Fase Dos

This son of musical parents “wanted to be a Puerto Rican version” of Lenny Kravitz in his early teens. Instead, he chose acting and comedy before returning to music, playing salsa. For this follow-up to a debut album that was an island hit, Juan Pablo Díaz assembled a big band, put a string section on many of the songs (which are mainly self-penned) and recruited Louis Garcia, the musical director of the legendary salsero Cheo Feliciano for 30 years, as arranger. Fase Dos has been nominated for a Latin Grammy and, right from the opening salvo of ‘Canten’, we are transported back to the golden age of salsa romantica.

There is a hint of RubÉn Blades in Dçaz's voice, which is particularly suited to the indigenous danza and old-school bolero forms. The track ‘A Tu Lado’, for example, is a lovely, lush confection. But there's also room for invigorating upbeat numbers such as ‘El Poderoso Caballero’ and even some salsafied Argentinian rock for good measure. There's a palpable sense of dÉjà vu here, which Díaz himself acknowledges in the notes: ‘Fans aren't always that adventurous and would rather listen to what they know.’ However, there's plenty of variety and musical substance to be found on this album notwithstanding.