Album includes collaborations with Shakira, Juanes, Calle 13, and Alex Gonzalez. Production contributions by Thom Russo (Audioslave, Macy Gray, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, and Mana).This ambitious, 10-track CD by the Spanish vocalist/composer Alejandro Sanz translates into English as The Train of Moments. Sanz's Andalusian-aired, flamenco-flavored vocals are backed by co-producer Lulo Perez's evocative synth arrangements and urban beats--with the help of Mana drummer, Alex Gonzalez, and Ketama vocalist Antonio Carmona--and other hip collaborations. Sanz teams up with Shakira on the spare, Brazilianized track "Te lo Agradezco, Pero No" and mixes it up with the rap duo Calle 13 and guitarist Juanes on the hip-hop/reggaeton-friendly ode to female seduction "La Peleita." The martial and moody video single "A la Primera Persona" contrasts with the rock-ish "Se Molestan" and the jazz-tinged piano chords on "Donde Convergemos." Sanz has been a pan-Latino powerhouse for over 15 years, and this recording will no doubt solidify and expand his position in that pantheon. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
