Ritmo En El Alma by Mario Allison y Su Orquesta – A Salsa Gem Straight from 1983 Peru
If you’re a fan of salsa music that makes your feet move before your brain even registers it, Ritmo En El Alma is one of those albums that’ll hit all the right notes. Released back in ‘83 under the Iempsa label in Peru, this record feels like an unpolished treasure chest full of rhythm and soul. It’s not trying too hard to be perfect—it just wants to make you dance.
Let me break it down for ya. First off, there are some real bangers on here, but two tracks stuck with me more than the rest: “Soy Salsero” (yeah, they play it three times, but who’s counting?) and “El Borracho.”
“Soy Salsero” has this infectious energy that screams pride. You can tell Mario Allison and his crew weren’t messing around when they laid down these grooves. The horns punch through like confetti at a party, and the piano riffs? Man, they’re smooth as butter. Every time this track comes on, I find myself nodding my head like yeah, I am salsero too—even if I’m sitting on my couch eating chips. There’s something about how raw and heartfelt it feels; it’s less about showing off fancy tricks and more about celebrating the vibe.
Then there’s “El Borracho,” which is basically the life of the fiesta bottled up into five minutes of pure fun. The lyrics might talk about someone who loves their drink a little too much, but the beat? Oh, it’s sharp enough to cut glass. Between the playful brass hits and the percussion that just won’t quit, it’s impossible not to smile while listening. It’s kinda funny because halfway through, you forget it's even about a drunk guy—you're too busy imagining everyone losing it on the dance floor.
One thing I gotta say—this album doesn’t try to reinvent salsa or anything. What it does do is deliver solid tunes with zero pretense. Tracks like “Castigala” and “Chica Boom” keep things spicy without overthinking it. And honestly? That’s what makes Ritmo En El Alma so likable. It’s got that old-school charm where every note sounds like it came straight from the heart, no filters attached.
Now, here’s the kicker—listening to this album made me realize something kinda wild. Back in 1983, folks didn’t have Spotify playlists or Bluetooth speakers blasting music everywhere. They had records like this one—a whole experience packed into vinyl. Makes you wonder how many people spun this LP at house parties or family gatherings, dancing barefoot on tiled floors somewhere in Lima. Kinda gives the whole thing a nostalgic glow, doesn’t it?
So yeah, Ritmo En El Alma isn’t gonna win any awards for being avant-garde or revolutionary. But honestly? It doesn’t need to. Sometimes, all you really want is an album that reminds you why salsa exists in the first place—to bring people together and get ‘em moving. And hey, if nothing else, now I know what "Kukucha Kucha" means… well, actually, I still don’t. But it sure sounds cool!
