Sunday, May 9, 1999

Ricky martin gets all-star support

Hopes are high for the English-language debut of Ricky Martin, a highly successful Latin solo artist with sales of more than 15 million albums worldwide.

But if any one thing paved the way for this particular release, which hits stores Tuesday, it was Martin's riveting performance at this year's Grammys, when he sang The Cup Of Life, the official song of World Cup '98.

Now upping the ante for this 14-track collection is the last-minute inclusion of a high profile duet with Madonna on Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazon). The song was recorded after The Material Girl clearly liked what she saw on Grammy night.

Frankly, the pretty, slow-tempo, techno-flavoured number is anti-climactic compared to the zestier, livelier cuts of Latino-infused dance songs, which are Martin's obvious strengths here.

Among the standouts are the jump-and-jive first single, Livin' La Vida Loca (both English and Spanish versions), Spanish Eyes, Shake Your Bon-Bon (not as bad as it sounds), Love You For A Day, The Cup Of Life and Maria.

Stick to the uptempo material instead of the slightly schmaltzy power ballads like She's All I Ever Had, co-written by the similarly smooth Jon Secada, I Am Made Of You, Private Emotion (with Swedish diva Meja), You Stay With Me and I Count The Minutes. The last two were both written by starmaker and songwriter Diane Warren.

Certainly Martin, a one-time Menudo member, was given a major opportunity to shine here, working with an impressive list of producers over a two-year period. Among his collaborators were Emilio Estefan, who propelled wife-singer Gloria to an English crossover years ago, and William Orbit (Madonna's Ray Of Light).

If he falls down anywhere, it's in his sometimes questionable choice of material.

Martin is also first out of the block in terms of Latino artists hoping to have big English-language albums this year. That list includes Enrique Iglesias, son of Julio, and actress Jennifer Lopez.

Track Listing 1. Livin' La Vida Loca (4.03) 2. Spanish Eyes (4.05) 3. She's All I Ever Had (4.55) 4. Shake Your Bon-Bon (3.12) 5. Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazon) (4.04) 6. I Am Made Of You (4.38) 7. Love You For A Day (3.46) 8. Private Emotion (4.02) 9. The Cup Of Life [Spanglish Radio Edit] (4.39) 10. You Stay With Me (4.12) 11. Livin' La Vida Loca [Spanish Version] (4.04) 12. I Count The Minutes (4.18) 13. Bella (She's All I Ever Had) (4.56) 14. Maria [Spanglish Radio Edit] (4.31)		Album rating Rate Ricky Martin's self-titled album 0 1 2 3 4 5 Results