Johnny Pacheco Y Su Charanga

**Johnny Pacheco Y Su Charanga** brought infectious Latin rhythms to the forefront of 1960s music, blending Cuban charanga's elegant flute-and-violin flair with fiery dance energy. A Dominican-born legend, Johnny Pacheco co-founded Fania Records (the "Motown of salsa") and became a key architect of the NYC salsa explosion. His early albums, like *Pacheco Y Su Charanga* and *Vol. 2*, popularized the charanga revival, mixing traditional Cuban son with a modern edge that made crowds move. Tracks like "Acuyuye" (later remastered) showcase his knack for crisp arrangements and unstoppable grooves. Beyond his music, Pacheco championed Latin artists, nurturing stars like Celia Cruz and Héctor Lavoe. His legacy? A groove-first philosophy that turned salsa into a global phenomenon.