Cero Novela

Review by Jose A. Estevez, Jr. This was Orquesta Puerto Rican Power's first recording, made during the band's first year of existence; this recording showcases the band at their roughest. It was still many years before the band acquired their powerful swinging. Bandleader/bass player Jesus Castro keep the proceedings quite interesting, in any case. Ace tunesmith C. Curet Alonso (who was instrumental in the band's signing to the Gema label) turns in a generous amount of snappy tunes: the title tune, "Rosa Triste," and "A los Caballos" are early samples of the band's effortless appeal. This features the early arrangement work of Jorge Millet, with vocals by Joe Arroyo (not the famed Colombian salsa singer) and Pipo Ramos.