5 Classic Salsa Christmas Albums by Puerto Rican Artists
You'll want to play these 5 classic Christmas albums by some of Puerto Rico's finest artist to dance the night away and celebrate the season.
Christmastime is a festive season in Puerto Rico. As Fodor's Travel Guide states, "On the island of Puerto Rico, Navidad lasts around 45 days, starting right after Thanksgiving Day in November, extending through mid-January, and culminating with the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián."
Music across different genres is a big part of celebrations, including popular classics written by singer-songwriters Herminio de Jesús and José Nogueras, to name a few. Salsa artists in particular have also released songs and albums that have marked la Navidad (or Christmastime) and continue to be played decades after being released.
- El Gran Combo en Navidad by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, or "La Universidad de la Salsa" as they're also known, has been one of the most successful music groups to come from Puerto Rico. In 2022, they celebrated their 60th anniversary, having been founded by Rafael Ithier in May of 1962. Among their non-holiday hits are 'Brujería', 'Timbalero', 'Así Son', and 'Hojas Blancas." El Gran Combo en Navidad, which was released in the 1960's, is the first Christmas album that the orchestra released over the years and includes songs like 'Alegría y Paz' and 'Cantares'.
- Asalto Navideño by Héctor Lavoe, Willie Colón, and Yomo Toro
Three Puerto Rican music stars came together to make this album — the singer Lavoe, the musician and trombonist Colón, and guitarist and cuatro player Toro. This album, along with its sequel, is still so popular today that folks in Puerto Rico often hear it playing while out in public (especially inside) stores, during Christmastime. Among the songs in this album released in 1970, are classics like 'Canto a Borinquen' and 'La Murga'.
- Asalto Navideño II by Héctor Lavoe, Willie Colón, and Yomo Toro
You can't mention the first Asalto Navideño without mentioning the second; this album was released a few years aforementioned one, and like the first one, Lavoe and Colón participated in the songwriting here as well. 'Doña Santos', 'Cantemos' and 'Pa' los pueblos' are some of the notable songs presente here, although you could argue that all of the songs on both albums are standouts.
- Navidad Criolla by La Sonora Ponceña
La Sonora Ponceña, as the name suggests hails from Ponce, and was founded by Quique Lucca in the 1950's. One of the longest lasting and most successful orchestras from Puerto Rico, they have had innumerable hits, including 'De Que Callada Manera', 'Yambeque', 'Fuego en el 23' and 'Bomba Carambomba." In this Christmas album from 1978, La Sonora released timely songs like 'Aguinaldo Antillano' and 'Canción de Navidad'.
- Feliz Navidad by Ismael Rivera
This album by El Sonero Mayor, as Ismael Rivera is called, is still played to this day despite the fact that it was released in the mid-1970's. Like all of the albums mentioned in this article, Feliz Navidad proves that good music has no expiration date, and that salsa has made its mark year-round, including the holiday season. Check out songs such as 'Mi Tía María', 'Navidad de Nuevo' and 'Bomba de Navidad'.