Chosen Few El Documental (2004) With appearances from Don Omar, NORE, Cheka, Zion & Lennox, Divino, Baby Rasta & Gringo, L.D.A & more...




This is a pretty fantastic album although the second lead single has a greater legacy than the rest of the album combined.  The first single, believe it or not was the underground hit "Hay Que Bueno" by Notch produced by DJ Blass.  A definite Reggaeton anthem.  The second was the ginormous hit "Reggaeton Latino" by Don Omar.  Had that record come out today, it would have done probably around the same as "W Sound with Beele".  It was a huge record in its day, but somewhat forgotten over time as most people don't know what album the song is from.

The executive producer behind this work is Boy Wonder.  Boy Wonder, birth name, Manuel Alejandro Ruiz, is kind of a below the radar exec despite having done big things and worked with some of the most prominent names in the genre post 2004.  His label Chosen Few has released several compilations featuring some of the biggest acts in Reggaeton history.  And the label also released solo productions from the likes of Jon-Z, Papi Wilo, Fuego, and L.D.A.

Wonder originally released the first version of Chosen Few titled "Pocos Elegidos" in 2003 which featured talents from NYC and Puerto Rico.  But in 2004 he doubled down on the concept with a documentary which you can also read about on my blog and a more star studded affair. in the follow up "Chosen Few El Documental"  It wasn't just the names Wonder went big on.  He also contracted some of the best producers of the era.  "Chosen Few El Documental" has beats from the likes of Luny Tunes, Noriega, Eliel, DJ Blass, DJ Goldy, DJ Joe among others...  

The list of participants is equally impressive.  You have exclusive material from the likes of Don Omar, Nicky Jam, Divino, Baby Rasta & Gringo, Plan B, Zion & Lennox, Voltio, Jowell & Randy & others...  Several songs here were hits in their day.  "Hoy" from L.D.A ft Cheka was a song that made the rounds back then and it ages incredibly well.  The Zion & Lennox song "No Pierdas Tiempo" had an awful cartoon video that would play on MTV En Español and was all over the bootleg circuit, but it was a pretty good song.  "Hay Que Bueno" was one of Notch's most famous Reggaeton songs on the level of "Chevere" with Voltio.

But some of the deep cuts bang real hard too.  Baby Rasta & Gringo's track was incredible.  Plan B's song with Amaro "Ya Regrese" became a big underground hit when they included it on their "Los Nenes De Blin Blin" preview mixtape the next year (the album never came out).  There is even a music video for that song which I'm certain most of you have never seen.  Bimbo and Varon also have a hot song which also has a music video.  I like "Flossy" which was on the first Pocos Elegidos album, the beat from DJ Blass on it is phenomenal.  The album is really high quality throughout.

The famous remix of "Reggaeton Latino" featuring NORE, LDA and Fat Joe rapping in Spanish (he does a pretty good job too) is NOT on this album.  That version used to get lots of traction on HOT 97 and MTV2.  That version is on Don Omar's "The Hitman Presents Reggaeton Latino" album.  Many Latinos prefer the NORE-less version of the song.  NORE got a lot of hate from Americans and Latinos for interjecting himself into the Reggaeton spectrum with mixed results during this era.

"Chosen Few El Documental" definitely has that classic Desafio/Mas Flow feel for an album.  Other similar works of the time like "Los Kambumbos", "Los Cazadores", "Da Music", "Kilates" and many more remain in high regard for many Reggaeton listeners.  "Chosen Few" was definitely a standout work.  It reportedly sold over 200,000 units worldwide.

Rating:  ****/5 Stars

Top 5 Songs:  1.  Notch - Hay Que Bueno  2.  Baby Rasta y Gringo - Sabes Lo Que Vas a Hacer  3.  Plan B ft Amaro - Ya Regrese  4.  Don Omar - Reggaeton Latino  5.  Jowell & Randy - Delirando Pero Vacilando

Listen to Chosen Few El Documental (2004) on YOUTUBE.  It is also available on other popular streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify

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