Alma Caribena

With the current popularity of all things Latin, the lady who initially introduced Central-American music to the mainstream has released a timely new album.

Alma Caribena finds Estefan refreshingly true to the real groove of Cuban popular music, more rootsy and relying less on studio-added backbeats and keyboards.

In some ways Ms Estefan may well be shooting herself in the foot here, as the mainstream has become used to the bastardised form of Cuban/ Caliente currently popular on dancefloors.

Still, 'Me Voy' shows off the singer's undoubted talent with a plaintive ballad, and the playing right across the album is first class, especially on more up-tempo numbers like 'Tres Gotas De Agua Bendita'.

Definitely one for non-purist fans of Latin Soul. Metallica anoraks should probably save their sixteen quid, though.