David Cavazos

Into every generation, a perfect balladeer is born, and for this generation, David Cavazos might just be the one. He gently embraces anything that'll get the seduction done, whether it's a hint of smooth jazz, quiet storm or even (believe it) electro-funk. The guy doesn't miss a trick, but if he didn't believe every romantic word he sang, we wouldn't either. He means it, and he also knows how to subvert our expectations -- "No Es No" plumbs neo-Brazilian depths with a panache that suggests this guy's a pretty crack songwriter too. An impressive debut.