Joe Acosta - The Power of Love Joe Acosta

Joe Bataan’s Ghetto Records released Joe Acosta’s “The Power of Love” LP in 1971. Puerto Rico born Joe Acosta was committed to pursuing a career in salsa and Latin jazz, with piano as his primary instrument. In 1969, Acosta started his first real band, Joe Acosta And His Empresarios, with whom he recorded a self-titled LP.

By 1970-71, Acosta was getting more gigs, playing dances three or four nights a week at popular venues. It wasn't long before manager and booking agent Richie Bonilla signed him to his talent agency and secured a contract for Acosta to record “The Power of Love” on Ghetto Records.

“The Power of Love” was an apt title: The album is about a range of amorous emotions, from obsession to disillusion, new romance to breakups, lust to affection. Though an English-language title and romantic ballads sung in English were a somewhat odd choice for a hard salsa LP from El Barrio, recorded during a period in which Latinos were rediscovering their sociocultural roots, these were conscious creative decisions by Acosta that have stood the test of time.. It is now beloved among both salsa dura fans for the tough uptempo numbers and with the lowrider "souldies" crowd for its sweet and slow Latin soul track ‘I Need Her.’ There are a number of funky mid-tempo son montunos, as well as three super hard guaguancos— enough variety to make for a solid dancing-and listening experience.

Reissued once again thanks to our collaboration with Now-Again Records. Our release includes an insert with liner notes.