Siembra

This was a fun listen, in the kitchen and in the car, yesterday. Both musicians are clearly very talented, and while I guess it was mostly salsa, it also felt quite jazzy in parts and disco in others. It did, however make me listen to my goto, The Buena Vista Social Club, afterwards, though - which is better. I think it's a very solid 3, but I can't stretch to a 4 as that is BVSC territory...

Creative all the way through

I loved this and I’ll have to admit my heart sunk a little when I read salsa album but this is plástico fantastico! Like yesterdays jazz record not one I’d gravitate towards but happily have it playing - I wouldn’t actively avoid it which is not something I can say about some of the 70s rock I’ve encountered so far on my 1001 albums adventure. It’s upbeat, musically accomplished and importantly varied throughout the album. Brass sections, funky bass, great vocals, some shouting and clapping.

Solid

Love

I absolutely love everything about this. This is the kind of music that reminds me why I started this whole 1001 albums thing, to find new music that I wouldn’t typically listen to and to expand my tastes. I’ve been waiting quite a while to hear something that’s not British or American which is what most of these records seem to be. So having this come up has been an absolute treat, never in a million years would I have thought to listen to this. But now I think you can call me a Willie Colón fan. The music is so fun, it really makes you want to get up and move so it would be great to have on while you’re doing a task. All the instruments are great and it’s a lot of things I’m not used to hearing, so hearing them played well leaves a great impression. His voice is spot on. He’s clearly very passionate about the things he sings about although I would have no idea what he’s saying because I don’t speak a word of Spanish, and I don’t need to know because he’s giving it everything here. I love the sound effects used on Pedro Navaja, it adds a great texture which sets it even further apart from other music and helps tell a story to people that don’t understand the lyrics. It’s extremely difficult to choose a favourite song because I love all of them. Overall this album is totally awesome and I will listen to it again and again.

Album #189: Siembra - Willie Colón & Rubén Blades Genre (W): Salsa Singles: Siembra, Pedro Navaja, Plástico I have not listened to this album before. Thoughts?: I actually really like this album. It’s such a refreshing change of pace and a lovely Salsa sound! I love it a lot and I wish there was more overseas representation. Favorite tracks: Plástico, Guayaba, Pedro Navaja, Ojos, Dime, Siembra

Nando's has ruined this music for me

Really good, if anyone is in Venezuela can you please pick my up a copy on vinyl?

Friggin YouTube music auto played after the album ended. Still fuming

Hell ya 4.5

beautifulllllllll I love Blades voice and the layered instrumentation, sweet day yesterday with this

mannn this hit the spot. this is an album that i would definitely buy a physical copy of, will be coming back to it for sure. can't say I've ever sat down and listened to an entire salsa album. i love how they get you with the disco on track 1. this is what makes this project worth it, i can tolerate the overrated white dad rock if it means I'll keep discovering great stuff like this here and there

Never heard of this album before. I grew up in Montreal in the 60’s and 70’s and we didn’t have a lot or any exposure to true Latin Musica. Been living in Los Angeles since 1982 and have certainly been exposed to much more and Ruben Blades is great. This album is too!

This was fun. My dad is from Aruba and this gave me good nostalgic feelings. It’s very difficult to properly rate this album, though.

I enjoyed it very much.

I’ve never in my fifty years listened to a salsa album. I’ve heard songs here and there of course. This is such a fun album. The beginning of the album really threw me. I thought, “Oh, this is some disco/salsa fusion thing” but it really isn’t. It does throw in a lot of unexpected songwriting choices that make it so interesting. I can’t say I’ll be coming back to this but I really enjoyed my time with it.

Loved it!

Rip Salvador Allende. Chile presente lacking debido a qlo Pinochet There are many other LATAM albums that I like better but still easy 4/5

This 'twas very groovy

listened casually but i liked it

No idea what they’re singing about but sounds like they’re having a great time! Very groovy. 4

Very fun time was had listening to this album. I don’t have much context for it but it feels joyful and energetic.

Album : 59/ 1102 Songs known going in : 0 Favourite song : Plástico Rating : 2/5 Notes I could see myself putting this on while revising spanish

fine easy listening

I know that it's a common complaint that there is too much Britpop (or whatever other genre the reviewer dislikes) on this list, and I would probably agree. But, and maybe it's my ignorance showing here, I think there is also too much salsa and samba. Possibly I don't know enough to pick up on all the nuances of the genre here, but in my opinion, once you've heard one (or five) South American salsa / samba albums, you've heard enough. And surely South America has been up to more than this musically? I get that samba is the home genre, like how blues, rock and roll, and rap originated in the USA, but the USA gets a lot wider representation of artists, it's not 100% rap artists. It just seems a bit narrow-minded. Anyway, this is fine. It's some salsa music with a guy crooning in Spanish over the top of it. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.

I'm not versed in this type of music enough to tell good salsa music from just OK salsa music, but this was pretty enjoyable for a genre that I'm not really into at all.

Nothing amazing for me. A nice listen

Siembra by Willie Colón and Rubén Blades is a really enjoyable album with some great music and a lot of personality. I especially liked the rhythms and the way the instruments come together to create such a lively, danceable sound. The salsa arrangements are full of energy, and the percussion and brass really stand out. You can tell there’s a lot of musicianship behind the music, and the album has a sound that feels both rich and natural. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the singer’s voice, which didn’t quite work for me personally. I found myself enjoying the instrumentals more than the vocals at times. That said, the lyrics touch on social and political themes, giving the album more depth than just something to dance to. The song “Pedro Navaja” is a standout, with its storytelling and almost cinematic feel. I also appreciate how the album blends entertainment with commentary on everyday life and society. Even when the vocals weren’t entirely my thing, the grooves kept me interested throughout. Overall, Siembra is a strong and influential salsa album that I enjoyed mostly for its music, arrangements, and infectious rhythms.

I really liked this, was surprised at the disco opening and a couple of slap bass spikes, but then it settled down in style. The musical and classical references in the music were fun to listen out for as well. It sounded they were having fun recording it. It also kept my attention for the whole album so I'm going to upgrade it to a 4!

Muy bueno y Pedro Navaja y María Lionza son epicardos

Sambondealo

Fabulous

1. Plástico - 9 Brilliant opening bass line and strings before it gear changes into a very traditional sounding salsa-style of music which has amazing amazing vocals. Love the lyrics as well. The talking part at the end I'm not too much of a fan of, but overall it's a great track. 2. Buscando Guayaba - 9 Another brilliant track that builds superbly vocally. Really great instrumentals that make you swing along with it. A track you just have to dance to. 3. Pedro Nevaja - 4 It's all over the place. I'm not a fan of how it continuously builds to the point where it feels like it will never come down. It just feels like pitch and octave go too high. Then after the opening half of the track it just goes all over the place. The added sound effects and piano in the bridge just cause audio chaos. 4. María Lionza - 5 Not a fan of how this track opens instrumentally. The rest of it is alright but it's nothing like the opening two tracks in terms of the quality. Overall, it's okay, 5. Ojos - 7 Very fun instrumentally and with some solid vocals on it as well. Very enjoyable. 6. Dime - 6 It's good but right in the middle it feels like it should be the end of the song. It has so many stops that feel like this is where the track should end. Second half after that is great and instrumentally overall it's very good but the false endings both half way through and a minute before the actual end are very off putting. 7. Siembra - 7 Another song that's alright. Instrumentally and vocally fun, I'm not a fan of how the singing turns into almost talk at the end of the track. Having said that, the intro is absolutely fantastic. Average Rating: 6.71 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 3.36 Rounded Down: 3 Stars

I never really listen to salsa but this album is definitely staying around for me! The complexity of each song is so delicious (there is no other way to put it) and as an opening track, Plástico does absolutely everything. It doesn’t get five stars purely because I don’t really have a frame of reference, but it could easily be a five upon revision. Also trombone appreciation means it couldn’t possibly fall below a four.

i have not really listened to a full album in a different language before so this was cool to listen to. i love the style/genre it has a light and happy mood all throughout. good music to dance to

Makes me think I’m on vacation. Bueno.

For something fully in Spanish, this was a vibe. I would not go out of my way to re listen based on some sort of emotional connection to the songs story, but if I was looking for something fun and inviting to create atmosphere or celebrate to, this has that in spades. For this style of music that I’ve heard a lot, this band must be some of the best to have ever done it. The musicianship and production of this album is next level.

Not my kind of music to listen on a daily basis but it teaches tons of great things, we need more music like that

A nice fun time it hasn't really connected to me the way some albums can but it's still really nice.

Velmi dober💃🕺🔥

What is with this cover? Because the album contained within is top notch. It put me in a good mood so I’ll give full marks.

Plástico Pedro Navaja

Enjoyed this...but it makes me wish that I knew how to REALLY dance and that my Spanish was so much than it is. Somehow I recognized the name Ruben Blades, but don't know how.

Didn't have a chance to listen to the whole thing, but thought it was fun! Cool bass parts and nice singing.

#5: Willie Colón and Rubén Blades - Siembra. This is my first time actually endulging in salsa music intentionally. I have zero clue what I'm getting myself into. I'm just gonna hop in, see if I like the music and hop out. Track 1: Plástico. Wow. Funky bass and orchestral production were not what I was expecting. The song soon takes a more traditional salsa approach but still that opening caught me off-guard. I can't speak Spanish and cannot be bothered to look up the lyrics so this is mostly just basing off of how the music itself sounds and so far I like it. Really like it in fact. 8/10 Track 2: Buscando Guayaba. This sounds like Jackbox Games music /positive. Also the Crazy Frog break? Hello? 8/10. Track 3: Pedro Navaja. I've been noticing a trend in my reviews. Pretty much every most popular track on the album ends up being my least favourite. I'm not sure why this is the case but this album seems to be another case of it. It's still a good song tho so there's a break at least. 6/10. Track 4: Mario Lionza. Don't have a lot to nessisarily say about this track. It's just catchy. 7/10 Track 5: Ojos. That repeated title is gonna be stuck in my head for the rest of the day, isn't it? 8/10. Track 6: Dime. That don't make no cents! *Smugly looks to the camera*. That's...all I have to say about this track. Not knowing Spanish really limits what I can say about this album. There's only so many times I can say "Music good" before it sounds condencending. 7/10. Track 7: Siembra. IS THAT FUCKING FLY ME TO THE MOON!? Apart from that musical flashbang, this song has a more noticable dour tone to it. You can still dance to it but expect to have the nervous sweats with how the pianos sound. 8/10. Overall I was fairly surprised at the quality and consistency of this album especially for it's time. Dare I say I might re-visit it from time to time? Favourite Track: Plástico Least Favourite Track: Pedro Navaja. Overall: 8/10 (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Never listened to it before, but I love this era of Fania All Stars and the latin jazz fusion disco soup. Ya can't be in a bad mood with this playing.

Background music at best, but good background music

Esto está brutal; Me encanta esta música. Idk spanish so I hope that's right. Latin music has been growing on me heavy.

01) Plástico - 7,0 02) Buscando Guayaba - 7,0 03) Pedro Navaja - 7,5 04) María Lionza - 7,0 05) Ojos - 7,0 06) Dime - 7,0 07) Siembra - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,14 (71/100)

I have been listening to Siembra this whole time and I only just now found out it was done by Rubén Blades...the actor! And by "this whole time," I mean since this morning when I started listening to the album. Now when I watch "The Milagro Beanfield War," "Predator 2" or "Fear the Walking Dead," I can say that is Rubén Blades...the salsa superstar!

South American choons sung in Spanish, so I can interpret the lyrics. I particularly liked Empathic Cockatoo (at least that's what it sounded like). Uptempo, well played, if a little sterile.

It’s hard to hate this, just a good time

I don't have anything against salsa, like I genuinely think this album would be awesome to dance to if I knew how. It's times like these I wish I was fluent in spanish. Alas I'm not dancing and after a while of active listening, the tune becomes overstimulating.

Très sympa

I got zero enjoyment out of this one

So much fun 4.4/5

Приколдесно, хоть язык и не знаю, но послушать было приятно

Kul, dansvänligt, hur kan man inte tycka om detta??

Yeah, nah. I just don't vibe with this kinda music. I'll appreciate it for what it is, it's just doesn't connect with me.

Okay…if I could speak Spanish. Songs are too long.

Not my typa stuff again but its still sounds cool, just wouldnt really listen to it too much again

Fun and upbeat. I'd listen again.

Hip shaking grooves-great start. Some repetition?

I listened as ambient music while eating with a group of friends. Concensus, pleasant grooves with a sunny disposition becoming repetitive

Enjoyed it while it was playing but not sure I’d go out of my way to listen again. I prefer Mack the Knife.

Maybe it's asking too much given London's return to more typical autumn weather, but this really didn't transport me to Copacabana. And the cover's rubbish. 2*

Yeah yeah yeah YEAH

Listen, if you are in a rush to get to work and have to do all of the morning things you might be stressed out trying to cram a protein bar in your face while halfway shaving...or...you could listen to this album while it all comes together and come in smiling and ready to take on anything. It isn't my thing. It also isn't a thing I dislike. But, today, it was perfect so I'll give it a four. I think I'd be happy if I walked into a bar later and this was playing.

Que ondaaaa

yeah, this is pretty good! i guess i kinda tend to lump salsa in together with mambo as a genre i basically only know from hearing it in video games, so once again i don't really have much of a reference for like. if its good salsa, specifically. but i vibe with it at least. it's very lively. good music for working to for sure. it's definitely helping keep me sane while i attempt to interact with aws services.... its kinda hard to pick a favourite on this one, i guess i'm really just here for the sound as a whole. which now i've typed it out, i realise, doesn't really mean much. i guess i might like "maría lionza" the most but it's only by a very slim margin, and basically just comes down to the chorus mid-way through it hitting exactly right. i also really enjoyed the disco fakeout on "plástico", i went in without reading the genres first this time and honestly? they got me so fucking good dude. overall just generally a great vibe. not giving me the "i literally love music" reaction but it's definitely deserves a 4, imo.

Teki mieli lähtä salsatunneille. Tanssimusiikkina tämä siis menis, kuunteluun ei.

Olipa rento ja menevä levyllinen salsaa. Tuskin omaan kiertoon nappaan levyä, ku genre ei sinällään puhuttele, mutta viihdyttää kyllä oikein hyvin kun tulee vastaan muussa mediassa, tai näin kuunteluun painostettuna. Hyvä meno.

Funky funk plastico Bing bang bang bing💃🏽 Maria Lionza var stilig

Såg på charterfeber med Nathalie i går... nå drømme eg meg vekk te ein piñacolada og sololja. Plástico va kul, kul slapbase Resten va koselig uten tvil, men veldig stilreint, litt sånn der musikk som e gratis å bruka på imovie "Latina 1" Beste sang: Plástico

Good salsa music. It's not really something that I'd choose to play, but I enjoy listening to it when it comes up.

For the second time this week an album that I have no idea what is being said or going on but the vibe and music is just great.

i do not speak spanish and i am ashamed of this.

Oh que sera am I right

A vibe of an album that carries a deeper message that English listeners might miss.

I have not listened to much Latin and salsa but I found this quite enjoyable

It’s probably not a great sign for the Earth’s future that it’s still warm and sunny enough to go paddling in Scarborough in October, but with my toes in a rock pool and this album on my headphones, I had real happy holiday vibes.

Some great salsa. Perfect for dancing

This is music that does not rest. It moves at all times, surrounding you and passing through you. The album as a whole is energetic and finely produced.

If you almost crash your car because you are swaying behind the wheel, does that mean the music is good? I never before realized the simple pleasure of three voices harmonizing alongside three horns harmonizing. Bad Bunny--I'm on to you.

Started out funky as hell. Loved that part. The rest was good but man… I was hoping for more funk. Too bad Rubén went on to be in Fear the Walking Dead. What a crap show.

For salsa music I found it pretty enjoyable and the Horns were amazing. Its perfect for dinner or cocktail party but not my prefered listening. Best tracks were Plastico and Siembra.

4/5

solido 4

Look, salsa music is for Latin restaurants or bars that are trying to flog Margaritas for £9. I am sure that this makes the Mount Rushmore of Salsa to fans of the genre but it’s just not something I would listen to by choice. 1.6

I feel like there is too much of this latino type of music on this list. It's not bad, but it's of no interest to me or the majority of listeners I would reckon.

Good album. Great background music.

This album and Os Mutantes a couple days ago made me realize I should listen to more latin music.

Fun stuff.

fun album. it was starting to get a bit too samey toward the end so im glad it ended when it did.

fun spanish salsa and other upbeat tunes

We have some friends visiting us from Mexico. I’m gonna put this on and then be surprised like “oh shit, you know Willie Colon and Ruben Blades? Tough for me to judge this. It was a good listen but I have no frame of reference for how this compares to other music in the genre. A generic 3.0

Solid tunes for mowing the lawn on Saturday afternoon. 3.5/5

It's alright. Hard to dislike the Latin albums when they're so few and far between, but not quite on the level of a few others in this list.

Första albumet som inte är på engelska om jag inte missminner mig. Ganska bra men inte bästa: 6/10.