Hector Lavoe

When Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe and tres player Yomo Toro teamed up for Asalto Navideno, they probably had no idea the album would become a staple of holiday celebrations in the Bronx, Puerto Rico and Panama -- to name just a few places -- for decades to come. But so it was, and a single listen will show you why. This album draws on the jibaro sound of Puerto Rico's hills, dialing down the hard-edged salsa (despite the "asalto" claims) with a softer, folksy spirit. Check out the two volumes of this spectacular Christmas album, together for the first time.