Ismael Miranda - En Fa Menor (1974)

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Ismael Miranda - En Fa Menor (1974)

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Ismael Miranda was born on February 20, 1950, Aguada, Puerto Rico. Singer/songwriter Miranda was one of the most popular soneros (extemporizing salsa singers) of the 70s salsa boom. His parents and an uncle took him to live in Long Island, USA when he was four years old; later on he moved with his family to the Lower East Side in Manhattan, New York City. He started studying singing at about eight years old and by 11 years of age he had mastered the conga. He performed with the bands of Pipo, Benny Ortiz, Raúl González and Andy Harlow ( Larry Harlow's brother) before joining Joey Pastrana's orchestra at the age of 16. He made his recording debut with Pastrana on Let's Ball (1967), performing on the big hit track "Rumbón Mélon". Larry Harlow, who had seen Miranda sing with his brother Andy's band, recruited the young sonero to perform lead vocals for his Orchestra Harlow in July 1967. "His voice was young, clear, strong and above all he had great presence . . . Ismael combines his Puerto Rican blood, Cuban flavour and American know-how into a dynamic style," wrote Harlow in his liner notes to Orchestra Harlow Presenta A Ismael Miranda. Over the next five years Miranda and Harlow developed a highly creative and successful partnership. During this period, he made seven albums with Orchestra Harlow, contributing a number of co-written (with Harlow) and self-penned hits.