Otro Lado De Mi
Struggle and success have energized Colombian singer-songwriter Soraya. She chronicled her life-threatening battle with breast cancer via a 2003 self-titled disc, which yielded the No. 1 pop hit "Casi" and earned her a Latin Grammy.El Otro Lado de Mi, the vibrant follow-up, finds Soraya spreading her musical wings and exploring deeper, more complex sounds. She traveled to Colombia to make the record, and the result is a batch of colorful rhythms and arrangements. It's all anchored by highly personal songwriting and a crunchy rock instrumentation that frames many of the album's 12 tracks. Traditional Colombian guitars and heavy percussion mark many of the album's best moments, including "Ser," "Llevame" (also featured in English), and the spirited title cut. "Alma de la Calle" is the poignant story of a real-life, award-winning poet who shines shoes on the streets of Bogota. The song is indicative of Soraya's thoughtful approach to music: It's not just creative expression, but a living, breathing entity within her soul.--Joey Guerra