El Bestial Sonido de Ricardo Ray Y Bobby Cruz
Encyclopedia
El Bestial Sonido de Ricardo Ray y Bobby Cruz is an album released in 1971 by the salsa music
duet Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
. Released at the height of their popularity, the album inaugurated a new era in salsa with the inauguration of a new Fania Records
subsidiary: Vaya Records. The album, notable for the inclusion of new elements into salsa such as classical music, was an international success, and its title track Sonido Bestial became one of salsa's most popular songs. The album consecrated Richie Ray
as a prodigious pianist, capable of playing a fusion of several rhythms and styles.
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
duet Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz are an American musical duo consisting of Ricardo "Richie" Ray and Roberto "Bobby" Cruz. The duo was formed in 1963 and rose to fame in the mid 1960s. They are one of the most famous interpreters of 'salsa brava' music....
. Released at the height of their popularity, the album inaugurated a new era in salsa with the inauguration of a new Fania Records
Fania Records
Fania Records was a New York based record label founded by Dominican-born composer and bandleader Johnny Pacheco and Italian-American lawyer Jerry Masucci in 1964. The label took its name from an old Cuban song by the singer Reinaldo Bolaño. Fania is known for its promotion of what has become...
subsidiary: Vaya Records. The album, notable for the inclusion of new elements into salsa such as classical music, was an international success, and its title track Sonido Bestial became one of salsa's most popular songs. The album consecrated Richie Ray
Richie Ray
Ricardo "Richie" Ray is a virtuoso pianist, singer, music arranger, composer and religious minister known for his success beginning in 1965 as part of the duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz...
as a prodigious pianist, capable of playing a fusion of several rhythms and styles.
Critical reception
Critic José A. Estévez, Jr. named the album "a staggering, spellbinding salsa experience" and "an absolute must-have." He also stated that the title track Sonido Bestial "remains one of the most remarkable (and recognizable) tunes of the salsa era". Jaime Torres Torres praised Bobby Cruz vocal performance.Track listing
Personnel
- Ricardo Ray: piano, backing vocals and arrangements
- Bobby CruzBobby CruzBobby Cruz is a salsa singer and religious minister. He is well known for his success beginning in 1965 as part of the duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz. His seminal professional pairing with Richie Ray is one of the longest-lived partnerships in Latino music, lasting over 45 years...
: lead and backing vocals, and arrangements - Miki Vimari: lead and backing vocals
- Ismael “Cocolía” Rodríguez: first trumpet
- Ismael “Maelo” Rodríguez: second trumpet
- Manolito González: bongó, cencerro and timbalitos
- José “Mañengue” Hidalgo: congas
- Charlie “El Pirata” Cotto: timbales
- Mike “El Che” Amitin: bass guitar
- Johnny PachecoJohnny PachecoJohnny Pacheco is a Dominican producer, musician, bandleader, and one of the most influential figures in American salsa music.-Early life:...
: Recording Director - Pedrito: Engineer
- Fred Weinberg: Sound mix
- Maurice Seymour: Cover Photograph
- Izzy Sanabria: Cover design