Dejame Entrar
Colombian soap star-cum-singer Carlos Vives continues drawing from the  colorful palette ofvallenatowith 2001's sunny, unfailingly upbeat,  Grammy-winningDejame Entrar. True tovallenato's rich folk  tradition, accordion figures prominently, but the kaleidoscopic grocery list of  instruments in use also includes electric guitar, flute, piano, and quite  possibly a kitchen sink. Stylistically,son, merengue, and paseo rhythms  are all checked. Vives's pleasant, almost giddy voice--most often concerned with  expressions of love--infuses the material with a celebratory feel, and while his  tentative foray into English language lyrics on "Carito" makes a strong case for  sticking with Spanish, Vives nevertheless acquits himself well, particularly on  the vivid, call-to-arms anthem "Papadió." This is electrified Colombian  folk at its most electrifying.--Kim Hughes