VARIOUS ARTISTS
Latin Spice (TZ Records)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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The music on Latin Spice is crispier than a deep fried chimichanga!

Sometimes I have a hard time playing compilations all the way through because some tracks or styles just aren't to my liking, but Latin Spice just sizzles, every cut. When I first played it on my long drive home I found myself turning it up on each new cut, to the point I must've been running about 100 db by the time I got home!

The cuts are mostly a clubby take on salsa, flamenco, Brazilian beats and mambo that are incredibly catchy. There are few synthesizers in the arrangements, instead most cuts concentrate on brass and guitars, combined with great singing and killer rhythm sections. It's also heavy on the bass so it works really well for dancing. Shad, Latin Spice's producer, has not tried to segue the cuts all together, he doesn't have to. He simply relies on a great feel for pacing and the CD never tires you out.

I like everything here, but if I had to choose some favorites they would be "Mucho Mas" by El Simbolo, "Ritmo Loco" by Diego Moreno, "Se Dice Se Mi" by Elizabeth and "Que Pasa Contigo Tio" by Michael Chacon. Latin Spice is so good it may well show up in my Best Five choices at the end of the year; these are all first rate dance cuts.

Track List:

Sangria (Lisa Milanis and Evasione Latina) * Para Toda La Vida (Lucia Moreno) * Escapar (Miami Boys) * Que Para Contigo Tio (Michael Chacon) * Mucho Mas (El Simbolo) * Tocalo Despacio (Amador) * Ritmo Loco (Diego Moreno) * Corazon Congelado (Furia Gitana) * Se Dice Se Mi (Elizabeth) * Si Te Veo (Seven Swing) * Agustino (Ketama) * Por Debajo De Tu Cintura (Patricia K.) * Se Formo (Rubby Taylor) * La Banana Mambo Remix (Michael Chacon)

© 2003 - Rusty Pipes