Conguero, flautist, singer, composer and producer Julio Castro worked with Roberto y su Nuevo Montuno, Orquesta La Unica, Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez and José Mangual Jr., among others, before becoming the leader of Orquesta La Masacre and recording New Generation Presenta Julio Castro & Orquesta La Masacre (TTH, 1979), with Tito Nieves on lead vocals and featuring the hit "El Pregonero", and Mamey (Fania, 1980). Julio’s 1984 Fania follow-up Julio Castro y La Masacre is really an overlooked classic because it received very little exposure at the time of its release. The album was one of Oscar Hernández’s earliest experiences as a producer, though today’s leader and co-producer of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra was not credited on the sleeve. According to Oscar, Julio recorded the music for the album in Puerto Rico, and then a brush with the law prevented him from completing the project. Nestor Sánchez (1949-2003) was selected as the lead singer and Fania called in Oscar to finish the album. And what a commanding piece of work it is. Nestor’s voice and performance are a model of perfection. Standout tracks are "Incertidumbre", written by Julio, "Colonizaciones", composed by Johnny Ortiz, and "Los Negros De La Central" penned by Jorge Ayala. Castro resurfaced in 2010 as co-producer and a performer on La Gitana: Julio Castro And Ray Castro Presenta Nayibe (Budda Bear West Side Records) by the young Colombian female singer Nayibe La Gitana. – John Child

Julio Castro y La Masacre