Eddie Palmieri, a pioneering pianist and composer in salsa, died on August 6 at 88 after an extended illness. Born in New York's Spanish Harlem, he initially oscillated between piano and timpani before fully embracing the piano. In 1961, he formed La Perfecta, which revolutionized the mambo scene by infusing it with complex Afro-Cuban rhythms. His notable albums, especially Justicia in 1969, combined various musical styles while addressing social issues. Despite being a central figure in salsa, he often rejected the term, preferring 'Afro-Cuban' to emphasize the genre’s African influences.
Eddie Palmieri's monumental 1969 album, Justicia, combined elements of funk, soul, and psychedelic rock with Cuban dance rhythms while addressing themes of racism and colonialism.
Though the genre bears Eddie Palmieri's unmistakable imprint, he was always unhappy with the term 'salsa' and preferred to call his music 'Afro-Cuban,' highlighting its African roots and diasporic influences.
Collection
[
|
...
]