Contest: Bachatamania!

Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, is a bold, brashy, "movida" place. People are selling everything at every turn. The preferred mode of transportation is the "carro publico", basically someone's private car, often with bumper and car doors literally held together by string. They're usually operated by two guys - one drives, the other beckons you in from the street, packs you into the car with up to 10 other passengers, and collects the $$. Frequently, the electric guitar of the bachata blares from a tinny stereo. This is my lasting image of a visit to the DR several years.

Bachata Roja: Acoustic Bachata from the Cabaret Era is a compilation that sounds nothing like that grinding, sometimes grating, bachata of the city. It's a country sound, as you can hear in this profile on NPR.

I have a copy to give away! Just e-mail me with the correct answer to this (pretty easy) question:

Bachata is probably the second most popular musical style in the DR, although it's growing fast. What is traditionally considered the national musical style of the DR?

The winner will be the fifth e-mail with the correct answer.

My e-mail is david-at-ncpr-dot-org.

Good luck!