The self-titled “Orquesta Olivieri” appeared in 1972, just when the Fania Records revolution, powerfully controlling the salsa business, was reaching its peak. It disappeared for good, sadly representing the last production by this band.

This 1972 album reflects the years when salsa was exploding In New York City, and, for that matter, Latin America altogether. Produced by Bobby Marin, an experienced go-to man in Latin Music, especially Afro-Caribbean sounds, was released by Pavilion Records, a NYC restaurant related label. This was actually the only album ever released by this, very short-lived label.

Side A opens with the slow-paced Latin soul song ‘There is No Other Girl’, that style-wise connects to their previous LP, released when the boogaloo trend was still around. In fact, this song had been previously released two years earlier on a 45 and was then overdubbed (adding an organ on top) for this LP version. The song is very much in demand these days in the lowrider soul scene due to the breath-taking vocal harmonies and appealing production.

The album also comprises spicy guaguancós on ‘Cuando llegué a Borinquen’, the classic ‘Los Muchachos de Belén’ and ‘Tabaritiando’. There is also room for a cha-cha-chá, ‘María Isabel, and a guaracha ‘Perrito sabueso’, and the album closes with the Latin soul ballad ‘Preferí perderte,’ interpreted in Spanish.

First time official reissue.