45 Aniversario (CD - 2000)

Personnel includes: Luigui Texidor, Hector "Pichie" Perez, Yolanda Rivera, Mannix Martinez, Danny Davila, Miguelito Ortiz, Wito Colon, Rafi Santana, Andy Montanez, Cano Estremera, Omar Ledee, Ismael Miranda.

This superlative live retrospective of Sonora Ponceña's extensive career features former vocalists Luigi Texidor, Miguelito Ortiz, Yolanda Rivera, Mannix Martínez, and special guests Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, Cano Estremera, Omar Ledée (Toñito Ledée's son), and Rafi Santana. Virtually every tune that the orchestra is known for is superbly re-created . Andy Montañez is magnificent in "Ahora Sí" and Ismael Miranda is sterling in "Tu y Yo." Cano Estremera has a showstopping performance with "Boranda" (watch for Papo Lucca's participation as he makes the Tito Puente Auditorium audience sing with him). Incredibly, the band seems ageless as they continue to establish themselves as one of the most important salsa bands in Puerto Rican musical history. Pianist Papo Lucca remains peerless. ~ José A. Estévez, Jr. minimize