the talents of an established master like Placido Domingo. Culled from his albums De mi alma Latina ("From My Latin Soul") (volumes 1 and 2) and Be My Love , this collection ably finds the common ground between Hollywood and La Scala, and wends its way through a Latin-inflected romantic songbook that stretches from Rome to Rio. Whether mining the sentiments of filmdom's Francis Lai ("Love Story") and Maurice Jarre ("Somewhere My Love") or pop standards like Bert Kaempfert's "Spanish Eyes" and "Somewhere over the Rainbow," Domingo infuses them all with a grace and drama that belie the sometimes overly precious arrangements that back his efforts. The singer has aimed for timelessness here, and largely hit the mark. --Jerry McCulley  (less)

featured. Spanish Soul has a definite Spanish flavor, but it also includes jazz stylings such as Sweet Samba & Anniversary Song, Middle Eastern melodies such as Aya Sofia & Mediterranean Nights and Rhythm and Blues tunes such as Little Buddha. In addition there are quite a few tunes that will fit the in between categories. The 1st Track Malaguea is a fresh new dance version of the original Spanish Malaguea. The Title Track Spanish Soul is a romantic Ballad with the warm sounds of the Flugel Horn. El Camino Real combines the Rumba Flamenca rhythms with a Samba rhythm track while Serenade is a pure Guitar Jazz ballad that features a duet of the Spanish nylon string guitar and the warm sounds of a Gibson ES-175. The remix of Today & Tomorrow now starts as a Blues Ba...  (less)

of Your Smile/There's A Kind Of A Hush/Love, This Is My Song/Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You/Two Different Worlds/Winter World Of Love/Am I That Easy To Forget/What A Wonderful World.  (less)

Meyer (G), Dionys Breukers (K) Frank Van Der Kooy (Sax), Pieter Bast (D), John Atkinson (V)  (less)

and even death, find their expression in these songs. Joe, who looks to his Italian heritage for inspiration, composed most of the pieces with others taken from the world of Italian opera, a Spanish love song and a Jobim classic. Duende is a marvelous selection of moods, melodies and musical magic: a highly emotional and deeply moving album.  (less)

city's timeless mystique makes it the perfect setting for director Woody Allen's newest film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a breezy romantic comedy starring Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson. The film's eclectic mix of music reflects the storyline's passionate yet lighthearted tone. The bouncy, Spanish-sung title song, "Barcelona," was written and recorded by Giulia y los Tellarini, a little-known indie band from Barcelona. As might be expected from a collection of Spanish music, instrumental guitar pieces make up the lion's share of the soundtrack.  (less)

There are some clear parallels between Groban's debut and this Frangoulis release, but some distinctive differences as well. While Groban coated his slick, David Foster-molded pop sense with a veneer of classical respectability, Frangoulis has effectively turned the formula inside out. With similar classical training--but a few crucial years of experience on his American rival--Frangoulis treats the classics reverently but not slavishly, with the title track effectively turning an aria from Puccini's Tosca into romantic Europop. Elsewhere, the international flavor is further expanded by three melody-rich songs ("Hijo de la Luna," "La Luna de Valencia," and "Naturaleza Muerta") by Spanish singer-songwriter Jose Maria Cano and a ...  (less)

variety and popular appeal. Yet the predominantly slow songs induce a certain monotony, and Mozart and Menotti, Brahms and Broadway musicals make strange stylistic bedfellows. However, many gems stand out in the mix: the two Brahms songs with viola, in which the renowned Yuri Bashmet is unfortunately almost inaudible; two Schubert Cradle Songs , one famous, one unknown; several enchanting Spanish songs; a Haydn arrangement of a Welsh lullaby better known as "All through the Night"; a lovely romantic song by Zemlinsky; and a lush, soaring one by Miguel Kertsman written for Kirchschlager and just right for her expressively inflected voice. She identifies with every idiom and pours so much care and affection into ...  (less)

voice wringing pure pop emotion out of every last note. Songs such as "Tres Palabras," "Para Que la Vida," and "Mentiroso" (the album's first single, also featured in a mariachi version) are unashamedly romantic, and Iglesias works the heartbreak angle to good effect. He picks up the pace on "La Chica de Ayer," "Marta," and "Pienso en Tí," one of the album's best tracks, which veers effortlessly between tempos. The touching title track finds Iglesias musing on the reasons he and his superstar father have drifted apart. It's an unexpectedly vulnerable moment. --Joey Guerra  (less)

silk, and charismatic feminine mystique, Durcal enchants audiences with romantic pop songs, ballads, and Mexican ranchera. Here on Entre Tangos Y Mariachi ["Between Tangos and Mariachi"], the silvery-voiced siren emotes the classic hits of well-known Argentinean composers in the torch song hybrid tradition of bolero rancheras. Accompanied by a Mexican rhythm section and the Symphonic Orchestra of London, Durcal soars through the arrangements of noted producer Bebu Silvetti, with whom she has worked on previous outings. Elegant, romantic, and swelling, Entre Tangos Y Mariachi sets the stage for a ballroom of crystal chandeliers, sophisticated cocktails, and whispered seduction, as finely turned out couples dance cheek to cheek, breast to breast. --Paige La Grone  (less)