The Last Chapter

Album Review

After a mere two albums, Masterpiece (2006) and The Royalty/La Realeza (2008), RKM & Ken-Y had scored enough hits for the welcome if unnecessary singles compilation, The Last Chapter, the release of which brought into question whether or not the Puerto Rican duo was calling it quits. At the time of this compilation's release, Ken-Y, the sweet-voiced singer in the duo, was well positioned for a solo career. He had become perhaps Latin music's hottest urban vocalist over the past couple years, scoring big hits not only in conjunction with RKM, most notably "Te Regalo Amores," but also as a featured guest. Most recently, he was featured prominently on one of the most ubiquitous urban singles of 2009, the smash hit remix of Tony Dize's "El Doctorado." There was little doubt that Ken-Y was bound for a solo recording career at some point. If he splits for a solo career at this juncture as many expect, The Last Chapter would serve as a fitting swan song that rounds up much of RKM & Ken-Y's best output to date, including all their singles plus a few popular album tracks and a couple new recordings. Singles culled from their debut album, Masterpiece, include "Dame Lo Que Quiero," "Down," "Me Matas," "Igual Que Ayer," and "Llorarás." Singles from their second album, The Royalty/La Realeza, include "Mis Días sin Ti," "Te Regalo Amores," "Cuerpo Sensual," and "Vicio del Pecado." The only quibbles are that the duo's breakout single, "Down," is represented by a remix featuring Hector el Father and "Mis Días Sin Ti" is included on the 15-track Deluxe Edition of The Last Chapter but not on the 12-track standard edition. As for the two new recordings, "Te Ame en Mis Sueños" and "Por Amor a Ti," the former is most notable, a tropical-inflected single fashioned similarly to "Te Regalo Amores" that likewise showcases Ken-Y to the near exclusion of RKM, who gets only about 30 cursory seconds of the song to himself. While fans will want the two new songs on The Last Chapter, "Te Ame en Mis Sueños" in particular, there's nothing else here that's not otherwise found on Masterpiece and The Royalty/La Realeza.