Ricky Martin back where he came from

It has been almost three years since Ricky Martin released his last single, She Bangs from the English-language album Sound Loaded. The song was another energetic big seller following in the footsteps of Livin’ La Vida Loca and the Soccer World Cup theme La Copa de la Vida. Then the former Menudo probably took a few steps backward and asked himself the question all successful artists have asked themselves during crucial stages in their careers: "Where do I go from here?"

How does one indeed come up with something that will stand on the same footing as Martin’s two Vida songs? And as every artist since time immemorial has discovered, the best move is to give your all to what you do best and then let time and the public provide the answers. In Martin’s case, his reaction was not to find something that will rival Livin’ La Vida Loca or La Copa de la Vida. It was to return to his roots, to record the kind of Spanish pop music that allows him to groove on the dance floor and to also emote with heart and soul.

Titled Almas del Silencio, which I think translates into Souls of Silence, it is his first Spanish album since Vuelve of five years ago. As his fans no doubt remember, Vuelve fuelled Martin’s staggering rise to the top with English and Spanish versions of La Copa de la Vida. Almas, however presents the pared down side of Ricky Martin. Of course, it has an obligatory dance hit in the making with the tongue-twisting Jaleo, but the top tracks in it are the ballads, most of them with acoustic arrangements and which Martin performs almost in a whisper.

This move works in the sense that Ricky acquired angst and depth as a performer. There is no way anymore that this guy will be dismissed as just another over-aged Menudo who can whip up a storm with a song and dance. Most daring among these because it leaves Ricky’s vocals almost bare with only a piano and strings in the background is Nadie Mas Que Tu. Quite sexy in an Enrique Iglesias kind of way are Tal Vez and Si Tu Te Vas. And there is Besos del Fuego, which is as hot and emotive as the title says.

I can’t find the name Robi Rosa in Martin’s album credits. The former Menudo was the producer and songwriter who worked with Ricky in his biggest selling albums with his no-fail combination of rock and dance and pulsating Spanish rhythms. I was very curious to find out what new beat or progression he was able to cook up again. But Ricky has other big names in Latin music helping him out particularly Alejandro Sanz who composed the title track and Emilio Estefan, Jr., who wrote and produced Jamas.

But Rosa or no Rosa, buyers now get a better deal buying a Ricky Martin CD. The kid has matured and it shows. He is a better singer who in fact looks even better than before. So get into the Spanish mood and enjoy this one.

The Ive Mendes sound

Still on Latin music but of a jazzy Brazilian variety this time. The artist is Ive Mendes and her self-titled album is her first international release. It looks like she will have to come up with another one in the near future and another and another. The trendy younger set, who want their sounds cooly seductive is quite taken with her music and will surely want more of the same as soon as possible.

Ive, who looks as beautiful and provocative as her songs, is of Spanish, French, Portuguese and Brazilian heritage. She was discovered by producer and guitarist Robin Millar who convinced her to spearhead the Nu-Brazil sound. This kind of languid jazz has recently become the rage in many parts of the world. Millar was responsible for Sade’s distinctive sound, which is a dominant force in the field of World Music. He is also the producer of Everything But the Girl and Fine Young Cannibals. In the case of Ive, Millar brought together the unique cosmopolitan charm of Sade with the easy pop-jazz sensibility of Everything But the Girl.

As a concession to the non-Portuguese speaking among us, Ive sings Chicago’s If You Leave Me Now and six cuts in English in the album. Despite the language used, there is no mistaking the fact that a husky-toned enchantress from Brazil is singing the songs. Some of the best cuts are Voce, Natural High, A Beira Mar, Lua and Night Night.

So if you like jazz and Latin music and if you like to be cool and seductive, Ive Mendes will provide the right sort of soundtrack for you.