"¡Soy el Rey del Boogaloo!"  So proclaims The King of the Boogaloo, Pete Rodriguez on the song of the same name.  It's a highlight among highlights from the pianist and bandleader's iconic album, I Like It Like That (A mi me gusta así).  Originally released on Alegre Records in 1967 - and now seeing its first-ever vinyl reissue on Craft Latino on July 31 - I Like It Like That is an irresistible collection of prime Boogaloo: Afro-Caribbean grooves on grooves that brim with excitement, urgency, and joy.

Over fifty years on, the pull of Rodriguez and his band's tantalizing music is still inescapable.  The album's anthemic title track once again dominated the musical landscape and became a dancefloor favorite when it was heavily sampled in the 2018 global hit "I Like It" by Cardi B with Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

Now, Craft Recordings lets listeners go back to the source with an all-analog vinyl reissue, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original tapes.  The 180-gram vinyl is manufactured at Memphis Record Pressing, promising optimum sound quality.

To celebrate the upcoming reissue, Craft will not only release a new remix of the "I Like It" by DJ Uproot Andy, but also issue a new music video for the infectious original title track with archival footage from the '60s Latin music scene in New York.

While you wait for those to drop, you can pre-order the new issue of I Like It Like That (A mi me gusta así) from the links below.  And why not check out Fania's new digital compilation of Boogaloo Fania Essentials, featuring Pete Rodriguez and labelmates Joe Cuba, Eddie Palmieri. Bobby Valentin, and many more.  It's sure to lift the spirits and get your toes tapping - you'll like it like that!

Pete Rodriguez, I Like It Like That (A mi me gusta así) (originally Alegre Records LP LPA 855, 1967 -- reissued Craft Recordings, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop)

Side A:

1. I Like It (I Like It Like That)
2. El hueso
3. Pete's Madness

1. Micaela
2. 3 and 1
3. Si quieres bailar
4. Soy El Rey