Yo Mismo

Personnel: Harry Aponte (piano); Carmelo Alvarez (bongos).
Recording information: Libre Productions; Rolo Studio.
Since the middle of the 1990s, cantante Victor Manuelle has always placed near the top of the Latin charts, given his many recordings and concert tours, and even his co-hosting of the 2006 Latin Grammys. In 2007, he won the Premio Lo Nuestro for Best Salsa Artist. One listen to "Mirame," the opening track -- and first single -- from his Yo Mismo (Myself) album, explains why. This cut, which has caused the album to race up the Billboard Top 200 charts, is the perfect meld of modern salsa and nuevo flamenco. From the acoustic guitars in the first few moments to the skittering claves and drums and brassy horn section that pop in right behind his soulful vocal, the effect is hypnotic, sensual, and arresting. Manuelle's trademark, however, is his killer balladic style, and fans who are seeking that will find it in "Olvido No," "Donde Irás," and "El Amor No Es Asi" ("Olvido No" and "Donde Irás" are featured in two versions: as ballads and burning salsas). There are a couple of midtempo ballads as well as sprightly modern popular salsa in "Lo Que Me Hiciste," featuring the talents of Jorge Celedon and Jimmy Zambrano. Manuelle produced and composed the recording himself and it is released via his own imprint, Kiyavi. ~ Thom Jurek