Momentos Cumbres de Toña la Negra / Momentos Cumbres de Tona la Negra

The great Latin diva Toña La Negra is heard here on a slim yet very fine program featuring some of her biggest hits. The mix includes plenty of classy big-band charts and a musical menu that features rhumbas, boleros, and mambos. The budget-line price is also worth mentioning, as is the fact that the disc never loses its hypnotizing allure after launching things with three of Toña's best sides: "Angelitos Negros," "Verada Tropical," and "Oracion Caribe." Also including noir-ish set pieces like "Por Que Negar-Ausencia" — plenty of dramatic dialogue and wistful violin here — Grandes Exitos could be the perfect soundtrack to your next rhumba party, though more ideally as a backdrop to those moonlit after hours than accompaniment to a conga line.