Record Rack

*** Cubanismo, “Reencarnacion,” Hannibal. On his third record as a bandleader, Jesus Aleman~y offers the salsa collective’s strongest album ever, with marvelous new additions such as the raspy voice of Rolo Martinez, the fluid piano of Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera and the seasoned contribution of Irakere bassist Carlos del Puerto. The overall spice quotient is stifled by an exaggerated emphasis on variety, turning the record into a bazaar of Cuban genres.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.