Saboréalo

by Evan C. GutierrezAfter a long string of records with Sony International, somehow Ole Music was able to woo Elvis Crespo away. Considering the instant and lasting success that he enjoyed with Sony, a switch to a comparatively small, off-the-grid label seems curious. The difference is notable, and not just from a marketing perspective. The general tone of the record is a step away from Crespo's typical super-polished epic pop production. It's not that the crew over at Ole chooses a different aesthetic, or that Crespo was reaching for a new concept. They just don't have the big-budget reach that fueled previous releases. The rhythm tracks feature the mix of live instrumentation and electronic elements that they always have, but now with a plastic, opaque quality. Similarly Crespo's vocals sound one-dimensional and lacking in texture. This could be partly caused by a relatively novice production crew, a feature of the youthful label. These factors don't get in the way of a very fun, exciting play list. The record features some very hip writing, and even a mediocre Elvis Crespo release is a step above the rest. However, Crespo fans might feel that the lack of sophistication in production and performance is a step backward.