Autentico
There's nothing new under thesononAutentico, Puerto Rican salsero Gilberto Santa Rosa's latest collection of hip-swiveling music. That's a good thing for fans of his graceful salsa style, which has made Santa Rosa a superstar throughout the Spanish-speaking world. He glides effortlessly through standouts "Sombra Loca," "Lo Que Arraso" and "Ensename a Vivir Sin Ti." Equally commendable isAutentico's first-rate instrumentation, a cool blend of trumpets and congas that nicely frame Santa Rosa’s supple vocal work. As a bonus, Santa Rosa chose three traditional tracks--"El Son de la Madrugada, Sigue Ella Boba" and "Juan Manuel"--to close the album and honor his influences.Autenticoisn't as innovative asSalsa Sinfonica, the singer’s live symphonic disc recorded at Carnegie Hall, but it doesn't need to be. It's simply an ear-pleasing (and body-swaying) portrait of a man at the top of his game.--Joey Guerra