Up-and-coming artist Tito "El Bambino" joins the ranks of his high-profile reggaeton brethren with the release of 2006's TOP OF THE LINE. Sporting the usual array of stuttering, bouncing beats, rapid-fire rhymes, and hands-in-the-air chant-along choruses, TOP OF THE LINE sounds tailor-made for the jeep systems and block party boom boxes of summer '06. And that El Bambino isn't afraid to croon a seductive, downtempo number, as he does on "Secreto," won't hurt his popularity with female fans (to say nothing of his movie-star good looks.
One of the fathers of reggaeton, Tito el Bambino was half of the groundbreaking duo Hector & Tito before he embarked on a solo career of his own, signing with EMI Televisa and debuting in 2006 with Top of the Line. Hector & Tito may have been groundbreaking, but they never attained the popularity and commercial success of Daddy Yankee and Don Omar, who were far and away the leading reggaeton artists of the mid-2000s. So when Tito went solo, he had some catching up to do. He did so quickly, as Top of the Line spun off numerous hit singles, including "Caile," which topped the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart.
The majority of the selections are solid, ice-cold reggaeton, featuring superstar producers Luny Tunes and guest artists like Noriega and Daddy Yankee, but there are some subtle hints that this already widely popular artist could be looking to move on up. Having reached not only number three on Billboard's Top Latin Albums, but also breaking the prestigious Top 200, the aptly named Top of the Line may have trouble finding the next rung on the ladder. (All Music Guide)
1. Intro
2. Caile
3. Mi Chica Rebelde
4. Mia - (with Daddy Yankee)
5. Secreto
6. Maximo
7. Tu Cintura - (with Don Omar)
8. Me Da Miedo
9. Reto
10. Peligro
11. Flow Natural - (with Bennie Man/Man/Ines)
12. 12 Sera
13. Te Extrano
14. Donde Estan
15. Corre Y Dile
16. Grito Latino
17. Me Tiemblan Las Manos
18. Subelo
19. Sonsoneo
20. Tuve Que Morir (Outro)
(april 2006)