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Como Ama una Mujer

by Jennifer Lopez

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Through the course of Como Ama Una Mujer, the first full-blown collection of Spanish-language tunes from multicultural diva Jennifer Lopez, we keep waiting for it to happen. A sweltering, hands-in-the-air dance anthem--the kind that made Lopez a superstar. Alas, the club beats never materialize: not even a soul-diva shimmy. The closest Lopez comes to is midtempo first single "Que Hiciste." (Seek out the pulsing, reggaeton-flavored remix for maximum dance floor fabulousness.) What we get here is a surprisingly solid collection of elegant ballads and rock-flavored tunes that showcase new vocal strengths and surprising lyrical maturity. Producers Marc Anthony, Estefano and Julio Reyes give Lopez the gloss without overpowing her, a key element to the disc's success. La Lopez recycles one track from 2005's Rebirth, "(Can't Believe) This Is Me," which pops up here as the superior "Porque te Marchas." The disc's second half is a sweeping, often gorgeous, stream of romantic consciousness, starting with the lovely "Tu" and gliding through the gently chugging "Sola." And the beautiful closing track "Adios" is a standout, pairing Lopez's lilting vocals with a gentle string arrangement and a rousing chorus of voices. A sterling achievement from a diva whose talent is just beginning to blossom. --Joey Guerra