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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSANTIAGO, Adalberto(b 23 April '40s, Ciales, Puerto Rico) One of salsa's best voices, Santiago has sung lead with prominent artists and sessioned extensively as a chorus singer. He turned pro as a vocalist with trios and bassist/guitarist, during '60s worked with Chuíto Vélez, Willie Rodríguez and Willie Rosario and became a major name with Ray Barretto '66-72. He and four others left Barretto late '72 to become the basis of Típica 73; after three LPs with Típica '73-75, Santiago and three others left to form the robust gigging band Los Kimbos. After two LPs with Los Kimbos '76-7 and reuniting with Barretto on the Grammy-nominated Barretto Live: Tomorrow '76, he went solo on Adalberto '77 produced by Barretto, followed by Adalberto Featuring Popeye El Marino '79, Feliz Me Siento '80 (in tandem with Grammy-nominated Santiago/Barretto collaboration Rican/Struction with many of the same musicians), Adalberto Santiago '81 (a return to roots, produced by pianist Javier Vázquez), Calidad '82 (return to slick salsa with Papo Lucca), Tremendo Trio! '83 (Grammy-nominated collaboration with Barretto and Celia Cruz), all on Fania; also Cosas Del Alma '84 on WS Latino, Más Sabroso '85 on Tropical Budda, Sex Symbol '89 on The Mejor, Hay Algo En Ella '91 on JV Music. Others he has provided lead vocals for include Fania All Stars '68-84, Impacto Crea '74, Lou Pérez (on his highly regarded charanga sets Fantasia Africana/African Fantasy and Our Heritage -- Nuestra Herencia '75-6), Louie Ramírez (albums '78, '80 and '90), Tito Puente (on his three-vol. Beny Moré tribute '78, '79 and '85), Roberto Roena (on their collaboration Super Apollo 47:50 '82), Alfredo Rodríguez '85, Manolo Albo '90. He featured along with Papaíto, Melcochita, Herman Olivera, Yayo El Indio and Isidro Infante on Valdésa Records Presenta Vol. 1. Salsa Sudada '90; Santiago and his regular coro partner Yayo El Indio provided backing vocals on the notable Senegal meets New York salsa Africando releases Vol. 1 -- Trovador, Vol. 2 -- Tierra Tradicional and Gomba Salsa '93-6 on Stern's. He made a UK debut '94 backed by Roberto Pla's Latin Ensemble, his third UK appearance '95 with the Salsa Legends (including Barretto and Larry Harlow). |