Live
Ruben Blades puts in a dynamic performance, recorded in New York, that shows why he is known foremost as a singer rather than a film star or politician. The native Panamanian has a distinctive take on Salsa, combining an innate jazz sensibility along with Salsa's inherent dance grooves. His band Son del Solar is one of the best in the business, following Blade's warm and personal vocals through every move with some great solos and arrangements. Several of his successes are featured, such as "Pedro Navaja" and "Todos Vuelven," and "Muevete" gets a scintillating 12-minute workout.  With a little Caribbean influence in the mix,Livedelivers a smooth punch with a velvet glove that will definitely rock you.--Derek Rath