Celia Cruz – La Dicha Mía / La Candela / Grandes Éxitos

This Celia Cruz compilation brings together recordings from several important periods of her career, including collaborations with Johnny Pacheco, Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez, Ray Barretto, Willie Colón, Tito Puente, Angela Carrasco, and La Sonora Matancera. The selection moves through classic Cuban son, guaracha and salsa, showcasing Celia’s versatility and her collaborations with some of the biggest names in Latin music.

Tracklist

Lado A

1. La Dicha Mía – with Johnny Pacheco & Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez
2. La Candela – a dúo con Angela Carrasco; includes Químbara / El Yerbero Moderno
3. Así Cantaba Papá – a dúo con Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez
4. De Repente – a dúo con Adalberto Santiago
5. Bemba Colorá – Fania All Stars

Lado B

1. Feliz Encuentro – con La Sonora Matancera
2. Besito de Coco – a dúo con Justo Betancourt
3. Pachito Eché – Tito Puente y su Orquesta
4. Tres Días de Carnaval – Johnny Pacheco y su Orquesta
5. El Becerrito – con La Sonora Matancera
6. Usted Abusó – a dúo con Willie Colón

The photographed jacket clearly identifies the collaborations and arrangements, while discography sources confirm the recordings and their respective periods.

Details

• Artist: Celia Cruz
• Format: 12" Stereo Vinyl LP
• Genre: Salsa, Cuban Son, Guaracha, Tropical
• Language: Spanish
• Type: Compilation
• Featured Artists: Johnny Pacheco, Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez, Ray Barretto, Adalberto Santiago, Willie Colón, Tito Puente, Angela Carrasco, La Sonora Matancera, Fania All Stars
• Label: Fania
• Catalog: The jacket's lower-right label appears to indicate a Fania release; the exact catalog number is not sufficiently legible in the photograph.
• Notable Tracks: “La Dicha Mía,” “Así Cantaba Papá,” “Bemba Colorá,” “Feliz Encuentro,” “Pachito Eché,” “Usted Abusó”

Note: I’m treating this as a compilation rather than assigning it a single original studio-album year, because the tracks come from recordings spanning multiple years.