA in the purest form and by the "creators" of the music. Great CD. Beware of "Player Haters !". Salsa Creations POST ......."
Salsa how it should be
Daniel Fernandez | Sydney, New South Wales Australia | 02/28/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with the reviewer in saying that it's not EGC's best album. BUT... compare this album with all the other salsa garbage that has come out in the last few years. Sure there are some great tracks out there, but great albums??? Nope...
This is one of the only salsa albums to come out in the last few years worth paying for (which is why I am!).
You can only applaud people like EGC, Maelo Ruiz, Sonora Poncena, Roberto Roena, and even Victor Manuelle who's last albums have been quality affairs. Sure, not their best work (the exception being Manuelle) but better than the rest of the releases out there.
I miss the 70's, 80's, early 90's salsa as much as everyone else but those days are gone. I only give big claps to the people who are trying to keep quality salsa going.
BUY THE ALBUM!!!"
Buen Disco
Luis D. Vargas | Ponce, Puerto Rico | 02/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Con perseverancia y sin venderse barato a las tendencias modernas y lo que simplemente esta de moda, El Gran Combo saca un buen disco. Tiene el mismo sonido clasico, de los 80 para aca, sin sonar cansado y aburrido. Las voces suenan bien y la orquesta aun mejor. El loco que dijo que ellos necesitan a Gilberto Santa Rosa para seguir esta pasao o fumo pasto viejo. Este no escucho el ultimo disco que el hizo y fue un desastre. Pero si hizo un buen disco de navidad. Y ademas El Gran Combo es unas de las pocas orquestas que siguen haciendo musica nueva, sin estar viviendo y comiendo y dependiendo solamente en sus exitos del pasado. Este disco es mejor que el que sacaron en el 2004 (ese metieron la pata con el intro de La Gorda Bella) pero el mejor hasta ahora es el de 2001, Nuevo Milenio, Mismo Sabor. Lo recomiendo para los fanaticos de El Gran Combo y los que son fieles a la salsa."
Salsa Gorda: The Real Thing
JFMP | Hanoi, Vietnam | 02/21/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was genuinely and happily surprised to hear El Gran Combo back to old form. I can't remember the last record that put out "salsa gorda" (the piano-based, heavy-on-the-horns, and melodic style that inexplicably died in the 80s). Charlie Aponte sings with the band, rather than ahead of it, while Rafael Ithier's arrangements are tight and focused. This is not just the best record from EGC in over a decade, this could easily be the best salsa record in that time frame too."
Must Be Nice
jdm | Minnesota | 08/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"to listen to masters of their craft present a flawless exemplar and consider it merely average.
A year ago I didn't know anything about El Gran Combo - yeah, I have a lot of catching up to do - it's great journey and it's gotta start somewhere.
This is a great somewhere to start: every note in its place, every beat, not too much, not too little. Perhaps they don't have the "fire" they once had back in the day, I don't know. I can collect the older ones as time goes by.