The year was 1975. “El Piano de Brooklyn”, Ricardo Ray, was suffering from an acute depression - a deep void that he could not fill with anything. He was fed up with the chaos that dominated his life, with the daily parties that gave him fleeting joy, but could not satisfy the craving in his soul.

In his quest for intense feelings, Ricardo Ray took a suitcase containing
$30,000 - the proceeds from gigs that he had performed with his orchestra - and launched it through the window of a 20th floor in New York City. Laughing out loud, he enjoyed the liberating feeling of throwing all that money away, watching as it flew into the ground, and people ran, trying to grab a few dollars. The feeling, however, did not last long. Ricardo was searching for something deeper and lasting. Then, he delivered his destiny and life to God Almighty.

Soon, the news were all over town. Concerts were canceled, to the displeasure of Bobby Cruz. He kept saying that God and Superman were one and the same to him, since he did not believe in their existence. Bobby went to see the keyboardist, to complain about the news. He was surprised to find a Ricardo Ray who had found a brand new life in Jesus Christ. The void that was previously satisfied with whiskey, women and cocaine, was now filled by the love of Christ - something that was novel in his life.

In the late '60s, Bobby had a mystical experience: God had spoken to him, but Bobby did not know that it was Him, until some time later. Ricardo and Bobby had performed at a New York nightclub. Returning home late at night, Bobby was chased by a few gangsters who had been waiting for him. As he opened the door to his house, a few seconds before shots were fired, he heard a voice telling him: "prepare yourself, they're waiting for you." Alerted by this mysterious voice, he knelt down, avoiding the bullets. This experience inspired him to compose “Agúzate” ("Prepare Yourself") - the title track of the famous LP from that era.

“Look where Richie is in his life, and look at you,” God said to Bobby Cruz while he was taking a bath at home. "Follow me, and a new kind of music will reign in your life," He revealed to him just before Bobby accepted the Lord Jesus as his savior.

For ten years, I managed Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz internationally. One of the strange things about this duo - and this production, too - was listening to their version of the Prodigal Son parable, “Juan En La Ciudad,” and see everyone dancing to it as a salsa tune. In reality, Eddie Lebrón orchestrated it as a merengue.

Reconstrucción made a big impact on the radio of the time, which did not play Christian music. Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz were forced to "break ice with their teeth," since churches would refuse to accept them, to listen to or play their music. And yet, Reconstrucción was the duo's ninth Gold record.

The song “Algo Diferente” talks about the difference that both men wanted in their lives - and of the Friend who made this change possible. “Nadie Se Acuerda De Ti” points out the fact that man has forgotten the presence of Jesus Christ. “Soy Tan Feliz” expresses the happiness that meeting God brought to their lives.

Reconstrucción is the best selling album in the career of Ricardo Ray and Bobby Cruz. Reissuing this album is a magnificent idea, since it is one of the best recordings by the only duo in salsa that nothing has managed to break apart.



Liner notes by Richie Viera





Credits:

Ricardo Ray – Bandleader, Piano, Arp-Omni, Piano Solo (“Algo Diferente”)
Eddie “Gua Gua” Rivera – Acoustic Bass
Johnny “La Vaca” Rodríguez – Congas
Luis Mangual – Bongo, Cowbell, Tambora, Güiro
Mike Collazo – Timbales, Timbales Solo (“Vanidad de Vanidades”)
Félix Rodríguez – Timbales, Trap Drums
Raymond “Ray” Maldonado – Trumpet, Trumpet Solo (“Nadie se Acuerda de Ti”, “Soy Tan Feliz”, “El Pregonero”)
Toni Cofresi – Trumpet


Singer – Bobby Cruz
Backup Vocals – Ricardo Ray, Bobby Cruz


Recording Director – Louie Ramírez
Producer – Jerry Masucci, Louie Ramírez
Recorded at – La Tierra Sound Studios, New York
Recording Engineer – Irving “Irv” Greenbaum III
Mixing – Ricardo Ray, Bobby Cruz, Louie Ramírez, Irving “Irv” Greenbaum III
Arrangements – Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz (“Algo Diferente”, “Vanidad de Vanidades”, “El Pregonero”, “Te Invito a Mi Casa”), Eddie Lebrón (“Cosas Bellas”, “Soy Tan Feliz”, “Juan En La Ciudad”), Louie Ramírez ( “Pero El Cielo Dónde Está”), Ray Cohen (“ Nadie Se Acuerda De Ti”, “La Oportunidad” )
Original Album Photography – Ely Besalel
Original Album Design – Ely Besalel
Wardrobe worn by Ricardo Ray, Bobby Cruz - Toms (El Dictador de La Moda)
Graphic Design – Louise Hilton
Graphic Montage and Digital Processing –
Remastered at – Master Studios
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