Damn he's bad....
Blockhead | USA | 06/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You'll understand why Classic Salsa rules modern Latin Radio stations. Just listen. This is definitely way too progressive for that time period, (as with much of Fania's artist releases at the time).
The composition's words kill, (Tito Curet). The arrangements blow you away and the musicianship is spontaneously combustible. This Salsa is the real deal. Not like today's mush aimed only at your wallet and short attention spans. Roberto Roena took your hard earned bucks and provided you with memories to live for. You'll feel the love, the pain and the injustice as only Fania and those fantastic artist could express.
'I say, go on, take my money'. I'll gladly pay all over again just to listen to those sweet melodies. Thanks to Jerry Massucci for knowing what true talent was. And he always delivered.
"
Old School Salsa!
Richard Diaz | Olympia ,Washington | 01/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 1978 release by Roberto Roena was way ahead of its time and still sound fresh and exciting. This CD feature the great Juan Antonio "Papo" Pepin on conga drums and Roberto on the Bongo drum. Percussionist who are not aware of these two great players should listen up. If you want to hear some great arrangements and sophisticated percussion riffs, this is the CD for you."
A classic album (cd)....highly recommended.
PLU | Maryland | 02/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Roberto Roena was already a Fania legend when he released EL PROGRESO back in 1978. His Apollo Sound band was one of the tightest groups around the Latin America music community, fully capable of playing pure raw salsa, boleros, complex rhythms and guaguancos flawlessly. I was living in Puerto Rico at the time of EL PROGRESO's release, filling the radio airwaves, clubs and house parties with its killer musical hooks. LAMENTO DE CONCEPCION is a salsa classic and one of my favorite cuts of all time. GUAGUANCO DEL ADIOS is another dance classic that will make you groove to its beat. REGANO AL CORAZON is just so sweet to listen to that you may get chills doing so. The rest of the cd is just as good, including one bolero that will make you think about a close relationship. Overall, if you know Spanish, listen to the lyrics. They are deep! To go along with the musical arrangements and vocals, EL PROGRESO rates as one of the great salsa releases.....in the top 5 salsa albums ever! In my mind, definitely Mr. Roena's best. If you are an Old School salsa lover, this is definitely for you! If you are new to classic salsa, this is a great starter cd for your collection. Enjoy!"