On the opening track of his 1980 Salsero album, the late arranger, composer and vibes player Louie Ramirez follow the Rubén Blades school of Latino empowerment, advising his listeners to “Study, work and act / Since this is the only way to go ahead in life.” A tireless musician, Ramirez enjoyed a glowing career, collaborating with artists of the calibre of Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco and Joe Cuba. In fact, he co-wrote and arranged Pacheco’s first hit, the wide-eyed El Güiro de la Macorina. Ahora Es El Tiempo is a perfect example of the mature Fania sound of the late 1970s, its arrangement swinging with enviable precision.
In joining forces with Fania, the undisputed powerhouse of Latin music labels, Strut hopes to bring a new set of fans into the fold. Salsa Explosion is a wonderful introduction into the vast sea of classic and influential music in the Fania catalog, touching on many of the separate styles that make up the salsa movement. Strut is proud to offer the collection with completely new artwork, liner notes from Latin music afficionado Ernesto Lechner, and a wealth of previously unpublished photos.
Louie Ramirez – Ahora Es El Tiempo (Download)
