Search - Orquesta Harlow :: Orchestra Harlow Hommy A Latin Opera

Classic Salsa at it's best!!

John D. Sullivan | Cincinnati | 03/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Larry Harlow's 1973 release Hommy-A Latin Opera is on my top ten Salsa recordings of all time. Back in the spring of "73 it was the first time a Salsa orchestra played Carnegie Hall in NYC. It set the tone for what would be one of the greatest years for SALSA and it's development,1973.

The concept for the recording,a salsa opera not unlike a Rock opera. The Who's Tommy was the premier Rock Opera of the time and Harlow borrowed the basic storyline and adapted it(Tommy-Hommy,get it) Instead of a pinball wizard,what you got was a deaf,mute,blind conga player who's a prodigy and messiah. Maestro Harlow put together the most formidable salsa singers and musicians of the day and produced a cultural milestone of epic proportions. The arrangements and tunes are nothing short of amazing. I remember it was the first time I heard Salsa played with a symphonic orchestra and it totally blew me away. This was singer Junior Gonzalez debut with Harlow and what a debut it is. He holds his own with all the veteran singers like Adalberto Santiago,Cheo Feliciano,Justo Betancourt,"Conde Rodriguez and the Queen Celia Cruz.By the way this was Celia's first recording for Fania records,thanks to Mr.Harlow.This is one album you should play from beginning to end.It's that good. No self respecting Salsa collection should be without it. That such an outstanding and creative project is available again is a true sensory blessing. Gracias Sr.Harlow and Heny Alvarez(wrote the lyrics)R.I.P."