Rubén Blades – Greatest Hits Special 2 Record Set
Released in 1983, the double LP “Rubén Blades – Greatest Hits Special 2 Record Set” captures the golden years of Blades’ career, a period when salsa had already evolved from dancehall music into a sophisticated vehicle for storytelling, politics, and cultural pride. This album gathers iconic tracks that marked his collaborations with Fania Records, bridging the energy of Puerto Rican street rhythms with the intellectual voice of New York’s Latin barrio.
Historical Context
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, New York City’s Latino communities—especially Puerto Ricans and Panamanians—were shaping the soundscape of salsa. The clubs in El Barrio and the Bronx were alive with Fania All-Stars concerts, while Puerto Rico was experiencing its own surge of salsa romántica. Rubén Blades arrived at this crossroads, blending the social urgency of Nueva Trova with the swinging montunos of Willie Colón’s band. The result was a salsa dura con conciencia—hard salsa with a conscience—that spoke directly to the struggles of immigrants, workers, and everyday people.
The Music Genre
Salsa, with its roots in Cuban son, Puerto Rican plena, and New York jazz, was exploding worldwide at this time. Alongside Blades, artists like Héctor Lavoe, Ismael Rivera, and Eddie Palmieri were building the genre’s reputation as more than dance music—it was cultural identity. While Willie Colón’s trombone-heavy sound defined the grit of the streets, Blades added storytelling depth, creating characters like Pedro Navaja and Pablo Pueblo who became symbols of Latin America’s urban realities.
Musical Exploration of the Songs
Each track in this compilation reflects a unique narrative. “Pedro Navaja” is a street opera—a cinematic saga of crime, irony, and fate set to a relentless salsa groove. “Plástico” calls out superficiality in society, urging listeners to remember their Latin roots. “Siembra,” co-written with Colón, plants the seeds of hope and unity, while “Tiburón” serves as a political metaphor warning against imperialist powers. Even lighter pieces like “Ligia Elena” and “Juan Pachanga” carry Blades’ witty touch, balancing humor with critique. The two LPs together showcase his ability to turn every song into una novela bailable—a danceable novel.
Key Persons Behind the Recording
Behind these classics stood legendary producer and Fania founder Jerry Masucci, who helped shape salsa into an international force. The musicians backing Blades included Willie Colón and members of the Fania All-Stars, whose horn-driven arrangements and Afro-Caribbean percussion powered the narratives. The artwork by Rick Gaskins gave the album a warm and familiar face, aligning the visual with the music’s intimate, human stories.
Rubén Blades’ Career and Line-ups
By the early 1980s, Rubén Blades had already moved through key partnerships. His breakthrough came when he joined Willie Colón’s orchestra, where he crafted albums like “Siembra” that became the best-selling salsa record of all time. Blades’ move to solo work and projects like “Buscando América” with Seis del Solar reflected his restless creativity and desire to push salsa into new political and musical territories. Line-up changes were frequent as he shifted between the Fania All-Stars, Colón’s band, and his own ensembles, but Blades’ vision—la salsa intelectual—remained the guiding force.
