MTV Unplugged (CD - 2006)

Since his mainstream American breakthrough, Ricky Martin has been associated largely with slick dance-pop. One of the pleasant surprises of this MTV UNPLUGGED set is that it finds Martin returning to an earlier, more organic sound. The UNPLUGGED aesthetic suggests a quiet, stripped-down approach, but that's not necessarily the case here. Martin has a huge band behind him, including horns and strings, but the inventive arrangements and straightforward approach--not to mention the Spanish-only lyrics--present the artist in a refreshingly natural context. The sharp, dynamic performances, on the part of both Martin and his band, don't hurt matters, either. minimize