Héctor Lavoe’s Long-Out-Of-Print 1981 Album ¡Que Sentimiento! Returns To Vinyl For 45th Anniversary

Los Angeles, CA-Craft Latino celebrates the 45th anniversary of ¡Que Sentimiento!, the sixth studio album from legendary salsa singer Héctor Lavoe. Marking Lavoe's first and only self-produced album, the 1981 title features eight timeless salsa tracks, including "El son," "No hay quien te aguante," and "Soy vagabundo"-all of which are bolstered by lush arrangements from such esteemed figures as Luís Cruz, Louie Ramírez, and José Febles. Out of print for 45 years, ¡Que Sentimiento! arrives on 180-gram vinyl on October 2 and features all-analog (AAA) mastering.

A limited-edition Rojo Amor (Red Love) color pressing (only 300 copies) will also be available as a standalone or bundled with a Fania Classic Logo T-shirt at Fania.com. The remastered album will also be available in digital format, including Hi-Res audio for the first time.

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One of salsa music's greatest vocalists, Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993) was an influential force in the genre, thanks to his charming stage presence, impeccable delivery, and witty improvisations. Born Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the artist relocated to New York City at 17, where he built a name for himself performing in bands led by Roberto García, Kako, and Fania Records founder Johnny Pacheco. It was through Pacheco that Lavoe met 16-year-old Willie Colón, with whom he would form one of Latin music's most celebrated partnerships.

Beginning in 1967, Lavoe appeared as a vocalist on ten legendary studio albums with the Willie Colón Orchestra, including the classic El malo (1967), as well as bestsellers like Cosa nuestra (1970), Asalto Navideño (1971), and Lo mato (1973). In the mid-'70s, Lavoe launched his solo career with 1975's La voz, followed by such popular titles as De ti depende (1976) and Comedia (1978). Yet while Colón had served as a producer on many of these albums, Lavoe still had yet to take full creative control-until his sixth studio album, 1981's ¡Que Sentimiento!, which marked the singer's only self-produced release.

Lavoe enlisted a childhood friend from Puerto Rico, trumpeter/arranger José Febles, as well as legendary salsa arranger/producer Louie Ramírez, to serve as co-musical directors on the lively album. The trio focused on a bigger, lushly arranged sound-a trend kicked off by Colón on his 1979 LP, Solo, that would permeate the era's salsa scene.

This style can be heard on such tracks as "No hay quien te aguante" and the joyful "Yo 'ta cansa"-both of which feature sweeping string orchestrations. The latter tune, penned by Marcelino Guerra and Julio Blanco, showcases Lavoe's incredible vocal agility while also including one of the album's few solos-from guest flautist Nestor Torres and Lavoe's longtime pianist Gilberto "El Pulpo" Colón.

The sonero's storytelling abilities shine in the Enildo "Chino" Padrón-penned "Soy vagabundo," which features outstanding arrangements by the great Luís Cruz. Lavoe also puts his own witty touch on the classic Cortijo y Su Combo bomba "Lo dejé llorando." Other highlights include the anthemic "El son"-written by Rafa Benítez-as well as the emotionally charged bolero "Juventud," also by Guerra, in which Lavoe sings from the point of view of an elderly man who not only laments the loss of his youth, but also warns a younger man that he will one day be old too.

While ¡Que Sentimiento! would remain Lavoe's only self-produced album, it stands as a sign of the confidence the singer gained in the studio as a solo artist. Lavoe would continue to enjoy success in the '80s with projects like the Vigilante film soundtrack, alongside Colón, as well as his follow-up, Reventó (1985), and his GRAMMY®-nominated final album, Strikes Back (1987).

A larger-than-life figure in the Latin community, Lavoe left behind a legacy that extended far beyond his lifetime. In addition to his ten solo albums and classic collaborations with Colón, Lavoe was also a regular guest with the celebrated Fania All Stars, appearing on more than a dozen live and studio albums with the collective. Over the decades, his contributions to Latin music have been honored in New York and Puerto Rico through street dedications, statues, and murals. Lavoe's life also inspired an off-Broadway play, a tribute album, and two feature films, including the Marc Anthony/Jennifer Lopez-led El Cantante (2006). In 2000, Lavoe was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

Click here to pre-order ¡Que Sentimiento!

Click here to find the exclusive bundle including the limited-edition Amor Rojo (Red Love) color vinyl with a Fania Classic Logo T-shirt.

¡Que Sentimiento! Tracklist (Vinyl)

Side A

1. Amor soñando
2. Lo deje llorando
3. Juventud
4. Yo 'ta cansa

Side B

1. Soy vagabundo
2. El són
3. Seguire mi viaje
4. No hay quien te aguante

*Digital tracklist mirrors the vinyl