The last major reggaetón compilation to hit stores this year is Chosen Few: El Documental II, a three-disc production of mammoth proportions.

Following in the footsteps of its 2004 predecessor, Chosen Few: El Draft, this second edition is a double CD (titled "Classics" and "More Classics") plus a DVD documentary that includes countless interviews, performance snippets and behind the scenes of this Chosen Few tour. The backbone of the set is producer Boy Wonder, who came up wit the original Chosen Few idea and who now, backed by a solid sales track record, has been able to assemble an impressive cast of characters, including Héctor El Father, Zion & Lennox, Alexis y Fido, Pitbull and even Alejandro Sanz, among others, as well as a roster of newcomers.

As heavy duty as everything here is -- from the collaborators to the packaging -- the most compelling aspect is the documentary, which truly digs deep into the makings and current status of the genre. As for the music, it is largely more of the same standard, in your face, shake your booty reggaetón, albeit with a few, refreshing surprises.

In the standard category, the standout is the opening "This Is the Chosen Few," a 15-minute ode featuring the Chosen Few All Stars (more than a dozen acts, including Voltio, Don Omar, Divino, Yaga & Mackie and many others). The roster underscores Boy Wonder's clout, and also points to a different scope for this material. There are Puerto Rican and New York based acts here, and the chorus of unifying lyrics is English and Spanish, appealing to a broad demographic, with each voice distinctively rapping over varying rhythmic lines (my favorite is the piano vamp underneath Voltio's rap).

Vastly more fun is Baby Ranks' "Mambo," which kicks off with a clarinet solo, then settles into a mambo-esque, danceable beat of horns and loops, a brassy departure from the standard reggaetón sound.

As for Alejandro Sanz' contribution, it is merely "No Es Lo Mismo" over a reggaetón beat. More enticing is the all-collaboration, "Real Latinas," that brings together Mala Rodriguez, Orquidea Negra, Kamil, La Bruja and Ari Puelo. Different from the testosterone-ridden fare of their male counterparts, these are sultry, subtle beats under incisive, significant lyrics.

Also totally different is Notch's "Aquí Me Quedo," a mix of melodic salsa and reggae over bare percussion that harks back to more folksy traditions of music done in the streets.

If you aim for even more nostalgia, go to the Chosen Few remix of the 2005 hit "Reggaetón Latino," featuring Don Omar, Fat Joe, N.O.R.E. and LDA. This basic track embodies reggaetón's appeal in its catchy, repetitive refrain and danceable beats. It really is part of reggaetón's young history.

By Leila Cobo