Consumer Guide Album

Los Van Van: La Colección Cubana [Music Club, 1998]
These dozen tracks from the decade-plus following Milan Latino's comp reinforce my suspicion that Cuba's essential postcharangists only got better as they went along. The songs roll their hips for an extra minute or two, which never hurts when the grooves are so sexy, and the comedy comes through even if you don't understand one word in 50 ("Hey, playa, I know that one, and they sure say mas a lot, must be what they want"). I also appreciate the synth splats on "De La Habanas A Matanzas." And the two minutes of percussion--most definitely including their secret weapon, vocal percussion--that is "Llegada." A