1. El Cantante
2. Mi Gente
3. Che Che Colé
4. Periódico De Ayer
5. El Dia De Suerte
6. Qué Lío
7. Aguanile
8. Todo Tiene Su Final
9. Tú Bien Lo Sabes
10. Plato De Segunda Mesa
11. No Hay Quién Te Aguante
12. Paraíso de Dulzura
13. Lloré
14. Mi Gente (Louie Vega EOL Remix-Radio Edit)
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Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993) was born Héctor Juan Pérez in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and became known to his fans simply as El Cantante (the singer). His hectic career began when he moved to New York City as a teenager and headlined with Willie Colôn's band and, later, with the Fania All-Stars. But despite a series of hits that culminated in a 1987 Grammy nomination for his final album, Strikes Back, his posthumous reputation was not nearly so widespread as it deserved to be. Then, in 2006, he became the subject of a film biography, also called El Cantante, which is now available on DVD. Starring the modern Latin-and-crossover superstar Marc Anthony, and featuring his pop star wife, Jennifer Lopez, as Lavoe's long-suffering and endlessly loyal mate, Nilda "Puchi" Roman, it captures much of the gritty, mesmerizing yet poetic urban ambience that launched his tragic but ultimately triumphant legacy. The present album gathers together several of Lavoe's most iconic tunes, many of which were covered by Anthony in the movie. However, with all due props to the younger artist, Lavoe's own interpretations are still the ones to beat. Showcased in selections composed by Johnny Pacheco and Rubén Blades, among others, and produced by Willie Colôn, his lifelong friend and collaborator, his creamy, resonant tenor, flawless phrasing, and improvisatory zeal are so incandescently organic that he never seems to break a sweat--even as he wrings every possible iota of lyric, rhythmic and emotional truth from each tune. --Christina Roden
Album Description
Héctor Lavoé continues to be source of tributes, covers, drama, and films. This collection of carefully remastered original songs affirms that the attention is well deserved. It features some of the classic hits he recorded together with Willie Colón, such as the rhythmically inventive "Che Che Colá" and "Aguanile." "Mi Gente" was the song in live performances that would celebrate his direct connection and empathy with people. "El Cantante," written for Lavoé by Rubén Blades, is reflective of his love for his vocation as a singer for the people. "El Dia De Suerte," "Todo Tiene Su Final," "Lloré," and "Plato de Segunda Mesa" are songs that speak about how to cope with bad luck, fate, death, betrayal, suffering, and uncertainty. These were all ingredients to Héctor's life, yet there is nothing sad in the music. On the contrary, his music is a celebration of life that inspires dancing. The influence of Lavoé will continue to be felt in the Latin music world, but nothing beats listening to this remastered original.
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El Cantante: The Originals
- Audio CD: 0 pages (2007-07-03)
- Publisher: Fania / Umgd
- Label: Fania / Umgd
- Format: Original recording remastered
- Studio: Fania / Umgd
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 18 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #3855
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: It is worth every penny. 2008-10-17
Comment: I absolutely love this CD. I am a black female and I don't understand everything that he is saying, but Levoe is so talented that his passion and diction got me mesmerized. I can actually feel the words. PLEASE EVERYONE GET THIS RECORD...IT IS WELL WORTH IT.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Apasionante 2008-08-20
Comment: Hector Lavoe is a must for any person interested in salsa music. As one of the reviewers says, it is a Salsa 101. The rhythm, the lyrics, his voice. Close your eyes and feel. Your body vibrates and your soul dances...
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not to diminish Marc Anthony but... 2008-07-19
Comment: Don Hector has something Marc Anthony doesn't have... yet! With Marc, if he achieves it, it will come with age, with duende.
Yes, mi hente, go to the original FIRST! It's that simple.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best 2008-05-27
Comment: I workout to El Cantante - The Original. It's like nonstop Great music to exercise to. Hector Laveo is still the best. I saw Marc Anthony's movie, El Cantante but, I brought Hectors Original CD. It's my favorite CD. I blast the CD in my Escalade, and everybody looking at me and singing along with me. I'm a black guy from the Bronx, living in Manhattan. I don't know a lot of Spanish, but I love hectors music. He is still the Greatest.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Vamos, Cantante... ¡Comienza! 2008-04-27
Comment: Como bien dice en el texto del interior de la portada: la postura de Héctor, su actitud, su estética, era de una estrella de rock. A diferencia de quien lo personificó en la película, por ejemplo, el señor Marc Anthony, quien en mi país sería catalogado dentro del estilo que se conoce como "la gilada latina" (something like "the foolish latin-thing"). Héctor era un sonero de alma, natural, espontáneo. Y si lo comparo con su remplazante en la banda de Colón, el señor Rubén Blades (a quien respeto, por cierto), podría decir lo siguiente: tomemos como ejemplo la "ópera" MAESTRA VIDA (a great masterpiece!)de Blades y Colón. Dura aproximádamente 80 minutos. Héctor hubiese contado lo mismo en 15 minutos (3 temas de 5 minutos c/u). Su poder de síntesis era impresionante. Analizando "El Cantante" (The Originals), destaco por supuesto la extensa versión completa del tema que da título al álbum, "Aguanile", que está basado en un tema folklórico cubano, "Todo tiene su final" y "El día de mi suerte", en cierto modo autobiográficos, y "¡Qué lío!", una tremenda guajira, con todo el feeling del blues en su versión latina. Me hubiera gustado que estuviera "Juanito Alimaña", pero claro, no fue incluida en la peli. ¡¡Piérdanselo!!
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