Reuters - Do not think Ricky Martin's
hip-hop-tinged single "I Don't Care" fully represents his first
English-language album in five years. "Life" is a melange of
styles, with hip-hop, reggaeton and dance ("Drop It on Me"
features Daddy Yankee and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas) sharing
space with world beats (Middle Eastern strains in "'Til I Get
to You" and "I Won't Desert You") and straight-ahead pop (the
ballad "Stop Time Tonight"). What you will not hear is anything
that sounds remotely like "Livin' La Vida Loca." The uptempo
tracks like "This Is Good" are full of percussion but pile on
layers of instrumentation for a lusher, highly produced and
intriguing mix. "Life" grows on you while managing to be
entirely entertaining. If some of it does not sound like
Martin, it is because his singing is often too far back in the
mix, a mistake for a voice that is so distinctive, if not
extraordinary.{br}{br}View the Entire Article{br}{br}Click Here to Launch in a new Window