By: Diego Aranda
In Armenia, Colombia, a band led by trombonist Hernando “Coco” Ramírez and percussionist Diego Alejandro Idarraga released its first album last year, and as a debut, it leaves a strong impression on salsa listeners. As they hear it, many are reminded of the golden decade that made history and laid the foundations for a unique way of making salsa. Released on both CD and LP, the album successfully fuses the sound of the ’70s with the best of modern arrangements and production.
Hard salsa—the kind that shakes your soul and is rare nowadays—has found a worthy representative in this orchestra. We’re convinced that some of tomorrow’s classics are already here among the tracks on this album. The Colombian group’s production includes eleven tracks featuring compositions by Fabián Santander (“Setenta y su Guaguancó”, “Que Tormento”, “Esclavo Serás”, “Hipocresía”, “Me Va Matar”), Hernando Ramírez (“Triste Final”), Diego Idarraga (“No Quiero Sufrir Más”), Carlos Villada (“No Te Puedo Perdonar”), William Cano (“Aléjate”), and Germán Medina (“Sol De Mi Vida”, “Tierra de Gracia”).
The balance is undeniable: a band with a powerful lineup, a bold trombone section, explosive percussion, and an experienced frontline that blends the legacy of salsa’s golden era with a modern sensibility. Despite being a humble band with no superstar pretensions, they raise the flag of Colombian hard salsa high—indeed, the flag of global salsa. Arrangements were handled by Jorge Salgado, Hernando Ramírez, Jhon Jairo López, Diego Idarraga, Hernando López, and Andrés Toscano—a collaborative effort that delivered overwhelming results. A standout contribution comes from Venezuelan sonero Germán Medina, who takes the vocal lead on most of the album. The late Puerto Rican singer Alfredo “Male” Torres also left his mark on the album’s third track.
Sonido 70 was born around three years ago in Armenia, Quindío, Colombia. Like many orchestras of its kind, it began under the influence of the Latin music popular at the time among neighborhood youths and university students. The result of many bohemian nights, Sonido 70’s music aims to revive vintage sounds while embracing rhythms like rumba, bolero, guaguancó, bomba, and plena. “Our lyrics sing about everyday life, heartbreak, our culture, the drum, son montuno, guajira—all with lyrics and melodies full of deep feeling, but with an unmistakable flavor.”
The orchestra’s format is very traditional. Leading on trombone are Jorge Vélez (from Manizales) and Hernando Ramírez (from Armenia), supported by the masterful piano of Hernando López (Pereira), the melodic and unpredictable bass of Paulo Grisales (Pereira), bongo played by Jhon Jairo López (Armenia), congas by Diego Idarraga (Armenia), and a rich timbale performance by Paulo Sánchez, blending vintage and modern tumbaos. The electric guitar is played by Diego Mora (Armenia), maracas and güiro by Edwin García (Armenia), and two excellent vocalists—Jhon Fabio Arce (Pereira) and Jorge Rodas (Manizales)—bring versatile voices that shine on any interpretation.
“While we deeply love our Colombian music, we don’t deny that we are children of a Latin city, and as Rubén Blades once said, salsa can be defined by the acronym FOCILA: folklore of the Latin city, a cultural movement that we are part of and that represents many Latin American communities.”
After much effort and determination to record, the band has begun reaching more salsa-friendly cities like Cali, Manizales, Pereira, Bogotá, and Medellín. From Colombia’s Coffee Axis, at the heart of the country, to the world: this is Orquesta SONIDO 70.
