En Vivo 2004!

The release of los Toros Band's En Vivo 2004 presents the Dominican favorites in a format otherwise unavailable to their growing North American audience. Though regular performers in Latin America, their U.S. dates have been limited, and the introduction of a live performance record reveals them to be a spirited and engaging act to a part of their constituency that may have otherwise never known. On much of their discography, a processed sound and low production budget stifles their exuberant, joyful sound. On En Vivo 2004, it is given free reign and romps from beginning to end. Even when performing complicated material, they have the tight rhythm section only found in veteran groups. Aggressive, precise horns and wildly inventive basslines throughout not only delight los Toros Band's adoring live audience, but will easily win over the disc's listener as well. Its Latin Grammy nomination is a great recommendation, but falls short of the effervescent brilliance that En Vivo 2004 has to offer. This disc captures los Toros as they are meant to be heard. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi