Unveiling Soon: Exclusive Live Album from Salsa Legend Celia Cruz
Exclusive Live Album from Salsa Legend
¡Hola, mi gente! Today, we have a story that will surely spice up your día, particularly for all the music aficionados out there. It all begins with a little treasure hunt in South Florida, where radio personality Albertico Rodríguez, while sorting through his closet last year, stumbled upon a real gem—an audio reel recording of none other than la reina de la salsa, Celia Cruz.
Recorded during a vibrant show at the now-closed Casanova Club in Miami back in the late ’80s, this rare find was like striking gold for Rodríguez, who had emceed many of the iconic performances by Cruz but had forgotten about this tape. Nearly four decades later, this discovery is nothing short of a milagro, especially as we approach 2024, marking the centennial of Cruz’s birth.
Quick as un rayo, Rodríguez reached out to Omer Pardillo Cid, the trusted executor of Cruz’s estate, and Nelson Albareda, CEO of Loud and Live—and Billboard’s Latin executive of the year in 2023. Together, they embarked on a journey to bring this piece of musical history back to life. Thanks to modern technology, the reel was digitized, and what they heard was pure magic—classic hits like ‘Quimbara’ echoing through the speakers, still as powerful and stirring as ever.
Albareda, who began his career working closely with Cruz, felt a rush of nostalgia and excitement, pero, he didn’t cry. Instead, he dove headfirst into a year-long project to restore and remaster the tracks, a labor of amor indeed.
The result? An electrifying new album titled “En Vivo: 100 Años de Azúcar,” set for release on May 24 in various formats, including digital, vinyl, and a collector’s box set complete with a coffee table book and exclusive photographs of Cruz. This nine-track album not only showcases Cruz’s undying charisma but will also be the second live recording released since her passing in 2003.
But the fiesta doesn’t stop there, queridos! This album kicks off a year-long celebration of Celia Cruz’s centennial that will continue through 2025. In a fitting tribute to her legacy, Cruz’s face will grace a U.S. quarter this August as part of the American Women Quarters Program. Imagínate, carrying a piece of la reina de la salsa right in your pocket!
Celia Cruz was more than a musical icon; she was a symbol of cultural pride and joy for the Afro-Latina community and beyond. Her former manager and dear amigo, Pardillo Cid, speaks of her with a blend of reverence and love, committed to preserving her legacy forever. “This project is a celebration of her immortality,” he shares, reflecting on the profundity of their friendship and her impact on the music world.
What makes this album extraordinario is its raw authenticity. Captured in a smaller venue, “100 Años de Azúcar” presents Cruz in an intimate setting, interacting personally with her fans—joking, laughing, being spontaneous. It’s a side of Cruz that resonates deeply with those who experienced her performances live, a recorded momento that’s as close to the real thing as it gets.
As we gear up for the release, Loud and Live Studios, paired with indie distributor InnerCat, promise to infuse heart and soul into getting Cruz’s music out into the mundo. With exclusive premieres on Sirius XM’s Caliente channel and a significant social and media push including a publicidad tour by Pardillo Cid, the excitement is building.
This isn’t just about reminiscing; it’s about re-experiencing the dynamic force of Celia Cruz’s performances. It’s a project born from passion, a tribute designed to keep her influential legacy thriving as we celebrate an entire century of her azucar. As we anticipate the magic this album is set to unleash, remember—Celia’s spirit continues to dance and sing, reminding us all of the everlasting power of música Latina. ¡Qué viva Celia Cruz!
