Reggaeton Music Reviews:
Tego Calderon, El Abayalde
©Barrio305.com
Comment
on this Review
Buy
this CD Online
Tego Calederon's ground breaking and era defining "El Abayalde"
came out swinging and redefined an entire genre. Confident, inventive
and full of vitality, this release legitimized the style that we have
come to know as reggaeton. Rich in style and made whole
by a mind blowing flawless production, this record is full of the undeniable
quality known as magic. All the songs play like potential singles. In
other words, there are no filler tracks. And as Tego raps his way thru
a musical maze of latin/hip hop grooves, it becomes evident that he is
creating a new musical dictionary.
In this new language anything seems possible. By combining bomba with
hip hop, we get the social angst of "Loiza", a song that channels
Tego's anger at the oppressive racial discrimination suffered by black
Puerto Ricans. "Guasa Guasa", surrounded by a hypnotic Arabic
grove that collides with a down tempo drum machine, is a one of a kind
journey into the realm of the exotic.
The best single of 2003, "Pa Que Retozen", is still the best
track of 2005. With it's reggaeton beat and crazy keyboard patterns, the
track is an undeniable dance floor filler. Produced by Luny Tunes, "Pa
que Retozen" is quite possibly, one the best dance tracks of the
past five years. In this kaleidoscope of sounds, dub, reggae, salsa, hip
hop, bomba and dancehall are held together by Tego's voice. A bombastic
yet laid back instrument with an unmistakable lisp, his voice is the glue
that holds this production together.
Like nothing else out there, "El Abayalde" is the sound of our
times. International, yet full of local Puerto Rican flavor. Different
but somehow familiar, this record is a testament to the fact that music
should not be bound by boundaries and to those that are willing to push
things to next level.
©Barrio305.com
|
