CHOSEN FEW: EL DOCUMENTAL II - VARIOUS ARTISTS
With 35 tracks on two CDs, there’s plenty of space here for the same old drum-kick and vapid lyrics found on any other reggaeton compilation. But the follow-up to 2004’s CD and documentary cedes some territory to new voices, themes and sonic departures. Dancehall and hip-hop get their day, respectively, on Notch’s patriotic “Aqui Me Quedo” and in the sex- and politics-infused “Real Latina,” a welcome return by Spain’s La Mala Rodriguez. The production feels like an extended DJ session with standout hip-hop and reggaeton tracks like Baby Ranks’ spirited “Mambo,” which lives up to its name with an infusion of quirky synth and brass. Alejandro Sanz’s “No Es Lo Mismo” sounds like it was meant to be a reggaeton mix all along in a lush, inventive version featuring Getto. Billboard
