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Craft Latino is proud to present a reissue of Esto Fue Lo Que Trajo El Barco, one of Ismael Rivera’s most remarkable albums with Rivera and Los Cachimbos performing at their apex. Accompanying was Cuban pianist, arranger, and composer Javier Vázquez, who had become a regular sideman with Rivera and later musical director of Los Cachimbos. He wrote all the arrangements on the release of Esto Fue Lo Que Trajo El Barco, the title of which is an expression common in the drug culture with a meaning akin to “what you see is what you get. “Dime Por Qué,” written by Pedro García, was the major hit of the album. Rivera does a heartfelt interpretation of “Incomprendido,” recently sampled by Farruko and one of many Bobby Capó compositions he recorded. “San Miguel Arcangel” reflects his spiritual preoccupations, ending with an all-too-brief trumpet solo, presumably from Victor Paz. The personnel were not credited on the original vinyl release, but more than likely included Javier Vázquez on piano; Raimundo Vázquez, Javier’s brother, on bass; Carlos “Patato” Valdez, conga; Manolín González, alto sax; Harry D’Aguilar, trombone; Victor González, bongo; and Sammy Ayala in the coro (chorus). Ayala was a former colleague of Rivera’s in Cortijo y su Combo and Esto Fue Lo Que Trajo El Barco marked the first of six albums he recorded with Los Cachimbos. The new edition of Esto Fue Lo Que Trajo El Barco, was cut all-analog from the original tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio and is now released in hi-res digital for the first time.