Regalo del Alma

1	Ella Tiene Fuego 4:07
2	José Caridad 3:59
3	Ríe y Llora 4:10
4	Ay, Pena, Penita 4:58
5	Diagnóstico 4:28
6	La Niña de la Trenza Negra 4:10
7	Me Huele a Rumba 4:04
8	No Estés Amargao 4:03
9	Pa' la Cola 4:04
10	María la Loca 4:01
11	Yo Viviré (I Will Survive) Bonus Track 4:31

Barnes & Noble

The final album from the Queen of Salsa, recorded only a few months before her death in July of 2003, continues the momentum of her Grammy-winning La Negra Tiene Tumbao, once again pairing her with visionary Latin producer Sergio George. That means urban Latin grooves, heavy on the hip-hop and Afro-Cuban beats. She may have been recovering from a life-threatening operation during this recording, but you'd be hard pressed to hear it in her typically exciting performances.

All Music Guide

The final recording of the mighty Queen of Salsa's career, Regalo del Alma was certainly in keeping with the exuberant, joyful tone that her enormous fan base has come to expect from her. With stylistic influences and production value a bit more modern than one might expect from a legend whose recording career has spanned 45 years, this album will hook yet another generation on Celia Cruz's regal, earthy presence. Cruz is joined by a cast of consummate professionals including producer Sergio George, percussionists Marc Quiñones and Luis Quintero, and many of the usual suspects that one might expect to find on a record of this caliber. These contemporary masters bring a freshness to the project that is invigorating. There are several loop-driven tracks like "Ella Tiene Fuego" and "La Nina de la Trenza Negra" that propel Cruz and her loyal fan base into the 21st century. There are times when this production masks the subtle richness of Celia's vocal performance. For this reason, there could be some Cruz purists who are turned off by the new approach. The final track on the album is a creative rendition of the disco classic "I Will Survive." Like a declaration from beyond, chilling lyrics and a gorgeous arrangement hit their mark with force. "In the soul of my people, in the skin of the drums, in the hands of the conga player, in the feet of the dancer, I will live on." ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide

New York Times

Ingenious, salsa-rooted production stays current with a dancehall rap here, an electric guitar there, bolstering a singer who's still gutsy. Jon Pareles