Personnel: Irving DBlassio Dominguez (guitar); Irving Dominguez, Carlos Chapman (guitars); Carlos Cuevas (piano, bass guitar); Erick Perez, Felix Raul Espinoza, Guido Hernan Mosquera, Felix Alexander Gomez, Leavitt Eduardo Zambrano (background vocals).
Additional personnel: Alex Pro, Japanesse, Duende.
Garnering attention on the Latin pop scene with his hit single "Te Quiero" in late 2007, Flex followed up with a full-length album of the same name in early '08. Along with the romantic, beat-driven title track, TE QUIERO includes the funky, reggae-tinged "Dejala" (featuring rapper Duende) and the plaintive "Quien No Llora Por Amor."
Panamanian reggaetonero Flex scored one of 2008's biggest Latin hit singles with "Te Quiero," the title track of his 2007 album of the same name. Driven by a light reggaeton rhythm track, a catchy melody, romantic sentiment, and tropical accents, the reggae panameño song certainly has the makings of a Latin hit circa 2008. Besides the title track, which kicks off the album, the second and third songs -- "Sin Tu Amor," a collaboration with reggaetonero Alex Pro; and "Desde Lejos" -- are others that truly stand out. The music remains interesting from a stylistic standpoint -- blending aspects of reggae and tropical music into otherwise fairly generic reggaeton backing tracks, and keeping the beats light and breezy rather than hard-hitting -- but Nigga's singing is generally fair at best. ~ Jason Birchmeier
Panamanian reggaetonero Flex scored one of 2008's biggest Latin hit singles with "Te Quiero," the title track of his 2007 album of the same name. Driven by a light reggaeton rhythm track, a catchy melody, romantic sentiment, and tropical accents, the reggae panameño song certainly has the makings of a Latin hit circa 2008. Unfortunately, it's far and away the highlight of the album, which is stylistically unique but short on good songs. Besides the title track, which kicks off the album, the second and third songs -- "Sin Tu Amor," a collaboration with reggaetonero Alex Pro; and "Desde Lejos" -- are the only others that truly stand out. Following these opening few songs, the album plods along until its conclusion. The music remains interesting from a stylistic standpoint -- blending aspects of reggae and tropical music into otherwise fairly generic reggaeton backing tracks, and keeping the beats light and breezy rather than hard-hitting -- but Nigga's singing is generally fair at best (and sometimes terrible, as on "Si No Te Tengo") and the romantic sentiment becomes increasingly overbearing as the album progresses. It's too bad the songs on Te Queiro aren't all as undeniably appealing as the exceptional title track. ~ Jason Birchmeier minimize