🎺🌍🎶🎸🇸🇳 At the end of the 1970s, Senegalese producer Jules Sagna approached Alfredo de la Fé with the idea of recording salsa for Africa. The idea appealed to de la Fé, who called on his colleagues at Tipica 73 to make it happen. The timing was perfect, and de la Fé obtained a waiver from the Fania All Stars label to allow the musicians to take part. He also called in flutist Nestor Torres, who was on the rise at the time. They all met up in Manhattan to record the Orchestra Rytmo Africa-Cubana‘s first album in one go. In addition to two traditional pieces, Alfredo de la Fé composed three tracks for the occasion, including the famous and irresistible Vamos Pa Dakar. The album was such a success that Sagna gave up his day-to-day business to devote himself fully to production. Volume II was released, but without Alfredo de la Fé, who had left to join Tito Puente. It would be Torres who would take charge, under the name Orchestra Afro-Charanga, with hits such as Voulez-Vous Danser and Sénégal En Africa.
– Largely taken from Radio Gladys Palmera’s articles on the subject (gladyspalmera.com).
