Directo al Corazón (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Gilberto Santa Rosa (background vocals); Gilberto Santa Rosa (vocals); Edwin Colon Zayas (guitar, cuatro, tiple); Jorge Laboy (guitar); Anatoly Rosinsky, Shari Zippert, Mari Tsumura, Patricia Johnson , Peter Kent, Armen Garabedian, Miwako Watanabe, Charlie Bisharat (violin); James V. Ross, Marilyn Baker, Evan Wilson, Denyse Buffum (viola); Miguel Martinez, Suzie Katayama, Larry Corbett (cello); Jesus Caunedo (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Angel Torres (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Frank Perez (tenor saxophone); Jan Duclerc, Tommy Villarini (trumpet); José "Jochy" Rodríguez (flugelhorn); Moises Nogueras, Moises Nogueras (bass trombone); José Lugo (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion, programming, drum programming, percussion programming); Arturo Ortiz (Fender Rhodes piano, programming, drum programming); Pablo Padin (keyboards, congas, bongos, timbales, percussion); Milton Sesenton (keyboards); Johnny Torres (bass instrument); Efrain Toro (drums, tabla, percussion); Rafael "Tito" DeGracia, Tito de Gracia (congas, bongos, timbales); Jimmy Morales (congas); Joseph Fonseca, Victor Manuelle, Willie Torres, Jerry Rivas (background vocals); Raffi Torres, Jorge Diaz, Antonio Vazquez (trombone).

Audio Mixers: Rolando Alejandro; José Lugo; Ronnie Torres.

Audio Remixer: José Lugo.

Recording information: Alfa, Puerto Rico; Negrele, Music, Puerto Rico City; O'Henry Sound Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Rolo Studio, Puerto Rico.

Photographer: Mariella Sosa.

Arrangers: Johnny Torres; José Lugo; Milton Sesenton; Tommy Villarini; Javier Fernández; Pablo Padin; Arturo Ortiz.

Puerto Rican singer Gilberto Santa Rosa has enjoyed massive success throughout Latin America and beyond for his particular brand of salsa. Santa Rosa is also a master ballad stylist, an area that gets plenty of attention on 2006's DIRECTO AL CORAZON. There are a few key uptempo tracks here, but those looking for a sustained batch of high-energy salsa may be disappointed. Nevertheless, Santa Rosa's rich, expressive voice is in fine form throughout this 10-song set. minimize