Hailing from Panama, timbalero Benny Velarde is one of the icons of the Bay Area Latin scene. In the band La Clave, he gathered a number of musicians from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Panama around him in 1973 to record this unique but little-known album. "'La Clave' is essential listening for any fan of Latin funk and groovy music," wrote Thom Jurek on AllMusic, where he gave the album four and a half stars. Verve By Request Series: remastered, audiophile 180-gram vinyl from Third Man Pressing / Detroit, gatefold sleeve.