El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico: Charlie Aponte, Jerry Rivas, Papo Rosario (vocals), Rafael Ithier (piano), Freddy Miranda (soprano saxophone), Eddie Perez (saxophone), Victor E. Rodriguez, Taty Maldonado (flugelhorn, trumpet), Moises Nogueras (trombone), Freddy Rivera (bass), Miguel Torres (congas), Jose Miguel Laboy (bongo), Cuqui Santos (timbales).
Recorded at Telesound Studios, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
Personnel: Charlie Aponte, Papo Rosario, Jerry Rivas (vocals, background vocals); Fred Rivera (bajo sexto); Freddy Miranda (saxophone, soprano saxophone); Eddie Perez (saxophone); Victor Rodriguez, Taty Maldonado (trumpet, flugelhorn); Moises Nogueras (trombone); Rafael Ithier (piano); Miguel Torres (congas); Jose Miguel Laboy (bongos); Cuqui Santos (timbales).
Audio Mixers: Freddy Miranda; Papo Sanchez; Rafael Ithier.
Recording information: Telesound Stuidos, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
Director: Rafael Ithier.
Photographer: Jorge Velazquez.
Arrangers: Ernesto Sanchez; Louis García; Rafael Ithier; Bobby Valentín.
This supple El Gran Combo effort gets extra mileage thanks to arrangers Bobby Valentín, Louis García, and Ernesto Sánchez. They definitely add new color to Rafael Ithier's age-old formula, as swinging and hard-hitting as salsa can get. Charlie Aponte, Jerry Rivas, and Papo Rosario excel and are right on target; the most delicious tunes are "Buena o Mala," "Te Estás Poniendo Viejo" (arranged by Bobby Valentín), and "Amor de Tempestad." A definite improvement over their preceding First Class International (1993). ~ José A. Estévez, Jr. minimize