The Whole Enchilada

Trini Lopez's last full album for Reprise, "The Whole Enchilada" didn't attract a lot of attention when it came out in 1969. It didn't crack the top 200 on the albums chart, and none of the singles broke out to become hits. Don't let that stop you from checking it out: It's an energetic, surprising album, and probably the closest thing to rock and roll he cut since his early discs for the label.

Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, the collection includes some truly dynamic cover tunes, including a killer medley that blends "Sunshine Superman" and "Cry Like a Baby." There is also a lively reading of Jay and the Americans' "Come a Little Bit Closer" that tops the original as Trini has some fun with his Spanish pronounciation. Also notice a fab Spanish-language reading of Donovan's "Lalena," which features some of his most sensitive vocalizing. The album's great, should-have-been-a-hit track is "My Baby Loves Sad Songs," a swinging Boyce-Hart number that features a freewheeling Trini vocal with some lively ad-libs.

Again, you won't find any of his big hits here, but a lot of tracks that deserved more attention upon the album's release. It's like the perfect soundtrack to a terrific, swinging cocktail party that never was.