Album Reviews

Shakira

'She Wolf'

(SonyBMG)

Colombian superstar Shakira is back with her third English-language album filled with Latin-infused electronic tracks. The title track ``She Wolf" offers hip disco beats and wolf howling, but oddly enough it works. Shakira's voice goes from falsetto to throaty growls, creating songs with multilayered vocal tracks.

The Neptunes produced several songs, including ``Did It Again" and ``Long Time" with its thumping Latin beats, while Wyclef Jean worked on their duet ``Spy." The 32-year-old made some risky choices in her attempt to break away from her pop-rock image, but it paid off. Overall, ``She Wolf" offers fresh and innovative music that stands out from the rest of the pack.

―Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Mercedes Sosa

'Cantora'

Legendary Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa died of kidney and liver failure on Oct. 4, but her music legacy lives on. ``Cantora," which means ``woman singer" in Spanish, is Sosa's last album. It is filled with collaborations with Latin musicians from different genres, including pop, rock and tango.

Sosa's voice is powerful and expressive, even at 74. She sings with both old friends and well-known stars, such as Joan Manuel Serrat on ``Aquellos pequenas cosas" and Shakira on ``La Maza". ``Cancion Para un Nino en la Calle," (Song for a Street Kid) is a brilliant collaboration, combining Rene Perez's rapping with Sosa's singing. Another good duet is ``Razon de vivir" with Lila Downs. This amazing collection of collaborations ensures Sosa's career ended on a high note.

Lang Lang, Vadim Repin, Mischa Maisky

"Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov Piano Trios"

Deutsche Grammophon

International piano sensation Lang Lang has teamed up with two greats of the violin and cello, Vadim Repin and Mischa Maisky, respectively, to create his first-ever chamber music recording.

The young pianist Lang Lang, known for his flamboyant interpretation, and the two charismatic soloists, counterpoint and complement one another to bring vim and vigor to the Russian romanticism of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov.

The piano trios are marked by a constant push and pull; the string masters question and answer Lang's declarative chords but also know when to tone it down, ultimately achieving a bright balancing contrast.

―Lee Hyo-won