Indestructible

The year 1973 was both a successful and stressful time for Ray Barretto. His band had developed a loyal following among dancers of the new Afro-Cuban-based music known as salsa. He had achieved success as a composer with “Cocinando,” the theme song for the Fania produced movie Our Latin Thing. But his band’s explosive rhythm team of Orestes Vilató on timbales, Johnny Rodríguez on bongó and cencerro, bassist Dave Pérez, pianist Louis Crúz, along with trumpeter René López and vocalist Adalberto Santiago would eventually all leave him. He was heartbroken. He had developed what every bandleader wants, a sound, but Barretto was undaunted and would rebuild. He would call upon an old friend, trumpeter Roberto Rodríguez, who had decided to stay. Fellow trumpeter Joseph “Papy” Román also remained, and Barretto would form a new group that would re-define Barretto’s sound and re-affirm his position as a band leader. Indestructible announced the return of Ray Barretto to the salsa scene in a big way.