La Negra Tiene Tumbao

Celia Cruz

Proving that she has a special gift for picking musical directors, the Queen of Salsa works with three high-profile producers on this highly energetic outing, each representing a different stylistic avenue. Former collaborator Johnny Pacheco, with whom Celia Cruz recorded some of the best albums of her career during the '70s, adds his old-fashioned charm to two songs: the refreshingly simple "Tararea Kumbayea" and "Dejenme Vivir," a tune that finds La Reina asking her detractors to stop criticizing her and mind their own business instead. "Hay Que Empezar Otra Vez" and "Sin Clave No Hay Son" are helmed by Isidro Infante, a virtuoso pianist who represents the undying spirit of New York salsa. The remaining six tracks are handled by Sergio George, the man responsible for bringing a grittier, hip-hop informed aesthetic to tropical music. Fittingly, Cruz's syrupy voice shares the spotlight with rapper Mikey Perfecto on the album's bouncy title track. One of salsa's classiest performers, Cruz has adapted to modern times with elegance and style. --Ernesto Lechner

La Negra Tiene Tumbao Album: