The year was 1967. The boogaloo fad was reaching its highest point. A new generation of Afro-Caribbean musicians was getting ready to take over the world. It was then that Fania Records released a revolutionary album that was actually sponsored by the old guard: its recording director was none other than Dominican bandleader Johnny Pacheco. Entitled El Malo, the LP marked the debut of Nuyorican trombonist and songwriter Willie Colón. He was joined by a young vocalist freshly arrived from Puerto Rico: Héctor Lavoe.

Now re-released as part of Fania's ongoing mission to make rare salsa classics widely available, El Malo is a surprisingly assured first album. Boasting the gritty, funky sonics that would turn future Colón/Lavoe songs like "Che Che Colé" into mega-hits, the session mixes the traditional Afro-Cuban vibe of "Borinquen," "Jazzy" and the title track with the raw Latin r&b excitement of "Skinny Papa" and the shing-a-ling "Willie Whopper." More than 40 years after its original release, El Malo sounds hip and timeless in the new millennium.

Click here to buy El Malo today!