With a title aptly in keeping with his aggressive take on salsa music (Christmas Assault, referring to mischievous carolers),
Willie Colón took on Christmas music with a 1970 LP and a 1973 follow-up, two salsa records that were hard-charging as usual but nevertheless featured
Yomo Toro, whose cuatro playing was a nod to rural Puerto Rican forms like jibaro -- styles that any PR native or person with heritage would recognize and appreciate during the Christmas season. Aside from
Toro's torrid playing, many of these songs are at the same level of quality found on any standard
Colón LP, which is saying a lot. Best of all is the dark, brassy hit "La Murga," which belongs on any
Colón hits album. ~ John Bush