For those not aware, De Ti Depende is salsa legend Hector Lavoe’s second solo album, released on Fania Records in 1976, in which he steps out as the leader of his own orchestra for the first time.

Hit tracks include Tite Curet Alonso’s “Periódico de Ayer,” the ever popular anthem “Hacha y Machete” and Perucho Torcat’s uplifting “Vamos a Reír Un Poco.”

A great among greats, this great artist’s life was marked by a tragic destiny. Héctor Lavoe’s interest in music began in his native Puerto Rico. In search of new opportunities, he traveled to New York with a suitcase full of dreams and the firm goal of landing a job in the music world.

In 1975, Fania Records decided to launch its singers with the most hits as soloists. Thus began a new phase of Héctor Lavoe’s career, just as brilliant and successful, boasting the release of many albums that are now part of his rich musical legacy.

His life was an open book, each page of which documented the tragedy and heartbreak that marked and influenced the rise and fall of his brilliant professional career. Héctor Lavoe died on June 29th, 1993, at the age of 46.

Featuring (AAA) lacquers cut from the original master tapes, this remastered reissue is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a classic tip-on jacket.

Side A:
1.  Vamos a Reír un Poco
2.  De Ti Depende
3.  Periódico de Ayer
4.  Consejo de Oro

Side B:
1.  Tanto Como Ayer
2.  Hacha y Machete
3.  Felices Horas
4. Mentira

I grew up listening to Hector Lavoe, an artist born in Puerto Rico and living in New York and having heard this album many times in my youth (played by my father on his old record player and worn down needle), I can honestly say that I personally believe this to be one of the best from the afro cuban/salsa dura of all times.

It features a great set of musicians, infectious songs and the great Hector’s lead vocals. Much in the same vein as Willie, Celia and Johnny, Hector was a great Latin singer from the New York scene of the seventies.

Following on from his integral La Voz, his solo debut from one year earlier, De Ti Depende (It’s Up to You) includes everything that made that album a classic. Produced and with three of its spotlight tracks arranged by Willie Colón, it features much the same group (with Rubén Blades in the chorus) and hits the same heights with its material - but that’s not to say it’s the same album, of course, for it most certainly is not.

This one actually has more ballads and more of a reflective, often downcast feel to the material, if I might dare to say. I mean, even the hit Periodico de Ayer has a dark theme, comparing love to yesterday’s news, and the slick, string-filled Tanto Como Ayer is even more fatalistic. But tracks such as Hacha y Machete are a glorious beacon of up-tempo salsa goodness within the vast melancholy wasteland that takes up the wealth of volume here.

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