The years between 1968 and 1975 saw Ray Barretto not only formulate and subsequently elevate salsa as a genre; he also released album after album without any dip in quality, each effort matching the previous for musical complexity and unbridled momentum. So Energy to Burn is an ideal title for a survey of those years. Barretto’s drive was so intense during this era that it often seemed he was funneling inspiration from an unseen dimension. Though seemingly brief at eight tracks, this compilation contains a wealth of music. There are songs featuring the vocals of Rubén Blades, Tito Allen, and Adalberto Santiago, which is kind of the equivalent of having Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder on the same package. While “Canto Abacua” and “Vive Y Vacila” exemplify the cyclical and celebratory style of Barretto’s bandleading, the final two songs—both composed by Barretto himself—contain particular personal significance. “Ahora Si” is a farewell to one of Barretto’s mentors, while “Te Traigo Mi Son” translates to “I bring you my sound” and epitomizes the sensitivity underlying the percussionist’s powerhouse outfit.