N'Klabe

N'Klabe originated in 2003 as a Puerto Rico-based salsa orchestra launched by vocalist Félix Javier Torres, who initially shared the front line with fellow singers Héctor José Torres Donato and Ricardo Porrata. The ensemble’s first recording, Salsa Contra Viento y Marea, surfaced in 2004 and blended longstanding salsa conventions with contemporary pop energy. After Sony BMG took the group under contract, the label issued its follow-up album, I Love Salsa!, near the close of 2005; the title song emerged as a major salsa success and secured a Best Tropical Song nomination at the 2006 Latin Grammys. That same year saw the arrival of the band’s third project, Apunto a Estrallar. Around 2008 Donato and Porrata departed, opening the door for vocalist Anthon Ibañez to join. In 2009 N’Klabe welcomed singer Jose Ruben “JR” Ruiz, who had placed second during the sixth season of the Objetivo Fama reality competition. After Ibañez later exited, the lineup expanded once more with the addition of vocalist Roberto Karlo Figueroa. The holiday collection Aires de Navidad appeared in 2011, followed in 2012 by the live concert release La Salsa Vive, which captured the trio of Torres, Figueroa, and Ruiz onstage.