Christmas

Impacto Crea's venture into salsa recording oriented for the Christmas season is quite gratifying. In addition to the group's talented vocalist, Nelson De Jesús, Ismael Miranda and Adalberto Santiago join in individual presentations; the material is appropriate enough, with De Jesús in top form on tunes like "Vámonos de Fiesta," "Recuerdos de Navidad," "Fiesta en Navidad," "Navidades en Crea," and "A Dios y los Santos." Miranda and Santiago offer their usually strong vocals in "El Cantar de un Borincano" and "Los Niños Sin Navidad." Arranger/trumpet player/producer Carmelo Rivera devises a completely professional product; evidently enough, Hogares Crea's (one of Puerto Rico's most important drug rehabilitation programs) house band proves that talent can be found in the most distressing circumstances. Furthermore, the band's '70s output remains the subject of continued requests. Highly enjoyable.