De Lider a Leyenda

Recording information: Earcandy Studios, Orlando, FL; El Orfanato Studio, NJ; Gaby Music Studios; Jeanius Laboratory, Miami, FL; Pina Records P.R.
Photographer: Mateo Garcia.
After the early 2103 announcement that Wisin y Yandel had not broken up but were taking a break, Yandel mentioned he was "anxious" to get back to his solo career, and here is the plentiful proof. As bold and as brash as its title, De Lider a Leyenda lands with only a handful of guest shots (including J. Alvarez, Daddy Yankee, and Don Omar) and a big, 16-song track list (17 if you count the English version of "Hablé de Ti") but as the Yandel overflows, so do the hooky, slick club numbers, most all of them hitting the target. "Hablé de Ti," "Hasta Abajo," and the skittish wonder dubbed "Fallaron" lead the pack of swag-flashing party numbers, and still, the album rounds itself out well when slower, deeper tracks, like the great "Déjate Amar," offer warm and welcome breaks from the flashing club lights. ~ David Jeffries