Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights Soundtrack

It's been twenty years since Jennifer Grey stole America's hearts in the original Dirty Dancing. Hollywood seems to think there's nothing better than a remake to cause lightning to strike twice and at least they've got it half right. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights is a great collection of music full of sultry, danceable hits. Unfortunately, the movie hasn't fared was well, but video rentals might take up the slack. Hopefully, the music will reach the public, even if they're staying out of the theaters.

Wyclef Jean kicks the album off with "Dance Like This." It's pretty straightforward and sets the tone for the rest of the album. It's best to follow his instructions because there's a good time to be had by all!

Next, the Black Eyed Peas turn up the heat with the title track. "Dirty Dancing" encapsulates the whole movie in a nutshell: music goes beyond English, Spanish or any other language. The Black Eyed Peas have always had a knack for a multi-cultural groove. "Dirty Dancing" is an example of some of their best work and a chance to reach out to a much larger audience than they've had before.

For thirty years, no popular artist has blended Latin rhythm with American pop like Carlos Santana. "Satellite" puts him more in the background than much of his work, but his presence is palpable. Jorge Moreno's vocals are in the spotlight here, but Santana's fretwork is still the foundation for him to build on. The sultry groove writhes with pleasure. No other musician does it like this -- there is only one Santana.

One of the most clever career decisions in the industry was to have Christina Aguilera put out a Spanish language album. Despite her Ecuadoran heritage, she's never actually spoken the language in her life, but it hardly shows on "El Beso del Final," which reprises on this album. (Aguilera had to learn the words phonetically in order to sing the song.) With some of the best pipes in the business, Aguilera can make any song become her own.

It's songs like this that make Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights such a delicious, danceable album. This is a record to play at backyard parties this summer. It's outdoor music, released in the spring to get ready for those vacations, sultry evenings and late night drives with the top down. The beat is irresistible and the music superb.