LATIN
Since her English-language debut, 2001's Laundry Service, sold 13 million copies worldwide, international star Shakira has grown more committed to being a bilingual artist. In fact, this year the Colombian singer will release two discs: one in Spanish (Fijación Oral Volumen 1, out June 7) and one in English (the sequel Oral Fixation Volume 2, due in November). Although Shakira returns to singing and writing in her native tongue on Fijación Oral—a disc that will no doubt satisfy her legions of Spanish-speaking fans—she broadens her musical horizons beyond the usual Latin-pop fare. In addition to bringing a rock edge to tracks like the punk-spiked "Escondite Inglés," she dabbles in electronica-infused dance (on "Las de L'Intuición"), breezy French-style pop (on "En Tus Pupilas") and bossa-nova-inflected lounge music (on "Obetener Un Si"). On this CD's hip-shaking highlight, "La Tortura," Shakira employs dancehall rhythms, accordion and the services of Spanish star Alejandro Sanz (on vocals and the Cuban tres guitar) for a duet that is muy, muy steamy. Somewhere Ricky Martin must be kicking himself in the bonbon that she didn't ask him.
DOWNLOAD THIS: "La Tortura"
