The Sun of Latin Music

1	Nada de Ti / Lalo Rodríguez 6:31
2	Deseo Salvaje / Lalo Rodríguez 3:41
3	Una Rosa Española / Lalo Rodríguez 5:21
4	Nunca Contigo / Lalo Rodríguez 3:51
5	Un Dia Bonito / Lalo Rodríguez 14:52
6	Mi Cumbia / Lalo Rodríguez 3:18

Barnes & Noble

The Sun of Latin Music is one of the absolute treasures of salsa's golden age. An all-star lineup of New York session veterans expertly embellishes the manic intensity of piano virtuoso Eddie Palmieri, whose unique way of battering the piano keys as if he were playing congas lends his craft an avant-garde edge. There are many hints of the charanga fad that dominated the early '70s, owing mainly to the presence of violinist Alfredo de la Fe. But the exceptional percussion section of Tommy López Jr. on bongo, Eladio Pérez on conga, and Nicky Marrero on timbales forms the real backbone of the album. This is Palmieri fully unchained: The scintillating, nine-minute pseudo-classical passage introducing "Un Dia Bonito" would simply never happen in the commercially dominated world of contemporary salsa. The Sun of Latin Music is also the thrilling debut of sonero Lalo Rodriguez, whose nasal tenor floats freely over the disciplined rhythm section, the strident horns of Ronnie Cuber and Mario Rivera, and Palmieri's penetrating piano strides. The major treat of the whole set is probably "Una Rosa Española," which refashions the Beatles' "You Never Give Me Your Number" as a Cuban danzón. Whether for its songwriting, instrumental experimentalism, or all-around fire, it's hard to beat this 1973 classic. Ed Morales

All Music Guide

A master of the traditional and the progressive, the styles of the past and the bright, swinging future, Eddie Palmieri is one of the most influential Latino pianists of the 20th century. His extreme versatility and artistic vision are brilliantly displayed on The Sun of Latin Music. While most Latin jazz musicians fall into either staunch traditionalism or pursuing progressive ideas to the detriment of groove and accessibility; Palmieri marries both ideals effortlessly. With smooth, danceable rhythm, lush vocals, and a clear center to the song, combined with sophisticated arrangements, tunes like "Desea Salvaje" and "Nunca Contigo" both swing the dancer and captivate the discriminating listener. Palmieri's interest in stylistic variety, including styles like danzon, guaguanco, and cumbia, not common of '70s era salsa, enrich the album and show off his versatility. "Un Dia Bonita," a Latin suite of sorts, give the listener a clear picture of both Palmieri's virtuosity and his adventurous compositional nature. Though over the course of the record there aren't any instrumental performances to rival the piano for attention, the fierce, fiery piano is plenty. Suitable for either the casual ear of the salsa fan, or the careful attention of the jazz aficionado, The Sun of Latin Music shines brightly, high above the horizon of its peers. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide