A Corazon Abierto  (Audio CD) 
by Alejandro Fernandez

Ranchera heartthrob Alejandro Fernandez polishes up his sound on A Corazon Abierto, his first pop album since 2000's Entre Tus Brazos. That effort was marred by Emilio Estefan's bland production and repetitive instrumentation, but Fernandez diversifies on Corazon, enlisting the help of Aureo Baqueiro (Sin Bandera, Aleks Syntek) and Kike Santander, producer of choice for a dazzling roster of artists, including Thalia, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, and David Bisbal. They wrap Fernandez's swoon-inducing voice in lush instrumentation, veering from somber ballads ("Para Vivir," "Me Dedique a Perderte") to galloping uptempo tracks ("Se Va," "Canta Corazon"). Fernandez's mariachi sensibilities have often been muzzled during his pop-flavored outings, but the flamenco-guitar flourishes and blaring horns actually seem to play up his trademark sound and style. It makes for a confident collection that cleverly straddles both genres and makes the most of Fernandez's sexy--and often thrilling--voice. --Joey Guerra