Musica,Alma,Sexo MAS

Sony Music Latin/iTunes

9.99; rating:

Year 1998 was Ricky Martins girls were taking their tops off and dancing in the rain to Latin pop. If all goes well,Martin will have men out on the streets this year with his ninth studio album MusicaAlmaSexo MAS; his first since publicly announcing his homosexuality. MAS contains 13 tracks,both in English and Spanish,which burst with high-voltage energy. Joss Stone makes a guest appearances in The best thing about me is you,which is a little corny and rather prudish by Martins scandalously sexy standards. The Spanish version,Lo mejor de mi vida eres tu with Natalia Jimenez,however,reveals better chemistry and soothing vocals.

The rest of the album is a combination of Martins spunky,dance-inducing club beats interspersed with messages of tolerance and brotherhood. Tracks Mas,Frio and No te miento are reminiscent of his tailfeather-shaking days,while Basta ya and Shine showcase soft vocals in pop-rock ballads. Sera sera could be a peppy dance anthem for gay pride and a call for support,respect,freedom. Martin bares his soul,evident in the lyrics,and is not afraid to dabble in electronica and new-wave pop.