One of the key protagonists of the '70s New York salsa explosion, Puerto Rican sonero José 'Cheo' Feliciano has a distinct voice - warm, soulful and elegant - perfectly suited for both pungent dance numbers and velvety Latin ballads. Following such tropical giants as Héctor Lavoe and Celia Cruz, Cheo is now the subject of his own definitive 2-CD compilation. Packed with 30 tracks spanning the best years of his career, El Señor Sentimiento ("Mr. Feeling") is the latest entry in Fania's prestigious Man & His Music series.

Boasting extensive liner notes by veteran Puerto Rican journalist Jaime Torres Torres, the anthology begins with Feliciano's recordings of the '60s with the Joe Cuba Sextet. "El Ratón" and "El Pito" are obligatory hits from that era, leading into tracks off Eddie Palmieri's 1968 boogaloo album Champagne.

After successfully battling a drug addiction that almost claimed his life, Cheo returned triumphantly with a 1971 solo debut sponsored by Puerto Rico's songwriting genius Tite Curet Alonso. "Anacaona," "Pa' Que Afinquen" and "Mi Triste Problema" are timeless Afro-Caribbean anthems from that LP. The compilation also samples cuts from albums such as With A Little Help From My Friend (1973), Mi Tierra Y Yo (1977) and Cheo's own personal favorite, the conceptual masterpiece Estampas (1979). Towards the end of disc 2, Cheo returns to Eddie Palmieri's progressive orchestra for a transcendental salsa version of the tango standard "El Día Que Me Quieras" - from Palmieri's infamous "White Album."

A true collector's item, Cheo Feliciano - El Señor Sentimiento is available both on CD and as a digital release.

Click here to buy El Señor Sentimiento today!

FREE DOWNLOAD - "Los Entierros"

Our free download this month is a tropical gem recorded by Cheo Feliciano in 1979, during the absolute apex of his career. Included in the definitive 2-disc compilation El Señor Sentimiento - A Man & His Music, "Los Entierros" is also the opening track of Estampas, Cheo's personal favorite among the dozens of albums he has recorded. The track, a bittersweet ode to the soulful funerals of working class Latinos, was written especially for Cheo by best friend and fellow Puerto Rican composer Tite Curet Alonso. Enjoy.