Una mujer como yo

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 1997 by Gilbert Rivera

ALBITA

Cuban singer/composer/bandleader Albita Rodríguez is back with her latest CD, Una mujer como yo - produced by Emilio Estefan Jr. for his label Crescent Moon - distributed by Sony Music. From her very first song performed in Miami, Florida, in 1994, after defecting from Cuba with her band, Albita has been the hottest Cuban music act in North America. Her music is as diverse as her personality - setting her apart from the majority of the other Latin performers in the business - regardless of style or musical genre.

She continues to be unique in this latest production. Una mujer como yo, the title track of the CD, starts it all off with a hot merengue (a rhythm native of the Dominican Republic) which she handles like a pro merenguera. She includes ten selections - touching on many of the rhythms Afro-Caribbean music embraces - while adding her own flavor and style to the renditions. The multitalented Kike Santander is responsible for most of the compositions, arrangements, keyboard and bass tracks, and getting everyone to the studio on time, I'm sure, for this production. The band shines throughout the entire CD, laying down the music Albita colors with her boundless voice and spirit. Tocame con un beso - composed by Albita - is my choice track of this assemblage. Albita and the band seem to be in pure sync --to the point of becoming one-- and make magical music for the soul.