Artist page · 04/07/2026
About
Over 20 vinyl records tracked, original pressings from the 60s to modern reissues, prices ranging widely by edition.
Born in New York in 1929 to a Puerto Rican family, Ray Barretto began performing during his military service in Munich. Returning to Harlem in 1949, he played in jazz and Latin ensembles, replacing Mongo Santamaría with Tito Puente later. His 1963 hit “El Watusi” was the first Latin track on the Billboard charts, marking a breakthrough for Latino music in the U.S. His extensive catalog includes albums released primarily on the Fania label, featuring Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa, and Latin jazz fusion.
Barretto was active through the 70s and 80s, known for energetic live performances that fused salsa and Latin jazz. His key recordings remain in demand on vinyl, with multiple original and reissue pressings traded worldwide.
Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Sunnyside · 2002
AJ Records, Inc. · 2001
Fania Records · 1992
Concord Picante · 1991
Fania Records · 1989
Fania Records · 1988
Fania Records · 1987
Stash Records Inc. · 1985
Fania Records · 1984
Fania Records · 1983
Fania Records · 1982
CTI Records · 1981
Fania Records · 1980
Fania Records · 1979
Fania Records · 1978
Atlantic · 1978
Atlantic · 1977
Atlantic · 1976
Fania Records · 1975
Fania Records · 1973
Fania Records · 1973
Fania Records · 1972
Fania Records · 1971
Fania Records · 1970
Fania Records · 1968
Fania Records · 1968
United Artists Records · 1967
United Artists Records · 1966
United Artists Records · 1965
United Artists Records · 1965
Tico Records · 1964
Tico Records · 1963
Charlie Parker Records · 1962
Prestige · 1961Playlist
The tracks that sum up Ray Barretto's career.
The essentials
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
A 1973 release on Fania Records blending salsa with Latin jazz styles, featuring 8 tracks and notable for its mix of guaguancó, descarga, and bolero rhythms.
The 1975 album 'Barretto' delivers classic salsa grooves recorded at Fania Records, with 8 tracks including Guarare and Testigo Fui, essential for salsa collectors.
Jazz-inflected Latin album showcasing complex rhythms and compositions like 'Mambotango' and 'Pastime Paradise', released by CTI Records in 1981.
Go further
Artists who share part of Ray Barretto's musical DNA.
Collectors
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Face B
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
Salsa and Latin jazz never left a moment's rest for his palms or the dancers.— Ray Barretto tribute
Barretto’s 1963 hit 'El Watusi' was the first Latin track to enter the US Billboard charts, marking a significant milestone in the acceptance of Latin music in the mainstream.
From the late 1960s onward, Ray Barretto recorded many albums including 'Acid', 'Power', 'Indestructible', and 'Barretto' under the Fania label, a key imprint for salsa and Latin jazz.
'La Cuna', released on CTI Records in 1981, features five tracks with a fusion of Latin jazz styles, including lengthy compositions like 'The Old Castle' and 'Pastime Paradise'.
Barretto was noted for fiery concerts throughout the 1980s and 1990s across the United States, Europe, and South America, consistently blending salsa and Latin jazz.
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Ray Barretto began performing during his military service in Munich in the late 1940s and continued after returning to New York in 1949.
He is known for Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa, Latin jazz, boogaloo, and salsa dura.
Many of his key albums were released on Fania Records, with others on CTI Records and Scorpio among various labels.
"El Watusi" in 1963 was the first Latin track to enter the U.S. Billboard charts.
Yes, for example, the album "La Cuna" has pressings available on the Music On Vinyl label in France.
Highlights include "Indestructible" (1973), "Barretto" (1975), and "La Cuna" (1981), all offering a strong representation of his salsa and Latin jazz work.
His music integrates Afro-Cuban rhythms, salsa grooves, and jazz improvisation, often working with congas and other percussion.
He was born in New York (Harlem area) and died in New Jersey in 2006 following heart surgery.
Transparency
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
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