

Si No Bailan Con Ellos No Bailan Con Nadie
The music that has come to be called salsa originated in Cuba, but some of its most talented artists have been Puerto Rican, including Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Willie Colón, el Gran Combo, and el Conjunto Clasico. In the 1980s, el Conjunto Clasico was impressively consistent, and one of the excellent albums that the Puerto Rican group recorded during that decade was Si No Bailen con Ellos, No Bailen con Nadie. Translated as "If You Don't Dance with Them, You Don't Dance with Anyone," the title is lofty, to be sure, but when you have Tito Nieves handling your lead vocals and Ramón Rodriguez doing much of your writing, you're entitled to toot your own horn. In 1981, salsa didn't get much more exciting than "Ni Hablar," "Teresita," "Regreso," and "Quincallero" (all of which are Rodriguez compositions). The music on this LP is essentially Afro-Cuban music, but el Conjunto Clasico -- like many Puerto Rican salseros -- doesn't hesitate to bring some Puerto Rican influences to its Afro-Cuban foundation. "Mi Bomba No Muere," for example, employs the bomba rhythm. And the hit single "Son de Puerto Rico" illustrates the Cuban/Puerto Rican connection: son (one of the styles that comprises salsa) originated in Cuba, and this gem expresses the love that many Puerto Ricans have for it. One of el Conjunto Clasico's most essential albums, Si No Bailen con Ellos, No Bailen con Nadie is definitely a salsa treasure.
- 8 Songs
- 1995 Released
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