How do you celebrate 40 years of musical output? In the case of seminal salsa band El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico—a performing group through and through—with a concert. The three-hour-plus extravaganza, which took place in April at the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Puerto Rico, was recorded for posterity in this two-CD set that constitutes a veritable history of El Gran Combo. It features the band’s greatest hits, including “Un Verano en Nueva York,” “El Menú,” and “No Hay Cama Pa’ Tanta Gente.” More important even than the material is the vibe of the recording; close your eyes and you might as well be dancing to El Gran Combo live—a true relief with the slew of processed, over-produced tropical albums currently in the market. Highlights of the recording include a medley featuring former El Gran Combo singer Andy Montañez and another featuring Gilberto Santa Rosa, long a fan of the band. Equally strong is “Medley a La Mujer,” featuring two of the band’s current singers, Charlie Aponte and Jerry Rivas.—LC