On his 5th album, one of South America's most succesful salsa artists in the diaspora embarks on a sophisticated musical journey full of eclectic fusions and collaborations.

Cita con La Luz is Yuri Buenaventura’s 5th album in 12 years, but don't expect anything similar to his previous albums Salsa Dura and Yo Soy. With this album, this Colombian resident in Paris, and one of South America's biggest talents, embarks on a new and more sophisticated era with a new sound of fusions and collaborations.

From the first track, La Hamaca De La Noche, Yuri sets the high standard we are used to, of smooth lyrics and beautiful arrangements. But what stands out is how eclectic the rest of the album is. The Bohemian sound of La Cita is a reinforcement of new musical paths, as are Caminamos, a collaboration with proclaimed singer, writer, arranger and poet Morley (currently the voice of Ralph Lauren’s fragrance ‘My Romance') and No lo puedo Recordar and Te Fuiste which add a touch of Latin Jazz . The Collaborations on this album vary widely, taking you on a journey through a whole variety of musical genres, from Jazz and Ballads to Hip Hop and Folk. The partnering on No Pasa Nada with Boloji, one of France's most successful MC’s, cements it as Yuri’s most varied album to date.

But throughout the musical adventures that this salsa takes, through the streets of Paris, the album maintains the Latin romance with beautiful lyrics in Si tu estas aqui, Vuelo and Como La Maleza,  Se Me Fue La Vida and Amor Eterno, all providing useful material for any guy's chat up repetoire. For the finale Yuri has hidden a bonus track within this album titled Los Cobardes which, joined perfectly with Valle de Rosas and, although very long for any song (over 14 minutes), still manages to charm its way through the end of the album.

Overall Yuri Buenaventura’s latest album is a change from the hardcore, street salsa for which he is known and signals a more mature and refined sound. Maybe the title is the feeling and realization of Yuri’s new path of musical enlightenment.

By DJ Julian Mr M