Early life
Ray (born "Ricardo Maldonado") was born in Brooklyn, New York City of Puerto Rican parents. They lived in Hoyt Street. Ray's father, Pacifico Maldonado, was an accomplished guitarist in his native Bayamón, and as such was the Maldonado family's early musical influence.
Ray's parents had him take lessons and he started to play the piano when he was only seven years old. His life-long partnership with Bobby Cruz started five years later in 1957 when Ray played bass in a group led by Cruz. This combination was the beginning of one the greatest salsa duos in the salsa music industry.
He attended the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the famed High School of Performing Arts, and the Juilliard School of Music. This experience served to further develop and refine his musical training. In addition, he became well versed in various Latin music genres which were popular at that time the Guajira, the Cha-cha-cha, the Bolero and others.
[edit] Musical career
Ray left Juilliard in 1963, after just one year. He made this choice so that he could get organized and dedicate himself to his own band. This was a year after Cruz joined in as the lead vocalist. In 1964, he signed with Fonseca Records and released his debut album, Ricardo Ray Arrives-Comején. The album included the outstanding hit songs "Mambo Jazz", "Comején", "Viva Richie Ray", "El Mulato", "Suavito", "Pa' Chismoso Tú" and the bolero-cha "Si Te Contaran". The famous pair recorded some of their finest work during the period that they were with the Fonseca label.
In 1966 The group switched to the Alegre label, coinciding with the arrival of the boogaloo, Ray recorded nine albums with Alegre. He was a part of Tico/Alegre Records until 1970, and during that time he produce such hits as "Richies Jala Jala", "Mr. Trumpet Man", "Señor Embajador", "Aguzate" (Gold Record Award winner), "Amparo Arrebato", "Traigo De Todo", and the Spanish version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way", called "A Mi Manera". This song went on to be the most radio played Spanish version of "My Way" during 1970; the song also won the duo a Gold Record Award.
While with Alegre, Ray also recorded two albums for UA Latino. These included "Viva Ricardo" and "El Diferente" (Gold Record Award winner). The band scored a number one hit with the song "Colorín Colorado", while "El Diferente", "Feria En Manizales" and "Ay, Compay!", became number one hits in Latin America.
In 1968, Ray and Cruz had been together professionally for five years, had written most of their songs together, and for the first time in the album Los Durísimos, they shared equal billing in an album cover. This album had such hits as "Agallú", "Pancho Cristal", "Adasa", and "Yo Soy (Babalú)". Since then the band became officially known as Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz.
[edit] The 1970s
In 1970, Ray and Cruz left New York and moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for professional and personal reasons. They opened a nightclub, but managing it required too much of their time. Shortly after, they decided to sell the establishment to focus on their artistic commitments. That same year, Ray and Cruz signed with the new Vaya Records label, a subsidiary of Fania Records.
In 1971, they released "El Bestial Sonido de Ricardo Ray y Bobby Cruz", the first ever release on Vaya Records, and was one of their better albums on that label. The album went gold, and it took them to the top of the charts once again. It included hits such as Juan Manuel Serrat's "Señora", the bolero version of the Gardel/Lepera tango "Volver", and the Rubén Blades composition "Guaguancó Triste", as well as the salsa version of James Taylor's "Fire And Rain". This album also included his most impressive and well-known hit called "Sonido Bestial", which has a Latin-flavoured arrangement of Chopin's Etude 10/12, and is considered a classic masterpiece of salsa music.
In 1974 The Dynamic Duo won the title "The Kings Of Salsa" at the "Coliseo Roberto Clemente" in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For a period of 12 hours, 24 bands had competed for the coveted title, and Ray and Cruz emerged triumphant. Contracts started to pour in, requests for interviews and TV appearances, and even movie offers.
[edit] Born-again Christian
All of these things spoke of success, but Ray suffered strong emotional problems during this time. The despair he felt led him into alcohol and drug abuse. He felt tormented by his addictions, however, and wanted to change his life.
In August of that year, he surprised many when he announced that he had become a born-again evangelical Christian. The professed experience radically changed his career and life. At first, Cruz refused to accept Ray's change, but within four months Cruz himself became a convert.
In spite of these dramatic changes, Ray & Cruz fans continued to support the duo. The 1976 release of Reconstrucción went "Gold" (their ninth). The album included their smash hit single "Juan En La Ciudad". They followed with Viven in 1977, De Nuevo 'Los Durísimos' Again (1980), and their final release on Vaya Records, Inconfundibles (1987) in which Ray and Cruz announced their retirement from Salsa music. All of these were successful releases.
Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz lost most of their fans and found opposition among the members of their own faith when they suggested the idea of Christian Salsa. They stood their ground, however, and little by little, they started to regain the confidence of their fans and fellow Christians. They abandoned secular salsa and recorded salsa with a Christian message, reworking many of their worldly hits into religious themes. Some of these include "El Sonido La Bestia", "Más Que Vencedores", and "Aguzate". They also created some new ones, like "Los Fariseos", "Timoteo", and "Sipriano"
The sincerity of their Christian beliefs was not just conveyed in their music. Both Ray and Cruz are pastors, and they have founded more than 20 churches throughout Puerto Rico and the United States. In addition, Ray founded the Salvation Records label as an outlet for Christian music. Then, he continued his music career although his long-time friend, Cruz, had retired. During "retirement", however, both Cruz and Ray released albums with previously recorded numbers and with other bands or singers. Richie Ray is now a pastor in Cape Coral under the CLM fellowship.
In 1991, Ray and Cruz reunited for successful concert appearances in San Juan and again in New York. They reunited again in 1999 for the "Sonido Bestial" concert in the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum located in Bayamón, they sang some of their early hits together with some of their religious songs and the concert was recorded live. The outcome was so impressive that they were offered a contract by Universal Records, the recording was selected as one of the best recordings of 1999 and helped bring the pair back into the limelight of the Puerto Rican music scene. The pair has continued active in the music scene since.
[edit] Later years
In 2000, Ray and Cruz held a series of concerts that were completely sold out at the Antonio Paoli Hall of the Luis A. Ferre Center of Beautiful Arts in San Juan. They were also honored with a National Day of Salsa in Bayamón. In 2002, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz were inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.
In 2003, Ray recorded "Al Ritmo del Piano" for Warner Music Latina. Ray and Cruz continue to make appearances in places such as the Copacabana Club in New York. In December 2005 Ray & Cruz release a totally *new* album under the label Tropisounds the album was recorded in Colombia under the musical direction of its producer by Diego Galé, Que Vuelva La Música has 14 new tracks "El gallo y la vaca", "La bailarina", "Quim Bon Bori", "Vive contento", "Soy boricua" y "Va a llover" are just a few of the titles. The Album was an instant hit in Colombia and Latin America. "El gallo y la vaca" (25th Nov) and "Salsa La Celebracion" (7th two weeks in April) appeared in the top 100 salsa songs charts in North America through 2006. In 2006 Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz won a Latin-Grammy Award for "Lifetime Achievement", this year they also recorded a CD and DVD titled "A lifetime of hits" (live at Centro de Bellas Artes, San Juan, Puerto Rico) which was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the "Best Contemporary Tropical Album" category.
Ray currently lives in Florida with his wife Angie Ray and besides being musically active, he is also busy attending the churches which he and Cruz found in the United States, Caribbean and Latin-America. Ricardo "Richie" Ray is still considered along with Eddie Palmieri and Papo Lucca one of the best and more influential pianists of all times in Salsa music. On August 16, 2008, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz celebrated 45 years in the musical business, with a concert at José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.[1] Prior to the presentation, the duo noted that the concert would last at least three hours.[2] The duo has expressed that this might be their last "big scale concert".[3]
El Mulato
Ricardo Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mis zapatos ya voy a brillar
vo a coger mi sombrero de paja
que pal pueblo me vo a vacilar
cuando llegue el mulato a la fiesta
todo el mundo lo va a contempla
y la negra más linda que encuentre
te aseguro la vo a enamorar
y que plante no sabe tirar
pero aunque trates de criticarme veras
que el mulato a la fiesta va a llegar
me duele que no comprendas
que si no salgo a pasear
es por que tu ya te sientes
incapas de vacilar
asi que, pues cerra ya la boca
y no diga una palabra más
porque aunque trates de criticarme veras
que el mulato a la fiesta va a llegar
vaya, toma pepsicola
el mulato va a la fiesta
ehh va a llegar
va llegar el viejo verde
vailando mambo y bailando twin
ven, ven, ven, ven, velem, ven
y va agozar
The lyrics to Ricardo Ray's "El Mulato" speak about a man who is preparing to go to a party. The man is going to wear his best clothes, including his silk suit and shiny shoes. He's also going to wear his straw hat to show off to the people in his town. The man believes that when he arrives at the party, everyone will be looking at him in awe, especially the most beautiful woman he can find. The lyrics also touch on the idea that the man is older and may not be as skilled as he once was, but he is confident that he will still be the center of attention at the party.
The song seems to be about the importance of confidence and not letting age or criticism hold you back. The man in the song is proud of who he is and what he has to offer, and he is not going to let anyone bring him down. The line "me duele que no comprendas" (it hurts me that you do not understand) conveys a sense of frustration at someone who is trying to criticize or hold the man back, but he is determined to go to the party and let loose.
Overall, "El Mulato" is a celebratory song that encourages listeners to embrace their uniqueness and let themselves shine. The upbeat tempo and joyful lyrics make it a popular choice for dancing and parties.
Line by Line Meaning
Vo a ponerme mi traje de seda
I'm going to put on my silk suit
mis zapatos ya voy a brillar
And my shoes are going to shine
vo a coger mi sombrero de paja
I'm going to grab my straw hat
que pal pueblo me vo a vacilar
To show off to the people
cuando llegue el mulato a la fiesta
When the Mulatto arrives at the party
todo el mundo lo va a contempla
Everybody will stare at him
y la negra más linda que encuentre
And the most beautiful black woman he finds
te aseguro la vo a enamorar
I assure you he will make her fall in love
dices tu que el mulato está viejo
You say the Mulatto is old
y que plante no sabe tirar
And he can't dance the Plena
pero aunque trates de criticarme veras
But if you try to criticize me,
que el mulato a la fiesta va a llegar
You'll see the Mulatto arrive at the party
me duele que no comprendas
It hurts me that you don't understand
que si no salgo a pasear
That if I don't go out
es por que tu ya te sientes
It's because you already feel
incapas de vacilar
Incapable of having fun
asi que, pues cerra ya la boca
So, close your mouth already
y no diga una palabra más
And don't say another word
porque aunque trates de criticarme veras
Because if you try to criticize me,
que el mulato a la fiesta va a llegar
You'll see the Mulatto arrive at the party
vaya, toma pepsicola
Now, take a sip of Pepsi Cola
el mulato va a la fiesta
The Mulatto is going to the party
ehh va a llegar
Yeah, he's going to arrive
va llegar el viejo verde
The old green man is going to arrive
vailando mambo y bailando twin
Dancing mambo and twisting
ven, ven, ven, ven, velem, ven
Come, come, come, come, come and see
y va agozar
And he's going to enjoy it
Writer(s): BOBBY CRUZ, RICARDO RAY
Contributed by James R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@giovannybuitrago5013
Todos exaltan en este trabajo que se llamó «comejen» a Richie y Bobby Cruz. Pero señoras y caballeros , en los coros de este trabajo estaba nada más ni nada menos que el «papá de los helados» Chivirico Dávila. El también merece ser reconocido en este trabajo, y como solista la rompió. En el bolero «si te contara» si lo escuchan bien hace le hace la segunda voz a Bobby y tuvo que bajar una octava en su voz , para no opacar la voz de Bobby. GRACIAS Maestro Chivirico , Dios lo tenga en su gloria.
@andrescamilomontescorrea9424
Gracias por el dato!!! Tiene sentido que el trabajo sea tan brillante, si el gran Chivirico Dávila participó. Un abrazo desde Colombia hermano salsero
@jesusgarcia1909
En la mayoría de las canciones el cantante de planta es chivirico davila el profe de Bobby cruz
@ricardochavezoliveros1593
A Chivirico no le hicieron nunca los reconocimientos que se merecía. Pero para mi fue un caballo. Bárbaro
@amistaderosmotas12
Mulence
@haroldadolfomorenoescobar9990
Chivirico es el papa de los pollitos pa la escuela todos los demas
@nellyhurtado9920
Esta es mi música que crsi con ella mucha nostalgia me da cuanando la escucho gracias por recordarlos momentos buenos
@ricardocortes9012
Este LP fue grabado en 1963 o 64 , me gustaba escuchar tema x tema este agradable larga duracion, era un chico con 19 alis de edad que aun no sabia bailar, pero ese sonido de trompetas y piano juntos ke hacuan vibrar.
@Nicolle_Cash06
Amo esta canción, la escucho desde que tengo uso de razón y ya tengo 20 años. La repito indefinidamente 🥴
@Diego33501
Me asombro aún al escuchar esta musica, es muy agradable esa extraña mezcla de bolero, blues, esa introduccion que no distingo, y esa explosión final de guaguanco quizás, indescriptible... en fin, muchas sensaciones al mismo tiempo. Esto nunca se podrá igualar.