Travesia
Victor Manuelle and his blistering band bring tropical fire and irresistible grooves for an easy dance party on his latest CD. For this project, Manuelle teamed up with some big guns, including veteran producer Emilio Estefan, Colombian singer-songwriter Carlos Vives, and arrangers Ricardo and Alberto Gaitan (Ricky Martin, Thalia). As a singer, Manuelle is a strong tenor with a good range. His emotive vocals are proficient enough for power ballads, but his chief strength is his soneo, or the ability to improvise vocals and lyrics within a salsa tune. He is right at home on the frenzied salsa tunes such as "Te Propongo" where he trades leads with the horns, piano and percussions at a blitzkrieg pace. "Tengo Ganas," the first single, percolates with insistent percussion and elephantine horns. A ballad version of the tune is more subdued but connects with its melodic hook. However, it's the theme that hits home. The hero is trying to pick up the broken pieces of his life and move on to a new love, but he's haunted by a ghost in his past. Nostalgia is evoked on "Si Me Preguntan," which is in the old son montuno style that recalls the smoky club heyday of Willie Colon and Ruben Blades.--Ramiro Burr