Cheo Feliciano – Cheo

Cheo Feliciano was a well-versed Puerto Rican vocalist who arrived in New York with his family in 1952. He began his career as a percussionist with the Tito Rodriguez orchestra after having played with various bands in El Barrio of New York. He went on to play with various bands until he hooked up with Joe Cuba who was searching for a lead singer for his sextet. He remained with Joe Cuba for ten years and joined the Eddie Palmieri orchestra in 1967. In 1971, he joined Fania and recorded this album, titled Cheo. It was the beginning of a successful career that produced 15 hit albums for the Fania label, until his demise in 2014. While recording with Joe Cuba he made a name for himself with his unique style of interpreting songs. He was a vital part of the Cuba group that recorded the mega hits “El Pito” and “Bang Bang.” As he aged, he turned his career around and became a bolero singer, capitalizing on his velvety, romantic voice, which can be discerned in this album.