God's Project (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Henry Santos Jeter (vocals, background vocals); Judy Ann Santos (vocals); Eric "Bori" Rivera, Lenny Santos (guitar); Pedro Conga (congas).

Additional personnel: Don Omar, Nina Sky, Antony Santos, Tego Calderón (vocals).

Audio Mixers: Gerry Grimaud Jr.; Roger Pauletta.

Recording information: Boondog Studio; Cutting Studios; Skylight Studios.

Photographer: Christian Eckert Quartet.

Despite the title, with 2005's God's Project, Aventura continues to define their own destiny. In fact, with their widespread popularity and the outpouring of groups who mimic their distinctly New York-influenced bachata, they may be helping to define the genre, as well. Under the clever guise of a boy band lurks some genuine musicianship, particularly evident in Lenny and Mikey Santos. The musician's ear will delight in Lenny's skillful guitar playing and tasteful, hip production, which foreshadow a long, fruitful career in the industry. Though lacking depth at times, the vocal style of Anthony "Romeo" Santos has become a hallmark of the group and has won the affection of fans far and wide. The reggaeton-influenced "Ella y Yo" and the spirited merengue "Por Tu Orgullo" are welcome variations on an otherwise stylistically homogeneous disc. The lack of variation in instrumentation, key, and tempo can become tiring. But it is exactly their dedication to their Dominican heritage and an original sound that has saved them from pop mediocrity. An absolute favorite with young urban Latino audiences, Aventura is already a staple in a rapidly developing market. God's Project, certainly the most consistent in quality so far and perhaps their strongest release period, establishes them as more than a pop phenomenon. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez

Since its formation in the Bronx, New York in 1994, Dominican boy band Aventura has been steadily expanding its sound toward a style that incorporates hip-hop, R&B, rock, merengue, and reggaeton, while still retaining strong traces of traditional bachata. GOD'S PROJECT is the culmination of Aventura's stylistic expansion, and is the group's most mature, diverse, and accomplished album.

The sounds of bachata--the quartet's foundation--are still prominent, especially on "Ciego de Amor," which features a cameo by Antony Santos, one of the Dominican Republic's leading bachata artists (not to be confused with Aventura's own Anthony "Romeo" Santos). The group also ventures deep into reggaeton territory on the likes of "Ella y Yo" (which stars reggaeton kingpin Don Omar). Various international flavors work their way into the mix, particularly the samples of Asian music that crop up here and there, and the strains of traditional flamenco on "Un Beso." All of this is wrapped skillfully in a sound and attitude that bursts with contemporary pop savvy. minimize