Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 37

COURIER-POST, Thursday, November 16, 2000 5C THE eat Ricky Martin's sex appeal and music get audiences dancing mixed. "I was in Taiwan the other day, and someone called me 'the salsa he says. "I don't sing salsa! But part of my mission is to educate people to let them know about all the different cultures and lifestyles inside Latin America, beyond the cliches and stereotypes." Leila Cobo, LatinCaribbean bureau chief for Billboard, calls Martin "a good ambassador because he's truly bilin efiting a children's diabetes charity Carousel of Hope, Martin reveals the true secret of his success. "Everybody was stiffduring my first song or two," he says, grinning slyly. "And I thought, 'I am not leaving this stage until everyone is I only had five songs, but I made them like a tequila shot really pure and potent.

And at the end, everyone was dancing." gual and bicultural." Although Cobo had expected to hear more Spanish-language material on Martin's new project, she says he has been an asset to the Latin music community as its profile has risen. "He was in the right place at the right time, but he was also the right person because he's such a good performer." Describing a recent gig at an all-star Hollywood gala ben By ELYSA GARDNER Gannett News Service Ricky Martin is teaching me how to dance. The pop star is sitting on a sofa in his Manhattan hotel room, explaining how couples sway to salsa music in his native Puerto Rico. "You hold your partner," he says, raising and curving his arms to demonstrate. "Then she goes around you" his fingers make spiraling motions, and his hips move ever so slightly off the couch "and around you.

And at the end, she's in your arms." Martin sits up straight. "That's what I am," he says. "My culture is sensual. I'm not forcing it it's just something that flows, you know?" We know. Martin's sex appeal played a key role in establishing the 28-year-old singer at the forefront of a generation of Latino and Latina artists who have appealed to Anglo audiences by fusing Latin rhythms and textures with elements of rock, pop and Martin's 1999 self-titled English-language debut has sold 15 million copies worldwide almost half of that coming in the United States.

And bouncy hit singles such as "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "The Cup of Life," supported by Martin's hotblooded videos and electrifying live appearances, have made the Menudo alumnus a household name. With the CD Sound Loaded, arriving in stores Tuesday, is Martin facing pressure to Jazz CD maybe best of the best Whisper Not (ECM, 2 CDs) Keith JarrettGary PeacockJack DeJohnette. One especially bothersome thing about modern jazz is its apparent need to take perfectly good melodies especially on ballads and render them indistinguishable, as if the melo-dy existed only as a jumping-off place for players to display their improvisational chops. Whisper Not, Keith Jarrett's latest trio release, comes as a delightful surprise, given Jarrett's history as a fluid impro-viser. Here, he mines the melodies of beautiful ballads such as "Prelude to a Kiss" for all they're worth.

Jarrett, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette work in tight harmony, propelling the melodies and improvising to good effect on the up-tempo numbers on this twoCD set The result is one of the best jazz albums of the year, one that swings with passion and joy, and places the emphasis where it belongs in the ballads. 1 ST 0T? Ricky Martin's new CD offers more upbeat tunes '4 For information Visit the Web site www.ecmrecords.com for more information on 'Whisper Not' match or exceed that success? "Yes," he responds without hesitation. "But I'm very satisfied with my new album. I mean, I want to be humble, but I don't think we're going to sell 15 million this time." Martin pauses, then suddenly lunges forward and raises his voice markedly. "We're gonna sell 20 million!" He laughs.

"I don't know. But you have to be optimistic." The early signs are indeed positive. The album's driving first single, "She Bangs," has been embraced by a variety of commercial radio formats since its debut in September. "Certainly, 'She Bangs' got as good a reception as people could have hoped for," says Sean Ross, editor of radio magazine Airplay Monitor. "Many had felt that Ricky had already run his course, but it's clear that there's still a lot of excitement about him." The video for "She Bangs" also has made waves literally.

Martin learned to scuba-dive and sing underwater blowing bubbles," he notes) to shoot the aquatic extravaganza, set on and off the shore of Paradise Island's Atlantis Hotel and featuring a bevy of nubile babes. Amy Doyle, director of music and talent at MTV, calls the video "a great jolt of electricity," and her viewers agree: "She Bangs" has been among the most requested videos on MTV's Total Request Live since its premiere. VHl's audience has been similarly impressed; viewers have made Martin a three-time nominee for the My VH1 Music Awards, ailing Nov. 30. He is, not surprisingly, leading in the "Booty Shake" category.

Martin is keen, however, that he be recognized as more than just a pretty booty. "I've had two years since "Livin' la Vida Loca" to grow, to exchange ideas, and I think this album reflects that," he says. Martin is clearly uncomfortable discussing intimate aspects of his personal life. When asked if he is dating anyone, he tenses visibly. "Silence will tell," he says after a moment, smiling weakly.

So he prefers to keep his private affairs private? "Very. But the more I try to do that, the more people want to know." Martin's feelings about being the poster boy for contemporary Latin pop also are Lr 'M mtmr 1 By ELYSA GARDNER Gannett News Service When Ricky Martin shook his bon-bon at the 1999 Grammy Awards ceremony, he was deemed the catalyst for the Latin explosion. In truth, that outburst reflected how interest in Latin music and culture which had already influenced Anglos for years had reached a point of critical mass. If you believed the media hype, though, Martin was either the hombre whose broad shoulders would carry the future of Latin pop music, or a mannequin peddling watered-down salsa to the masses. But Martin himself always maintained he was neither.

His self-titled English-language debut, released last year, reflected both the singer's pride in his heritage and his enduring fascination with Anglo rock 'n' roll. With his new outing, Sound Loaded out of four), Martin continues in that vein but also tries to show more musical ambition and sophistication. Love songs such as the flamenco-laced "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" and "Come to Me," one of several tracks also featured in Spanish-language versions, are more nuanced than the power ballads on Ricky Martin. More upbeat tunes I' I vJ Ml TOWER RECORDS Top 10 1. (explicit), R.

Kelly 2. Dynasty: Roc La Fami-lia20OO, Jay-Z 3. All That You Can't Leave Behind, U2 4. Stankonia (explicit), Outkast 5. Charlie's Angels, Soundtrack 6.

Mark, Tom Travis Show, Blink-182 7. Chocolate Starfish Hot Dog Flavored Water, Limp Biz-kit 8. Greatist Hits, Lenny Kravitz 9. V.7 WJJZ Smooth Jazz, Various artists 10. Awake (explicit), Godsmack These are the top selling CDs and cassettes in the past week at Tower Records in Cherry Hill.

Titles in bold are new on the list this week. RICKY MARTIN among them the diiving single "She Bangs" and the delirious romp "If You Ever Saw Her" offer a rhythmic panache owing more to contemporary urban music than classic rock. There are also Middle Eastern accents and nods to jazz and swing. Martin is still not a great singer, and the slick production and often trite writing contributed by Desmond Child, Robi Rosa and others fail to match the dynamism of the star's live performances. But Martin's new sound is loaded with enough hooks and heart to ensure that fans won't be bidding him adios any time soon.

0w LYNSEY A DD4RI0 Associated P'ess Ricky Martin belts out his salsa sounds as a guest recently on the 'Today' show. Crossword Horoscope Bridge By JOYCE JILLSON Syndicated columnist By THOMAS JOSEPH monds and an unknown number of trumps. South's task was further complicated by his shortage of entries EjD SOUS A I I djejT MipIt I GpSjCOP I sit i ris'uVEIl'eIx East dealer. Neither side vulnerable NORTH 9643 T10 5 4 10 9 7 4A32 NE EiRlAISi to dummy. He could get to dummy easily enough initially by leading a club to the ace, but how could he EAST then lead a club toward the queen 875 and at the same time avoid two 872 diamond losers? 8 4 2 Declarer solved the problem 4 9 very neatly.

At trick two, he led FIAlDOCiU LiT WEST KQJ102 J96 K53 108 wi i jzQvv aIrStJhIog TiA'UE'SnE i i A IT A I -fC'EiD'E SOUTH A AKQ3 AQ6 4Q7654 Yesterday's answer 2 Swear 3 Moon of Jupiter 4 Computer peripheral 5 Burger 6 Frasier's brother 7 Everything 8 Tamerlane" writer 9 Bashful 11 Counterfeits 1 5 Frolic 17" Misbe- havin'" 18 Pad place 19 Merit the queen of diamonds! This unusual play proved highly effective. West took the queen with the king and returned the queen of spades, ruffed by declarer. South now played a club to North the ace and led the ten of dia-Pass monds, playing low from his hand 2 4 after East followed low. (It would 3 NT not have helped East to cover the 5 4 ten with the jack, since declarer The bidding: South East West 1 Pass Pass Pass 14 Dble 3 Pass Pass Pass Pass 44 31 Woods with woods 33 Scope 34 Philosopher Immanuel 35 Different 36 Altar promise 37 Cow chew 38 Finish 20 Nile biters 21 Mall unit 22 Head for the hanger 25 Create 26 Well-chilled 28 Walks nervously 30 Vestige ACROSS 1 Cronies 5 Alternative to buttons 10 Opposite of "sans" 11 Battle of April 1862 12 Fizzy quaff 13 Astronomer Edmund Tchaikovsky ballet 16 Junior, e.g. 20 Fall blooms 23 One-million link 24 "Jaws" threat 25 Collier 27 Plague 28 USC is in it 29 Slapstick staple 32 Low-cal snack 36 Pleistocene epoch 39 Exam type 40 Dolts 41 Camera part 42 Less common 43 Appointment DOWN 1 Ticket could return to dummy with the nine.) After the ten of diamonds held, declarer led a club from dummy, losing to East's king, and could not be stopped from taking the rest of the tricks.

It might seem odd that South was able to lead twice from dummy, even though he had only one entry, but his extraordinary play at trick two was what made the feat possible. A little ingenuity sometimes helps a lot. Opening lead king of spades. Here is an exceptionally well-played hand. South got to five clubs as shown, and West led the king of spades.

Declarer had quite a difficult problem to solve. To make the he had to hold his losses one trump trick and one diamond trick. This was certainly not in easy assignment, since his possible losers, if everything went ATong, were one heart, two dia- dependence; a teen is relying on you. A newcomer's impressive credentials should be double-checked. An evening at home is cozy, romantic and economical.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Pos-sessiveness and jealousy could come into the picture unless you are extra conscientious. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, and you will see the results from your work over the past few weeks.

Your bout with authorities will be over. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You know how to keep people motivated; don't hesitate to be the leader when no one else steps up to the plate.

A romance with someone younger may cool just as rapidly as it heats up. Calm your nerves with aroma therapy tonight. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).

Your personal life perks up when you get to know someone at work a little better. Hold your own with a nosy neighbor; don't be pushed around. Strong feelings should be given a hearing. Your hunches deserve attention. SAGITTARIUS (Nov.

22-Dec. 21). This is a day of simple pleasures. People who don't call you back are truly overwhelmed; don't take it personally. Skip going out of your way, and allow others to come to you; visitors are definitely in the picture.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Change is inevitable and will benefit you. Drama takes too much energy; focus on living a life of ease.

People you meet give you inspiration and encouragement. All communications are lucky, so make those overdue phone calls. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18).

Stop expecting so much of yourself. Make a few changes gradually. Be cautious in money matters; you may not have as much as you think you have. A little giving in or letting go may be in order. You'll overlook minor details.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Intimacy and freedom are conflicting forces today. Be the teacher, but don't lord yourself over others. PhilHrpn npfd to talk tn von make time.

A loved one encourages you to audition or compete in the aits. Go for the glory of it. C'eator's Syndicate The early day is ruled by the Cancer moon, but watch out when a shift in the afternoon puts Leo in charge of lunar energy! A penchant for the dramatic is accentuated, but under the current Scorpio solar influence, the action centers around meaningful core issues. Scorpio's sting comes when we're faced with unforgettable truths that we'd rather forget. TODAY'S BIKTHDAY Going for what you want launches a long journey filled with surprises.

Finish a project and tie up loose ends; you are brilliant. Get out of a romantic hassle, and you'll finally find tine love. Singles will make soul connections in January. You find that a little extra money eases many stresses on your relationship. Your lucky love signs are Libra and Gemini.

Your lucky numbers are: 15, 35, 29. 18 and 3. ARIES (March 21-April 19). New influences step into your life. Let people prove themselves before buying into every claim.

Seek people who reflect inner peace and self love. Money comes without you asking for it. By appearing calm, you will get a better deal. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your love life gets complicated.

Consult with a close friend. Reward humor and ingenuity, but pay no attention to drama for its own sake. You and a close friend have been avoiding a necessary talk. Face your conflicts head on. GEMINI (May 21-June 21).

You exude power. You can use your influence to finagle a date with that hard-to-reach someone. Your confidence increases when you take adventurous love actions. Financial goals are closer, it helps to forge associations in business. CANCER (June 22-July 22).

Someone is getting weary of waiting for you to make a decision. Tackle tough issues; actions speak louder than words. Productivity is the way to your boss' heart; work will prove itself lucky. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).

Amateur endeavors are rewarding. Children are burning to assert their in Tomorrow: Test your play 2000 King Features Syndicate Inc. Cryptoquote 1 2 3 4 '15 6 7 6 9 12 T3 ittziLlICIZI 'ib 17 18 19 Tt nil 29 31 1 -irz 33 34 05 rirrcnMmii'-m Win 1 imnM 36 37 66 39 40 1 4l 1 Hr TVF SL VZGVJNRQ LR FR TMNV FEJF OEVZ OV ARKV FR GMV VNVZ FEV SZGVQFJHVQ OMTT CV LRQQX. KJQH FOJMZ Yesterday's Cryptoquote: THOUGH A MOTHER GIVES BIRTH TO NINE SONS. ALL NINE WILL BE CHINESE PROVERB 11.1c For answers to today's crossword, call 1-900-454-7377! 99c per minute, touch-tone'rotary phones.

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