In 1968 Johnny Pacheco created the Fania All-Stars, a “Dream Team” with the most famous singers, soloists and orchestra directors from Cuba, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic and musicians living in New York’s Spanish Harlem and the Bronx(nuyoricans). They began to lay the foundation of a music based on the sounds of their own countries intertwined with the new experiences of a newly adopted country. They called it “salsa” and it was a truly brilliant marketing strategy to repackage to these beloved rhythms.

 

   After Celia’s exile from Cuba in 1961, Dominican-born Johnny Pacheco invited her to record with him in order to allow her the opportunity to sing more freely and to truly project her unique voice. He felt that Celia’s vocal potential had not, as yet, truly reached its highest peak. This album catapulted her to become the most legendary Salsa singer of all time.

 

   Johnny Pacheco as lead singer and in percussion, guiro and flute, Celia Cruz majestically interpreted canonical favorite hits, such as “Quimbará,” “Vieja luna,” and “Toro Mata.” “Quimbará” would become her signature hit. Celia was a member of the quintessentially traditional Cuban group, “Sonora Matancera”. Cruz was open to experimentation, but fiercely proud of her tradition. This album was mainly a set of straightforward songs in based on that Cuban sound played with a New York swagger.

 

 

   I chose to pair this Cava with “Celia & Johnny” because these were both firsts. Bodegas Via De La Plata was the first to make Cava in the Extremadura section of Spain. Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco were the first to blend the Cuban sound with what was happening in NYC and made one of the first “salsa” albums. These two groundbreaking works of art will bring joy and exuberance to your day so buckle up(plus you can work on your Spanish while listening to music in Spanish while drinking a quintessential Spanish wine)! https://celiacruz.com/album/celia-johnny/