Merengue, with its adaptible structure, is available in a variety of "shapes and sizes" - arguably more so than salsa. It makes it all the more crucial that you listen widely to find artists you like before you buy. Although some effort will be involved in finding songs that inspire you, the flip side is that his the beats in this genre are obvious. Here are some album suggestions as starting points (if you search the Amazon sites, the "customers who bought this also bought..." tip is really handy):

Fulanito - El Hombre Más Famoso De La Tierra

1. Guallando (150 bpm)
2. Cometela Ripia (140 bpm)
3. Merencumbiaso (125 bpm)
4. Mano Fria (151 bpm)
5. La Novela (127 bpm)
6. Cha Cha Chá #7 (127 bpm)
7. Lado a Lado (Bomba) (127 bpm)
8. El Cepillo (150 bpm)
9. Time to Party Right (123 bpm)
10. Yo Te Estoy Mirando (128 bpm)

Grupo Mania - Alto Honor

1. Mirala (145 bpm)
2. Que Loco (120 bpm)
3. Mujeres Solteras (155 bpm)
4. Mi Princesita (146 bpm)
5. Corazoncito (121 bpm)
6. Te Fuiste de Mi Vida (182 bpm)
7. Cuento con Mi Pueblo (130 bpm)
8. Es un Bombón (152 bpm)
9. Mania Esta Aquí (108 bpm)
10. Te Vas a Caer de la Nube (145 bpm)
11. Me Miras y Te Miro (126 bpm)
12. Sueños de Una Madre (120 bpm)

Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40 - Ojalá Que Llueva Café

1. Visa Para un Sueño (136 bpm)
2. Oajalá Que Llueva Café (115 bpm)
3. Razones (214 bpm)
4. De Tu Boca (131 bpm)
5. Gallera (154 bpm)
6. Woman del Callao (119 bpm)
7. Reina Mía (146 bpm)
8. Angel Para Una Tambora (113 bpm)

Ilegales - Ilegales

1. Morena (128 bpm)
2. Fiesta Caliente (132 bpm)
3. Mujeres (135 bpm)
4. Sigan Bailando (107 bpm)
5. No Puedo Vivir Sin Tí (92 bpm)
6. Lo Que Quiere Mi Gente (131 bpm)
7. Que Te Pongo (129 bpm)
8. Ten Valor (127 bpm)
9. Morena [Remix] (130 bpm)

Proyecto Uno - New Era

1. Intro (-- bpm)
2. Quiero Seguir Bailando (131 bpm)
3. Pumpin' (132 bpm)
4. Te Dejaron Flat (125 bpm)
5. Materialista (130 bpm)
6. Candela (125 bpm)
7. Cruzando la Calle (89 bpm)
8. Hombre Para Ti (85 bpm)
9. Latinos (127 bpm)
10. El Grillero (163 bpm)
11. Cuarto de Hotel (128 bpm)
12. Razones (202 bpm)
13. The Jam (126 bpm)
14. ¿Qué Sabes Tu? (131 bpm)
15. ¿Y Tu Qué Sabes? (131 bpm)