Papito

Miguel Bose's 2007 release Papito is nothing short of Latin pop heaven. So much so that when execs at Warner Latina heard the pitch, they must have thought they'd died and gone there. Selecting the hottest hits from his three decades on the charts, Bose teams up with a who's who list of vocalists from all over the Spanish speaking recording industry for a record full of duets, re-buffed for a new generation. Sharing credits with artists such as Julieta Venegas, Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, Ricky Martin, Shakira, and Laura Pausini to name only half, it's no surprise that Bose find himself once again at the top of International and Latin pop charts. The repertoire draws on both Bose's best known songs like "Amante Bandido," "Morena Mia," and "Bambu," and lesser covered gems like "Olvidame Tu." With nearly every crowd-pleasing Latin rock anthem associated with his name included, Bose reminds us just how long his music has woven itself into the lives of his listeners. That said, Papito is far from a nostalgia record. The album takes a fresh look at the proven material with the production touch of both longtime collaborators like Carlos Jean or Sandy McLelland and new blood offered by Yerba Buena's Andres Levin. Incorporating elements of reggaeton, house, Latin rock, hip-hop, and electronica, Bose seems very much in his element with post-millennial musical ideas. Billboard charts seem to agree that Papito may be 2007's most creative Latin pop endeavor. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez