Love and Kisses
Listening Post 2. Early in his career, Juan Luis Guerra was already a giant of Latin music, the national poet of the Dominican Republic and the man who put merengue and bachata on a world stage. Now, some 30 years on, he has a new album that matches the melodic heights, lilting lyrics and sheer exuberance of his best work. Todo Tiene Su Hora (Everything Has Its Time) has Caribbean rhythms, diverse influences that enrich the Dominican roots and backing vocals and tight harmonies from Guerra’s bandmates, known as 4.40. At the heart of the album are three love songs: Tus Besos (Your Kisses), a doo-wop infused bachata with trumpet and 12-string guitars (video 1); Para Que Sepas (Just So You Know), a languid Cuban son piece that would be at home with the Buena Vista Social Club (video 2); and the title track, a high-energy merengue in which horns and drums don’t so much accompany as caress the voices (video 3). This is also a family album, with the lovely Dime Nora Mia (Tell Me, My Nora), a salsa ode to the composer’s wife, and Muchachita Linda (Beautiful Girl), a bachata dedicated to his daughter… For classic Juan Luis Guerra, look for Ojala Que Llueva Café (I Hope It Rains Coffee) from the album of the same name; and Burbujas de Amor (Love Bubbles) from his Bachata Rosa album. (Capitol Latin)