Do You Feel It

The last time I spoke with Joe Cuba was in February 2009. He was lying in a hospital bed, suffering from complications from a bacterial infection. I had an uncomfortable feeling that Joe knew his health was declining rapidly.

As we discussed the album I was producing for Fania, El Alcalde del Barrio, he urged me to finish it quickly. He said, “The clock’s ticking, Bobby. Get it released already.” The album was released just a few weeks later.

Sadly, he passed before ever seeing the final product.

Following his passing, I put together this video for Fania featuring the track “Do You Feel It.” It was a national hit that includes Joe’s narrative, in which he speaks about his deep love for El Barrio—his community, where he was cherished by everyone. That connection is the reason I titled the album El Alcalde del Barrio—the mayor of El Barrio. For this version, I overdubbed light rhythm and featured the exquisite saxophone and flute performances of Andy Harlow to enhance this great recording.