Puente was more than a decade into his professional career when he released El Rey Bravo in 1962. It was, as they say, a game changer. Not just for Puente, but also for Latin music as a whole. By the time Tito and his men hit the Hotel Riverside Plaza Ballroom for a recording session under Teddy Reig, they were in Beatles-back-from-Hamburg mode – in other words, tight, confident and, to be frank, shit-hot with a road-honed set; thus, the results committed to tape were explosive.

Just over half an hour long, the album seemed to distil the essence of the vibrant Latin scene, with its exuberant ensemble singing, fiery horns and upbeat, clattering percussion. The tunes, all composed (primarily) by Puente were infectious: the fiery opener, ‘Malanga con Yuca’, the joyous ‘Batacumba’ and the cinematic instrumental ‘Tokyo de Noche’ with its exquisite flute and violin solos. It also contained the original (and best) version of what is surely the ultimate in Latin bangers, ‘Oye Cómo Va’ – a huge hit for Tito (and later, an anthem for Latin rockers Santana, as featured on their 1970 album Abraxas). More than 60 years later, it has lost none of its power to move the heart and the feet.

Craft’s superb-sounding new edition – which we can regard as definitive – features all-analogue (AAA) lacquers cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and is pressed on high-quality vinyl. Completing the package is a vintage-style tip-on jacket featuring the album’s classic design, Puente looking regal with his crown, robes and cigar. Additionally, for the first time, fans can experience the album in 192kHz/24bit hi-res audio on select digital platforms. However you hear it, this is a foundational text in Latin music. Essential.