SPECIAL REISSUE FOR ROBERTO ROENA Y SU APOLLO SOUND COMING TO 180-GRAM VINYL AND HI-RES DIGITAL

Craft Latino proudly announces a special reissue of Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound—the self-titled Fania Records debut from one of the greatest salsa artists of all time. Originally released in 1970, the album not only showcased Roena’s distinct new style through classic hits like “Tu Loco Loco, y Yo Tranquilo,” “El Escapulario” and his popular rendition of “Soñando con Puerto Rico” (plus a handful of English-language covers, including Blood, Sweat & Tears’ “Spinning Wheel”) but also launched the bandleader, dancer and percussionist’s prolific career.

Set for release on July 5th and available for pre-order today, Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound offers the highest quality listening experience, thanks to all-analog remastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. The LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a vintage-style tip-on jacket, replicating the album’s classic design. Additionally, Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound will make its debut in 192/24 HD digital audio. In addition, a Loco Loco Sun color vinyl exclusive with an exciting bundle option that includes a commemorative RobertoRoena y Su Apollo Sound T-shirt is available for pre-order at CraftRecordings.com.

Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound arrives as Craft Latino celebrates the 60th anniversary of Fania Records. One of the most significant Latin labels in the world, Fania has long been the definitive home for such influential genres as Latin big band, Afro-Cuban jazz, boogaloo, Latin soul and salsa. Throughout the year, Craft Latino will honor Fania’s enduring legacy through a variety of special releases and initiatives, including more than a dozen remastered 180-gram vinyl reissues, over two dozen remastered digital albums, a singles box set, plus curated playlists, artist spotlights and live events in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and London.

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A leading figure in salsa music, Roberto Roena (1940–2021) was a multi-talented artist, who rose to fame as a bandleader, percussionist and dancer. The Puerto Rican musician began his career as a teenager, catching the ear of legendary bandleader Rafael Cortijo, who not only taught Roena to play the bongos and cowbell but also made him a member of his world-renowned orchestra, Cortijo y su Combo. After the group dissolved in the early ’60s, Roena reunited with several of his former bandmates to form El Gran Combo. The salsa orchestra would quickly become one of Puerto Rico’s most famous acts.

By 1969, however, Roena was eager to branch out on his own and assembled a 12-piece band, Apollo Sound. The group—whose name reportedly came about after their first rehearsal coincided with the historic launch of the Apollo 11 space shuttle—would change the landscape of Latin music. “With Apollo Sound,” wrote the New York Times in 2021, “Mr. Roena took salsa to a new level of sophistication . . . creat[ing] a propulsive sound that drew on the music of jazz-rock groups like Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears.” Their high-energy concerts, meanwhile, were just as thrilling, as Roena frequently broke out from behind the bongos—keeping audiences on their toes with a plethora of dance moves, plus awe-inspiring physical and visual spectacles, including aerial tricks and psychedelic lighting.

Before long, the fast-rising band caught the attention of New York’s Fania Records, which released their self-titled debut in 1970. Overseen by the great Johnny Pacheco (who served as recording director) and the prolific composer Tite Curet Alonso (who took on the role of creative musical director), Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound instantly established the Puerto Rican group as one of salsa’s most innovative acts. Working with arranger/trumpet player Elías Lopés, Roena not only wrote a selection of irresistible songs but also shaped Apollo’s signature sound, distinguished by two trumpets, a trombone and a saxophone, plus a rhythm section that could breeze through even the most complex parts.

Opening the 10-track album is one of Roena’s best-loved songs, “Tu Loco Loco, y Yo Tranquilo,” while other favorites include “El Escapulario” and the Bobby Capó-penned classic “Soñando con Puerto Rico” (this emotional version by Apollo Sound would make it a huge hit). Also notable is “El Sordo”(arranged by the celebrated bandleader and bassist Bobby Valentín), as well as vibrant, English-language covers of three popular tunes from the era: Sly and the Family Stone’s “Sing a Simple Song,” Blood, Sweat & Tears’ “Spinning Wheel” and Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” (titled in Spanish as “El Pato de la Bahía”).

Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound launched the effusive bandleader’s career and marked the first of over 10 albums by the long-running group. While Apollo Sound became known as one of the greatest salsa bands of all time, Roena also enjoyed countless highlights as a solo artist—particularly when it came to his involvement in the legendary Latin supergroup Fania All Stars, as well as his high-profile work with Cameroonian star Manu Dibango. A consummate showman, with a career that spanned over six decades, Roena continued to command the stage well into his ’70s. Among many honors, Roena was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound Tracklist (Vinyl)

Side A

1. Tu Loco Loco, Y Yo Tranquilo
2. Sing A Simple Song
3. Consolación
4. Soñando Con Puerto Rico
5. El Escapulario

Side B

1. El Sordo
2. El Pato De La Bahía
3. El Barrio Sin Guapo
4. Han Pasado Algunos Días
5. Spinning Wheel

*Digital track list mirrors the vinyl.