Craft Latino is celebrating the 45th anniversary of ¡Que sentimiento!, the sixth studio album from legendary salsa vocalist Héctor Lavoe, with a special vinyl reissue arriving October 2, 2026. Long out of print, the landmark 1981 album will return on 180-gram vinyl with all-analog (AAA) mastering, giving longtime fans and new listeners an opportunity to experience one of Lavoe’s most distinctive recordings in a premium physical format.
The release is particularly significant because ¡Que sentimiento! was Lavoe’s first—and only—album as a self-produced artist. After years of working alongside Willie Colón, the singer took greater creative control of the studio process, collaborating with childhood friend José Febles and legendary arranger Louie Ramírez as co-musical directors.
Together, they crafted a lush, expansive sound that reflected the changing landscape of salsa in the early 1980s. The album’s eight tracks include “Amor soñando,” “Lo dejé llorando,” “Juventud,” “Yo ’ta cansa,” “Soy vagabundo,” “El són,” “Seguiré mi viaje” and “No hay quien te aguante.” Sweeping arrangements, expressive vocals and Lavoe’s unmistakable storytelling give the record a timeless character.
Among the highlights is “No hay quien te aguante,” featuring sweeping string orchestration, while “Yo ’ta cansa” showcases Lavoe’s remarkable vocal agility alongside contributions from flautist Néstor Torres and pianist Gilberto “El Pulpo” Colón. “Soy vagabundo,” written by Enildo “Chino” Padrón and arranged by Luís Cruz, brings Lavoe’s celebrated storytelling abilities to the forefront.
Lavoe also puts his own personality into “Lo dejé llorando,” a classic bomba associated with Cortijo y Su Combo. “El són,” written by Rafa Benítez, provides another anthemic moment, while the emotionally charged bolero “Juventud” finds Lavoe reflecting on aging, lost youth and the inevitability of time.
Born Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in 1946, Lavoe moved to New York City at 17 and quickly became one of the defining voices of the emerging salsa movement. He performed with bands led by Roberto García and Kako before meeting Fania Records founder Johnny Pacheco, who introduced him to a young Willie Colón. Their partnership would become one of the most celebrated collaborations in Latin music.
Beginning in 1967, Lavoe recorded ten influential albums with the Willie Colón Orchestra, including El malo, Cosa nuestra, Asalto Navideño and Lo mato. He launched his solo career in the mid-1970s with La voz, followed by acclaimed releases including De ti depende and Comedia. His commanding delivery, improvisational wit and magnetic stage presence made him one of salsa’s most beloved soneros.
Lavoe’s influence extended far beyond his solo catalog. He appeared on more than a dozen recordings with the Fania All Stars and remained a central figure in the international rise of salsa. His legacy has been honored through streets, statues and murals in New York and Puerto Rico, while his life and music inspired stage productions, tribute recordings and films, including the 2006 feature El Cantante. In 2000, he was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.
The 45th-anniversary edition of ¡Que sentimiento! will also be available digitally, with Hi-Res audio offered for the first time. Collectors will have an additional option with a limited-edition Rojo Amor (Red Love) vinyl pressing, restricted to just 300 copies. The special edition will be available as a standalone release or bundled with a Fania Classic Logo T-shirt.
With its return on vinyl, ¡Que sentimiento! offers a new generation the chance to rediscover a pivotal moment in Héctor Lavoe’s career—an album that captured his growing confidence as a solo artist while preserving the passion, humor and emotional depth that made his voice unforgettable.
Craft Latino’s anniversary reissue arrives October 2, 2026.
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