LOST MASTERPIECE UNVEILED: HISTORIC UNRELEASED CONCERT ALBUM “QUEEN OF SALSA: EN VIVO DESDE EUROPA” TO RELEASE ON JULY 16
A monumental archival rescue capturing the Queen of Salsa as she breaks language barriers in Germany at the peak of her global influence.
On July 16th, Celia Cruz Entertainment, in coordination with Loud & Live Entertainment and OneGate Media GmbH – A Studio Hamburg Company, will officially release Queen of Salsa: En Vivo Desde Europa across all digital music platforms. Arriving precisely on the anniversary of her physical passing, this landmark release transforms a day of solemn remembrance into an absolute celebration of her vibrant life, timeless rhythm, and enduring global legacy.
Produced by Omer Pardillo and Nelson Albareda, this album rescues a historic, previously unreleased concert recorded in Hamburg, Germany, marking exactly 40 years since its original execution. During the 1980s, Celia Cruz was a foundational force in the expansion of salsa across Europe. This recording serves as a spectacular testament to her unparalleled stage presence, capturing an era where international audiences bypassed language barriers to connect instantly with her driving Afro-Cuban rhythm and infectious energy.
Listeners will experience the absolute mastery of her live vocal improvisation (“soneo”) across a carefully curated 10-track repertoire. The rollout began on May 29th with the launch of the first promotional single, “Dos Jueyes (En Vivo),” released in celebration of the life of Willie Colón. While the original 1981 studio version opened their historic collaborative album with heavy, urban trombone arrangements, this newly uncovered live version showcases Celia’s ability to elevate a studio standard into a masterclass of live performance.
Stepping into the spotlight as the album’s primary focus track is “La Dicha Mía,” a performance brimming with the unmistakable cadence, powerhouse vocals, and pure Azúcar! that defined her career. The tracklist also documents the incredible thematic and musical versatility of the Queen of Salsa. Highlights include her brilliant salsa adaptation of the classic Brazilian samba “Usted Abusó,” her rich tribute to the pioneer of modern dance in “Isadora Duncan,” alongside definitive live renditions of anthems like “Quimbara,” “Bemba Colorá,” “Yerbero Moderno,” and “El Guaba.”
Queen of Salsa: En Vivo Desde Europa is more than an album; it is a fundamental archival document for the historical preservation of Afro-Antillean music. It offers classic salsa aficionados, historians, and music lovers an unprecedented window into a legendary night in Hamburg, when Cuban music claimed its rightful place on the global stage.
Tracklist:
- Canto a La Habana
- Dos Jueyes
- La Dicha Mía (Focus Track)
- Yerbero Moderno
- El Guaba
- Quimbara
- Isadora Duncan
- Usted Abusó
- Bemba Colorá
- Caramelos
Queen of Salsa: En Vivo Desde Europa is available on all major digital platforms here: https://onerpm.link/QueenofSalsa
