Ismael Miranda's superior collaboration with singer/songwriter
José Nogueras shows a shared interest with Puerto Rico's folk music. Aguinaldo and Copla add a new line of music to the salsa singer's long-running career.
Louis García's arrangements bring excitement and creativity to
Nogueras' typically joyful tunes like "Alegre Vengo Cantando," "Navidad es Amor," "La Plena es de Puerto Rico," "Esta Parranda te la Debía," and "No Quieren Parar." This recording (like many of
Nogueras' productions) seems to be designed with the Christmas season in mind. In reality, some of Puerto Rico's national folkloric music is kept as strictly seasonal fodder. Nevertheless, this should not discourage performers of pushing this legacy as a fully mainstream music, and not just for the occasion. One of
Miranda and
Nogueras' most genuinely satisfying works. ~ José A. Estévez, Jr.