The end of
Ricardo Ray &
Bobby Cruz's transition from virtuosic boogaloo cum R&B cum rock & roll group into a completely modernized, freewheeling salsa orchestra, 1970's Agúzate featured the entire collective hitting on all cylinders: the songs were exciting and
Ray and
Cruz's performances are clearly galvanizing the band throughout. There were few acknowledgements of the wider pop world -- aside from two covers, a quite good power ballad on the standard "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and a Latinized cover of "My Way," titled "A Mi Manera." Meanwhile, the knockout original material (including the title track and "Amparo Arrebato") proved that
Ray and
Cruz were never again going to be confused with a boogaloo novelty group. ~ John Bush