Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound – Apollo Sound 3 (1969)

Roena's third album (and arranger Elías Lopés' last with the band) is one of his best; as usual, Roena's style is always on the lookout, and this production shows early on the ability of the band to combine old and new musical trappings. This includes pure swing in a highly energetic production with a good share of hits: the marvelous "El Traqueteo" (penned by C. Curet Alonso) is highly danceable and "Hagan Silencio" is the most eclectically arranged of the band's tunes (rhumba, cha cha, and pachanga blend effortlessly in one chart). Great fun that is almost untouched by time. This features vocals by Piro Mantilla and arrangements by Lopés, Mario Ortiz, and Ray Coen.~José A. Estévez, Jr.