Ruben Blades - Escenas With Linda Ronstadt & Joe Jackson 12" Vinyl LP Album

“Escenas” – A Storytelling Masterpiece Blending Salsa, Social Commentary, and Timeless Melodies

High Resolution #1 Photo RUBEN BLADES Escenas Album Front cover Photo of Ruben Blades - Escenas With Linda Ronstadt & Joe Jackson https://vinyl-records.nl/

Rubén Blades is a legendary Panamanian singer, songwriter, and actor, known for revolutionizing salsa with socially conscious lyrics. Rising in the 1970s New York salsa scene, he partnered with Willie Colón before launching a solo career with Seis del Solar. Blades’ fusion of salsa, pop, and activism shines in Escenas, featuring Linda Ronstadt. He even ran for Panama’s presidency in 1994.

Album Description:

Rubén Blades: The Voice of Salsa and Social Consciousness
Escenas – A Barrio Perspective Blending Salsa, Pop, and Activism

Ruben Blades' socially-conscious salsa-pop, backed again by the dynamic Son Del Solar. The album clearly makes a crossover bid with guest appearances by Linda Ronstadt and Joe Jackson, as well as bilingual lyrics in the package. As the title suggests, the material here paints scenes from Blades' typically keen barrio perspective. Opening ESCENAS on an introspective note is "Cuentas Del Alma," a moving portrayal of a mother's fear of the dark and endless pining for her departed husband. To the sound of synth-wails and a salsa-inflected pop beat, Blades intones with dreadful finality the words, "heart dues can never be paid in full." The dirge-like "Tierra Dura" captures the dry, desperate famine of mid-'80s Ethiopia in both lyric and tone, with slowly-passing images of unforgiving deserts and a mournful melody. Moving into funkier territory, "Sorpresas" is the tough sequel to Blades' revered "Pedro Navaja" with its clever tale of thieves, deception, and the barrio night. "Silencios" is Blades' balladic duet with Linda Ronstadt, extra sugar cubes included.

Panamanian singer/songwriter Ruben Blades is a key figure in contemporary Latin music. He came to New York in the 1970s and entrenched himself in the salsa scene, writing for and performing with a number of key players, and forming a significant partnership with salsa legend Willie Colon. In the '80s, Blades's solo career took off as he set about modernizing salsa with his group Seis del Solar. Around the same time, he embarked on a successful acting career that would continue for decades. Blades's music is often strongly informed by his activist politics, a fact that became duly apparent when he ran for President of Panama in 1994.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Salsa Conciencia, Latin Fusion

Label & Catalognr:

Elektra

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Producers:

Ruben Blades for Elektra Records

Sound & Recording Engineers:

David Rodriguez - Sound Engineer

Jerry Solomon - Sound Engineer

Kevin Zambrana - Assistent Sound Engineer

Phil Burnette - Assistent Sound Engineer

Matthew Kasha - Assistent Sound Engineer

Jack Skinner - Mastering Engineer, Sterling Sound NYC

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Ricardo Betancourt - Album Cover Design

Roberto Mercado - Album Cover Design

Photography:

Roberto Mercado - Photographer

Band-members/Musicians:

Band-members, Musicians:
  • Rubén Blades
  • Oscar Hernandez
  • Ricardo Marrero
  • Eddy Montalvo
  • Ralph Irizarry
  • Louis Rivera
  • Robert Ameen
  • Mike Vinas
  • Joe Jackson (guest)
  • Linda Ronstadt (guest)

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Cuentas del Alma (5:08)
  2. Tierra Dura (Etiopía) (5:04)
  3. La Canción del Final del Mundo (4:34)
  4. Sorpresas (7:31)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Caina (4:54)
  2. Silencios (5:28)
  3. Muévete (8:00)

Ruben Blades - Escenas With Linda Ronstadt & Joe Jackson Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo

Black and white album cover for 'Rubén Blades y Seis del Solar.' A New York City brownstone setting features multiple individuals in various poses. A woman peers from a window, a pigeon flies near the top right, and seven men occupy the stairs and railings. The atmosphere is urban and theatrical, hinting at storytelling and social themes.

This album cover for Rubén Blades y Seis del Solar is a black and white photograph capturing a dramatic urban scene in front of a brownstone building. The number "716" is displayed above the door. Seven men, presumably members of Seis del Solar and Rubén Blades himself, are positioned on the stairs and railings, each striking a unique pose. Their expressions range from contemplative to alert, adding an air of storytelling.

On the left, a man in a suit walks past, carrying a briefcase, seemingly disconnected from the rest. Another man sits on the stairs, dressed casually, looking down while a small white dog rests beside him. A central figure, dressed in black, sits casually on the railing, gazing upward. To his right, a man leans against the building, partially crouched.

On the rightmost side, a man in a leather jacket perches on the iron railing, appearing observant. Near the top of the stairs, a figure in a hat leans against the doorframe, exuding a cool, detached aura. Meanwhile, in the window to the right, a woman peers out with a soft, thoughtful expression, a crucifix mounted on the wall behind her. Above, a pigeon is mid-flight, adding movement to the still scene.

The image’s monochrome aesthetic enhances its dramatic, almost cinematic quality, reinforcing Rubén Blades’ signature mix of storytelling and social commentary through music.

Album Back Cover Photo

Back cover of Rubén Blades' album 'Escenas' featuring a black and white photograph of a man leaning on a stair railing outside a brownstone building. A window with a crucifix hangs on a pastel-colored interior wall. The tracklist, credits, and guest artists including Linda Ronstadt and Joe Jackson are printed in white text over the image.

The back cover of Rubén Blades y Seis del Solar – Escenas presents a striking black and white photograph, continuing the urban, theatrical aesthetic of the front cover. The setting is an aged brownstone building, with the number "716" visible on the doorframe. The image is taken from a slightly lower perspective, emphasizing the textured brick and iron railings.

On the left side, a man, likely Rubén Blades, leans against the stair railing, dressed in a dark jacket and pants. His pose is relaxed but observant, as if lost in thought while gazing into the distance. The interplay of light and shadow highlights the architectural details and the contours of his face.

A notable focal point is the window on the right side, which features a warm, pastel-colored interior contrasting the monochrome exterior. A simple wooden crucifix hangs at the center, casting a subtle shadow against the wall, reinforcing themes of faith, contemplation, and storytelling.

Overlaying the photograph is an extensive block of text in white, listing the album’s personnel, guest artists, tracklist, and production credits. The names of featured guests Linda Ronstadt and Joe Jackson stand out, emphasizing their contributions to the songs "Silencios" and "Muévete," respectively.

The overall composition of the cover blends photography and typography seamlessly, evoking an intimate yet cinematic portrayal of the album’s themes—urban life, personal reflection, and the passage of time.

First Photo Of Custom Inner Sleeve

Inner sleeve of Rubén Blades' album 'Escenas' featuring a black and white gradient background with white text. Lyrics and translations for songs like 'Cuentas del Alma,' 'Tierra Dura,' and 'Sorpresas' are printed in a clean, structured layout, providing insight into the album's themes of social commentary and storytelling.

The inner sleeve of Rubén Blades y Seis del Solar – Escenas features a sleek black and white gradient background with white text, providing a detailed breakdown of the album's lyrics and their English translations. The layout is structured, with each song's title appearing in bold, followed by its respective lyrics in paragraph format.

Among the featured tracks are Cuentas del Alma, a song about loss and emotional depth, Tierra Dura, which reflects on struggle and survival, and Sorpresas, a sequel to the famous Pedro Navaja that continues the story of deception and crime in the barrio. The text is formatted for easy readability, balancing both Spanish and English versions side by side.

The typography is clear and professional, ensuring that listeners can absorb the lyrics and their meanings. The contrast between the dark background and the white font enhances legibility while maintaining a stylish and minimalistic design that aligns with the album’s serious and reflective tone.

At the bottom, copyright information is provided, noting that all lyrics are controlled and used with permission. The inclusion of translations highlights Blades’ commitment to making his socially conscious messages accessible to a wider audience.

Close up of Side One record's label

Close-up of Side One of the vinyl record for Rubén Blades' album 'Escenas.' The Elektra label is black with red and white text, featuring the album title, artist name, track details, and copyright information. The center hole is visible, surrounded by fine grooves reflecting light.

This close-up image captures Side One of the vinyl record for Rubén Blades y Seis del Solar – Escenas, released under the Elektra label. The label design features a black upper section with silver and white text, while the bottom portion is red with additional copyright and licensing details.

The Elektra logo is prominently displayed at the top in white, with a distinctive red slash through the letter "K." Below it, the artist's name, Rubén Blades, and the album title, Escenas, are printed in bold uppercase letters. The words "STEREO" and "GEMA/BIEM" appear to the left, denoting the audio format and copyright collection societies.

The label also includes track listings for Side One, though the text is partially obscured due to the record’s curvature and lighting reflection. The catalog number "950 432-1" and matrix code "EKT 29" are printed in red at the bottom, signifying the unique pressing details of the album.

The image shows the vinyl’s center hole, surrounded by concentric grooves that reflect light, creating subtle highlights. Along the outer edge of the label, small white text states that unauthorized duplication, public performance, and broadcasting of the record are prohibited.

The red portion of the label features additional licensing information and legal disclaimers in multiple languages, emphasizing international distribution. The number "33" within a white circle at the bottom indicates that the record is a 33 RPM LP, the standard speed for full-length albums.

The composition of the image, with the record partially cropped, emphasizes the texture of the vinyl and the typography of the label, making it a striking and detailed representation of this classic Latin music release.

RUBEN BLADES Exploring Rubén Blades' Impactful Latin Jazz and Salsa Music: A Look at His Vinyl Albums

Band Description:

Rubén Blades is a legendary Panamanian singer, songwriter, actor, and politician, known for his contribution to the Latin music genre, as well as his political activism. Born in Panama City, Panama, on July 16, 1948, Blades grew up in a middle-class family, where he developed an interest in music and culture from a young age. He began playing guitar and singing in his teenage years and went on to study law at the University of Panama before pursuing his career in music.

Blades's music career began in the early 1970s, when he joined a salsa band called Ray Barretto's Orchestra as a vocalist. His debut solo album, "De Panamá a Nueva York," was released in 1970 and featured the hit song "El Cazanguero." Over the next few years, Blades released several more albums, including "Siembra," which became one of the best-selling salsa albums of all time. The album included the hit song "Pedro Navaja," which became an instant classic and one of Blades's most famous songs.

Blades's music is known for its socially conscious themes and political commentary, addressing issues such as poverty, injustice, and corruption. His songs often incorporate elements of different Latin American genres, including salsa, bolero, and folk music, creating a unique and eclectic style. Blades's influence on Latin music is undeniable, and he has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career, including several Grammy Awards.

Aside from his music career, Blades has also made a name for himself as an actor, appearing in films such as "The Last Fight," "The Milagro Beanfield War," and "Predator 2." In recent years, he has also become involved in politics, serving as the Minister of Tourism in Panama from 2004 to 2009 and running for the presidency in 2019.

Throughout his career, Blades has remained committed to using his platform to bring attention to social and political issues. He has been a vocal advocate for human rights, environmentalism, and democracy, and has used his music and celebrity status to raise awareness and funds for various causes. 

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