Almas Del Silencio
Being a pop icon is nothing new to the Grammy-winning,  Puerto Rican  singer/actor Ricky Martin. He was a child star with the '80s kid group  Menudo. And he was a regular on the soap operaGeneral Hospital. But he hit  the big time in 1999 with his smash Anglo hitLivin’ la Vida Loca. On his new CD, Martin returns  to his Hispanic roots with this zesty Spanish language release, which translates asSouls of Silence. Backed by poetic and pulsating  string/synth/horn production from Tommy Torres, George Noriega, Emilo Estefan  and Stefano, this effort comes with all of Martin's grand moods and grooves.  The fiery, flamenco-flavored "Jaleo" is rendered in Latin pop and hip-hop,  Spanglish versions. Both takes, along with the equally danceable numbers  like "Besos de Fuego," are designed to move your bon bon. But  Martin'sboleroballads "Tal Vez," the title track, penned by theotherLatin star Alejandro Sanz, and Ricardo Arjona's "Assignatura  Pendiente" show that Martin can sing for the heart and the hips. With this  effort, Ricky Martin moves into Celine Dion territory and may be able to  keep his loyal Latino dance/ pop fans while making new ones in the adult  contemporary market.--Eugene Holley, Jr.