Greatest Salsa Ever 2

Although the title may seem a bit smug, this truly is great salsa from all over Latin America and the Caribbean. This is an ideal collection not only for a genuine salsaholic but also someone who is looking for an overview of the genre. There is not a single lame groove on this disc, and some of my favorites are songs I had never even heard when I bought it. Some of these songs also have things to say, like the heartbreaking story of "El Gran Varon" (The Great Male) and the scathing social commentary of "Plastico." For real old-school salsa, check out "Las Caras Lindas" (Beautiful Faces) or The Queen of Salsa herself, Celia Cruz, on "Quimbara." Another great tune is "A la Hora que Me Llamen Voy" (At the moment they call me, I go) by Jose Alberto "El Canario": It starts with a crowd scene like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," then the intoxicating chorus begins, the beat kicks in, and El Canario starts singing in a voice so sensual that it could melt iron. This is the rare CD on...Read more

This is a great sampler along with VOL.1,
but what happens is that so many of these
songs flow into the next track (on the
artists album/CD) that they are cut off here and
end abruptly, kind of ruining the natural
groove and flow of the music.

The companion cd to volume 1 and every bit as good. This release has the top cream of old school salsa in it. Not one bad track in the lot. Of all the salsa compilations I have come across, this and vol. 1 are as good as it gets. Wheter you are a hard core Latino or are just a lover of great music, I highly recommend this. You just can't go wrong here. Bon appetit.