Alejandro Sanz

Sanz provided the husky presence on Shakira's hit song "To`rtura," but the guy is a star in his own right, and with El Tren he's released a shambling, jazzy, funky solo record that trades in easy pop hooks for a messy charm that cannibalizes pop and rock music and spits out surprise after surprise. He references jazz with subtle piano and acoustic guitar shadings, breaks into rock guitar solos and even name-checks American funk -- while a flamenco flame sears his raspy voice. Shakira shines through on the dusky "Te Lo Agrodezco, Pero No," but the funky "La Peleita" and excellent "Donde Convergemos" deserve just as much attention.