Ismael Rivera with Kako y Su Orquesta Lo Ultimo En La Avenida 180g LP

This reissue celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Ismael Rivera's third album, Lo Ultimo en la Avenida, recorded with Kako y Su Orquesta. Ismael was known as one of the greatest soneros in salsa and Kako was one of the most popular timbaleros during the '60s and '70s, making the combination undeniably electric. Highlight tracks include the hit "Mi Negrita Me Espera," plus the exhilarating "El Cumbanchero." This 180-gram pressing boasts all-analog mastering from the original tapes.

Craft Recordings deserves some kind of award or citation for the work they are doing to bring classic albums from legendary Latin label Fania back into circulation. It's one of those above and beyond projects that will surely reap rewards in the decades to come once younger artists, producers and DJs get their hands on albums like this treasure from vocalist Ismael Rivera. At the time, the Puerto Rican vocalist was coming off a long stint with Rafael Cortijo's band and a short stint in prison for drug possession. Not wanting to waste any time, Rivera moved to New York and linked up with percussionist Kako and his band to cut an album full of party jams. The finished product is a straight up burner of uptempo salsa tunes shot through with gallows humor, lust and chest beating emotion.