Record Rack

*** Plena Libre, “Mas Libre,” RykoLatino. During the ‘90s, this Puerto Rican ensemble led by bassist Gary Nun~ez spearheaded a passionate revival of the plena, a traditional dance format that tells stories of the island’s everyday life and sounds like a distant cousin of calypso. A respectful revisionist, Nun~ez embellishes the bouncy plena with salsa and jazz influences. Paradoxically, the outside influences underscore the genre’s uniqueness. A gallery of guest performers, including virtuoso pianist Papo Lucca and flutist Nestor Torres, bring variety to the mix. Still, the album’s strongest point is Nun~ez’s catchy compositions, such as the accordion-laden “Maria Luisa.” An indispensable group for the understanding of Puerto Rico’s underrated contribution to tropical music.

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