Justo Betancourt - Distinto Y Diferente (1977)

This was Justo Betancourt's first recording made in Puerto Rico. This was also one of the few instances where a group headlined by a Fania artist ended up recording for another label (Libra, an Alhambra subsidiary, would later record them). With the creative assistance of arranger/producer Bobby Valentín, Jorge Millet, Papo Lucca, Luis Quevedo, and Joe Cepeda, Betancourt crafted one of the most popular salsa records of the late '70s. Conjunto Borincuba featured some of Puerto Rico's busiest musicians, who were then barely breaking in (including ex-Revolución 70s timbalero player Willy Machado, future top bass player Johnny Torres, future Mulenze conga player Edwin "Nene" Blasini, and 21-year-old future salsa superstar Tito Rojas as a background vocalist). All these assets contributed to the band's fresh, friendly sound, and Betancourt's customary impassioned vocalizing style was suited to perfection. Highlights include the title tune (by ace songwriter C. Curet Alonso), the creative danza experiment "Borincuba" (arranged by Valentín), the swinging "Soy Profesional" (by Betancourt's then-manager Cano Robles), the smash "No Estás en Nada," and "Oyéla," a Jorge Millet-arranged son montuno with a slightly accelerated riff. Highly recommended, this effort was one of the key recordings in late-'70s salsa, and still holds up very well.~José A. Estévez, Jr.