Now Latino, Vol. 3

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: The third entry in the Spanish language NOW THIS IS MUSIC series, this 2007 compilation features hits by the biggest names in Latin music. Even with a variety of styles and countries of origin, the sound is unified by its dance-happy feel. Ricky Martin's dramatic "Pegate," replete with tribal drums, kicks off the party, followed by the hypnotic reggaeton of Daddy Yankee's "Impacto" (remixed here with a vocal by Fergie), and club-bangers from Hector El Father, A.B. Quintanilla III, and others. The mood mellows with the romantic "Tu Amor" by Rbd, but for the most part the tempos are fast and hot. The third volume in the annual Now Latino series of cross-licensed hit samplers is similar to its predecessors in the sense that it's stacked heavily with Latin pop and reggaeton, with only a few tropical songs sprinkled in and no regional Mexican whatsoever. If there's a difference between past volumes, it's that this one includes more reggaeton than in the past, albeit much of it crossover reggaeton. For instance, Daddy Yankee's "Impacto (Remix)" features Fergie of Black Eyed Peas, in addition to a lot of English, while R.K.M. & Ken-Y's "Llorar�s," Hector el Father's "Sola," and Tito el Bambino's "Siente el Boom" all employ R&B mannerisms, and melodically sung hooks in particular. As for the Latin pop featured on Now Latino, Vol. 3, half of it comes courtesy of established superstars, namely Ricky Martin ("P�gate"), Jennifer Lopez ("Que Hiciste"), Luis Fonsi ("Tu Amor"), and Paulina Rubio ("Ay�dame"); the other half courtesy of youthful rising stars, namely Belinda ("Bella Traici�n"), La Quinta Estacion ("Ahora Que Te Vas"), Nelly Furtado ("No Hay Igual"), and RBD ("Tu Amor"). As far as tropical music goes, there is a pair of reliable hitmakers: Juan Luis Guerra ("La Llave de Mi Coraz�n") and Marc Anthony ("Que Precio Tiene el Cielo"). The anomalies on Now Latino, Vol. 3 include Kumbia All Starz ("Chiquilla"), Aventura ("Mi Corazoncito"), Calle 13 ("Tango del Pecado"), and David Bisbal ("Torre de Babel [Reggaeton Mix]") -- each of which blurs the aforementioned stylistic categories and thus as a scattered group here help break up the categorical makeup of this sampler, which is understandably compiled yet, from a listener's standpoint, would benefit from some more diversity. ~ Jason Birchmeier

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