Almas del Silencio

AMG Review of Almas del Silencio

John Bush
All Music Guide

Similar to jazz artists, Latin pop singers can move back and forth between audiences, exploring new terrain with a crossover album and then returning home to the faithful with a more traditional date. Almas del Silencio, Ricky Martin's first Spanish record in five years, actually offers something for all of his widely varying audiences, from Jalisco to Hartford. The opener "Jaleo" is a kitchen-sink performance, boasting Spanish guitar but also a few biting metal chords, a deep bottom end for dance fans, and a yearning, romantic vocal. The single "Tal Vez" is pure allad territory, with an army of strings and Martin struggling to pull off a histrionic performance. He breaks out with some subtle vocal feats on the digital-age Emilio Estefan, Jr. production "Jamas," and also sounds great during the other dance track, Besos de Fuego." There's something here for everyone.