Contra La Corriente

by

Marc Anthony

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To put this remarkable album in perspective, let me start by stating the entirety of my Spanish training came from Sesame Street. Marc Anthony could be singing about rings around the bathtub for all I know. But man, bathtub rings have never sounded better!

In all seriousness, CONTRA LA CORRIENTE (which a Spanish-speaking friend translated for me as "Against the Flow") has become one of my favorite albums. It is a fine example of excellent composition, performance, and engineering, making for one outstanding sonic experience. Marc Anthony's album falls within the "Latin Music" catagory (of course), but his songs are musically interesting enough to transcend that label. His vocal delivery is passionate and expressive enough to evoke emotions in me, and I don't even know what he's singing about! (Special kudos to his trio of backup vocalists - you guys are so tight in your harmonies that you grabbed my attention and are still my favorite aspect of the album.)

Mr. Anthony surrounded himself with excellent musicians and every performance from the horns to the piano to the multiple percussionists play in tight collaboration and yet are easily distinguishable from each other. One can recognize the extraordinary audio engineering from this as well, as every instrument and vocal is in perfect balance with everything else - nothing draws attention to itself, it only adds to the ensemble. This makes for enjoyable repeat listens as one can make new discoveries with subsequent spins.

With the possibe exception of the final track (where the music style changes from straight Latin to a pseudo-latin-pop), there are no "throw-away" pieces. Each song on CONTRA LA CORRIENTE is distinct and worthwhile, therefore you'll be getting your money's worth with this album. One additional bonus: because this is not a traditional "pop" album, it's not going out of style any time soon.

CONTRA LA CORRIENTE gets my highest recommendation for those seeking an excellent album, regardless of any "Latino" label. If you only own one Spanish-language album, you'd do very well with CONTRA LA CORRIENTE. CONTRA LA CORRIENTE also stands up to the scrutiny of my Latino friends, with many stating this album is a favorite lyrically as well as musically. In short, this one wears well on everybody!

While I am pleased and proud to have Marc Anthony represent the beauty, richness and value of latin music, particularly salsa/cuban to the broader culture, I am disheartened at his inability to advance the very essence of salsa singing. That is the improvisational nature of el "Son" - the very foundation or root of salsa/cuban music. Yes, this album from a pure listening stand point, is quite enjoyable. However, I'd like to hear Marc improvise more between coros, not by rote but by wit. Listen to the great soneros like Ismael Rivera, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, Beny More, La Lupe, Ibrahim Ferrer, Adalberto Santiago, Pete "El Conde" Rodriquez, Jose Alberto, Roberto Torres or Gilberto Santa Rosa, Machito, Celia Cruz, Miguelito Valdez, Barroso, Oscar De Leon, Ismael Quintana and Cheo Feliciano to name a few. Marc would gain so much more praise and affection from salsa and cuban music lovers if he were stop to learn to the masters and polish his "sonero" skills which to this point he has not demonstrated. Lead singers in salsa and cuban music are judged by a very different standard. That standard is not limited beauty of the voice, but the ability to improvise between coros. You would be wise to listen to "Quitate Tu" on the Fania All Stars Live At the Cheetah Vol. 1 as an example of what I wish Marc to achieve one day in order to go down as one of our great singers of salsa/cuban music. He knows exactly what I speak of since he grew up listening to every one of the artists mentioned.