The Monitor from McAllen, Texas • 49

Friday, February 27, 1998 THE MONITOR, McAllen, Texas SF Ricky Martin, John Lennon return to form with Ricky Martin has a new production that is sure to jolt the music industry. Vibrant, charm ing, alluring, sexy, kind, handsome, talented and intriguing are just some of the isdjeclives that brj have been u.vd to describe Ricky. I like to think of him as VILMA MALDONADO pa'sote. Vuelve, his new album, is creative history, and "Vuelve," the single off that album, has audiences just as much as the telenovela, Sin T((ior bich "Vuelve" is the theme scr?) ca Univision. The hook is instant and unforgettable, the lyrics romantic.

Of the 13 Copa de la Vida," (pre and written by Robi ovj Desmond Child) stands out. It will be the theme soh i t' 3 upcoming World Cup soccer games from France. The album was mas: produced by Robi of the international "Maria," and K.C. Por' artful composer. The is seamless.

A Medio Vivir, Ricky's album, reached si exceeded 3 million cC; wide. Hey! If the Volkswr Beetle can make a big back in the Ws, so c-J ia The Beatles' legendary works. Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon is the definitive collection of Lennon's greatest solo work. It was released Tuesday, Feb. 24, by EMI-Capitol Entertainment Properties.

Spanning the whole of his solo career, the album has 20 digitally re-mastered tracks and, for the first time, includes all of his United Kingdom and United States chart singles on one CD. Lennon Legend is the only Lennon best-of compilation currently available on CD, produced with the full cooperation 1 "I new albums on Forbidden Doors" by Enigma, "Barcelona Nights" by Ottmar Liebert, "Montezuma" by Cusco, "Dawa (Cradle Song)" by Sacred Spirits, and "Midnight Express" by Neal Schon. The original soundtrack IV the film Chinese Box is also available. Gifted filmmaker Wayne Wang frames an intimate tale of love and loss in the raucous hand-over of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule. Jeremy Irons plays a star-crossed writer who finds him-, 6elf dying of a rare disease and the effects of his unrequited love for a former Chinese prostitute, played by the amazing Gong Li.

As their relationship smolders. Irons decides to capture the tumult of the city on video and paper, and is pulled deeper into the living contradictions that define the mystery of I lor 2 Kong, The mysteries of Hong Kong come across in visual and aural images, and those sounds are captured on this new soundtrack on Metro The strong musical theme, by Graeme Revell, features the popular Chinese vocalist Dadawa. Other Hong Kong pop standards include a mix of oldies (Screamin' Jay Hawkings, Marlene Die) and various atmospheric source tunes. Ruben Cladcs, who plays a pivotal role as Iron's friend, sings Ry Cooder's "Borderline," which he also performs in the film. Chinese Box will be released in United Slates in Marchi jllasta Luegol ioado writes i- t.

usic and culture To have infor-1 use in ccLr.i, Maldonado at 97 Ext. information to 618-0520; Send E-Mail to VMaldonadolink.freedom. or mail it to: P.O. Box 760, McAllen 78502. categorization Greg Camp, the track became "more smooth" with an easier, "hanging out" feel.

Producer Eric Valentine twirled the knobs, and a hit as born. "I started making it flow a little more and making it a little more retro-ftOs." he says. "Once we went into record it with Eric, he said i See SMASH Page 11F 1 Ptieto ilrusuwon oy Wait baitiicMiiw taoniwr Xmas (Wax is Over)" and "Give Peace A Chance." in caie you've teen Listruwiti I'nods is now a 'I Cr-itcl nr.trtJnrrcr.t. i v. 5 Furs HiH'uS, vr Mv.l- t'.

r. 1. .1 Ti in .2 1. Now comes the latest edition of this popular series. Some of the tracks on the CD include "In The Full Moon Light" by 3rd Force, "Knocking Mouth defies on the network's weekly countdown.

"That song really came out in the studio," says Harwell in an interview, "ft was written a couple of years ago as a rap song, and it didn't wotk. It was much nnve chiv- Kaml it just didn't have the feel rd has." Harwell says wkv he began ww king on the ng tth 1 toj awa, oi- I.o Om end featuring a booklet of tzr-i tographs. John Lennon's nrucd cultural legacy cannct temporary musicians whose work has been influenced by Lennon's talent. Lennon Legend i 3 g'j I the work of" many con v.y. sie tb 1 'i Cc 't -lion, it 2 on I LI', I as it li jc -CI) 1 I 1 1 i "BeautiM Boy (Darling Boy)," "Watching The Wheels," "Nobody Told Me." "Borrowed Time," "Working Class Hero," "Happy the mny California band.

Their "Walking On The Sun" a surt'y, heachy, heady number with a distinct 'Wis flure is a smash. Cover hands are playing it every-w here, the sonji recently held the No, I pwsition oi the HillNvud Motlern Rwk Tracks chart fvir sit wwks, and its vnkv has been a staple on bnh MTV and VUI, where it reached No. I Despite pop appeal, Smash By ALAN K. STOUT Knight Riddcr Newspapers While waiting on a phone cull f'mm Smash Mouth vocalist Steve Harwell, the newsroom windows suddenly fill with sunlight. How appropriate.

Tlie sun in case you huven't noticed seems to he shining on.