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40 AÑOS DE VOLUMEN

Salsero of the month

José Luis Febles Toro

Musician, Composer, Musical Director, Arranger, and Trumpeter

Latin music has gifted us with countless remarkable talents—singers, composers, producers, and arrangers—and among the latter, José Luis Febles Toro stands out as one of the true geniuses of salsa. Born in Barrio La Cantera in the historic city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, he is honored as Salsero of the Month this July on our platform at www.latinastereo.com from Medellín, Colombia.

Born on July 18, 1947, to Doña Nereida Toro and Don Ángel Febles, José studied at the Escuela Libre de Música Juan Morel Campos in Ponce, alongside future salsa giants like Papo Lucca and Héctor Lavoe. He left a lasting legacy not only as a trumpeter and musical director, but also as a gifted guitarist, composer, and above all, arranger—a role in which he became one of the finest in the genre.

He began studying trumpet and guitar at the age of 14, and by 16, he was already creating musical arrangements. Over two decades, he left behind a vast and inimitable body of work, credited with over 350 arrangements.

Our research into Febles’ career revealed a musical life that spanned a brief 22 years, from 1971 to 1992. During this time, around 140 albums featured his work, with nearly 120 recorded during his lifetime and at least 20 more released posthumously. In the discography section of this tribute, we highlight his roles as trumpeter, director, composer, producer, and above all, a master arranger whose influence cannot be overstated.

In 1970, young José Febles moved to New York to live with relatives. Struggling with drug addiction, he first stayed in the Bronx before relocating to Connecticut, where he was invited by his fellow Ponce native, timbalero Rafael “Rafi” Valenzuela Álvarez, to join his band La Diferente.

In New York, Febles began his professional music career with La Diferente, contributing as musical director, composer, trumpeter, and arranger across three of their albums. While Val and La Diferente had hoped to sign with Fania Records, their albums were ultimately released under Vaya Records.

Throughout his career, José Febles worked with many of salsa’s greatest artists. He had especially prolific collaborations with Pete “Conde” Rodríguez, Héctor Lavoe, Conjunto Clásico, and Willie Rosario. He also worked with Bobby Rodríguez, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Chino y Su Conjunto Melado, the Fania All-Stars, Graciela & Mario Bauzá, Ismael Rivera Jr., José Bello, La Mulenze, Kim de los Santos, La Conspiración, Louie Ramírez, Watussi, Ramón Rodríguez & Orquesta, Rey Reyes, Santiago Cerón, and Tommy Olivencia, among many others.

Many of his arrangements became salsa classics, often played on Latina Stereo. A few iconic titles include:
 A Medellín, Aléjate, Areíto Va Sonar, Atízame el Fogón, Bandolera, Busca el Ritmo, Catalina La O, Como Mi Tierra No Hay, Comprensión, Conversemos, Cuando Se Quiere Se Quiere, De Ti Depende, Dice Antón, El Callejero, El Lago de Matrullas, El Maniserito, El Sabio, Esta Cosa Mía, Los Compadres, No Me Tires La Primera Piedra, Paraíso de Dulzura, Pueblo Latino, Punto Bare, Qué Suerte Ha Tenido el Son, Quiéreme, Quincalla, Rayo Veloz, Regreso, Rompe Saraguey, Señora Ley, Serpiente, Si Estás Herido, Solitario, Son de Puerto, Sonero del Barrio, Soneros de Bailadores, Tambo, Trabajando y Embrollao, and Vuela Paloma.

Sadly, like many great artists, José Febles lost his life to addiction. Despite seeking spiritual refuge in his final months, the damage to his health was irreversible. He passed away at just 43 years old, leaving behind a legacy worthy of a musical genius.

Through Latina Stereo 100.9 FM and www.latinastereo.com, celebrating 40 years of salsa, we pay tribute to the life and legacy of José Luis Febles Toro, the brilliant son of Ponce whose music lives on through every note and arrangement he left behind.

Musical chronology

1949
  • On July 18, 1949, **José Febles** was born in the La Cantera neighborhood of the city of Ponce, known as La Perla Del Sur, in Puerto Rico. As a child, he studied music in elementary school.
1960
  • In his early school years, **José Febles** was linked to the **Escuela Libre de Música** of Ponce, La Juan Morel Campos, where **Enrique “Papo” Lucca** and **Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez**, Lavoe, also studied. With them, he shared his first years in music.
1963
  • At only 14 years of age, **José Luis Febles Toro** studied guitar and specialized in its sound.
1965
  • It is said that **José Febles'** talent allowed him, at only 16 years old, to create his first musical arrangement that year.
1969
  • **José Febles** moved to live in New York City, in the Bronx neighborhood, and, together with percussionist, timbalero and composer **Rafael Valenzuela Álvarez**, also born in Ponce, they created the orchestra **La Diferente**.
1971
  • **La Diferente** by **Rafi Val** decided to record their first album, which was released under the Vaya Records label, a subsidiary of Fania Records. It was there that **José Febles** made his recording debut: playing trumpet, writing arrangements, and serving as musical director, alongside **Rafi Val, Chombo Silva, Gilberto Colón**, and **Cuco Roche**, among others.
1972
  • Musician **Rafael Valenzuela Álvarez**, known as **Rafi Val**, with his group **La Diferente**, published an LP album for the Vaya Records label, with Salsa and Guaguancó rhythms. The album was titled precisely **La Diferente**, and is the record in which maestro **José Febles** debuted, as noted: there he acted as musical director, played trumpet, and wrote the musical arrangements. The album tracks are: **A Mi Nena, Quítate** and **Vida** by Rafi Val; **El Coco** by Papo Lucca; **No Puedo Más** by the orchestra’s singer Cuco Roche; **Faluking** by **José Luis Febles**; **Tu Y Yo** (reserved rights); **Sabrá Dios** by Álvaro Carrillo; **Monina Y Ramón** by Bobby Valentín; and a song by Bobby Capó called **El Bardo**. A production by Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón, with Gilberto Colón on piano and José “Chombo” Silva on saxophone.
  • That same year, 1972, maestro **Rafi Val** and **La Diferente** published their new album titled **La Sociedad**, also with arrangements and trumpet by **José Febles**. The record was released under Vaya Records with Chachachá, Guajira, Guaguancó, Salsa and Son rhythms. Some tracks from the album are: **La Sociedad** by **José L. Febles**; **Guajira Son** composed by H. Roche and R. Valenzuela; **Se Acabó El Bembe** by Roberto Anglero; **La Diferente** by Catalino Curet Alonso; and **La Liberación**, composed by Daniel Santos.
1974
  • Ponce native singer **Pedro Juan “Pete” Rodríguez** recorded an album titled **El Conde**, published by Fania Records, a Salsa LP. The arrangements for the tracks **Los Compadres** and **Soy Guajiro De Verdad** were written by **José Febles**. The work also included other tracks composed by Tite Curet such as **Un Toque Pa’ Yambao, Babaila**, and **Sombras Que Paso**, produced by Jerry Masucci.
  • That year, another great group, **La Conspiración** by **Ernie Agosto**, presented an album under the Vaya Records label titled **Cada Loco Con Su Tema - Different Strokes**. This LP, with Afro-Cuban, Bolero, Descarga, Guaguancó, Salsa, and Son vibes, included **José Febles** on trumpet. The tracks on the album are: **Silencio, La Puerta, Contrólate, Cuando Te Fuiste De Mí**, and **La Culpa**, all marked D.R.A.; **No Te Dejaré, Te Lo Dije**, and **Ojos Verdes** by Ernie Agosto; **Ave María Que Rumbón** by Ismael Miranda, produced by Willie Colón.
1975
  • The beloved and remembered fellow singer from Ponce, our great **Héctor Lavoe**, debuted as a soloist in 1975 with the recording of a wonderful album titled **La Voz**, released by Fania Records, an LP with Bolero, Salsa, and Son Montuno rhythms. This record includes two numbers arranged by maestro **José Febles**: **Paraíso De Dulzura** (composed by Héctor Lavoe) and **Rompe Saraguey** (by Virgilio González).
  • The new album of **Rafi Val Y La Diferente** in 1975 was called **Fuerza Bruta**, released under Vaya Records. This LP with Bolero, Chachachá, Descarga, Guaguancó, Merengue, and Salsa rhythms features **José Febles** on trumpet. Tracks include: **Olla-Ya, Amar Y Vivir** and **Ahí Na’ Ma** (D.R.A.); **Devoradora** by Pablo Gautreau; **Por Culpa Mía** by Roy Carmona; **Sombrero De Panamá** by Cuaco Roche; **La Última Copa** by L. Caruso / F. Canaro; and **La Fiesta** by Goyo Torro, with the voice of remembered Santurce singer **Héctor Tempo Alomar**.
  • TR Records Inc. released an album by **Chino Y Su Conjunto Melao** titled **Conjunto Melao**, an LP with Bolero, Chachachá, and Salsa airs. Four of the eight numbers were arranged by **José Febles**:
    • **Se Derrama El Melao** Arr – José Febles / Comp – Cruz De Jesús
    • **Ponte En Algo** Arr – José Febles / Comp – Pablo Gautreau
    • **San Miguel Y San Antón** Arr – Louie Cruz / Comp – Pablo Gautreau
    • **Bórrame De Tu Memoria** Arr – José Febles / Comp – Raymond Hernández.
    Produced by the great Marty Sheller.
  • That same year, 1975, maestro from Santurce, **Ángel Tomas Olivencia Pagan**, recorded his album **Planté Bandera**, with the voice of the great Puerto Rican sonero **Chamaco Ramírez**. This record, released by Inca Records as an LP, includes tracks such as: **Planté Bandera, Casimira, A La Yumbae, Evelio Y La Rumba, Trucutu**, and **Si Estas Herido**, arranged by **José Febles**, with backing vocals by Adalberto Santiago, Héctor Lavoe, and Yayo El Indio.
1976
  • We present in this musical chronology of maestro **José Febles**, eight albums from that year 1976, which featured his participation:
    1. The new musical work by **Pete “El Conde”** as a soloist came out to the record market with the title of **Este Negro Si Es Sabroso**, an LP pressed by the Fania Records label presenting rhythms of Bolero, Chachachá, Guaguancó, and Salsa. The excellent work of **José Febles** in the musical arrangements appears in five other tracks of this successful album, such as:
      • **Catalina La O** Comp – Johnny Ortiz 5:11
      • **La Abolición** Comp – C. Curet Alonso 5:24
      • **Sentimiento** Comp – C. Curet Alonso 4:45
      • **Amor Perdido** Comp – Pedro Flores 4:55
      • **Pueblo Latino** Comp – C. Curet Alonso 4:26. A production by Louie Ramírez.
    2. The second album by **Chino Y Su Conjunto Melao**, also recorded under the TR Records label, was called **100% Bailable**, an LP of Chachachá, Guaguancó, Merengue, and Salsa. In this work, **José Febles** contributes to the arrangements of the tracks: **Bongo** by Cruz de Jesús and the numbers: **La Despedida** and **Quedaste Retrata**, compositions by Pablo Canti Gautreau.
    3. The new album by singer **Héctor Lavoe**, also made for the Fania label, also turned out to be a huge hit, titled **De Ti Depende**; this album presents a number, which gives the album its name, composed by Miguel Ángel Amadeo with arrangements by **José Febles**. This album also includes the musical gems:
      • **Vamos A Reír Un Poco** Comp – Perucho Torcat 7:32
      • **Periódico De Ayer** Comp – C. Curet Alonso 6:43
      • **Consejo De Oro** Comp – Arquímedes Arcidiacono 2:40
      • **Hacha Y Machete** Comp – Enildo Padrón 5:41
      • **Felices Horas** Comp – Luis Pérez 6:04
      • **Mentira** Comp – Ignacio Piñeiro 6:37.
      With the production of Willie Colón and backing vocals by José Mangual Jr., Milton Cardona, Rubén Blades, Willie Colón.
    4. The musician **Francisco Ángel Bastar** along with singer **Luis Camilo Argumedes, Azuquita**; recorded for the Alegre Records label an album titled **Unión Dinámica**; a work of Descarga, Guaguancó, Guaracha, Merengue, Mambo, and Son Montuno, produced by Louie Ramírez. Among the album's numbers is a track composed by Carlos Santos titled **Guaguancó Soberano** with musical arrangements by **José Febles**.
    5. The also remembered **Judío Maravilloso, Larry Harlow** and his **Orchestra Harlow**, with the voice of the singer from Caguas, Junior González, recorded the album **El Jardinero Del Amor**. That LP from the Fania Records label with rhythms of Afro-Cuban, Latin Jazz, Son Montuno, Salsa, and Son, includes eight numbers; **José Febles** also participates among the arrangers of the work.
    6. In that year, another album by **Ernie Agosto Y La Conspiración** was recorded under the Vaya Records label, titled **Afecto Y Cariño** with the voice of the Cuban Miguel Quintana; an LP of eight numbers in the tempo of Bolero, Guaguancó, and Salsa; including the track **Que Nos Pasa** with arrangements by **José Febles**.
    7. The Cubans **Graciela** and **Mario Bauza Cárdenas** recorded an album titled **La Botánica** made for the Lamp Records label in LP format, with rhythms of Bolero, Chachachá, Guaguancó, and Salsa. Three tracks from the album have arrangements by **José Febles**, they are: **Tu No Sabes De Amor, Moliendo Café** and **Ahora Mismo**. This album features musicians of the stature of: Mario Bauza, Mario Rivera, Papo Pepín, Marcelino Morales, Víctor Paz, Osvaldo Chihuahua Martínez, and Alfredito Valdés.
    8. TR Records published in 1976 an album titled **Proyectando Éxitos** in LP format, this compilation album presented rhythms of Afro-Cuban, Charanga, Mambo, Pachanga, and Salsa. Ten numbers are part of the album, among which we have the track **Camarón Y Mamoncillo**, composed by Ray Hernández with arrangements by **José Febles**.
1977
  • **Héctor Lavoe’s** next solo release was **Comedia**, under Fania Records. **José Febles** contributed arrangements for **La Fama** (by Johnny Ortiz) and **Cantante** (by Rubén Blades). The latter became one of Héctor’s signature songs.
  • The same year, **Rubén Blades** recorded his legendary album with **Willie Colón**, **Metiendo Mano!**, under Fania Records. **Febles** arranged **Plantación Adentro** (by Rubén Blades) and played trumpet in the orchestra.
  • **Ismael Miranda** also recorded an album titled **No Voy Al Festival** in 1977 for Fania Records. **José Febles** wrote the arrangements for the title track **No Voy Al Festival** and for **Así Se Compone Un Son** (by Tite Curet Alonso).
1978
  • **Héctor Lavoe** released another classic LP, **Strikes Back**, under Fania Records. **José Febles** arranged **El Rey De La Puntualidad** (by Tite Curet Alonso) and **Calle Luna, Calle Sol** (by Willie Colón / Rubén Blades).
  • **Rubén Blades** and **Willie Colón** produced the iconic **Siembra** album for Fania Records, one of the most influential salsa albums of all time. **José Febles** arranged **Plástico** (by Rubén Blades), as well as **Buscando Guayaba**.
1979
  • **El Baquiné de Angelitos Negros** by **Willie Colón** was released in 1979 as a concept album with Afro-Caribbean and symphonic influences. **José Febles** arranged **Ángel de la Guarda**.
  • That same year, **Héctor Lavoe’s** album **Recordando A Felipe Pirela** was published by Fania Records. **Febles** wrote arrangements for **Sombras Nada Más** and **El Mal Querido**.
1980
  • The new album by the "singer of singers," **Héctor Lavoe**, in 1980 is titled **El Sabio**, released under the Fania Records label in LP format. It includes three numbers arranged by **José Febles**: **"El Sabio,"** composed by Tito Rodríguez; **"Aléjate,"** by Raúl René Rosado; and a composition by **José Febles** himself: **"Lloré."**
  • The **Fania All Stars** recorded, for their own label, an album in 1980 titled **Commitment**, in LP format, featuring hits of our music such as: **"Encántigo,"** sung by Celia Cruz and Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez; **"La Borinqueña,"** sung by Cheo Feliciano; **"La Palabra Adiós,"** sung by Rubén Blades; **"Dime,"** sung by Santos Colón; and, sung by Ismael Quintana, the track **"Piano Man,"** the latter arranged by **José Febles**.
  • A label called Teca Records released an LP titled **¡...Te Tengo Pisao!** by **Conjunto Impacto**; this album, with flavors of cha-cha-chá, guaguancó, merengue, and salsa, includes the number **"Guapeando,"** composed by Enildo Padrón with arrangements by **José Febles**, lead vocal by Ramón “Monchi” Estévez, and piano by Kent Gómez “El Chino.”
  • The second album by **Conjunto Clásico** featuring Tito Nieves was called **Felicitaciones**; like the previous one, it was pressed by Lo Mejor Records in LP format. This record features the musical direction of **José Febles**, who also plays guitar and is the arranger of the tracks **"Solitario"** and **"Mi Tierra."**
  • The new album by the Quisqueyan singer **Santiago Cerón** was titled **Navegando En Sabor**, pressed by the Salsa International label; this LP of bolero, guaguancó, merengue, and salsa also featured arrangements by maestro **José Febles** on the tracks **"El Diablo,"** composed by Santiago Cerón, and **"No Hay Tal Cosa,"** by Tony Pabón.
  • The new solo album by our great **José Mangual Jr.** was made for the Velvet label, an LP with eight numbers, including the track **"Negrura,"** arranged by **José Febles**.
1981
  • The new album by **Conjunto Impacto** hit the market under the title **Salsalvaje**, likewise for the Teca Records label. This LP of cha-cha-chá, salsa, and son includes the tracks **“La Fuerza Del Tiempo”** and **“Voy A Ser Feliz,”** compositions by Jorge Cabrera; three numbers carry arrangements by **José Febles**—the third being a composition by Enildo Padrón, the magnificent track titled **“Qué Suerte Ha Tenido El Son,”** with Kent Gómez on piano.
  • The new **Conjunto Clásico** album, featuring **Tito Nieves**, hit the market under the name **Si No Bailan Con Ellos, No Bailan Con Nadie**, again for the Lo Mejor Records label. Four tracks on the album are compositions by Ramón Rodríguez and feature arrangements by **José Febles**: **“Regreso,” “Mi Bomba No Muere,” “Ni Hablar,”** and **“Son De Puerto Rico.”**
  • One of the standout groups of our music in the 1970s was **La Típica 73**; they made a project with **José Alberto “El Canario”** on vocals. The album was called **Típica 73…Into The 80’s**, released under the Fania Records label in LP format, with **José Febles** contributing the arrangement for the number **“La Igualdad.”**
  • **José Febles’** legacy in salsa continued, more specifically on another project by singer **Héctor Lavoe**, this time on the album **¡Que Sentimiento!**. This Fania Records release features musical direction by **José Febles** and Louie Ramírez, as well as arrangements by the Ponce musician on the tracks **“Lo Dejé Llorando”** and **“Seguiré Mi Viaje.”**
1982
  • The Lo Mejor Records label also released an album titled **El Encuentro** by **Johnny Rodríguez y Su Orquesta**, featuring cha-cha-chá, guaguancó, and salsa, with **José Febles** contributing arrangements for the numbers **“El Encuentro”** and **“El Lago De Matrullas.”** Vocals by Héctor (**Tempo**) Alomar and Raúl (**Raulín**) Martínez.
  • The singers **José “Junior” Toledo** from the town of Humacao and **Guillermo “Guillo” Rivera** from the town of Salinas, Puerto Rico, teamed up to record a disc under the Performance Records label, which they titled **El Conjunto Los Compadres**; eight numbers make up this album, among them the track **“Anatolia,”** with musical arrangements by **José Febles**.
  • The Puerto Rican group **La Terrífica**, from Ponce, recorded a new LP titled **Por Todas Partes** for the Artomax label of Puerto Rico, with rhythms of bolero, cha-cha-chá, guaguancó, merengue, and salsa. Our friend Jossie León is the composer of two numbers on that album—**“Por Todas Partes”** and **“Nos Equivocamos”**—with arrangements by the great **José Febles**, sung by Héctor Tricohce and Jossie León, respectively.
  • The fourth album by the singer from La Cantera in Ponce, **Pete Conde Rodríguez**, with the participation of **José Febles**, was likewise recorded for the Fania Records label and was called **Fiesta Con “El Conde”**. The arrangements on the record were handled by our site’s July artist, **José Febles**, who is also the album’s producer. The tracks on this LP are:
    • **Pastorcillo** – D. R. A. 6:07
    • **Tristeza** – Francisco de los Santos 5:43
    • **Cuando Tú Te Marches** – Francisco de los Santos 3:19
    • **Tu Rumba** – Pablo Gautreau 4:00
    • **Punto Bare** – Catalino – Curet Alonso 6:05
    • **Fiesta En El Barrio** – Roberto Anglero 5:25
    • **Merecido** – Jossie León 4:21
    • **Quincalla** – Johnny Ortiz 4:39
  • **Atízame El Fogón** is the title of the new production by the centennial maestro **Willie Rosario**, pressed by the Top Hits label in LP format; **José Febles** takes part in this work with arrangements for the tracks **“Atízame El Fogón”** and **“Mala Mujer.”**
  • The Puerto Rican singer **Ismael Rivera Jr.**, son of the ever-remembered Sonero Mayor, recorded an album for the V&A Records label titled **Fruto Humano**. The LP contains eight numbers, five of which feature arrangements by **José Febles**, namely:
    • **Fruto Humano** Comp – Carlos Marrero 5:32
    • **A Mis Pies** Comp – Curet Alonso 4:16
    • **Flores De Oscuridad** Comp – Jorge Ayala 4:25
    • **No Te Dejes Enyugar** Comp – Curet Alonso 4:10
    • **Su Nombre** Comp – Francisco De Los Santos 2:21.
    The production of this album was handled by maestro **José Febles**.
  • The Bambú Records label released an LP titled **Kim**, by singer **Kim De Los Santos y Su Orquesta**; this record is also a production by maestro **José Febles**, who is the arranger of the tracks **“La Mona,” “Gavilán,” “Rebeldía,” “Romance De Paso,”** and **“Estoy Perdido.”**
  • **Conjunto La Perla de Ponce** recorded its third album in 1982, titled precisely **Conjunto La Perla**, released under the LAD label in LP format. Among the numbers on the record are the tracks **“Yo No Quito Pan,”** by Pedro Gil “Pipo Pica” Ortiz, and **“Juventud Latina,”** composed by Jossie León with arrangements by **José Febles**.
1983
The musical legacy of “Mister Afinque” continues, this time with the album The Salsa Machine, from the Top Hits label. In this work, the great Willie Rosario features the musical arrangements of José Febles on the tracks Busca El Ritmo and Cuídese Compay. · Clásicas De Clásico is the title of an album released by Lo Mejor Records from the beloved and remembered Conjunto Clásico. This LP of bolero, danzón, guaguancó, and salsa includes the songs Como Mi Tierra No Hay and Mi Terruño, with arrangements by José Febles. · The great tresero of Puerto Rico, maestro Charlie Rodríguez, recorded his new album for the Vigo Records label; the album was titled Grande. In this LP containing eight tracks, José Febles provided arrangements for four of them: Un Número Para Conjunto, A San Antón De Carolina, Al César Lo Que Es, and Esto Es Amor. · Singer Héctor Ramos, known as “El Galán De La Salsa,” released a record titled Para Todo El Mundo, recorded for the 7th Galaxy Records label, featuring José Febles’ arrangements on the track El Que La Hace La Paga, composed by Joseph Cormier.
1984
  • The "bad boy of the Bronx," as maestro **Willie Colón** has been known, recorded his album **Criollo** for the RCA International label in LP format. This work includes the track **Son Ellos**, with arrangements by **José Febles**.
  • Dominican singer **José Bello** recorded his solo album titled **Expresa E Interpreta Sus Sentimientos**. This record, made for Lo Mejor Records in LP format, features **José Febles’** arrangements on the track **Cuando Vuelvas**.
  • **José Alberto Justiniano Andújar**, Dominican singer raised in Puerto Rico, known as **“El Canario,”** recorded an album titled **Canta Canario** for the Sono Max Records label. This eight-track album includes **José Febles’** arrangements on two songs: **El Canario**, composed by Charlie Donato, and **Oye Mi Tono / Los Compadres**.
  • A new album by **José Mangual Jr. y Su Orquesta** was released for the Velvet label under the name **Dándole Color**. Just like on a previous record, it also included the track **Negrura** with arrangements by **José Febles**.
  • The Tamborito label presented a new album by **Kim De Los Santos y Su Orquesta**, titled **Entrega Total**. This LP, recorded in Colombia, includes five tracks with arrangements by maestro **José Febles** and piano by Papo Lucca:
    • **Dichoso Soy** (Comp – Francisco De Los Santos)
    • **Luciano Ortega** (Comp – Francisco De Los Santos)
    • **Trabajando Y Embrollao** (Comp – Kim De Los Santos)
    • **Ya Ves** (Comp – Francisco De Los Santos)
    • **María Belén** (Comp – Francisco De Los Santos).
  • Maestro **Francisco Ángel Bastar Ramos**, known as **Kako**, together with **Ismael Rivera Jr.**, recorded an album titled **Kako Y Su Combo – En La Avenida Otra Vez** for a label called Kaluma Record. This LP, with rhythms of cha-cha-chá, guaguancó, and salsa, features:
    • **Para Cantar** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Tommy Sánchez) 6:20
    • **Se Escapó Un León** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Tite Curet) 3:10
    • **Agitando** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Elliot Romero) 4:14
    • **Admiración** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Pepín) 4:37.
    With the participation as well of Richie Bastar, Kako’s son, on bongos; choruses by **José Febles**, Justo Betancourt, Meñique, Rafael De Jesús, and Tito Allen; and Papo Pepín on congas.
1985
  • That year, the next album by **Conjunto Clásico** with singer **Tito Nieves**, also released by Lo Mejor Records, was titled **El Panadero**. This eight-track album includes the contribution, as usual, of maestro **José Febles** in the arrangements of five songs: **Panadero, Noches Campesinas, A Los Muchachos De Sing Sing, Amarrao,** and **Vivamos**—all compositions by Ramón Rodríguez.
  • Musician, composer, arranger, producer, and Nuyorican businessman from Manhattan, **Rubby Haddock**, recorded in 1985 an LP titled **The Entertainer** under the TeleRecord label in Puerto Rico. This salsa, merengue, and Latin jazz album presents ten tracks, among them **Falso Amor** and **Los Soneros**, arranged by **José Febles**.
  • The sixth album by **Conjunto Clásico** with the participation of maestro **José Febles**, featuring **Humberto “Tito” Nieves** on vocals, was released under the name **Llegó La Ley**, again for Lo Mejor Records. This LP of bolero, salsa, and son features compositions entirely by Ramón Rodríguez, who also provided choruses, played maracas, and handled production; with arrangements by talented Ponce native **José Febles**. The tracks are: **Cuando Se Quiere Se Quiere, La Batalla, Ya Yo Lo Sabía, La Pelota, Señora Ley (Dedicado A Fernandito), La Mellada, Tú Me Haces Falta,** and **Quiéreme**.
  • Once again on an album by **Kim De Los Santos y Su Orquesta** we find our great **José Febles**; this time, on the album **Voz, Ritmo Y Sabor**, released by the Bambú Records label, six tracks carried **Febles’** creative genius:
    • **Dice Antón** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Johnny Ortiz)
    • **Yo Te Lo Juro** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Francisco De Los Santos)
    • **El Cuento** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Kim De Los Santos)
    • **Muchachita** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Francisco De Los Santos)
    • **Serpiente** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Francisco De Los Santos)
    • **Ángel Caído** (Arr – José Febles, Comp – Johnny Ortiz).
  • Dominican singer **Santiago Cerón** released his new record titled **Siempre Duro**, made for the Sabroso Records label in LP format. With rhythms of merengue, salsa, and son montuno, this album presents three numbers arranged by **José Febles**: **A La Mala No, Volver,** and **Comprensión**. Notably, these three tracks are also compositions by great musician and composer from Orocovis, Puerto Rico, maestro Ramón Rodríguez, who was also the director, producer, maracas and güiro player, and chorus singer.
1986
· Singer Héctor Casanova recorded an LP titled La Leyenda under Lo Mejor Records, featuring arrangements by maestro José Febles. · The beloved Willie Rosario released his new album Nueva Cosecha on Bronco Records. In this production, José Febles provided the arrangements for Mi Amigo El Payaso, De Barrio Obrero A La 15, and Botaron La Pelota. · Rubby Haddock recorded Salsa Pa’ Los Pies, also with arrangements by José Febles.
1987
  • **Johnny Ray y Salsa Con Clase** released an album titled **Romance De La Ciudad** for TH Records. The track **Máscara De La Vida** featured the arrangement of **José Febles**.
  • **Willie Rosario** presented his new album **Afincando**, where **José Febles** contributed with the arrangement of **Líder De Los Líderes**.
  • **Héctor Casanova** recorded **Noche De Encanto** with Lo Mejor Records, with several arrangements signed by **José Febles**.
  • Orchestra **La Revelación**, directed by **José Fajardo Jr.**, recorded an album titled **La Revelación**. **Febles** arranged **La Fiesta De Pilito**.
1988
  • **Willie Rosario** launched his new LP **¡Viva Rosario!** with the participation of **José Febles** as arranger on the track **El Resbaloso**.
  • **José Bello** recorded **Bello 88** for the RMM label, featuring arrangements by **José Febles**.
  • The orchestra of **Johnny Ray y Salsa Con Clase** released the LP **Salsa Con Dulzura**. **José Febles** contributed arrangements for **Lluvia** and **Llévame Contigo**.
1989
  • Lo Mejor Records released a new album by **Conjunto Clásico** titled **Clásico 89**, once again with the participation of **José Febles**.
  • **Willie Rosario**, “Mr. Afinque,” presented **Rosario 89**. **Febles’** arrangements appear on **El Rey Del Timbal** and **Mejor Que Tú**.
  • **Cuco Valoy** recorded his new album **El Andariego** for Karen Records, with arrangements by **José Febles**.
1990
  • The Puerto Rican maestro **Roberto Roena** released an LP titled **Jazzando** under Fania Records, featuring **José Febles’** arrangements.
  • **Willie Rosario** launched **Nueva Era**, once again with the genius of **José Febles** on the track **Chiquilla Ideal**.
  • **Rubby Haddock** recorded **Y Siguen Pa’lante**, with arrangements by **José Febles**.
1991
  • The orchestra of **Johnny Ray y Salsa Con Clase** released **Te Invito**, where **José Febles** was in charge of the arrangements for **No Te Quedes Sin Bailar**.
  • **Willie Rosario** recorded **A Man Of Music** for the Bronco label, with **Febles** arranging **Gracias A Ti**.
  • **Ray De La Paz** recorded an album titled **De La Paz A La Salsa**, under the RMM label. **José Febles** contributed arrangements for **Todo Se Derrumbó**.
1992
  • The new record by maestro **Ramón Rodríguez Y Su Conjunto Clase** is titled **El Dulcero**, a musical work released in CD format under the label Musical Productions Inc. of Puerto Rico in 1992. Here we also find the contribution of **José Luis Febles Toro** with the arrangements for the tracks **Cualquiera Lo Baila, Guaguancó De Los Animales,** and **Mi Carrito**, all composed by Ramón Rodríguez.
  • Singer and composer **Juan Carlos Senante Mascareño**, a native of Tenerife, Spain, known as **Caco Senante**, recorded an album in 1992 titled **Isleño** under the label Bat Discos in LP format, including a track titled **Sevilla** by Miguel Bosé, with arrangements by **José Febles**.
  • The following work by Dominican singer **Rey Reyes** was titled **Vampira**, released by J&N Records with Salsa and Merengue rhythms; featuring **José Febles** in the arrangement of the track **Jíbaro Alegre**.
  • The Queen of Salsa, **Celia Cruz**, recorded an album titled **Tributo A Ismael Rivera**, released under the label Vaya Records. This LP presents arrangements by Ricardo González, Louie Ramírez, José Madera, Willie Rodríguez, and **José Febles**, on the versions of the tracks **Quítate De La Vía Perico, A Bailar Mi Bomba** by Arsenio Rodríguez, and **Maquinolandera** by Margarita Rivera.
  • The remembered maestro **José Febles** was the arranger of the tracks **Isla Del Encanto** (composed by Gene Hernández), **A Gozar** by Fonsy Cruz, and **Machista** by Tato Vásquez; recorded by **Fonsy Y Carlitos** on an album titled **Isla Del Encanto**, released by Guayacán Productions in LP format in 1992. This album was produced and directed by singer Fonsy Cruz, with vocalists Fonsy Cruz and Carlitos Cruz.
  • A musical group called **Madera Fina** recorded the album **Tallando La Salsa**, released under Madera Records in LP format. This Salsa record features Carlos Santos as lead singer on six of the eight tracks, one of them titled **Canto A Mi Tierra**, also composed by Carlos Santos, with arrangements by **José Febles**.
  • The new musical production of **Conjunto Imagen** was called **Mi Rumba**, released under J&N Records in LP format. This album included ten tracks, five of them arranged by maestro **José Febles**:
    • **Mi Rumba** – Comp. Tato Vásquez
    • **Amada Adoración** – Comp. Tato Vásquez
    • **No Sé Qué Trae** – Comp. Tato Vásquez
    • **Todo Corazón**
    • **Dura Madera** – Comp. Ramón Rodríguez – Arr. **José Febles**.
  • The new musical work of **Conjunto Clásico**, this time featuring singer **Rafael de Jesús**, was titled **Tus Dulces Labios**, as usual for the label Lo Mejor Records. The album was released in CD format, consisting of nine Salsa tracks, six of them with arrangements by maestro **José Febles**:
    • **Guarapero** – Comp. William Tato Vásquez – Arr. José Febles 4:26
    • **Tus Dulces Labios** – Comp. Papo Santiago – Arr. José Febles 4:18
    • **Así Es El Amor** – Comp. Francisco Alvarado – Arr. José Febles 4:30
    • **Incertidumbre** – Comp. Francisco Alvarado – Arr. José Febles 4:14
    • **Tierra** – Comp. William Tato Vásquez – Arr. José Febles 4:40
    • **Feliz** – Comp. Francisco Alvarado – Arr. José Febles 3:31
  • The label Kañaveral Records presented the new album of **Héctor Ramos, El Galán De La Salsa**, a 1992 work titled **¡Que Viva El Amor!**, recorded in Colombia, with Bolero, Merengue, and Salsa influences. Featuring the tracks **Cuánto Te Debo** and **Here I Am** with arrangements by **José Febles**.
  • Dominican singer, raised in Santurce, **José Alberto**, known as **“El Canario,”** in his new 1992 album titled **Llegó La Hora**, released under RMM Records, included a track with arrangements by maestro **José Febles**: **Me Botó**, composed by Ramón L. Rodríguez.
  • In the same year 1992, **El Galán De La Salsa, Héctor Ramos**, released another album titled **Como Te Va**, this time under the label Salson Records in CD format, again with contributions from our great arranger **José Febles** on the tracks **Mi Niña Bonita, Swergin To God,** and **Herido**.
  • Another great Dominican singer, **Raulín Rosendo**, released an album with musical arrangements by Piro Rodríguez, **José Febles**, and Marty Sheller. The album was titled **¡Que Se Cuiden Los Soneros!** recorded with **La Sinfónica De La Salsa**, under Day Dance Records Corporation in LP format. Produced by Piro Rodríguez, M. Sheller, and Ramón Rodríguez.
  • Also in 1992, a collective musical group called **Grupo 24K** recorded an album titled **Mercancía Fresca** for the label Invasión Records in LP format. Two tracks arranged by **José Febles** appear here:
    • **When I Need You** – Vocals: Gilberto Vélez – Comp. Leo Sayer – 5:20
    • **Para Colombia** – Vocals: Gilberto Vélez – Comp. Alberto Plumer – 4:14
1993
  • The excellent musician, trumpeter, guitarist, director, composer, and arranger from Ponce, **José Luis Febles Toro**, passed away in 1993. It is said that his health deteriorated due to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, known as the AIDS virus.
  • In the year of his death, the great **José Luis Febles Toro** also left his mark as arranger and composer on another six albums:
    • The group created by RMM Records, directed by **Sergio George** on piano, called **La Combinación Perfecta**, recorded and released an album under their own label, titled precisely **La Combinación Perfecta**. It included a series of Salsa hits, among them **Tributo A Héctor Lavoe** (composed by Ángel “Papo” Santiago) and **Soneros De Bailadores** (composed by Johnny Ortiz), both arranged by **José Febles**.
    • The Japanese orchestra **La Orquesta De La Luz** released a Salsa album titled **La Aventura**, under Ariola in CD format. The record included ten tracks, with **Acércate Más** and **La Aventura De Vivir** arranged by **José Febles**.
    • The label H.G. Productions, Inc. released in 1993 the album **En Colores** by musical director, producer, and composer **Ray Ramos Y Su Sonora**. Among the tracks were **La Roca** and **En Colores** (both by Ray Ramos) and **Si No Hay Razón** by Piloto and Vera. All three were arranged by **José Febles**.
    • Our great and beloved singer from Ponce, **Cheo Feliciano**, presented a new musical work titled **Motivos** for RMM Records & Video Corp., in CD format, with Salsa and Bolero rhythms. Ten tracks make up the album, including **Romántico** (composed by Omar Alfano), arranged by **José Febles**.
    • **Tradición Clásica – 35 Aniversario** is an album released by the label NRT – NRTLP-1005 in LP format, by maestro **Willie Rosario**, produced by Julio Gunda Merced. It included musical arrangements by maestro **José Febles** for the tracks **Te Amo, Lo Que Yo Siento,** and **Todos Los Ojos Te Miran**.
    • The tracks **Mambo 2000** and **Charibe-Che** are compositions by maestro **José Febles**, published on the album **Mambo 2000** by the group **Conexión Latina**. The arrangements of these two songs, along with **Mai Gel** and **Euro Salsa**, are also works of **José Febles**.
1993
  • On December 13, 1993, one of the greatest arrangers the Salsa movement has ever known departed to another dimension: the extraordinary **José Luis Febles Toro**. At only 43 years of age, **José Febles**, a true musical prodigy, left this earthly world. His magnificent work will forever keep him alive among us.

Musical Chronology

We divided this musical chronology of the life and musical work of maestro José Febles into two parts, since he passed away in 1993, and posthumously many of his works have been recorded and released. Therefore, we have a chronology from his birth until his death, and a second part posthumously, beginning in 1994.

1983

The Puerto Rican salsa group founded in 1976 by leader and bassist Edwin Morales, a native of Santurce, released a musical work in 1983 titled Otra Vez... published under the PDC label in LP format, with José Febles participating in the arrangements of the tracks Para Ti Bailador and Mi Negrita. The album featured the voices of Kenny Cruz and Pedro Brull.

1984

Singer Rafael De Jesús recorded as a soloist his album titled En Grande, pressed by Corso Records, an LP of Bolero and Salsa, under the musical direction of José Febles, who, in addition to doing backing vocals, is the composer of all the tracks, such as: Lo Dudo (composed by Ana Magdalena and Manuel Alejandro), Soy Candela, No Será Fácil, Como Un Vagabundo, Cantar De Un Jibarito, Tu Belleza Angelical and Te Voy A Estrenar.

1985
  • A second album by **Mulenze**, with the participation of our great musician from Ponce, was released in 1985, titled **Te Damos Las Gracias**, this time under the Bronco label, with rhythms of Guaguancó and Salsa. This work, published in Puerto Rico, features **José Febles’** musical arrangements on the tracks **Puede** and **Celos**. The singers were Pedro Brull and Rafi Andino.
  • That same year, 1985, **El Grupo Fascinación** premiered an album titled **Tiburón**, released by Combo Records Productions, an LP published in Panama. Eight tracks are part of this album, including **Fascinación** (composition by Orlando Watussi) and **Olvida y Canta** (composition by Charlie Donato); both arranged by **José Febles**, with Johnny Rivera on vocals.
1986
  • **Salsa Vice** is the new album by **El Grupo Fascinación** in 1986, pressed by Rico Records in LP and CD formats, with the contribution of maestro **José Febles** arranging the track **Bandolera**, composed by Tommy Sánchez, and produced by Ralph Cartagena.
  • Composer **Charlie Donato** wrote the tracks **Por Un Beso** and **Eres Tú**, recorded with **José Febles’** arrangements, included in the album titled **Número Siete** by **La Orquesta Mulenze**, published under the Bronco label in Puerto Rico, in 1986.
1988

A LP published in the United States by Primo Records was released under the title Twice As Good, by Puerto Rican singer Rafael De Jesús, with arrangements by maestro José Febles on the tracks Nos Envolveremos, Mujer, and Perdone Usted..

1994
  • Eight tracks make up an album called **Mi Paisaje Musical**, recorded in 1994 by bandleader and trumpeter **Richie Cabo y Su Orquesta** for Combo Records in CD format, with rhythms of Bolero, Chachachá, Descarga, Guaguancó, and Salsa. Three tracks feature **José Febles’** arrangements: **La Serenata, Estoy Aquí,** and **Mis Dos Abuelitas**.
  • That year, the labels Axile and Night & Day released a Salsa album in CD format titled **Jungla Fría** by a singer named **Ángela**. This work was produced and directed by **José Febles**, who also arranged it together with Ricky González and Oscar Hernández.
  • Two new arrangements by **José Febles** were included in an album titled **Inspirado**, the first solo album by Nuyorican musician, singer and composer **Willie Amadeo**, published under the Discos Fuentes label in Colombia in LP format. The tracks are: **Roy El Playboy** (a song by Aquilino Zúñiga) and **No Te Detengas a Pensar** (composed by Miguel Ángel Amadeo).
1995
  • RMM Records presented the new musical production by **José Alberto “El Canario,”** the album titled **On Time**, pressed in CD format. Nine tracks make up the work, including **Con Sandra en La Cama**, composed by Ángel Santiago and arranged by **José Febles**.
  • Puerto Rican singer **Van Lester** recorded his solo album **En Transición** for the same label, RMM Records, produced by **Johnny Pacheco**, in CD format. It features two tracks arranged by **José Febles**: **Dime La Verdad** and **Mi Mejor Momento**, both composed by Van Lester.
  • The track **No Hay Pero Que Valga**, arranged by **José Febles** and composed by Charlie Mosquera, was included in the album **La Salsa de España** by singer **Jaime Rovira**, published by Sonolux in Colombia in 1995.
  • Conga master **Eddie Montalvo** presented his album **On My Own...** pressed under the Songo Records and Castro Records labels in CD format. This Guaguancó, Mambo, and Salsa work includes eight tracks, among them **Quiere A Quien Te Quiere** with arrangements by **José Febles**.
1995
  • **Sorpresas** is the name of the new album by maestro **Fernando Luis Rosario Marín**, our maestro from Coamo, known in the Latin music world as **Willie Rosario**. This work was released under the Envidia label, featuring 14 tracks, two of which have **José Febles’** arrangements: **Reconciliación** and **Volvemos A Lo Mismo**.
1996
  • Two great musicians from Ponce, without a doubt, are maestros **Pete “Conde” Rodríguez** and **Enrique “Papo” Lucca**, who came together to record an album titled **Pete & Papo**, released by Fania Records in CD format in 1996, with **José Febles** contributing arrangements for the songs: **No Me Platiques Mas, Usted,** and **Como**.
1997
  • The orchestra director from the Bronx, New York, **Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad**, recorded an album in 1997 titled **L.A. Amistad**, for the Tonga Productions label. The album was released in CD format with thirteen tracks, including **Sintiéndote Mía**, composed by Rene Touzet and arranged by **José Febles**.
1998
  • Dominican singer **Raúl Martínez**, known as **Raulín Rosendo**, recorded for A+E Latin Music Enterprise a CD titled **Dominicano Para El Mundo**, released in 1998. In this album, the tracks **Malas Y Buenas** and **Mercedita** were arranged by **José Febles**.
  • That same year, **Raulín Rosendo** recorded and released another CD titled **Llegó La Ley**, this time for BMG U.S. Latin. In this ten-track album, although it does not specify which tracks each arranger worked on, the arrangements were done by Carlos “Cocote” Jiménez, Isidro Infante, **José Febles**, Luis F. Columna, Nelson Hernández, and William Cepeda.
2001
  • Singer **Pedro Juan Rodríguez Ferrer**, remembered as **Pete Conde Rodríguez** from Ponce, presented a live concert in Puerto Rico in 2001. From that performance, recorded for Fania, the album **Live At Teatro La Perla Ponce Puerto Rico** was released. Among the tracks performed and recorded at that event are versions of **Introducción Babaila, Catalina La O, Los Compadres,** and **La Esencia Del Guaguancó**, which had previously been arranged by **José Febles**.
2002
  • The great conga percussionist from Matanzas, Cuba, **Francisco Aguabella**, recorded an Afro-Cuban Jazz album in 2002 titled **Cubacan**, published by Cubop. This work includes a version of the track **Felukin**, composed by **José Febles**.
2003
  • The second work by the New York salsa group **Los Soneros Del Barrio** was titled **Siguiendo La Tradición**, pressed by the Rumba Jams label in CD format. This ten-track album includes the number **Timboro**, arranged by **José Febles**.
2006
The songs Mujer Venezolana and Aquí He Llegado were arranged by José Febles, the latter giving its title to a 2006 CD released by Venezuelan singer and composer José Gregorio “Cheo” Linares Carrasco, known for his career in Salsa and other tropical genres. Cheo Linares was born in Caracas. · Puerto Rican musical director, producer, and trumpeter Ray González recorded in 2006 an album for the Flor de Rumba label in CD format titled Yo Tengo Lo Que Te Gusta.... Eight tracks make up this work, including the track No Hagas Caso, arranged by José Febles.
2007
  • The magnificent New York group **Spanish Harlem Orchestra** released a new album for Six Degrees Records in CD format titled **United We Swing**, which includes the track **Soy Candela**, composed by **José Febles**.
2008
  • The great pianist **Gilberto “El Pulpo” Colón** recorded as a soloist his album **Pulpo's Hot Bread**, published by The Mambo Project. This Salsa and Latin Jazz work includes the compositions **Hot Bread** (by **José Febles**) and **Apariencia**, co-written by **Febles** and Héctor “Papote” Jiménez.
2012
  • The American Showplace Music label released in 2012 a Jazz CD titled **La Fama** by trumpeter and trombonist **Mac Gollehon**, a native of North Carolina, USA. Also participating on this album were trumpeters **Doc Cheatham, José Febles, Lester Bowie, Pedro “Puchi” Boulong,** and **Ray Maldonado**.
2012
  • Musical director, saxophonist, and flutist from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, **Ray Rodríguez**, founder of the group **Swing Sabroso**, recorded a Salsa album in 2015 titled **Salsa Pa' l Mundo Entero**, under the New Gen Salsa Music label in CD format. Nine tracks make up the work, including Bobby Capó’s song **Soñando Con Puerto Rico**, arranged by **José Febles**.

José Luis Febles Toro

This work on our website www.latinastereo.com is an approach to the musical career of the master Musician, Composer, Musical Director, Arranger and Trumpeter José Luis Febles Toro, through his musical legacy he will always be remembered for all his talent, thanks José Luis Febles Toro.

Discography

Long Live Music!
Long Live Salsa!
Long Live José Febles!

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