RubŽn Blades – Greatest Hits Special 2 Record Set
Released in 1983, the double LP ÒRubŽn Blades – Greatest Hits Special 2 Record SetÓ captures the golden years of BladesÕ 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 YorkÕs Latin barrio.
Historical Context
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, New York CityÕs Latino communitiesÑespecially Puerto Ricans and PanamaniansÑwere 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 rom‡ntica. RubŽn Blades arrived at this crossroads, blending the social urgency of Nueva Trova with the swinging montunos of Willie Col—nÕs band. The result was a salsa dura con concienciaÑhard salsa with a conscienceÑthat 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 HŽctor Lavoe, Ismael Rivera, and Eddie Palmieri were building the genreÕs reputation as more than dance musicÑit was cultural identity. While Willie Col—nÕs 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 AmericaÕs urban realities.
Musical Exploration of the Songs
Each track in this compilation reflects a unique narrative. ÒPedro NavajaÓ is a street operaÑa cinematic saga of crime, irony, and fate set to a relentless salsa groove. ÒPl‡sticoÓ calls out superficiality in society, urging listeners to remember their Latin roots. ÒSiembra,Ó co-written with Col—n, plants the seeds of hope and unity, while ÒTibur—nÓ serves as a political metaphor warning against imperialist powers. Even lighter pieces like ÒLigia ElenaÓ and ÒJuan PachangaÓ carry BladesÕ witty touch, balancing humor with critique. The two LPs together showcase his ability to turn every song into una novela bailableÑa 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 Col—n 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 musicÕs intimate, human stories.
RubŽn BladesÕ Career and Line-ups
By the early 1980s, RubŽn Blades had already moved through key partnerships. His breakthrough came when he joined Willie Col—nÕs orchestra, where he crafted albums like ÒSiembraÓ that became the best-selling salsa record of all time. BladesÕ move to solo work and projects like ÒBuscando AmŽricaÓ 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, Col—nÕs band, and his own ensembles, but BladesÕ visionÑla salsa intelectualÑremained the guiding force.
