Siempre Selena
Slain Tejano star Selena's second posthumous album surveys a hodgepodge of the singer's early material, which comes gorgeously packaged in a sleek snap case. It's a nice addition for the collections of loyal fans, but new listeners should stick with one of Selena's better-assembled retrospectives. Most of the songs here just don't measure up to Selena's stellar work on later recordings, such asVen ComigoandAmor Prohibido. Remixed versions of pop ditties "Only Love," "A Million to One," and "No Queiro Saber" are expectedly slight. The exception is "Siempre Hace Frio," an exquisite mariachi ballad originally recorded for use in the movieDon Juan de Marco. Selena, who appeared in the film, was nursing a sore throat the day of recording, which adds a painful layer of emotion to her delivery.--Joey Guerra