La Voz

Singer Héctor Lavoe rose to fame with trombonist Willie Colón’s band, and when he struck out on his own, he didn’t go that far. This 1975 album, his solo debut, was produced by Colón and sits comfortably alongside their other work together, though it leans toward jazz and R&B at times (“Emborráchame de Amor”). Pianist Mark Dimond and bassist Eddie Rivera are prominent in the mix, and Lavoe’s vocals are more theatrical at times than what he delivered with Colón’s band or the Fania All-Stars — his speed and control are astonishing on “Mucho Amor.” The album concludes with an operatic studio version of one of his signature songs, “Mi Gente,” though a live performance with the Fania All-Stars is considered the definitive version.