HECTOR LAVOE - EL SABIO 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Step into the salsa universe — edición española 1980 donde el ritmo es magia, las fotos cuentan historias y cada track es puro fuego for vinyl dreamers

"Héctor Lavoe's 'El Sabio,' a 1980 12" Vinyl LP, epitomizes the golden era of salsa. Produced by Willie Colón and Jerry Masucci, it reflects the genre's evolution in the late 1970s. Lavoe's emotive vocals, coupled with Colón's innovative arrangements, create a sonic masterpiece. Released in Spain, it contributed to salsa's global appeal, marking a significant cultural and musical milestone in the genre's history."

"El Sabio" Album Description:

Héctor Lavoe's "El Sabio" is a remarkable 12" Vinyl LP album that stands as a testament to the vibrant salsa scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Released in 1980 in Spain, this production is a collaboration between the iconic figures of Willie Colón and Jerry Masucci, both of whom played pivotal roles in shaping the golden era of salsa music.

The time period in which "El Sabio" emerged is crucial to understanding its cultural and musical significance. The late 1970s marked a period of evolution for salsa, a genre deeply rooted in the Afro-Caribbean traditions. It was during this time that salsa began to incorporate diverse elements, embracing a fusion of styles that transcended geographical boundaries. Héctor Lavoe, often referred to as the "Voice of Salsa," was a central figure in this transformative phase.

Willie Colón and Jerry Masucci, as producers, brought their distinctive touch to the album. Colón, a renowned trombonist, composer, and arranger, was a key figure in the New York salsa scene. His innovative arrangements and skillful use of brass instruments added a dynamic layer to Lavoe's vocals. Masucci, co-founder of Fania Records, played an instrumental role in shaping the careers of many salsa legends. The collaboration between Lavoe, Colón, and Masucci on "El Sabio" represented a fusion of talent that elevated the album to a masterpiece.

The production of the album reflects the technological and artistic advancements of the time. The use of analog recording equipment, characteristic of the era, imparted a warm and rich sound to the music. Lavoe's vocals, accompanied by the vibrant arrangements of Colón, created a sonic tapestry that resonated with audiences worldwide.

"El Sabio" showcases Lavoe's mastery of storytelling through music. The lyrics delve into themes of love, life, and the human experience, delivered with a depth and emotion that became Lavoe's signature style. The album's title track, "El Sabio," is a testament to Lavoe's poetic lyricism and his ability to convey profound messages within the framework of salsa.

In the context of the European release in 1980, it's important to recognize the global impact of salsa music during this period. The genre had transcended its Latin American roots to captivate audiences in Europe and beyond. Lavoe's "El Sabio" found a receptive audience in Spain, contributing to the globalization of salsa and further establishing its status as a world music phenomenon.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Salsa

Producers:
  • Willie Colon – Producer
  • Jerry Masucci – Producer
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Jon Fausty – Engineer
Label & Catalognr:

Discophon 6109

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Record

Year & Country:

1980 – Spain

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Members, Musicians:
  • Hector Lavoe – Vocals
  • Puchi Boulong – Trumpet
  • Gilbert Colon – Piano
  • Harry D'Aguiar – Trombone
  • Jose Febles – Trumpet
  • Reinaldo Jorge – Trombone
  • Eddie Montalvo – Conga
  • Luis Mangual – Bongo
  • Edgar Reyes – Timbal
  • Eddie "Gua-gua" Rivera – Bass
  • Rpof Jose Torres – Piano
  • Santi Gonzales – Bass
  • Papa Vasquez – Trombone
  • Willie Colon – Coro
  • Hector Lavoe – Coro
  • Milton Cardona – Coro
  • Jose Mangual – Coro

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. El Sabio
  2. Plazos Traicioneros
  3. Noche de Farra
  4. Para Ochun
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Alejate
  2. Llore
  3. Ceora
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Hector Lavoe’s 1980 salsa album El Sabio, featuring an illustrated portrait of Lavoe depicted as a scholarly professor in a three-piece olive-green suit, standing behind a wooden teacher’s desk with books stacked on the right, pointing with a stick to a chalkboard filled with abstract formulas and diagrams, with his name and the album title written in chalk, framed in a simple wooden border, Discophon logo in lower left.

The cover illustration portrays Hector Lavoe as a distinguished professor, dressed in an olive-green three-piece suit with a bow tie, his left hand in his pocket and his right hand holding a wooden pointer. He stands confidently behind a sturdy brown wooden teacher’s desk, on which a neat stack of books rests to the right.

Behind him, a large blackboard framed in wood displays a mix of whimsical mathematical formulas, music-related diagrams, and the handwritten chalk text Hector Lavoe (El Sabio). The combination of academic imagery with Lavoe’s likeness plays on the album’s title, meaning “The Wise One.”

In the lower left corner of the cream-colored background is the Discophon record label logo, marked with “Estereo” and the year 1980, anchoring the design in its era and origin.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of Side One label for Hector Lavoe’s 1980 album El Sabio, Spanish pressing on Discophon label, solid red background with black text. Large stylized Discophon wordmark at the top, catalogue number 6109 at upper right with legal deposit reference, and SGAE rights society mark at upper left. Track list for four songs with composer credits is centered, side indicator 'cara 1' at right, licensing credit to Fania Records U.S.A. at bottom, and rim text in Spanish stating manufacturing and rights details.

Colours: Solid red label background with all text printed in black, giving high contrast and readability.

Design & Layout: Minimalist, clean layout with the large stylized Discophon wordmark at the top, “ESTEREO” centered below, and artist/title printed in uppercase beneath. Catalogue number 6109 and legal deposit information appear at the upper right, with SGAE rights society on the left.

Record Company Logo: The stylized Discophon text logo in bold, rounded sans-serif type.

Band/Performer Logo: None present.

Unique Features: Side indicator as “cara 1” in lower right; track list of four songs with composer names in parentheses; licensing credit to Fania Records U.S.A. at the bottom; rim text in Spanish stating manufacturing location (Sonic, S.A., Spain) and legal rights.

Spain Label
Side designation
cara 1
Rights society
SGAE
Catalogue number
6109
Record company logo
Stylized “Discophon” wordmark in black at top
Band/Performer logo
Not present
Rim text language
Spanish
Track list layout
Single column, left aligned under centered title, each track numbered with composer in parentheses
Rights info placement
Along left side (SGAE), bottom rim text for reproduction rights
Pressing info
Fabricado en España por Sonic, S.A. – Impreso de lujo a metalico
Background image
Solid red with no background graphics

FEATURED HECTOR LAVOE ( The Voice, Salsa ) RECORDS Vinyl LP Discography Information

Héctor Lavoe was a true icon of the salsa genre, whose music and legacy continue to inspire and influence musicians and fans around the world. Despite the personal challenges he faced, his voice and his passion remain a testament to the power of music to transcend borders, cultures, and even tragedy.

Band Information:

 Héctor Lavoe was the greatest salsa singers of all time. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1946, he moved to New York City in the 1960s and became a central figure in the burgeoning salsa scene. His powerful voice, distinctive phrasing, and passionate delivery made him an icon of the genre.

 Lavoe's music was rooted in the African rhythms of his homeland, but he also drew inspiration from American soul and R&B, as well as the Latin jazz that was popular in New York at the time. He first gained fame as a member of the Fania All-Stars, a supergroup of salsa musicians assembled by Fania Records, the label that helped popularize the genre in the United States.

 Lavoe's solo career began in earnest in the early 1970s, with a string of hit albums that showcased his dynamic range and emotional depth. His music tackled social and political issues, such as the struggles of Puerto Rican immigrants in New York, as well as more personal themes of love, heartbreak, and redemption.

 One of Lavoe's most enduring hits is "El Cantante," a biographical song that tells the story of his rise to fame and the personal demons that haunted him throughout his life. The song's lyrics, which were written by Rubén Blades, are a poignant reminder of the toll that success can take on an artist.

 Despite his success, Lavoe's personal life was marked by tragedy and turmoil. He struggled with drug addiction and depression, and his first wife, Juana, died in a car accident in 1967. His second wife, Puchi, was a stabilizing influence on him for many years, but their relationship was also fraught with difficulties.

 Lavoe's career was also affected by the decline of the salsa genre in the 1980s, as well as the growing popularity of reggaeton and other Latin music styles. He continued to perform and record, but his health began to deteriorate, and he was diagnosed with HIV in the mid-1980s.

 Lavoe passed away in 1993 at the age of 46, leaving behind a legacy of music that continues to inspire and influence new generations of salsa artists. His voice and his spirit live on in songs like "Mi Gente," "Periodico de Ayer," and "De Ti Depende," which remain beloved classics of the genre.

 In recent years, Lavoe's life and music have been the subject of several films and documentaries, including the 2006 biopic "El Cantante," which starred Marc Anthony as Lavoe and Jennifer Lopez as Puchi. These films have helped to introduce a new generation of fans to Lavoe's music and to celebrate his enduring legacy as one of the greatest salsa singers of all time.

Thumbnail Of  HECTOR LAVOE - Comedia with Willie Colon 12" LP album front cover
HECTOR LAVOE - Comedia with Willie Colon 12" Vinyl LP

Hector Lavoe's "Comedia" on the Fania Records 12" Vinyl LP Album, in collaboration with Willie Colon, epitomizes the vibrant salsa scene of the 1970s. Released during a tumultuous yet culturally rich time, this masterpiece showcases Lavoe's distinctive voice and Colon's innovative arrangements. Fania Records, a pivotal label in Latin music, played a pivotal role in propelling salsa to international prominence during this era.

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Updated HECTOR LAVOE - El Sabio album front cover vinyl LP album https://vinyl-records.nl
HECTOR LAVOE – El Sabio (1980)

Héctor Lavoe's "El Sabio," released in 1980 on Discophon (Spain), captures the golden era of salsa. Produced by Willie Colón and Jerry Masucci, it blends Lavoe’s emotive vocals with innovative arrangements, expanding salsa’s global reach and cementing its cultural impact.

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