Willie Colon - Anthology (2012)

This is a well-presented, career-spanning two-disc collection of the work of seminal salsa trombonist and bandleader Willie Colon’s tenure at Fania Records. Colon’s heyday with Fania lasted from roughly 1968 through 1977, and the compilers of Anthology wisely chose to emphasize this period, including a wealth of selections from early Colon efforts like 1968’s The Hustler, 1970’s Cosa Nuestro, and 1973’s Lo Mato. These albums found Colon collaborating with the finest musicians from the Fania stable, including vocalists Hector Lavoe and Ismael Miranda, producer and arranger Johnny Pacheco, and the prodigiously talented pianist Joe Torres. This unparalleled band made tight, infectious dance music that exuded the irrepressible energy of Dominican and Nu Yorican street culture. The bracing, motuno-driven triumph “La Banda” alone has enough power to fuel a dozen block parties, while the unforgettable horn fanfare that opens “Todo Tiene Su Final” is simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting, a combination tempestuous enough to make it an unofficial anthem of true salseros across the globe.

Tracklist:

CD1:

01. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - Che Che Cole (03:30)
02. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - La Murga (05:33)
03. Willie Colon - Hustler (06:33)
04. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - El Malo (04:00)
05. Willie Colon - El Titan (05:20)
06. Willie Colon - Panamena (05:55)
07. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - El Dia de Mi Suerte (05:27)
08. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - Calle Luna Calle Sol (03:45)
09. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - La Banda (03:03)
10. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - Aguanile (06:09)
11. Willie Colon & Mon Rivera - Pena de Amor (04:31)
12. Willie Colon - MC2 (Theme Realidades) (03:43)
13. Willie Colon - Sin Poderte Hablar (05:25)
14. Willie Colon - Juancito (07:02)
15. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - Pirana (05:18)


CD2:

01. Willie Colon & Ruben Blades - Pedro Navaja (07:22)
02. Willie Colon - Oh Que Sera (05:03)
03. Willie Colon - Chinacubana (04:45)
04. Willie Colon & Ruben Blades - Siembra (05:25)
05. Willie Colon & Ismael Miranda - Biata (05:18)
06. Willie Colon - Amor Verdadero (07:25)
07. Willie Colon - Toma Mis Manos (06:04)
08. Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - Juanito Alimana (07:37)
09. Willie Colon - Corazon Guerrero (07:51)
10. Willie Colon - Callejon Sin Salida (07:27)
11. Willie Colon & Celia Cruz - Un Bembe Pa Yemaya (05:49)
12. Willie Colon - El Gran Varon (06:59)