Peruvian pianist Alfredo "Sabor" Linares is a legend—a cult figure—long recognized throughout Latin America as one of the creators of salsa music. He started out recording Afro Latin jazz in the late 60s, with two solo LPs and guest piano and arrangement work for both Coco Lagos and El Combo de Pepe. In the early 70s, he moved to Cali in Colombia, and became heavily involved in what developed into the Salsa scene. Linares` "Salsa a Todo Sabor..." album was recorded in late 1972 for the IEMPSA label in Peru, and released by them in 1973;
The music is a scorching combination of danceable Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban music. The rhythms of boogaloo and Latin soul are there in profusion, with the piano and bass carrying the groove. Then the rhythm changes: from boogaloo to salsa, as well as to guaracha and guaguancó. It`s no exaggeration to say that the Latin percussion style of a handful of albums like this one certainly had an impact on the creation of the New York salsa scene, and the trio of trumpets adds a Puerto Rican flavor. Three singers deliver the knockout punch: Panchito Nalmy, Rolo Bernal, and Koky Palacios, singing in the style of Fania. Around the same time he recorded the "Salsa a Todo Sabor…" album, Linares recorded the 45rpm single: `Yo no soy guapo` (I am not handsome) / `Sujetate la lengua` (Hold on language); both sides of this rare single are included as bonus tracks. Our Lion Productions (USA) + Repsychled label (Peru) jewel case CD edition uses the original Peruvian album cover, and includes a booklet with text in Spanish and English. First time on CD for this crucial early Salsa album, carefully remastered from the original tapes!
1. La salsa va a comenzar
2. Boogaloo girl
3. Macchu Picchu
4. A los timbaleros
5. El bravo soy yo
6. Ritmo del callejó
7. Pa` juga nama
8. Recuerdame
9. Mañana de carnaval
10. Bomba en el Peru
11. Vuelve
12 Guaguanco en onda.
Bonus Tracks:
13. Yo no soy guapo
14. Sujetate la lengua (rare 45rpm single tracks)