Originally released in 1971 by Vaya Records, this Craft Latino 2026 AAA reissue is long overdue. The album, originally produced by C. Curet Alonso and Jerry Masucci, regains all its nuance and sonic splendor with this remastering. Now available on 180-gram vinyl in all-analog formatting as well as the standard digital formats, this gem is given the treatment Jose ‘Cheo’ Feliciano’s solo debut deserves. 

When ‘Cheo’ was released in 1971, it did more than introduce Cheo Feliciano as a solo artist; it announced the arrival of one of salsa’s most expressive vocalists. Co-written and co-produced by the legendary C. Curet Alonso with additional production by Jerry Musacci, the album became a cornerstone of the Vaya/Fania catalog and featured the immortal album opener, “Anacaona,” a song that still resonates across generations. 

Fania assembled an impressive roster of players for these sessions, including Johnny Pacheco, who also served as the recording director, Louie Ramirez, Larry Harlow, Bobby Valentín, and Néstor Torres, among others. The arrangements are rich without becoming cluttered, leaving plenty of room for Cheo’s conversational phrasing and improvisational flair.

The album opens with a statement of purpose. “Anacaona” is built on a haunting melody and a driving Afro-Caribbean rhythm, and it tells the story of the Taíno queen of the same name with dignity and power. Cheo doesn’t oversing; he inhabits the lyric, letting the rhythm section carry the tension. This is the track that made him a solo star, and it remains one of salsa’s definitive recordings.

The bolero-infused salsa of “Mi Triste Problema” showcases Cheo’s velvet baritone. The arrangement breathes, with elegant piano lines and restrained brass punctuations. His phrasing here is masterful. Every pause feels intentional.

“Pa’ Que Afinquen” kicks the tempo up and the band locks into a hard-grooving descarga feel. Pacheco’s influence is all over this one, with sharp horn riffs and a dance-floor energy that never lets up. Cheo rides the groove with effortless swagger.

“Si Por Mi Llueve” is a romantic mid-tempo number that highlights the album’s stylistic range. The percussion is crisp, and the chorus has the kind of melodic hook that lingers long after the track ends.

“Mano Caliente” is one of the album’s most underrated performances. Cheo leans into a more intimate delivery, and the rhythm section responds with subtle, jazz-informed interplay. Cheo then ramps up the power, bringing the entire band along for the daring ride. 

“Medianocho y Sol” is a fitting tribute to Puerto Rican musical heritage, filled with earthy percussion textures and a beautifully understated vocal. Various time signatures snake in and out of the song, yet Feliciano’s vocals keep the train on the tracks. This is the kind of track that reveals more with each listen.

“Poema De Otono”, the closer, is celebratory and loose, almost as if the musicians are jamming after the formal session has ended. It sends the album out on a joyful, communal note with Feliciano’s powerful vocals surrounded by piano, congas, vibes and blocks. 

As always, Craft Recordings does justice to an artist’s legacy. ‘Cheo’ arrived at a pivotal moment in Latin music. After years with the Joe Cuba Sextet and a stint with Eddie Palmieri, Feliciano was rebuilding both his career and his life. The album’s success not only reestablished him as a major artist but also helped elevate C. Curet Alonso into the front rank of Latin songwriters.

What makes the record endure is its balance of streetwise salsa energy, romantic sophistication, and deep cultural pride. Cheo could sound playful, wounded, defiant, and tender, sometimes within the same song. Few salsa singers have matched that emotional range.

Craft Recording’s reissue of the album in a new AAA pressing is the real deal, featuring a warm, dynamic, and remarkably present sound. The percussion has weight, and Cheo’s voice sits naturally in the center of the soundstage. The faithful gatefold reproduction of the original artwork is a welcome bonus for collectors.

If you’ve only heard ‘Anacaona’ on streaming playlists, this reissue reveals the full scope of the album and why many longtime salsa fans consider it one of the crown jewels of the Fania era.