Tras La Tormenta

by Evan C. GutierrezTras la Tormenta marks yet another chapter in one of salsa's most prosperous collaborations: trombonist/arranger/vocalist Willie Colón and the powerhouse sonero Rubén Blades. With his trademark all-trombone horn section and rich vocal timbre, Colón and his band sound unmistakably powerful and dark. Blades, as the world has come to expect, is an incisive, fiery improviser. From the tribute to cantante and labelmate "Homenaje a Hector Lavoe," with its haunting rhumba-driven trombone intro, to the wave-like sway of bomba "Desahucio," Colón's ability as an arranger is evident, and unparalleled. With a band sound as big and dramatic as the artist's former days on the Fania label, and the big-budget shine offered by Sony, they are the Colón and Blades that their fans have come to know and love, as every note rings clear. The repertoire is expertly chosen, featuring songs from some of the most distinguished writers in the genre. Danceability and artistic excellence converge to make a fantastic modern salsa record.