In 1969, Pagán released the self-titled album, Ralfi Pagan, on Fania Records which proved more successful.
Salsa romántica arose at a time when classic, big-band salsa, of the kind popularized by Fania Records in the late 1970s and early 80s, was taking a severe beating on the Latin record charts, owing to the merengue boom and the rise of Latin pop.
Columbia Records | Guinness World Records | Atlantic Records | Decca Records | Mercury Records | Warner Bros. Records | Epic Records | RCA Records | Capitol Records | MCA Records | Virgin Records | Arista Records | Island Records | Elektra Records | Universal Records | Stax Records | Geffen Records | A&M Records | Reprise Records | Naxos Records | Polydor Records | Philips Records | London Records | Interscope Records | Rise Records | Liberty Records | Blue Note Records | Roadrunner Records | MGM Records | CBS Records |
In 2001 Jose Vazquez-Cofresi moved to New York City with a promise to sign a salsa CD recording deal with ex-Fania Records and ex-RMM Records & Video employees, including Johnny Pacheco as a music consultant & Herman Rodriguez-Bajandas; the company preferred to invest in the reggaetón boom instead.