Elvis Crespo - Saboréalo (CD)

All Music Guide

After a long string of records with Sony International, somehow Ole Music was able to woo Crespo away. Considering the instant and lasting success that he enjoyed with Sony, a switch to a comparatively small, offthegrid label seems curious. The difference is notable, and not just from a marketing perspective. The general tone of the record is a step away from Crespo's typical superpolished epic pop production. It's not that the crew over at Ole chooses a different aesthetic, or Crespo was reaching for a new concept, they just don't have the big budget reach that fueled previous releases.The rhythm tracks feature the mix of live instrumentation and electronic elements that they always have, but now with a plastic, opaque quality. Similarly Crespo's vocals sound one dimensional and lacking in texture. This could be partly caused by a relatively novice production crew, a feature of the youthful label. These factors don't get in the way of a very fun, exciting play list. The record feature...s some very hip writing, and even a mediocre Elvis Crespo release is a step above the rest. However, Crespo fans might feel that the lack of sophistication in production and performance is a step backwards. - Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide Read more Less