The Latin Album (CD - 1964)

Liner Note Author: Stan Cornyn.

Arranger: Trini Lopez.

Soon after his live performance of "If I Had a Hammer" became a surprise smash in 1964, Trinidad Lopez III (aka Trini Lopez) began branching out -- as all adult pop artists did during the '60s -- with full LPs devoted to everything from folk music and the hits of the day to R&B. None were as comfortable a fit, however, as his Latin Album, which featured 12 standards from the repertoire, several of them very familiar to American audiences ("Perfidia," "Besame Mucho," "La Malagueña"). Lopez's performances are jaunty but passionate, and about as authentically Latin as could be expected from an LP of this type. Don Costa's arrangements make more concessions to the mainstream audience, but they leave Lopez plenty of room to indulge in the occasional vocal acrobatics to be expected on a Latin record. On the highlight, "Angelito," Lopez sings in English and Spanish while a deft, fuzzy guitar line grinds away in the background. ~ John Bush minimize