Cortijo Y Su Nuevo Combo

Cortijo Y Su Nuevo Combo is the later incarnation of Puerto Rican bandleader Rafael Cortijo's ensemble, rooted in the bomba and plena folk traditions of the island. Cortijo was a central figure in bringing those Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms into the mainstream dance band format, and the 'Nuevo Combo' carried that work forward into the 1970s. The group featured vocalists alongside a tight rhythm section, keeping the percussive, celebratory spirit that made Cortijo a Caribbean institution.