"Born in 1950 to Puerto Rican parents in Manhattan, Wayne Gorbea studied violin, orchestration and trumpet in high school, as well as participating in many percussion rumba sessions. After joining the army in 1968, he taught himself piano, and after being discharged from service, he returned to New York City where he fronted several bands and made his debut recording in 1973. He went onto release several standout albums in the 1970s, inaugurate his own WayneGo label in 1980 and produce numerous albums with Shanachie in the 1990s. All that time he remained true to his classic salsa dura sound, and today, his music is better recorded than ever and he is producing tunes that are longer and richer in texture and variety. This album features a broad selection of Gorbea's finest tunes from over the years including one of the baddest tracks to come out of the 1970s, 'Dejame Un Lado'. From La Salsa Del Conjunto Salsa (1978), it has a mournful, bluesy edge that comes from the old style of Cuban son and Puerto Rican jibaro laments of yesteryear. From the WayneGo album Sigan Bailando (1986), 'Sigo Pa' Lante' translates as 'I go (or continue) straight ahead' and this track is exactly that: straight-up dope Bronx beats that are uplifting and bright. 'ElYo-Yo' is one of two bonus live tracks on this collection taken from the 2004 album, Live From New York, and it is a swinging live version of a venerable mambo classic. One of the newer tracks featured on this collection, '¡Prakatún!'from the 2006 album of the same name, is salsa picante (sharp salsa) from the Bronx.Despite many fabulous Wayne Gorbea recordings being available on the market, Introducing Wayne Gorbea's Salsa Picante is the first historical overview of his music. Compiled by Pablo E Yglesias, aka DJ Bongohead, this album presents proof positive of the potency and consistency of Gorbea's vision and mastery, and the incredibly high quality of his band members over the years." (www.worldmusic.net)