Sonero Andy Montanez' album Salsa con Reggaeton is ten tracks of dynamite demonstrating a sure handed approach to melding salsa and reggaeton. Of course, he had a lot of help from his Puerto Rican friends: Daddy Yankee, Cheka, Voltio, John Eric, n'klabe, La Sister and East LA's Crooked Stilo.
Salsaton - A Sound for Everyone
Andy Montanez is a brave man, daring to cross the musical and generational lines of salsa and reggaeton. Montanez was one of the main voices of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico for 15 years before he was wooed away to join Dimension Latina, where he stayed a few years before going solo. Salsa is his life's blood.
For a man who's been making hot salsa sounds for over 40 years, reaching out to reggaeton only proves the adage that great musicians never grow old (haven't you heard that one?). It takes a deep understanding of both genres and a sensitive musical hand to make the two genres not only fit together, but seemlessly mesh in such a way that it's hard not to see it as a natural and dynamic evolution for salsa and an effective musical broadening for reggaeton. With hands like that, Montanez should bill himself as a musical surgeon.
The albums starts with "Se Le Ve", a high-energy number featuring Daddy Yankee, moves on to a heavy reggaeton-percussion "Tan Bella" with rapper Cheka. then Voltio joins the mix with "En Mi Puertorro", followed with John Eric helping on "Con Fuego".
Then there are three pure salsa tracks, two with the help of n'klabe. For salsa fans, "Parece Lluvia" is traditional, salsa heaven.
"Salsaton" with John Eric and La Sister is the most interesting mix of salsa and reggaeton, more salsa than reggaeton but with the pervasive reggaeton beat holding the whole thing together and the seemingly natural addition of rap.
The final track, "Cafe Colao" is reminiscent of Eddie Palmieri's "Cafe", with Salvadoran (via East L.A.) Crooked Stilo rapping their way through the track. Really nice fusion.
The only negative thing I can say is that it takes forever to write a review when you have to get up and dance to every number on the CD.
To Music Purists Everywhere
For salsa purists: adding heat to existing music gave birth to salsa in the first place, and reggaeton just adds one more degree of fire and energy to music that is sometimes starting to sound less than new and fresh. Done right, you never have to stop dancing.
For reggaeton purists: you don't have to give up your message or your anger by adding an additional degree of musicality to the beat on the street. The music will appeal to a greater audience, the message will spread, and the additional revenues will get you off the streets in style.
