When the Fabulosos Cadillacs signed a global distribution deal with Sony in 1993, none of their previous five albums had been released in the U.S. So, Sony put together Vasos Vacios, which mixes key tracks from their catalog along with remixed and newly recorded material. One of the new tracks, “El Matador” became an instant smash on the newly launched MTV Latino, and deservedly so — the song comes on like a thundering locomotive. The other new track, “V Centenario,” is an assault on colonialism that’s almost as forceful. Similarly, the re-recorded earlier hits, such as “El Satanico Dr. Cadillac,” are delivered with far more energy and muscle than the original versions. Clearly, by this time, the band had become a more confident and cohesive unit. The selections from earlier albums are more restrained, though the remixes contain many improvements, such as the addition of Tex-Mex star Flaco Jimenez on “Gitana.” The best previously unearthed treasure is the title track (from their still unavailable second album), a lovely duet with salsa legend Celia Cruz. The other songs serve as a concise summary of their pre-Sony output. Vasos Vacios is an excellent introduction to the band’s unique style. – Victor W. Valdivia
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