This bachata blockbuster may be the Latin Thriller

You might call this 1990 landmark the Thriller of bachata, since only three of its 10 tracks were not major hit singles. But while the record helped bring the Dominican street music to the mainstream, the four bachata tracks here are only part of the picture. Guerra also crafts sweet ballads and infectious salsa, with a touch of African juju on "A Pedir Su Mano." His lyrics are often romantic, but on the finale, "Acompaneme Civil," he calls for social awareness to a joyful merengue beat.