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The Remixes

by Shakira

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Even with the astonishing success of Colombian rock star Shakira's 1996 breakthrough Pies Descalzos, the release of this remix set merely a year later seems premature. Still, it is notable for a few reasons. Shakira's edgy, pleading delivery on the tracks "Estoy Aqui," "Un Poco de Amor," and "Donde Estas Corazon" translates well for the dance market. Remixers Meme, Pablo Flores, and Javier Garza surround the singer with pulsing glitter-ball rhythms that play up the desperate lovelorn lyrics. The Remixes also includes Portuguese versions of a few songs to appease Shakira's ever-expanding global audience; she handles the translations well. This is a nice gem for ardent fans and club bunnies, but it would have been smarter to wait until after the release of Shakira's second full-length, Donde Estan Los Ladrones, to allow for a wider selection of material. --Joey Guerra