Latin Music Album: Victor Manuelle “Que Suenen Los Tambores”

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In Victor Manuelle’s “Que Suenen los Tambores”, the Salsa star mixes his signature Salsa Romantica with songs that take a social theme or incorporate other rhythms.

The result is an engaging and well-produced Salsa album that I suggest is one if not the best album Victor Manuelle has released in his 20-year music career.

About “Que Suenen Los Tambores”

“Que Suenen los Tambores” is the 16th studio album of “El Sonero de la Juventud”, and his 20th overall recording. The album, released on April 2015, contains 13 songs (one is a 2nd version of Que Suenen los Tambores).

The album had 3 singles released ahead of the album launch:

Que Suenen los Tambores” – 24th #1 Billboard Tropical Airplay (broke his own record).

“Agua Bendita” – reached #2 in Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart. Read my review of this song HERE.

“Algo le Pasa a mi Heroe” – a song about Alzheimer’s disease which touched Victor Manuelle very personally as his father has it. You can also read my review of this song, and enjoy the beautiful video of it HERE.

What I Liked About “Que Suenen Los Tambores”

Victor Manuelle in "Que Suenen los Tambores" cover art.
Victor Manuelle released “Que Suenen los Tambores”, his 16th studio album, and perhaps the best.

1. Has a mixture of songs styles, with some Salsa Romantica on the classic Victor Manuelle style, while other songs experiment with various rhythms.

For example, “Agua Bendita” opens with the Vallenato notes of an accordion. “La Vida Perfecta” evolves into a fusion of Salsa with other rhythms, but has a very particular (almost weird) arrangement once the “coros” start.

“Sal a Bailar” has tones of Calypso. …and “Isabela” works the hard Salsa (yes, you hear right…Salsa Dura!)

2. Mixture of Romantic themes with Social themes.

I mentioned the classic romantic themes, but it also has… Social messages, like in “Que Suenen los Tambores” and obviously “Algo le Pasa a Mi Heroe”

…and Victor Manuelle adds 2 of what I call “feel good” songs. You know, like Marc Anthony’s “Vivir la Vida”. This is a commercially successful stream that more and more artists are drinking from.

Victor Manuelle adds “Sal a Bailar” and “Que Suenen los Tambores” to this field.

3. My Favorite songs are…

“Algo le Pasa a Mi Heroe”, which is a nice ballad that addresses the Alzheimer’s disease.

“Isabela” is a great classic Salsa, a tribute to his home-town of Isabela, Puerto Rico. The song was recorded with trombones only in the winds, and reminds me the similar Ruben Blades song “Plaza Herrera” (check it out at the end of this blog) in the 1988 album “Antecedente”.

YouTube HD Audio of Victor Manuelle’s “Isabela”

Missed Opportunities in “Que Suenen los Tambores”

None (but I wish he would take it easy with his signature “Eeeeeee”)

Recommendation for “Que Suenen los Tambores”

This is a well-produced album, with a careful balance of Salsa Romantica, Social messages, and a few different rhythms within the songs, and even a Salsa Dura song. “Que Suenen los Tambores” has plenty of good Salsa music for everyone!

Ruben Blades “Plaza Herrera”

Here’s the Panamanian Latin music star version of his tribute to his hometown.

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3 Comments
  1. Ivonne Bruno says

    Great review! Love it!!!

    1. Hector Aviles says

      Thanks chulita! I know Victor Manuelle is one of your favorite Salsa artists!

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