Marvin Santiago

A fun-filled effort all the way, this LP (unavailable on CD, except for a few cuts) shows a rare combination of thoughtfulness, religious experience, and zany humor. Tunesmith C. Curet Alonso contributes seven tunes and everything goes out the window. The almost repentant "Frente a Ustedes," the swinging "La Campana del Lechón" (Santiago recorded this Rafael Cortijo tune in 1969 on Ahi Na Má/Put It There! for Tico Records), the side-splitting "Me Está Que se Hace" (especially for Jonatán's fate), and "Sonará Una Voz" bring a newly found religious fervor. Sadly, promotion was somewhat unkind to this marvelous recording, like some early-'80s salsa. One of Santiago's most memorable moments, with arrangements by Ray Santos and Louis García. ~ José A. Estévez, Jr., Rovi