Marking time

Enrique Iglesias and Toni Braxton have new albums in the market, and they’re out to prove that they’re still creating relevant, appealing music. Appealing isn’t a problem, as the quality of the tracks found on these two CDs speak for themselves. The bigger question would have to do with relevance, and just how far sheer quality can take them. For those who are fans of these two artists, these CDs are a must.

Enrique Iglesias — Euphoria (MCA Music, Inc.) Sun-drenched, and reiterating his claim as one of music’s perennial heartthrobs, just like his father Julio; Euphoria is Enrique Iglesias’ new CD. This time, he’s recruited a number of guest musicians, all part of the plan to change the feel of his music, and to bring him closer to today’s younger music fans . Usher, Akon, Pitbull, Nicole of Pussycat Dolls, Juan Luis Guerra are just some of the contemporary artists who collaborate on the numbers to be found on this album. The tracks with Nicole and Akon work better in my estimation. Several songs are sung in Spanish, and I can only hope it helps achieve broader appeal. I have an issue about Enrique’s voice on this CD though, pitched too high on some tracks.

Toni Braxton — Pulse (Atlantic/Warner) It’s been five years, and six Grammys, since Toni’s last studio album and that she’s managed to stay in the news (via Dancing with the Stars, and her awareness campaign for autism, stimulated by the fact that her son suffers the condition), it’s good to find her in the news  because of her music. Her low, smoky delivery was always something to look forward to, a unique female recording star’s voice. Slow jams, dance tracks, and ballads make up the tracks on this new CD; and as with the opener, Yesterday, with Trey Songz, the outstanding quality of the songwriting and singing sets this CD apart. What may hold it back though, is that, at heart, it is a brand of music that dates back to the ’90s, and I wonder if it’ll find a wide enough audience.