IGLESIAS. His smoldering good looks and Latino sensibility add zing and sizzle to his bump-and-grind repertoire.
Enrique Iglesias is hailed by Billboard as the King of Latin Pop—with good reason: The youngest son of crooner Julio Iglesias and Filipina socialite Isabel Preysler has produced 24 No. 1 Spanish-language singles so far on the magazine’s Hot Latin Tracks. His latest bilingual release, “Sex and Love,” is expected to boost that impressive haul further.
Like 2010’s “Euphoria,” Iglesias’ 10th studio album enlists the help of Niles Dhar of The Cataracs to “youthen” his repertoire by way of hip-hop and EDM as the performer gears up for his 40th birthday next year.
Those two genres attract the record-buying crowd, that’s for sure—but, there’s no denying that Enrique’s smoldering good looks and Latino sensibility add zing and sizzle to his bump-and-grind repertoire.
Never mind the singer’s sexual exhortations in “Turn The Night Up” that he wants to “get nasty,” we’ve heard that line many times before. —What’s more notable about the track are the inescapable hooks that make its racy message and sugar-coated sleaze seem like an afterthought.
Iglesias is well aware that his guest collaborators add spice to his hybrid of genres: For music buffs who like “Bailamos,” “Bailando” puts an irresistible twist on its Jamaican dancehall roots, courtesy of Cuban singer Descemer Bueno and reggaeton trio Gente de Zona.
The closest Enrique gets to tugging at listeners’ heartstrings is via “Loco,” his guitar-driven duet with Spanish songstress India Martinez, followed by “El Perdedor,” with Mexican musician Marco Antonio Solis.
Even more idiosyncratic is the alluring single, “Beautiful,” sung with Kylie Minogue—whose harmonies build up, ebb and flow like honey!
“Sex and Love’s” biggest draws are its dance anthems, particularly the performer’s sing-and-rap scorchers with deep-voiced Pitbull (“I’m A Freak,” “Let Me Be Your Lover,” “I Like How It Feels”)—it’s an unlikely match made in dance floor heaven.
And, in “Physical,” “American Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez also gets into the groove when she lets Iglesias “ignite the flame…and kiss the pain away.” True, the lyrics may not be all that original—but, wait till you hear the slick and slithery riffs that gorgeously back them up!
CONNICK. His 30th album is his most accessible in years
Harry Connick Jr.
Harry Connick Jr., “American Idol’s” new resident “villain,” doesn’t pepper his critiques with laughter-inducing adjectives, the way Simon Cowell did—which made the latter’s verbal assaults easier to bear.
On the other hand, the crooner’s notes are spot-on, and he doesn’t care if he gets booed for them! He said he wasn’t hired to boost the contestants’ egos—that is mentor Randy Jackson’s job.
During “Idol’s” Top 11 Results episode last week, Harry performed a medley of his hit songs, “Come By Me” and “One Fine Thing.” The toe-tapping latter tune is included in the compilation, “Every Man Should Know”—his latest and most accessible album in years.
This is great news for the followers of Connick, who’s been “commercially” compromised by atonal tunes and hard-to-follow melodies lately.
His 30th collection has something for everyone: Jazz (“Being Alone,” “Let Me Stay”), country (“Greatest Love Story,” “Love My Life Away”), gospel (“Friend”), rhythm and blues (“Come See About Me”), pop (“You’ve Got It”), Latin jazz (“I Love Her”) and rousing blues, “One Fine Thing” and “S’pposed To Be.”
Harry may not be as ubiquitous as his pop music counterparts—but, unknown to many, he has 10 No. 1 jazz recordings to his name—and more chart-topping albums than any other artist in US jazz-chart history!