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Nuyorican conga drummer and band leader Ray Barretto was a force in Latin and jazz music, playing with icons from Gene Ammons to Tito Puente. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its release, this reissue features ALL-ANALOG mastering from the original tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Record Pressing. Unavailable on vinyl since its original release, the album includes Latin Soul and Salsa classics such as "Right On," and "Oye La Noticia" and more.
I have been getting these fania reissues by CRAFT recordings and so far I have been very impressed. For Barretto Power, I feel they even stepped up even more in pressing quality and presentation. So, here is my review...Sound: Have in mind that this is AAA and cut Kevin Gray, so, you would expect the highest quality of sound for a reissue. I don't have an original pressing of this album but I have an original pressing of Barretto's "the message", which should be a very similar production and comparable sound. I also have a modern reissue of this album cut by David Cheppa / Better Quality Sound and most likely produced by City Hall or Hi-Horse (D iscogs releasse 1491848). Overall the sound is gorgeous, very similar sound signature to the original "the message", and way superior to the barreto power old reissue. While this new reissue is warmer, punchier, wider soundstage; the old reissue is bright, flat and thin.Presentation: Perfect! Beautiful hard tip-on jacket. Amazing graphs. The graphs are even better than the previous fania reissues by CRAFT. The record came in custom mofi-style inner sleeves (such as the best audiophile reissues), which is an improvement over the previous releases that came in kind of cheaper paper poly-linned inner sleeves.Pressing quality: Flawless! Here I also felt an increase in quality regarding the previous releases. I hope this is true and these guys are evolving.Overall this is a gorgeous release. Although I don't have an original pressing of this album, I have many other fania originals and I can say with confidence that this is the definitive version for this album. Those fania originals are normally very difficult to get in NM condition, and even when you are lucky for find one, there are huge chances that it comes with non-fill problems. I'm so happy that CRAFT recording is bringing back these classic salsa albums and with such quality level. If somebody from the company is reading this review (hopefully). Here are some suggestions for future releases...Barretto: The message, el "ray criollo", indestructible, the other roadWillie Colón: El juicio, lo mato, siembraBobby Valentín: Algo nuevo, rey del bajo, in motionLarry Harlow: Abran paso, salsa, HommyJonny Pacheco: Tremendo caché, perfecta combinación
