Tico Records – 13th Street Promotions

We’re celebrating “Hispanic Heritage Month” on Oldies Sunday. Hispanic Americans made significant contributions from entertainment, to sports, to pop culture, and we have highlighted a number of them. Today’s feature comes from Puerto Rican-American Musician Tito Puente with the track, “Oye Cómo Va“.

Composed by Tito Puente and released through Tico Records in 1962, “Oye Cómo Va” is a celebration of rhythm, as it features very little vocals. Carried by horn, percussion, piano, flutes, and string arrangements, the Cha-Cha-Chá track encouraged dancing, and plenty was done when this was released. The track was inspired by Cuban Composer Cachao’s Mambo track “Chanchullo” from 1957, and listeners could hear the similarities in the arrangement. “Oye Cómo Va” was featured on Puente’s 1962 album, “El Rey: Bravo“, and success for the track came soon after as it was covered by American Rock Band Santana (lead by Mexican-American Musician Carlos Santana) in 1971 to high chart placements, and a place in the Latin Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2002. The track was also covered by Joe Cuba, Julio Iglesias, Celia Cruz, Kinky, Natalie Cole, and Chisato Moritaka.

Since the release of “Oye Cómo Va”, Tito Puente went on the enjoy a decades-long music career, dabbled in making TV appearances, collected awards and accolades, and shared his music with the world stage until his passing in 2000. “Oye Cómo Va” remains one of his most recognizable compositions, and a representation of the interconnectedness, transnationality, and hybridity of Latin Music in the US.

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter, TikTok, Threads, and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Tito Puente – Oye Cómo Va (1962)” →

This March on Oldies Sunday, we recognize it as Women’s History Month. We salute the many Women who have taken big steps, and left amazing legacies. Today, we head over to Cuba to salute the “Queen Of Salsa” or “La Reina De La Salsa“, and “La Guarachera De Cuba“, Celia Cruz! We look back at her single, “Bemba Colora“.

Originally composed by Jose Claro Fumero, “Bemba Colora” was released in 1966 through Tico Records. The song possessed a strong anti-racist message, a bit of storytelling, and celebrated a proud African heritage as “Bemba Colora” meant “big red lips/red mouth“, which is a distinct feature of many Black people. The song features a heavy dose of percussion and horns, and will have anyone breaking out in dance. “Bemba Colora” was a hit for Celia Cruz, later on becoming one of her signature songs. “Bemba Colora” was featured on Cruz’s 1966 album, “Son con Guaguancó“.

Celia Cruz would become one of the faces of the then growing Latin Music movement overseas, mastering many forms of Afro-Cuban music styles over time. Celia Cruz has inspired generations of Latin Artists, and her presence is still felt to this day. She is still celebrated around the world, with special tributes being presented yearly. “Celia Cruz Day” is celebrated in San Francisco, California on October 25, and she has a few Schools and roads named after her in her honour.

thank you celia cruz!

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: @CeliaCruz – Bemba Colora (1966)” →

If you like this post, please share with a friend and help us grow!

thank you celia cruz!

If you like this post, please share with a friend and help us grow!