Metiendo Mano (1977)

"It's certainly an adventurous record. Colón kept only three arranging assignments for himself, which makes it sound less like a Willie Colón record (and is probably why it's remembered slightly less fondly than its bookends). Luis Ortiz's two excellent charts included one that sounded a much different note than Colón (the opener "Pablo Pueblo") as well as another that sounded as though Colón were writing it himself ("La Maleta"). Colón bolstered his strong brass lineup with additional power (including a tuba solo on the opener), and the lineup is a powerhouse (including frequent collaborator Yomo Toro on two tracks). Meanwhile, Blades proved his range, moving from raging first-person narratives to pastoral boleros -- with no lack of passion on each -- and although Colón is heard less here than on his previous classics, his lieutenants proved the confidence he had in them." (allmusic.com)