Since the middle of the 1990s, cantante
Victor Manuelle has always placed near the top of the
Latin charts, given his many recordings and concert tours, and even his co-hosting of the 2006
Latin Grammys. In 2007, he won the Premio Lo Nuestro for Best Salsa Artist. One listen to
"Mirame," the opening track -- and first single -- from his
Yo Mismo (Myself) album, explains why. This cut, which has caused the album to race up the
Billboard Top 200 charts, is the perfect meld of modern
salsa and
nuevo flamenco. From the acoustic guitars in the first few moments to the skittering claves and drums and brassy horn section that pop in right behind his soulful vocal, the effect is hypnotic, sensual, and arresting.
Manuelle's trademark, however, is his killer balladic style, and fans who are seeking that will find it in
"Olvido No," "Donde Iras," and
"El Amor No Es Asi" (
"Olvido No" and
"Donde Iras" are featured in two versions: as ballads and burning salsas). There are a couple of midtempo ballads as well as sprightly modern popular salsa in
"Lo Que Me Hiciste," featuring the talents of
Jorge Celedon and
Jimmy Zambrano.
Manuelle produced and composed the recording himself and it is released via his own imprint,
Kiyavi. ~ Thom Jurek
![Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier [2008 Recording]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0034571177410_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier [2008 Recording]")
