Soy diferente

Diehard salsa fans have grumbled about the artistic liberties taken by genre queen India on Soy Diferente, her first disc under the Univision label. Indeed, this is an adventurous, all-over-the-map outing, most notable for its incorporation of the red-hot reggaeton rhythms currently burning up radio playlists. Purists may scoff and call it a play for commercial viability, but Soy Diferente is still a strong showcase for India's emotive, urgent vocal work. She also co-wrote all of the album's tracks. Fans should also recall that India dabbled in jazz, hip-hop and English-language club music before--and after--hitting her stride as a salsa queen. The title track is featured in both a reggaeton version and as a "salsaton" shaker, which flows seamlessly between the two genres. "Cuando Hieres A Una Mujer" is a straight-ahead salsa track, buoyed by the appearance of reggaeton diva Ivy Queen. Salsa legend Tito Nieves offers tempting vocal licks during "No Es Lo Mismo;" and India's mother, Gloria Viera, pops up during the sweet-and-spicy "Madre e Hija aka Madre." And India is still at her sizzling best amid the blaring horns and sweltering percussion of salsa tracks "Un Amor Obsesivo," "Lagrimas" and "Tengo Que Dejarte Ir." Whatever the sound, India effortlessly proves that being Diferente is definitely a great thing. --Joey Guerra