Latin Album

1	Malambo from Estancia / Alberto Ginastera 3:40
2	Oblivión / Michael Monaghan 3:53
3	Granada / Mariachi Cobre 4:33
4	El Salón México / Aaron Copland 11:10
5	Perfidia / Alberto Dominguez 4:59
6	Mi Cambio / Cesar Villalobos 5:02
7	Jalousie (Tango Tzigane) / Jacob Gade 4:36
8	Dansa Brasileira 2:13
9	Mambo Jambo (Mambo Jambo/El Cumbanchero) / Rafael Hernández 4:24
10	Huapango 8:01
11	Ay Ay Ay 4:08
12	Cumbias / Cesar Villalobos 3:39
13	Batuque 3:49
14	Son de la Negra / Silvestre Vargas 3:03

Barnes & Noble

While the Boston Pops could never be mistaken for the Buena Vista Social Club, they have done a splendid job here in paying tribute to a wide variety of Latin music -- from Argentinean tangos to Mexican mariachi. Their hip and talented conductor, Keith Lockhart, has enlisted the aid of two smaller groups -- the Boston-based Inca Son and Mariachi Cobre from Tucson -- to give them some ethno-musical credibility, and the arrangements are fluid and responsive to the needs of each genre. The opening bars of "Granada" are carried by the thrilling solo trumpet of Mariachi Cobre's cofounder, Stephen Carillo. "Jalousie" features extensive and gorgeous virtuosity on the part of the Pops' own violinist, Tamara Smirnova. And their house soprano saxman, Michael Monaghan, swings through "Perfidia" and Astor Piazzolla's "Oblivion" with admirable wistfulness. Aaron Copland's south-of-the-border salute, El Salón Mexico, is here too, but Lockhart has also included works by some of the most respected classical composers of South and Central America. Ginastera's "Malambo" from his ballet Estancia, Fernández's "Batuque," and Guàrnieri's "Dansa Brasileira" represent some of these composers' finest attempts to bring the rhythms of their native music to the European orchestra. Perhaps, as in "Huapango" by Mexican composer José Pablo Moncayo, the Pops' percussion section never really does let itself go. But what do you want from Boston? The tracks in which the Pops follow the lead of their guest bands on traditional tunes are more refreshing and successfully Latinate. In fact, they're downright fun. And that, after all, is what the Pops do best. Emily King

All Music Guide

Conducted by Keith Lockhart, this BPO release is a mix of classical, Afro-Cuban, and mariachi music featuring guest appearances by Boston-based Andean group Inca Son and American favorites Mariachi Cobre, who add to the Latin American feel. Hot on the heels of the late-'90s fascination with Latin music, this album has lots of appeal, particularly to those who still know how to do the Macarena. The Latin Album features "El Salon Mexico" by renowned American composer Aaron Copland, as well as two pieces written for the orchestra by Latin American composers Ginastera and Fernandez. Although sweeping and really quite beautiful, The Latin Album fails to capture the fiery essence of authentic Latin American music. Zac Johnson