Pasión

Album Review

Juan Carlos Alfonso y Su Dan Den continue to be some of the more experimental in the salsa kitchen. Their 2004 release Pasión is a synth-infused salsa dance party as funky and churning as they've ever produced. Between Alfonso's wild and innovative use of the keyboard, with all sonic capabilities of the instrument, and the heavily programmed rhythm section, Dan Den offers a very different take on a typically acoustic style. The rhythm section and drum sounds call to mind los Van Van and songo's heyday, often featuring a vintage '80s drum trigger sound that salsa fans typically either love or hate. The arrangements throughout are of a quality that would be expected to come from Alfonso's pen. The trombone-fronted horn line is swinging and fun. The songwriting and vocal work is similarly lively and engaging. Unfortunately, much of the swing of that's implied by the tune is suffocated by automation. Oftentimes string pads replace the real thing, and there are even places where the bongocero seems to have been put out of work. It looks like Alfonso has fallen into the trap so many keyboard players do. Just because you can do everything doesn't always mean you should. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi