Republica Dominicana

Republica Dominicana

Alongside <I>son</I> and merengue, <I>Republica Dominicana</I> tightly focuses on the unmined treasure of <I>bachata</I> music: a particular style of Cuban music featuring intense African percussion, wily ringing guitar, and exotic Iberian-flavored melody. First on the bandwagon of what's sure to be an international explosion, Putumayo brings a fresh and exciting sound to fans of Afro-pop, Cuban, and various Latin music. A sampler rather than a cumulative compilation, <I>Republica Dominicana</I> highlights genre superstars from Juan Luis Guerra to Chichi Peralta and stylistic forefather Ramon Cordero, offering the listener choice cuts from which to further explore <I>bachata</I> and its relations. As with all the label's releases, this disc comes with extensive and finely detailed liner notes. The other side of the coin, in a manner, <I>Republica Dominicana</I> in its contrast of dark and light is especially recommended for fans of 1999's <I>Putumayo Presents Cape Verde</I>. <I>--Paige La Grone</I>