Search - Juan Luis 440 Y Guerra :: Ojala Que Llueva Cafe

This is his best work

Rey Villa (revilla@nmsu.edu) | new mexico | 10/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is pure juan luis guerra.. Everyone will fall in love with his music.."

Juna Luis Guerra's early years

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 11/18/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes you get a CD because you have heard one song and end up pleasantly surprised with the rest of the disc. Such was the case with this disc by JLG and his interpretation of the often recorded "Ojala Que Llueva Cafe." What distinguises the JLG version is the uptempo quasi-merengue beat and the chorus (sounds like children in parts) by 4:40. This disc finds JLG in his formative years as he stepped into the lead role of the group he was part of known as 4:40. This is a collection of merengue songs that have a pop feel to them. "La Gallera" is a merengue number that is gospel tinged for a soulful bit of Caribbean groove. "Woman Del Callo" is one of the mainstays of the JLG repertoire that features JLG singing in English and Spanish as the feeling suits him. He shifts languages effortlessly as the frenzied beat takes you away. "Reina Mia" is quite interesting as the background vocals of the chorus hum in a sort of African style made popular to American audiences by Paul Simon's "Rhythm of The Saints." "On Angel Para Una Tambora" JLG returns to his roots in 4:40 and becomes one voice as part of the chorus. For fans of JLG this is a nice departure disc that reveals his talents as a lead artist. A solid effort by by one of merengue's original artists to expose the intoxicating rhythms worldwide. There are no liner notes and not even music credits! With it's frenetic yet rhythmic beat the running time of 32:10 goes by even faster!"