Biography
Born in Puerto Rico as Roberto Romero, Allen earned the title ‘El Elegante de la Salsa’ through his silky timbre and refined interpretive approach. He launched his professional path in 1962. After settling in New York in 1972, he performed alongside Colombian pianist Eddie Martínez inside a quartet. A half-year engagement singing in Puerto Rican hotel venues preceded his return to New York, where he assumed the lead-vocal chair left by Adalberto Santiago inside Ray Barretto’s ensemble for the 1973 release Indestructible, featuring Martínez at the keyboard. Between 1975 and 1981 Allen issued seven solo projects on the Alegre imprint, a span that coincided with the label’s incorporation into Jerry Masucci’s Fania Records organization and its subsequent closure. In 1976 he again succeeded Santiago, this time becoming the principal singer for Típica 73 on Rumba Caliente. He also stepped away from solo work to appear with the Puerto Rico All Stars in 1977 and with Tito Puente in 1979. The year 1981 found him fronting Cantar for Conjunto Clásico on the Lo Mejor imprint.
Throughout the commercially sparse 1980s Allen issued no solo recordings, yet he numbered among the vocalists—alongside Ray De La Paz, José Alberto, Meñique, and Johnny Rivera—engaged for the well-received Noche Caliente anthology series issued from 1982 to 1984. In 1986 he supplied lead vocals on half the selections of Aparecio El Rey! by longtime composer Justi Barreto. His 1988 return, El Intocable, benefited from Isidro Infante’s production, musical direction, arrangements, and piano, achieving artistic distinction though limited sales. The following year he joined forces with bandleader and bongo player Ralphy Santi for Llegare, again with Infante handling musical direction and arrangements. Additional credits encompass lead vocals on three albums by Louie Ramírez, who had produced Allen’s Alegre sessions from 1976 to 1979, as well as extensive studio contributions singing coro.
Throughout the commercially sparse 1980s Allen issued no solo recordings, yet he numbered among the vocalists—alongside Ray De La Paz, José Alberto, Meñique, and Johnny Rivera—engaged for the well-received Noche Caliente anthology series issued from 1982 to 1984. In 1986 he supplied lead vocals on half the selections of Aparecio El Rey! by longtime composer Justi Barreto. His 1988 return, El Intocable, benefited from Isidro Infante’s production, musical direction, arrangements, and piano, achieving artistic distinction though limited sales. The following year he joined forces with bandleader and bongo player Ralphy Santi for Llegare, again with Infante handling musical direction and arrangements. Additional credits encompass lead vocals on three albums by Louie Ramírez, who had produced Allen’s Alegre sessions from 1976 to 1979, as well as extensive studio contributions singing coro.
Albums
