It sells itself as a celebration of the Latin voices of New York and with a roster that includes Ismael Quintana, Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades its hard to argue otherwise. Cruz can be found singing alongside Poceña on what is perhaps the album’s most memorable track, the soaring, fast paced ‘Raices’ while Ruben Blades pops up on the swinging ‘La Mora’.

Hector Lavoe’s luminous, slightly boyish tenor voice can be heard on ‘Paraiso de Dulzura’ while Eddie Palmeri can be found on both the albums opener ‘Busca Lo Tuyo’ and with Ismael Quintana on the big band sound of ‘Justicia’.

Considering the intended focus is on the singers ‘Sonido Bestial’ appears a rather odd choice for the compilation as it is the screeching horns and manic drumming that grabs attention not Richie Ray or Bobby Cruz’s vocals.

Elsewhere however the vocal talents are easier to appreciate whether it be the booming voice of Justo Betancourt on ’ Las Leyes’ or Chivirico Davila’s velvetty tones on ‘Cuando Tu Quieras’.

Tracklisting:
1. Busca Lo Tuyo — Eddie Palmeri
2. Paraiso de Dulzura — Hector Lavoe
3. Raices — Celia Cruz/Sonora Ponceña
4. Sonido Bestial — Richie Ray/Bobby Cruz
5. Por La Primeira Vez — Jimmy Sabater
6. Mujer Ingrata — Johnny Pacheco/Pete ‘Conde’ Rodriguez
7. Los Pequenitos del Son — Santitos Colon/Menque
8. Ne Te Voy a Dejar Ir — Ismael Miranda
9. Cuando Tu Quieras — Chivirico Davila
10. Justicia — Eddie Palmeri/Ismael Quintana
11. La Mora — Ruben Blades
12. Moti-Agua — Ismael Rivera
13. Ay Caray — Adalberto Santiago
14. Las Leyes — Justo Betancourt
15. El Embajador — Tito Allen

Links:
www.faniarecords.com