Demon's Nascente imprint usually does a great job with compilations (their single-artist
Essential Collection series and
Beginner's Guide multi-disc sets are for the most part stellar, and for those into the world's club music scenes, the
Bar collections fare better than most as well). That said, these early
Very Best collections were too ambitious for their own good. The intention was noble: to assemble a fluid presentation of the rainbow of Latin music as it evolved from African, Latin American, and Cuban traditions into the popular art forms it has taken on in the Northern Hemisphere. The problem is what to leave out as well as what to include. Look no further than the first track to see where problems develop:
the Blackout Allstars with
Ray Barretto,
Sheila E.,
Paquito d'Rivera,
Tito Puente,
Dave Valentin, and
Grover Washington, Jr.! The track is smoking, but it's also a mishmash of traditions all shoved together without context. Other selections fare better, such as those by
Cachao,
Joyce,
Rubén Blades with
Willie Colón,
Celia Cruz,
Mongo Santamaria, etc. But left off this set are
Hector Lavoe,
Joe Bataan,
Eddie Palmieri (except as the pianist on a
Victor Manuelle cut),
Charlie Palmieri,
Larry Harlow, and countless others. This set is a mess without the benefit of focus. Try the two volumes of
Beginner's Guide to Latin Music, which are actually recommended and cost about the same.