From School Library Journal
Gr 4-7--A thoughtful biography of the three-time Grammy-winning singer, actor, and activist. Conflicts over the Panama Canal led Panamanian-born Blades to view his musical interest as an outlet for sociopolitical expression. As a young adult, he moved to New York City, quickly rising to prominence in the salsa music scene as the first singer to use this blend of African, Spanish, jazz, rock, and blues music as sociopolitical commentary. Blades's story is generally well written, but the book becomes bogged down in the middle chapters, describing song lyrics and movie plots in excessive detail. Further, the man's personal life is largely ignored, with only passing references to his wife. However, his appearance in the 1997 movie The Devil's Own and his starring role in a new Broadway musical might make this biography a popular choice for report writers. Similar to Betty Marton's Ruben Blades (Chelsea, 1992), Cruz's title is more up to date. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and maps.
Denise E. Agosto, formerly at Midland County Public Library, TX
Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
