Mal O Bien

Album Review

Dominican salsa bad boy Sexappeal is back for round two after the solid success of his debut disc, Necesito Mas. Having garnered a Top Ten Tropical Billboard hit with "Meniando La Cola," Sexappeal made an impression upon the industry and audiences alike. Before his vocal career took off and he adopted a more macho handle, Anthony Rodriguez had worked as both a professional dancer and later a percussionist. High impact performances and impressive range force listeners to question how an artist of such vocal prowess and style could ever have sown his creative seeds elsewhere. His involvement with the "United Latinos for Salsa" project in 2001 provided the exposure necessary to connect him with the powerhouse Dominican label, J&N Records. Both for his emotive performances and improvisational ability, Sexappeal reveals himself to be the Dominican Republic's shining salsa star. The much anticipated 2006 release Mal o Bien was anticipated with high expectations and did not disappoint. Joined by famous pianist and producer/arranger Ramón Orlando, musical excellence does not run out with the frontman. Orlando has worked with some of the industry's most notable, including "Jose "El Canario" Alberto," Elvis Crespo, and Joseph Fonseca, and continues to be one of the tropical music's most in demand producers. Eleven tracks of energetic, driving salsa will barely leave dancers a moment to catch their breath. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi