VIA PRESS RELEASE | Craft Latino announces a special reissue for the 1983 GRAMMY-nominated salsa classic Tremendo Trio, which unites three of Latin music’s greatest talents: legendary bandleader and percussionist Ray Barretto, beloved vocalist Adalberto Santiago, and the “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz.
Returning to vinyl on October 3 for the first time since its original release, and available for pre-order, this star-studded album is packed with salsa dura dancefloor favorites, including “Nadie se salva de la rumba,” “Así empezó él son montuno,” and “Margie.” This edition of Tremendo Trio was cut from the original analog tapes by Dave Polster and Clint Holley at Well Made Music and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Fans can also enjoy the remastered album in both standard and HD digital audio, available now. Additionally, a limited-edition “Tremendo Rojo” color vinyl variant (only 300 copies) is available as a stand-alone or a bundle option that includes a collectible Fania Retro Logo T-shirt, exclusively online at Fania.com.
This release arrives as part of Craft Latino’s centennial celebrations honoring Celia Cruz and her extraordinary contributions to the musical landscape. Widely regarded as one of the most influential Latin artists of all time, Cruz was an internationally beloved star who sold over 10 million records over the course of her five-decade career. A ten-time GRAMMY nominee, she received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of the Arts, a Smithsonian Lifetime Achievement Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a posthumous GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.
Cruz was also inducted into both the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame and the International Latin Music Hall of Fame, among others. In 2024, she made history as the first Afro-Latina to appear on US currency through the American Women’s Quarter Program. Throughout the year, Craft Latino is commemorating Cruz with a series of vinyl and digital reissues, playlists, video content, and more.
1983 marked a special moment in Latin music when three of its biggest stars united for one “tremendous” album, Tremendo Trio. Bringing serious star power was the “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz (1925 – 2003). After launching her career in the early ’50s as a member of the celebrated vocal group La Sonora Matancera, the Cuban singer was forced to flee to the U.S. amid the Cuban Revolution.
Settling in New York City, she embarked on a solo career, collaborating with some of the era’s biggest Latin stars—including Tito Puente and Memo Salamanca. In the mid-’70s, Cruz experienced another career resurgence, thanks to a string of internationally bestselling albums with Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón, among others, as well as regular live performances with the Fania All Stars.
At the helm was the GRAMMY-winning bandleader and percussionist, Ray Barretto (1929 – 2006). One of the foremost names in Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms, Barretto straddled the worlds of jazz and Latin music, while he was at the forefront of the boogaloo and salsa scenes. After rising to fame with his 1963 hit, “El Watusi,” Barretto went on to release such popular albums as 1968’s Acid, 1972’s Que viva la música, and 1975’s Barretto and served as the musical director of the world-renowned collective, Fania All Stars. As a percussionist, Barretto was also an in-demand studio musician who played alongside some of the biggest stars in jazz, pop, and rock, including Charlie Parker, the Bee Gees, and the Rolling Stones.
For Tremendo Trio, Barretto enlisted his longtime collaborator—and one of salsa’s most iconic vocalists—Adalberto Santiago (b. 1937). Renowned for his beautiful, wide-ranging vocals, Santiago rose as a singer for bandleader Chuíto Vélez—during which time he earned the nickname “the Puerto Rican Elvis Presley.” In the mid-’60s, he joined Barretto’s band, releasing seven studio albums together between 1966 and 1972. A longtime member of the Fania All Stars, Santiago also fronted the popular group Típica 73, all while enjoying a highly successful solo career that began in the late ’70s. When he reunited with Barretto for Tremendo Trio, Santiago was at the height of his fame.
Together, the three stars deliver old-school salsa dura magic on Tremendo Trio. The album opens with the joyful “Nadie se salva de la rumba”—an enduring favorite that showcases the talents of all three artists and sets the tone for the album. With their inspired soneos, Cruz and Santiago’s powerhouse performances complement one another, while Barretto contributes a series of stunning conga solos throughout the track. Other dancefloor staples include “De repente,” and “Margie,” while “Así empezo él son montuno” remains a standout hit for all three performers.
Produced by Barretto and arranged by the great Luis Cruz, the album is bolstered by a talented line-up of musicians, including pianist Oscar Hernández, bassist Ray Martinez, trombonist Joe De Jesus, and a trumpet section consisting of Charlie Hernandez, Ken Fradley, Ray Gonzalez, Tim Quimette, and Tony Barrero. Joining Barretto on percussion are Carlos Soto (bongos) and Ralph Irizarry (timbales), while the celebrated Charanga artist, Felo Barrio, adds backing vocals.
A commercial and critical success upon its release, Tremendo Trio has long been an essential title in any salsa fan’s record collection. In addition to earning a nomination for Best Tropical Latin Performance at the 26th annual GRAMMYs, the title also took home a Latin ACE Award for Salsa Album of the Year in 1984.
