Part of the World Music Network Rough Guides series,[1] it has been described as the first comprehensive CD collection of Central American music.

[2] The album contains five tracks from Belize, three each from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, two from Panama, and one from Guatemala.

The compilation was compiled by Daniel Rosenberg, co-ordinated by Duncan Baker and produced by Phil Stanton, co-founder of the World Music Network.

[3][2] Thom Jurek of AllMusic gave the album four stars, calling the music a "revelation" and a "stunning wake-up call".

[2] Robert Christgau was less enthusiastic, describing the album as leaning more toward Creole cultures than the "subcontinent" warranted.