Issac Delgado, guest of Gilberto Santa Rosa on his album Colegas

August 28, 2020

Cuban salsa singer Issac Delgado shares with his Puerto Rican friend Gilberto Santa Rosa on the most recent album by El Caballero de la Salsa –titled Colegas–, whose first single La Familia, a duet with his "beloved brother" Tito Nieves, was presented on digital platforms on August 21st, the day he celebrated his 85th birthday. The complete production of this material, under the direction of Santa Rosa himself, will be available starting September 4th.

According to several digital media outlets, the prominent Puerto Rican artist confessed that the project came about casually, since initially he only intended to make an album with percussionists Jhonny Rodríguez and Cuban Orestes Vilató, with the aim of saving it for the future. However, over time the production grew as he began calling other performers to accompany him.

Regarding the decision to present La Familia, he explained: La Familia is a composition that dates back to the 1950s by the late Cuban musician José Curbelo, and performed in his group by the iconic Mon Rivera and in Ray Barretto's Orchestra with the voice of Tito Allen. I think that this song is full of joy and good vibes, the kind that is contagious and that we always need."

Among the tracks on Colegas are Que se sepa, an original by Cuban orchestra Los Van Van, which will be the next one to be released; Camínalo (by Cuban Alaín Pérez); Masacote, La fonda de Bienvenido (by Cuban Bienvenido Julián Gutiérrez); Suena tu bongó (in which the singer excels playing the instrument) and a medley of boleros with La vida es un sueño (by Cuban Arsenio Rodríguez), Quisiera saber (by Cuban Osvaldo Farré) and Que seas feliz. Among the guests besides Tito Puente and Issac Delgado are: Víctor Manuelle, José Alberto El Canario, Jairo Ruiz, Lino Segarra, Choco Orta, Germán Olivera, Luisito Carrión, Tito Rojas, Juan José Hernández, Ismaelito Rivera, Yan Collazo, Maelo Ruiz Pirulo and Michelle Brava.

The decision and opportunity for Santa Rosa to finish this musical project are also due to the fact that he is no longer tied to any record label, which gives him greater freedom to work. Colegas is Santa Rosa's most recent album since he released 40... Y cantando en vivo desde Puerto Rico, which compiles the concert that the veteran salsa singer offered on February 17, 2018 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, to celebrate his 40 years of musical career.