Sometimes, when an artist has been particularly prolific, the consumer needs a little help in digesting his material. Such is the case with bassist, vocalist, and bandleader
Oscar D'Leon. With some 60 albums on the market today, many could have trouble deciding where to focus their attention. That would be where the collection
Oro Salsero steps in to lend a hand. More comprehensive than most best-of collections around, with two discs and a solid 20 hits, this set captures some truly incendiary moments. In addition to the studio material, the good people at the RMM label have included a few live cuts, including the classic "Lloraras" and the suave "Hazme el Amor." In the moments that one can hear the crowd cheering him on, it is obvious just how beloved
D'Leon is, and to what an enormous fan base! With lush horns and crisp percussion sounds, salsa lovers everywhere will be thankful for the taste and quality that
D'Leon has always brought out of the studio, sometimes uncharacteristic of the genre.
Oscar himself, for any who do not know, has a thick, warm vocal presence that sets him apart as a man among men, reminiscent of
Cheo Feliciano and
Ismael Rivera. His uniquely lush, mature timbre is so inviting and soothing that the listener, even after 20 tracks, will not tire. Like many salsa records,
Oro Salsero never strays stylistically too far left or right of center. Some listeners may yearn for a bit more variety, but it is exactly this commitment to the art form that has won
D'Leon the dedication of his fans. Collaborations with José "El Canario" Alberto and the mighty
Tito Puente add more than enough spice to captivate the listener. Be it for the uninitiated or adoring fan looking to carry around fewer
D'Leon discs,
Oro Salsero is as the name implies, as good as gold. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez