Fri Oct 08 2021
5
I've never really listened to salsa before, but holy fuck. Throw me a bag of tortilla chips because this was delicious.
This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
1978
- Album Summary
Siembra (Planting) is the second studio album by Rubén Blades and Willie Colón, released by Fania Records in september 7, 1978. It is considered the best selling salsa album in the history of salsa music and Latin music.
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!
Sort by:
Top
Date
Mon Aug 16 2021
5
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.
Sat Feb 05 2022
2
I don't want to be that guy but literally all salsa sounds the same.
Sat Mar 26 2022
1
Well.......This sucks. We should start a site "1001 Albums You Should Pass On Before You Die"
Tue Nov 30 2021
5
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.
Mon Oct 04 2021
4
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
Mon Aug 16 2021
5
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
Sat Oct 16 2021
5
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).
Tue Oct 26 2021
5
Thanks for this. What a magnificent album.
Fri Nov 05 2021
5
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.
Sun Jan 09 2022
5
Me encanta.
Thu Mar 03 2022
5
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
Tue Sep 20 2022
5
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.
Mon Sep 06 2021
4
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
Thu Sep 16 2021
4
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
Wed Nov 03 2021
4
It’s a samba party and everyone’s invited!
Sun Sep 05 2021
5
oooh salsa baby. yeah this was great. impeccable vibes and each song was different from the last. mwah
Fri Oct 08 2021
5
This was a surprisingly incredible album with ballads, bops, and even a banger or two.
Mon Oct 25 2021
5
Fantastic Salsa. Really enjoyable. Makes me realize I need to seek out more of this style.
Tue Nov 16 2021
5
I like to hear more of this music but rock n roll of some bands that were rubbish.
Thu Nov 25 2021
5
Excelente
Fri Dec 24 2021
5
Lush and beautiful
Wed Dec 29 2021
5
PR
Fri Jan 07 2022
5
Fun to listen to, great for cooking to!
Sat Jan 29 2022
5
What a great album. Great vocals, lush instrumentation, catchy little rifts throughout. Each song feels so warm and sends me right back to a beach in Mexico. 9/10
Fri Feb 18 2022
5
plástico é um dos pontos altos do álbum, amei a fusão salsa/disco e realmente, "salsa intelectual" 💯
Fri Feb 18 2022
5
meu paiero virou um charuto ayyyyyyyyy
Mon Mar 14 2022
5
Great! Lots of uptempo jazz and Latin fusion, hard to listen to and not want to dance!
Mon Mar 14 2022
5
Yeeeeeees, this is my jam. 9.5/10.
Wed Mar 16 2022
5
Latin music is God-sent!
Tue Apr 12 2022
5
Cuban dance vibes
Tue May 03 2022
5
Solid album
Sat May 28 2022
5
Unexpected
Mon Jun 27 2022
5
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.
Wed Jul 20 2022
5
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.
Wed Jul 20 2022
5
Muito bom! Excelente para um domingo de sol
Mon Aug 08 2022
5
Great samba album
Thu Sep 01 2022
5
bom demais os fadinho, latino e pa
Tue Sep 13 2022
5
Un cuatro alto, para distinguirlo del resto de cuatros le doy un cinco.
Tue Sep 20 2022
5
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!
Tue Oct 04 2022
5
makes sense after listening to "if i should fall from grace with god"😃 thanks for the music expansion again👍
Fri Oct 07 2022
5
I listened to this twice. I could listen to this once a day for a whole month. Presente!
Fri Oct 07 2022
5
Killer band!! Loved this one. the strings remind me of chic.
Fri Oct 07 2022
5
Really enjoyed listening to this one- will definitely come back to this.
Thu Oct 13 2022
5
I will mot explain myself. Great time
Sun Oct 30 2022
5
Joyous music, made me want to move my feet and sway my hips.
Sun Nov 13 2022
5
This whole thing's a mood. Loved it. Last song sounded like something out of a James Bond movie.
Fri Dec 09 2022
5
I normally wouldn’t listen to this but I really liked it. It’s happy and lively. Good music.
Tue Dec 27 2022
5
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.
Thu Feb 02 2023
5
Salsa-esque bops! Good for working
Tue Mar 07 2023
5
Great atmospheric Latin jazz, upbeat but also easy listening
Fri Mar 10 2023
5
Enjoyed this more than I might have thought.
Fri Mar 10 2023
5
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
Sat Mar 11 2023
5
Yesssssssss this is exactly the kind of thing i signed up for.
Sun Mar 12 2023
5
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
Wed Mar 15 2023
5
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.
Sat Apr 01 2023
5
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
Sat Apr 01 2023
5
Cool découverte!
Thu Apr 06 2023
5
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.
Sat Apr 22 2023
5
Really enjoyed this one. Right from the first track.
Tue May 02 2023
5
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.
Mon May 08 2023
5
Like that
Mon May 08 2023
5
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.
Thu May 11 2023
5
Yes please.
Wed Jul 19 2023
5
Big fan of this album Had me doing a little dance while making dinner. Big fan willie and Cecilia too
Sun Aug 06 2023
5
Salsa is not really my genre but this seemed pretty much perfect to my unsophisticated regard.
Sun Aug 27 2023
5
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.
Mon Aug 16 2021
4
Really funky and interesting, my main issue is that each song is really long and it’s a little samey. 8
Thu Aug 19 2021
4
This was a perfectly pleasant listen. I'll freely admit I'm not at all knowledgable about salsa music, so this struck me as being kinda generic salsa, but after seeing on wikipedia that this is the best selling salsa record in history, I guess it's genre founding rather than generic! Fave track - "Pedro Navaja" - I like the slow build up and shout outs to other tunes!
Fri Aug 20 2021
4
bell'album di salsa
Fri Aug 20 2021
4
Mellow and happy.
Fri Aug 20 2021
4
I don't speak any Spanish, so I can't comment on the lyrics, but the music is fun and full of energy. Had me moving in my work chair.
Sun Aug 22 2021
4
A really invigorating salsa album!! This is probably one of the best salsa albums I've heard in general, it's really great!
Fri Sep 03 2021
4
Great salsa album
Fri Sep 10 2021
4
Good for background music at a restaurant or something, but not something I'd ever go out of my way to listen to
Thu Sep 16 2021
4
Boy was this a fun album to listen to! I love any Musica Tropical (according to apple music) that gets me on my feet to dance. Maria Lionza was particularly interesting to me because I swear I remember some cartoon movie where a character was listening or humming to some music saying "bing bing bing bing" (not crazy frog) that was very similar to them doing that in the song (This morning I thought more and I think its the chiwawa in Oliver and Company) . Not sure what those babies are doing on the cover and kind of surprised that none of them seem to be having a good time. Maybe they are seeds that were siembra'd in the field of flowers on the cover. Very strange but adds to the mystique of this album. This might be one of the best weeks of the year so far in terms of banger albums. FYI my Frank Sinatra yesterday was meant to be a 5.
Tue Sep 28 2021
4
Fun album! Not my go-to, but fun to listen to salsa every once and a while.
Thu Sep 30 2021
4
Great latin jazz tracks with a real drive to them.
Mon Oct 11 2021
4
Cool South American salsa vibess..
Sat Oct 23 2021
4
This was a nice groovy salsa album. I liked the disco vibes at the very beginning and was a little bit let down that it didn't continue through the rest of it. Still, a very solid album and one that I think I'm going to come back and listen to again.
Mon Oct 25 2021
4
This was an unexpected joy. Plenty of variation across the piece. Rhythm for the dancing.
Mon Nov 01 2021
4
Was listening to this spicy Spanish music in the car with Alexa!
Fri Nov 12 2021
4
i'm dancing over here
Fri Nov 12 2021
4
Enjoyable throughout
Mon Nov 15 2021
4
Good fun. A little disco in the mix too. Muy bueno!
Fri Nov 19 2021
4
Siembra by Rubén Blades and Willie Colón (1978) Este es un álbum verdaderamente fascinante. Uno normalmente no asocia la música salsa con profundas advertencias filosóficas contra la pobreza del materialismo, pero observe esto (“Plastico”): Que fallo Era una ciudad de plástico de esas que no quiero ver De edificios cancerosos y un corazón de oropel Donde en vez de un sol amanece un dólar Donde nadie ríe, donde nadie llora Con gente de rostros de poliéster Que escuchan sin oír y miran sin ver Gente que vendió por comodidad Su razón de ser y su libertad Así que si valoras tu libertad y tu « raison d’être », deja de perseguir cosas elegantes. Y este tema se hace eco en la última canción del álbum, "Siembra". Es una maravillosa homilía sobre la virtud de sembrar, plantar y la plenitud de la vida. Acompañado por el simbolismo en la portada del álbum, solo un imbécil perdería el punto. Dios es pro-vida. Así es como nos creó. "Pedro Navaja" es un latín "Mack the Knife", sin los matices socialistas de Berthold Brecht. Es una adaptación muy exitosa de una canción de la "Beggar’s Opera" original de John Gay del siglo XVIII al alemán de la era de Weimar "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" al español. Qué bien. Agregaré esto a mi colección "Mack the Knife". ¡El antihéroe vive! Y además de letras fascinantes, escuchamos música espléndida. El álbum comienza con un estilo disco deliberadamente irritante, luego se instala rápidamente en salsa de calidad. Hay buenas actuaciones en cuernos, con trombones pesados en la mezcla. Y ritmos de percusión maravillosamente cómodos. No puedes escuchar esto mientras haces algo que requiere que te quedes quieto. 4/5
Tue Nov 23 2021
4
Probably the first salsa album Iv fully listened too, really enjoyed it, an album I’ll come back to again and again I think. Random comment but the babies on the album cover reminds me of ready to die by Biggie Smalls.
Fri Nov 26 2021
4
Un dels grans discos històrics del que a nivell global podríem anomenar world music. No només és el lloc on trobar la peça original de 'Pedro Navaja'; altres temes com 'Plástico' o 'Maria Lionza' no difereixen gaire en el seu aroma a clàssics instantanis. De fet, cada un dels set temes és una història en si mateixa, cap d'elles sobra en el disc, que parteix de la salsa per donar-li un contingut més evolucionat del génere, apte per tots els melòmans. Molt a prop de les 5*
Mon Nov 29 2021
4
Loved it.
Tue Nov 30 2021
4
sassy fun latino.
Tue Nov 30 2021
4
salsa
Tue Nov 30 2021
4
Ces personnes parlent un espagnol absolument impeccable. Je pense qu'on peut le dire à ce stade, c'est du très très grand Baltard récompensé par un bleu de ma part.
Tue Nov 30 2021
4
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Maria Lionza
Wed Dec 01 2021
4
Can't say no to this!
Wed Dec 01 2021
4
This was super fun! Love salsa music and this didn't disappoint! Great music for working to as it didn't distract me and helped me to be productive and focus. It put me in a great mood and some of the sounds are really cool/unusual.
Sat Dec 04 2021
4
really fun latin music 4.5
Tue Dec 07 2021
4
Nice
Mon Dec 13 2021
4
Great Salsa music that makes you want to dance.
Mon Dec 13 2021
4
Very cool! I enjoyed it a lot. A hidden gem.
Fri Dec 31 2021
4
Me llamo Siembra, esta fuego