The Absolute Collection

To avoid confusion, this disc shares the same title as a double-disc deluxe set, but with only a third of the music found on the larger package. This budget collection contains highlights from throughout Cruz's (pre-Fania) career. There are historic tracks such as "Yerberito Moderno" with La Sonora Matancera, as well novelties like a Spanish-language salsa of "Aquarius"/"Let the Sunshine In" with Tito Puente. Elsewhere are serious salsa burners such as "Ritmo en el Corazon" with Ray Barretto, and "Usted Abuso" with Willie Colon, as well as the jazzy rhumba "La Ceiba y la Siguaraya" with Cruz fronting La Sonora Poncena., Rovi