Ricky Martin

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin's self-titled first English-language album is a triumph of an omnivorous world-pop sensibility--but more important is that at its best, it's a real kick. The first single, "Livin' la Vida Loca", employs a revved-up ska tempo to praise a girl whose "lips are devil red [and] skin's the color of mocha." Martin is no less irresistible on the disc's other uptempo numbers, such as "Spanish Eyes", "The Cup of Life" (the 1998 World Cup theme which with he stole the Grammy telecast a few months before this CD's release), and the Soul Coughing-indebted "Shake Your Bon Bon". Ricky Martin loses momentum with its draggier ballads--even the much-touted Madonna duet, "Be Careful (Cuidade con Mi Corazon)", doesn't spark--but overall, it deserves its inevitable multiplatinum success. --Rickey Wright

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Description
The statement may raise a few eyebrows, but this ex-Menudo hunk has come up a stunner of an album. A track like "Livin'La Vida Loca" makes a seamless amalgam of Pan-Americana in which surf guitars, electronica, and Mariachi horns rock together in fine form, and its Spanglish chorus feels as ordinary a pop hook as any other. Much of the album's appeal lies in the fact that it makes a booty-shakin' piece of art of North America's sometimes divisive bilingual reality. "The CupOf Life", with its Carnaval-esque splendour, gathers a gooddeal of steam. "Shake Your Bon-Bon" and "Maria" do more of the same, while "She's All I Ever Had" and "Be Careful" takeit more sweet 'n mellow. Subtle yet urgent, the latter track has the one and only Madonna adding heat to the pot, with English and Spanish pleading that twists into a fiery doublehelix with Ricky's soft crooning.

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Customer reviews

review by: liquiddreams1981 date: 2003-12-28 rating:
Simply Fantastic
Ricky Martin's first english language album was probably the album that started the explosin in Latin Music in the late 90's and what an album it is. It starts off superbly with 'Livin' La Vida Loca' which is still one of the best latin/dance tracks ever released and sounds just as fresh now as it did then. Anybody expecting the album to be full of songs in the same style as 'Livin' La Vida Loca' may at first find themselves a little disapointed as there are lot of ballads and mid-tempo tracks also present but all of these are done very well. My favourites being 'Private Emotion' and 'She's All I Ever Had'. Strangely, the only track on the album i don't really like is 'Be Careful' his duet with Madonna which just sounds out of place.
Otherwise, it's a stunning album.

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review by: date: 2001-06-01 rating:
An amazing display of talent
Ricky Martin's first English-language album is a very endearing collection of songs that are distinctive enough to make him a star in his own right. Some of the songs have been included in English and Spanish, but both versions of such songs are just as listenable.

Although 'Livin' La Vida Loca' is the song that most people recognise on this album, there are others worth listening to, including the beautiful ballad 'Private Emotion' with Meja (who had previously released a song called 'All 'Bout The Money').

Admittedly some of its punch may have been lost with the release of 'Sound Loaded', but this is still a good place to get into Martin-mania if you are curious.

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review by: date: 2000-06-28 rating:
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!
This album really surpised me. It's like a modern Gloria Estefan. The track with Madonna is a pleasant surprise. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, I've listened to it over and over again, pure genius!

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review by: date: 2000-03-02 rating:
Absolute masterpiece!
This album is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best things i have ever heard. Not only do i fantasise about Ricky Martin every night, but i also like his music. I would like to get in touch with other ppl who love ricky!


review by: date: 2000-03-01 rating:
Enough style to make you wanna shake your bon-bon!
A phenomonal first English album from our Ricky! Our Latin loverboy proves his talent in all tempos -ranging from upbeat Latin vibes to more sombre, sensual tunes. The surprise duet with Madonna captures the complete buzz of this whole collection! The music will raise your pulse and your mood.

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Similar categories

Music . Styles . World & Folk . Cuban & Latin
Music . Styles . Pop . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . Pop . Dance Pop . General AAS
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album

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