Da Hit Man Presents Reggaeton Latino
An arsenal of high-wattage guests and fresh beats spice upDa Hitman Presents Reggaeton Latino, an energetic remix collection that plays like a sizzling genre primer. Former preacher-turned-reggaeton ambassador Don Omar has assembled single remixes, collaborations, and a few new tracks for a collection that pumps and sways with effortless ease. There's nothing here that hasn't been featured on other albums, but the sum of so many hip-swiveling parts is pretty great indeed. Fat Joe and N.O.R.E. lend some grit to the title track; hip-hop star Fabolous brings a confident flow to "Dale Don Dale"; and reggaeton master Tego Calderon colors "Bandoleros" with his breezy, streetwise vibe. "Ella y Yo," a previously released pairing with Bachata group Aventura, still simmers, as does "Hold You Down," a silk-and-sandpaper duet with Jennifer Lopez that vastly improves on the wispy original. (Sorry, Fat Joe.) Standout track "Dile" gives Don Omar a chance to showcase his distinct vocal flow, but it's the album closer "Guayaquil"--a fiery, tropical cumbia--that proves this Hitman still has a few tricks up his sleeve.--Joey Guerra