This is
Tito Allen's fifth LP for Alegre Records, which turned out to be one of his most accomplished, although it went quite under-promoted. The late '70s were showing signs of wear and tear in the genre, whereas there was a rise in the merengue craze. Nevertheless, projects like this were available and always ready for multiple listenings. This album contains plenty of good material, including the better-promoted "El Embajador," a second version of
Willie Rosario's 1963 classic "Dame Tu Amor, Morenita," the classic "Estoy Como Nunca" (by Don Raymat), and "Manolín" (composed by
Allen, dedicated to the late, great DJ Manolín Martínez). Highly recommended, with arrangements by
Louie Ramírez,
José Madera,
Paquito Pastor,
Sonny Bravo,
René Bloch, and
Tito Puente. ~ José A. Estévez, Jr.