Auténtico  (Audio CD) 
by Gilberto Santa Rosa

There's nothing new under the son on Autentico, Puerto Rican salsero Gilberto Santa Rosa's latest collection of hip-swiveling music. That's a good thing for fans of his graceful salsa style, which has made Santa Rosa a superstar throughout the Spanish-speaking world. He glides effortlessly through standouts "Sombra Loca," "Lo Que Arraso" and "Ensename a Vivir Sin Ti." Equally commendable is Autentico's first-rate instrumentation, a cool blend of trumpets and congas that nicely frame Santa Rosa’s supple vocal work. As a bonus, Santa Rosa chose three traditional tracks--"El Son de la Madrugada, Sigue Ella Boba" and "Juan Manuel"--to close the album and honor his influences. Autentico isn't as innovative as Salsa Sinfonica, the singer’s live symphonic disc recorded at Carnegie Hall, but it doesn't need to be. It's simply an ear-pleasing (and body-swaying) portrait of a man at the top of his game. --Joey Guerra