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Antecedente 1988
Album · by Rubén Blades ↗ View artist

Antecedente

When Rubén Blades released Antecedente in 1988, it marked a return to the roots of salsa, a sound that he felt older studio recording techniques didn't quite capture. For this work, his backing band, formerly known as Seis del Solar, was renamed Son del Solar, incorporating trombones that took the place of some synthesizers. The result was an album that felt vibrant and authentic, described by some as "a passionate and direct salsa record, brimming with fluid Latin rhythms, layers of punchy percussion, and an incessant backdrop of two trombones." The music moved away from fast, dizzying dance pieces to explore a more sinuous sound, capable of accommodating both Blades' evocative lyrics and his hypnotic syncopation.

Year
1988
Songs
9
Duration
35 min 57 seg
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About the album

Antecedente, according to DoReSol

This album, which was recorded between 1987 and 1988, departed from his usual political commentary to focus on themes of love: for women, for the neighborhood, and for the homeland. Songs like Juana Mayo and Patria are examples of this approach, offering catchy melodies and danceable rhythms that invite movement. The record reached number 8 on Billboard's Tropical Albums chart and was recognized with a Grammy Award in the category of "Best Tropical Latin Performance." Critics highlighted the album's energetic spirit, noting that "the music is full of life, trading period authenticity lyric by lyric for a felt spirit."

The production, handled by Rubén Blades himself alongside Eddie Maldonado, aimed for a fresh and danceable sound. The band, with its new lineup, brought a particular energy that was reflected in each track. Antecedente was not only a commercial and critical success, but it also represented a reaffirmation of Blades' commitment to salsa, a genre he understood and felt deeply, always seeking ways to present it honestly and captivatingly to the public.

Discography

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