Siembra

I've never really listened to salsa before, but holy fuck. Throw me a bag of tortilla chips because this was delicious.

There are many excellent things about this album. The musicianship and production are clean and tight and the vocal delivery is energetic. I'm not terribly knowledgeable about salsa, but I was struck by the complexity of the harmonies and arrangement. Some of the bass work in particular was incredible. Overall, a great album that makes me want to learn about the various styles of Latin American music

9/10. I like salsa music, but not usually enough that I can sit through 42 minutes of listening to it fairly actively. This had a lot more variety of sound than I am used to hearing in salsa, which is no doubt biased by me listening more closely to this, but still a very enjoyable album.

I was really surprised by liking this album as much as I did. I have never cared about Salsa in any sort of way, but this just sounded really good. It seems like it mus have been a blueprint for pretty much anything that was good about any Salsa album ever released after this one. It was a joy to listen to and sort of half-dance around in my chair while working (maybe this one is better for remote work than at the office though).

I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. Couldn't help but dance while listening. The songs flowed really nicely and the music itself was punchy yet not too in your face. Hasn't won my heart yet but definitely a good album

Thanks for this. What a magnificent album.

I love a good horn section, and the horns here are INCREDIBLE. The musicianship is off the charts all the way around, and the storytelling is rich and clever to boot. I enjoyed the sarcastic West Side Story reference. Best track: Pedro Navaja

Well.......This sucks. We should start a site "1001 Albums You Should Pass On Before You Die"

First non-english speaking album, and man what a jam. Saw some comments saying all the songs sound the same and I couldn't disagree more, every song was a totally different song, just under one genre, and it was enjoyable throughout. Some songs went on a little long, but that's okay! It almost feels like something you'd hear in a game like Katamari.

I don't want to be that guy but literally all salsa sounds the same.

Je ne vous cache pas que je ne m'attendais pas, en lançant cet album, à accorder la note maximale, vous connaissez ma réputation. Trêves de plaisanteries, aujourd'hui je vous propose un petit quizz. Pour jouer c'est très simple, il vous suffit de répondre à la question suivante. Où ai-je rencontré le père de robpellemèle? Reponse A: Il est venu chercher rob à l'école après notre cours de Krautrock pour l'ammener à son cours de salsa. Reponse B: Nous nous sommes rencontrés lors d'un concert de Jethro Tull, après avoir apprécie ensemble le solo d'Aqualung. Réponse C: Le père de rob était en fait notre professeur de rock psychédèlique en classe de 4ème world. Pour jouer rien de plus simple, je vous invite à poster votre réponse sous la review de l'album de votre choix.

sooo good, stellar musicianship and the brass section is fantastic. Some of the songs are really long but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing given that it’s meant to be danced to. Lyrics were poetic and beautiful and even funny at times, and they’re sung with so much flair. 10/10, need to dance to this sometime

Super fun! Never heard these before. Made me want a dirty cocktail

I love Hector Lavoe so this was right up my alley. That's mainly why I like it, not necessarily because of specific songs (though the first one is a banger), but because of the overall sound. It's the kind my mom will let me play out loud in the house lol.

Clasicos de la salsa que ya conocia casi todos pero nunca el album completo. Espectacular

Me encanta.

What a fun and wonderful album! I’m so glad to be back in the saddle and greeted with these sonic delights. This is my new go-to for when I get that itch to tap my feet.

This shit slaps. I loved dancing to it. Didn't know salsa slapped this hard

We've had a handful of Latin jazz-y albums by now, enough where it can be difficult to differentiate. But this one is probably my favorite so far. Very vibrant, very danceable. A good time start to finish. I guess that's to be expected from a salsa album; I can hear the difference, but I'm not very knowledgeable. Regardless, this was a great listen. Fantastic instrument work, especially the percussion. I can see why this was such a smash hit. Favorite tracks: Buscando Guayaba, Pedro Navaja, Siembra, Plastico. Album art: The flowery border is cool, but the baby pictures just feel out of place. Doesn't seem '70s at all, let alone salsa music. Seems more like an Anne Geddes throwaway. Confusing, but I don't hate it. 4.5/5

It’s a samba party and everyone’s invited!

I felt like I was on vacation on some island paradise, drinking a cocktail and listening to the local band. Good vibes.

In school, I teach kids about making connections. This was a weird connection. I've been recently watching Fear the Walking Dead in which Ruben Blades plays one of the main characters. I had no ideas he was also a world renowned singer and salsa performer. That being said, this was enjoyable enough. I have no way to really compare it to any other salsa albums, but I dig it for what it is. I'd give it a 3.5 if that were possible.

given that I have my Spanish final exam in less than three hours this was very helpful. It was my only studying tactic, so thank you very much Siembra I do like Spanish music. I’ve never have anything against it and I really think it’s a nice thing. However, it’s not my favourite just because I can’t really relate to the actual singing about it because I’m not fluent however, I did enjoy this album.

Reminds me of visiting my grandparents in the city of West New York, NJ in the 80’s. Chances are pretty good that I’ve heard some of this blaring from passing cars or in the communal park at their apartment building where residents would gather to chat or play dominos or chess on the concrete chess boards/tables that were installed in the park. The soundtrack to a hot summer day in the city.

Perfect for keeping the Puerto Rico life feel every day.

I loved this. Terrific salsa!

Fun to listen to, great for cooking to!

The description says salsa but this starts funky as hell? I'm into it. This is ageless. I have heard these before, just not sure where (Buscando guayaba). A solid album, just good vibes. 5* Each track is unique and doesn't just have the same salsa rhythm, it's layered with so much more. Highlights: plastico, maria lionza (cool starts and groovy bass)

Very well done latin/Puerto Rican music! Both these artists are super accomplished musicians! I can definitely see why they've won so many awards! Loved listening to the beat and energy of a type of sound I have appreciated too little.love the trombone!!

I like to hear more of this music but rock n roll of some bands that were rubbish.

oooh salsa baby. yeah this was great. impeccable vibes and each song was different from the last. mwah

This was a surprisingly incredible album with ballads, bops, and even a banger or two.

Enjoyable Latin sounds with a tinge of late 70s disco. Fun!

Excelente

Holy smokes, this is what the project is about. Great music I never would have listened to on my own. Not sure what anyone was saying but the fun Latin music with brass really hit right today

I enjoyed this

Is it just me or did this album make anyone else feel like dancing?

FANTASTIC! What a breath of fresh air in the never-ending slog of old white man music. More like this, please.

Cuban dance vibes

Def pulled me in with those trumpets and percussion <3 Great jam.

Salsa is an easy 5 for me. Sunny dancey vibes

Probably the best salsa album ever recorded

Big fan of this album Had me doing a little dance while making dinner. Big fan willie and Cecilia too

Fabulous. Totally new to me and incredible

Yes please.

Like that

Yeeeeeees, this is my jam. 9.5/10.

Wow this was a fun listen! I can't say I've really given salsa much of a listen before this, and I don't know Spanish but I really wish I did now. The horns and instrumentation are excellent, and the lyrics seem great, even if I don't exactly know what's being said. It's the kind of album that just makes me want to dance, and it makes me wish for a warmer day than this one. Favourite: Plástico

Fantastic Salsa. Really enjoyable. Makes me realize I need to seek out more of this style.

Puntazo plástico!

It's very rare for me to dance instead of walk to work. This album gave me those vibes to let go, and dance all the way. Fantastic.

Solid album

Latin music is God-sent!

Lush and beautiful

PR

Great atmospheric Latin jazz, upbeat but also easy listening

Not all the way through yet, but I'm very very impressed. I just read that it's one of the best salsa albums pretty much ever and I can see how. It seems like it's got an extra layer compared to salsa you'll hear just anywhere.

This whole thing's a mood. Loved it. Last song sounded like something out of a James Bond movie.

"La vida te da sorpresas, sorpresas te da la vida, ay, Dios"

Outstanding. An album like this is what this list is all about. I never would have found this otherwise and I absolutely loved every second of it!

Yesssssssss this is exactly the kind of thing i signed up for.

I normally wouldn’t listen to this but I really liked it. It’s happy and lively. Good music.

Joyous music, made me want to move my feet and sway my hips.

I've found a new album I otherwise never would have thought to listen to on my own. Amazing, every song a hit, thoroughly enjoyed this one Plastico especially, I like that it starts with almost disco vibes and rolls into salsa, just great.

meu paiero virou um charuto ayyyyyyyyy

Salsa was just the thing I needed to reinvigorate me today, and this is some kick as salsa music! 💃🏽

Really enjoyed listening to this one- will definitely come back to this.

plástico é um dos pontos altos do álbum, amei a fusão salsa/disco e realmente, "salsa intelectual" 💯

I listened to this twice. I could listen to this once a day for a whole month. Presente!

Really taken aback by how much I loved this. Had to give it a second listen to confirm, still rocked my socks off. I had some understanding of what Salsa music sounds like but this is so sweeping, epic, and FUN that I couldn’t stop smiling through it. Musicianship is on point, the songs are long and fully formed but never feel like they’re lugging along, and (once I looked at translations) it’s awesome lyrically considering the seemingly light and fun arrangements. This is a true masterpiece to me, and makes me wonder if this is a unicorn or if I’ve just fucked up not exploring Salsa my whole life. Top tracks: All of them. Not even being funny, I revisited every song, it’s all great. Maybe I’d skip around on Ojos a little bit? This shit rocked my world, just the right sound at the right time in my life.

This album was really cool! Nice blend of jazz, Latin-American music, funk, and disco. Just a party, overall

I've heard some of these songs on compilations, but never had the pleasure of hearing them together as intended until today. This album is a high water mark for the salsa genre. It's also one of the great Latin music albums, not just of its era, but of all time. Spectacular, nuanced musicianship and rich, flawless vocals from Ruben Blades. Not to mention, this album is just deeply, deeply fun. No hyperbole, this is a pretty perfect album. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Pedro Navaja, Dime, Plástico, Buscando Guayaba, María Lionza, Ojos, Siembra

I will mot explain myself. Great time

Killer band!! Loved this one. the strings remind me of chic.

makes sense after listening to "if i should fall from grace with god"😃 thanks for the music expansion again👍

Delicious! Is this the first time I ever consciously listened to a salsa album? Yes! But it was unforgettable. So many fun surprises around every corner. It’s like jazz, man… sounds all the same, but then you go in deeper. And deeper. Except this is approachable and fun and you can put it on in all fun times! Very heavily colored by being in Costa Rica as I’m listening to this. The horn arrangements! I’m going 5/5. Rightfully should be in the canon!

Un Clásico

I don't care what anyone says, this is the best music ever.

wow i loved this! never heard this album but every song pretty much is a banger. I could see how someone might feel every song has a similar sound, but they all hit to me, and the album is not long. amazing horns. standout song is Pedro Navaja. 5/5

Salsa is not really my genre but this seemed pretty much perfect to my unsophisticated regard.

I loved this. I listened to it now than once and I'll probably add it to my rotation. It's super bright and fun, the horns and strings sound amazing, and it's so outside my normal wheelhouse, I get excited knowing I have something this different to listen to.

I have no recollection of listening to this, but I also know it was great. I'm not entirely sure how I know this, but it is completely true.

Mexico music hee hee haw

Cool découverte!

I've read the wikipedia article for tumbao. I've watched a dozen videos about clave rhythms. My limited musical experience means that I only barely understand the basic structure of salsa but the more I listen and study the more I appreciate it.

Really enjoyed this one. Right from the first track.

Un cuatro alto, para distinguirlo del resto de cuatros le doy un cinco.

Salsa mit Disco-Musik verbinden, das funktioniert? Und wie es funktioniert. Anspruchsvolle Tanzmusik mit hervorragenden Arrangements, das geht in die Beine. Dieses Album hat mich in jeder Hinsicht geflascht. Ein Meilenstein in der Musikgeschichte, keine Frage. Komisch, dass ich von diesem Album bislang noch nie was gehört habe. Danke, dass ich es jetzt erleben durfte.

Fun salsa! I can definitely see why this has sold so much. What a great album, makes me get out of me seat and want to dance the night away!

bom demais os fadinho, latino e pa

Great samba album

Enjoyed this more than I might have thought.

Salsa-esque bops! Good for working

During the first minutes I was thinking "yep, this will get three stars, usual spanish stuff, pleasant but nothing interesting". NO, that's beautiful, carefully crafted and addictive. Will definetely look up other stuff of this genre

OOOOO the slick funked out groove immediately has my attention. I like this salsa. I have absoltely heard Pedro Navaja before. And it fucking slaps.

I lack the linguistic ability and context to appreciate Siembra. The record is clearly positioned in a part of this country I have never visited, and is absolutely accessible from here. Part of me knows there have to be better salsa deep cuts out there, but the rest of me just loved listening to this whole album. It has unspooling in spades, but no tracks that drag on in the same style. Just songs which groove in a sonic space and give way to the next, doing something a little different. The vocals are the least remarkable part, but, as I led with, I can't understand the words.

Unexpected

Right from the beginning, it grabs you by the waist and you can't help but dance and sway to the beat. Salsa/World/Disco, blended and fused to masterful effect. I found myself singing along even though I had no idea what the lyrics were. The rhythm section is top notch and the bass in particular sweeps you away and fills you up. Siembra is insistent and overwhelming in the best of ways. An excellent record, start to finish.

10/10 based and joyful as fuck

I missed this one, it was well before I got into Latin music. Clearly he nailed this long before Gloria Estefan. Great album, and I will be listening to it again.