The Sensual Rhythms and Passionate Melodies of Salsa
Los Titanes de la Salsa (also Los Titanes ) is a salsa group from the Colombian city of Barranquilla. This group was established in 1982 founded by trombonist Alberto Barros. The debut of the band was on the Carnival of Barranquilla, where they immediately Golden Conga won. Since then they have recorded 14 albums, often with the cooperation of famous Colombian artist. The band did tours in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, France, England, Switzerland, Belgium and France.
This album "Tentacion" was the sixth full length album by the Colombian Salsa band: Los Titanes De La Salsa. This web-page has hi-res photos of the album covers, record label and a detailed description.
Historical Context
In the early 90s, salsa music was undergoing a transformation. While some artists maintained the traditional sound, others experimented with fusion and modernization. Los Titanes de la Salsa, a group founded in 1982 by trombonist Alberto Barros, found themselves in a unique position, balancing the essence of classic salsa with polished arrangements and lyrics that resonated with younger audiences. Their album Tentación (1991) emerged during this pivotal moment, becoming a key piece in the genre’s evolution.
Musical Exploration
This album is a perfect example of salsa-balada, a subgenre that blends the passion of salsa with the structure and melody of romantic ballads. Songs like “Tu Juego” and “Tu Decisión” offer upbeat rhythms perfect for dancing, while tracks like “Miedo de Ti” and “Cultivo de Amor” stand out for their emotional depth and vocal-driven arrangements.
Music Genre and Style
Tentación is fundamentally salsa, but with clear influences from other genres such as bolero, pop ballads, and romantic Latin music. This fusion gives the album an international appeal, making it enjoyable both for dancers and those seeking a more introspective musical experience. Alberto Barros’ powerful brass sections add intensity to the arrangements, while Luisito Quintero’s percussion keeps the groove strong and steady.
Controversies
One of the most common criticisms faced by Los Titanes at this time was that their sound was too polished and commercial. Some traditional salsa fans felt they were “softening” the genre too much. However, this very approach allowed them to break into international markets where hardcore salsa wasn’t as widely accepted.
Production Team and Recording Studio
The album was recorded at Estudio Digital “Toño Fuentes” in Medellín, Colombia, an iconic studio in the history of Latin music. Alberto Barros, in addition to leading the band, also served as the producer, ensuring a meticulously crafted and polished sound. Recording engineers Juan Jairo Betancur and Luis B. Rincón handled the recording process, while Pedro Muriel G. was responsible for the digital mix.
Differences with Other Releases
Depending on the country of release, Tentación featured variations in its track listing and mixing. Some international versions, especially those released in Mexico and the United States, had a stronger bass presence in the mix to enhance club and radio play. Additionally, certain vinyl editions included extended versions of specific tracks, while CD editions prioritized vocal clarity.
LOS TITANES keep honoring their mythological name, ‘cause history tells that those titans wanted to climb up to the sky looking for the gods. And this Colombian group has really gone up, proof of that is the amount of travels they do around the world, making them the band with the most international commitments. This year alone, they’ve signed contracts in Venezuela, México, Perú y Ecuador, and in October, they’ll be hitting the United States.
With this new material titled Tentación, Los Titanes climb one more step, ‘cause every new production is the conscious result of an experience that over time has allowed this band to consolidate itself. In such a competitive market, these artists, supported by Discos Fuentes, have reached an important and outstanding place, something they prove with every record.
LOS TITANES have created a very unique style: salsa-balada. A style that embraces all those emotions, dreams, desires, frustrations, and life experiences, things we all go through. And they transmit them with mastery, through a group of outstanding musicians that know exactly how to connect with the audience through every note and lyric.
Five voices bring the sabor del ritmo to life: Oscar Quezada, an invaluable estrella of the team; Marta Castro y Alberto Barros, a family with music running in their veins; Julián Marino, the revelation of the orquesta; and Orlando Quezada, bringing a fresh and new vibe to Los Titanes’ latest release.
On this LP, the salsera group has included tracks like: Tu juego, Tu decisión, Miedo de ti, Mi harén, Tentación, Noche a noche, Quiéreme sin condiciones y Cultivo de amor—all of them with that characteristic interpretative style that wraps you up and moves the crowd to the rhythm of Los Titanes.
Get ready to listen to an amazing mix of instruments, lyrics, and voices that this production brings together. And be sure that this is salsa that gets into your soul, ‘cause it represents what they call: “la música viva”.
JUAN FERNANDO ÁLVAREZ P.
LOS TITANES continúan haciendo honor a su nombre mitológico, pues cuenta la historia que aquéllos pretendían escalar el cielo en busca de los dioses. Y es que este grupo colombiano ha tenido un gran ascenso, muestra de ello es la cantidad de viajes que realizan por todo el mundo, constituyéndose en la agrupación que más compromisos cumple en el exterior. En el presente año han cumplido contratos en Venezuela, México, Perú y Ecuador, y en el mes de octubre estarán en los Estados Unidos.
Con este nuevo material titulado Tentación, Los Titanes escalan otro peldaño, porque cada nueva producción es el resultado consciente de una experiencia que a lo largo del tiempo ha permitido a esta agrupación consolidarse. En un mercado tan competido, estos artistas, apoyados por Discos Fuentes, han logrado un sitial importante y destacado, el cual sustentan con cada acetato.
LOS TITANES han configurado un estilo particular de salsa-balada. Un término que recoge todas esas emociones, deseos, anhelos, aspiraciones, frustraciones y vivencias en general, que hacen parte de la vida de cada cual, y que son transmitidas con maestría por una agrupación de músicos sobresalientes, que saben cómo llegar al público con las notas y letras de cada canción.
Cinco voces acompañarán su encuentro con el sabor del ritmo: Oscar Quezada, invaluable estrella del elenco; Marta Castro y Alberto Barros, una familia con música en las venas; Julián Marino, la revelación de la orquesta, y Orlando Quezada que le da un tono refrescante y novedoso al nuevo producto de Los Titanes.
En este acetato la agrupación salsera ha incluido temas como: Tu juego, Tu decisión, Miedo de ti, Mi harén, Tentación, Noche a noche, Quiéreme sin condiciones y Cultivo de amor, todos con el característico estilo interpretativo que envuelve y que transforma multitudes en torno al ritmo de Los Titanes.
Escuche la espectacular combinación de instrumentos, letra y voces que esta producción musical reúne y tenga la certeza de escuchar una salsa que se mete en las entrañas, porque representa lo que ellos llaman ‘la música viva’.
JUAN FERNANDO ALVAREZ P.
Salsa Music
Discos Fuentes SOF-6022
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
1991 Made in USA
Produced by: Alberto Barros
Contracts: Claudia Velásquez - Alberto Barros
Phone: 341 36 79 Fax: (574) 265 27 72
Medellín, Colombia, South America
Recording Engineers: Juan Jairo Betancur - Luis B. Rincón
Digital Mix: Pedro Muriel G.
Recorded At: Estudio Digital "TOÑO FUENTES", Medellín, Colombia
Artistic Direction & Coordination: Oscar Valencia M. - Isaac Villanueva
Design: Guillermo L. Eusse A.
Photography: Estudios Alejandro Velásquez
Los Titanes de la Salsa - Tentación 12'' Vinyl LP Album cover is a striking, theatrical composition. At the center, a man with a mustache, wearing a white open-collar shirt and a blue vest with black and white woven details, reclines comfortably on the floor, leaning back on one arm. He has a playful, confident expression. Surrounding him are five women dressed in elaborate, shimmering outfits inspired by Middle Eastern fashion.
Each woman showcases a unique look: one wears a red veil and matching dress with golden jewelry, another dons a glittering pink tiara and sequined dress, while the others wear an assortment of glamorous accessories including pearl necklaces, bangles, and metallic headpieces. Their poses vary, some smiling, others with a more mysterious allure, enhancing the theme of 'temptation.' The background consists of soft white drapery, creating an intimate yet luxurious setting.
The album title, tentación, meaning 'temptation' in Spanish, is prominently displayed in bold red italics at the bottom, emphasizing the seductive theme. Above the title, the phrase salsa... salsa... salsa in red italics captures the album's genre. The band's name, LOS TITANES, dominates the top of the cover in large, purple block letters with a dramatic shadow effect. A yellow price sticker is visible on the top right corner, adding a touch of authenticity to this vintage vinyl release. In the upper right, the Discos Fuentes logo is present, marking the label under which this salsa gem was released.
Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
The back cover of Los Titanes de la Salsa - Tentación 12'' Vinyl LP Album is a visually rich design with a warm peach-orange background. The top section features the band's name, LOS TITANES, in large, dramatic purple capital letters with a bold shadow effect. Below it, the words salsa... salsa... salsa appear in red italics, emphasizing the album’s genre. The title tentación is written in striking red italics beneath, giving a sense of allure and intrigue.
The tracklist is neatly divided into two sections: LADO A and LADO B. Each side lists four songs, displaying the songwriter’s name, the vocalist performing each track, and the exact track duration. Genres such as salsa and salsa rock are noted next to the tracks, highlighting the album’s blend of classic salsa with modern influences.
On the right side, an extensive block of Spanish text provides a deep insight into the band's history, their evolution, and their commitment to the salsa genre. The text elaborates on the inspiration behind the album and how it fits into the broader trajectory of Los Titanes.
Below the tracklist and text, the lower section contains the album’s production credits. The names of key musicians, including instrumentalists, guest artists, and backing vocalists, are listed, alongside recording engineers and the artistic coordination team. It specifies that the album was recorded at Estudio Digital "Toño Fuentes" in Medellín, Colombia, a renowned studio for salsa recordings.
In the upper right corner, the Discos Fuentes logo is displayed in yellow and green, accompanied by the catalog number SOF-6022. At the bottom, there is a barcode and a copyright notice indicating that the album was released in 1991 under Sonotone Music Corp., ensuring its authenticity as a collector’s item.
"Tentacion" Record Label Details: Discos Fuentes SOF-6022 © & ℗ 1991 Sound Copyright
This is a close-up of Side A’s record label from Los Titanes de la Salsa - Tentación 12'' Vinyl LP Album. The label features an eye-catching orange gradient background that fades from deep orange at the top to a lighter yellow towards the bottom, creating a warm and vibrant effect.
At the top, the iconic Fuentes logo is prominently displayed, featuring a stylized mountain with the name written in elegant cursive black lettering. Beneath it, LOS TITANES is printed in bold, black capital letters, followed by the album title "LOS TITANES...TENTACION" enclosed in quotation marks.
On the left side, the catalog number SOF-6022 is printed along with the copyright symbol and the release year © 1991. To the right, the label specifies SIDE A, with the record’s speed 33 1/3 RPM and format STEREO, ensuring clarity for collectors and DJs.
The lower section contains the track listing for Side A, with four songs, all composed by Alberto Barros. The song titles are written in a clear, easy-to-read black font. At the bottom, the manufacturer and distributor details are provided: Sonotone Music Co., with an address in Miami, Florida. The central spindle hole is visible, showing some wear around the edges, indicating previous playback.