Description:

"The sound of summer 2005". As the press release would have it.
Which means?
Fuelled by the crossover success of 28-year-old Puerto Rican Raymond Ayala aka Daddy Yankee who scored a worldwide smash with 'Gasolina', EMI have released this two-CD compilation. Reggaeton, a frothy concoction made up of equal parts dancehall, hip-hop and salsa, was first conceived on the dance floors of Puerto Rico, don't you know. It derives its name from the mega reggae-thons, reggae marathaons, beloved of party-loving DJs and their similarly hedonistically-minded audiences.
Is it much cop?
To call upon reggaeton parlance, close your eyes and you can almost hear the sirens of cars driven by 'popos' blazing away in the background.
How many good tracks?
There's more hit than shit, wack than cack, on this 29-tracker. Papi Rankins impresses with his own take on old standard 'Gasolina', the album's pumped-up opener. Elsewhere reggaeton legend Vico C, who released the first Spanish hip-hop album back in 1985, burns down the house with 'El Bueno, El Malo and El Feo' featuring Tego Calderon and Eddie Dee. And Ayala proves he really is the Daddy with the stomping 'No Hace Na'.
And the worst?
Nada. There is no such track.
Biggest disappointment?
Too much testosterone. Granted, reggaeton loves to flex its machismoesque muscle. Still, there's little excuse for omitting Ivy Queen, the genre's hottest chica.
Verdict:
Best enjoyed after a liberal swig of Bacardi, you'll be performing a 'perreo' with your loved one, a doggy-style grind, in no time. Woof, woof, and, indeed, woof. 100% quality.

(5/5)

Release Date: 18 July 2005

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100% Reggaeton