VA - Leyendas De La Fania Vol. 1 (2010)

Leyendas de la Fania is an eight-volume series that samples some of the finest tracks from some of the greatest artists who released singles and albums on the legendary label created by Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci in 1964. This first volume, originally issued in 2007 by Emusica (who took over the label in early 2006 and began its ambitious reissue program), was remastered for re-release in 2010. It contains tracks by many of the label's mainstays: "La Fama" by Héctor Lavoe, Willie Rosario's "La Questa de la Fama," Larry Harlow's "El Negrito Nengere," Celia Cruz fronting the Willie Colón Orchestra on "A Papa," and Cheo Feliciano's brilliant "Amiga." That said, even its lesser-known cuts (to Anglos anyway) such as Roberto Roena's "Me Le Fugue a la Candela," are excellent, making for a flawless collection. There are a dozen tracks in all, and this volume provides an excellent preview of what is to come in this fine series. ~ Thom Jurek

01. Hector Lavoe - La Fama
02. Tommy Olivencia - Casimira
03. Adalberto Santiago - Ay Caray
04. Richie Ray - Richie's Jala Jala
05. Willie Rosario - La Cuesta de la Fama
06. Sonora Poncena - Moreno soy
07. Celia Cruz-Willie Colon - A Papa
08. Larry Harlow - El Negrito Nengere
09. Johnny Pacheco-Hector Casanova - La Mulata
10. Cheo Feliciano - Amiga
11. Roberto Roena - Me le fuegue a la candela
12. Tipica 73 - A Pico y Pala