Barbra Streisand
Sony Music

Barbra Streisand’s new album of jazz standards is a celebration to life as most of her songs suggest. It is produced by celebrated jazz vocalist and pianist Diana Krall, who also accompanies Streisand on piano.

We get to listen to Streisand’s velvety vocals ascending further into maturity and it is a joy to listen to her exploring the many different songs. Opening track, Here’s to Life is uplifting while Small Hours is more mellowed and melancholic. Gentle Rain offers a bittersweet bossa nova reflection.

Streisand is in her element on tracks such as If You Go Away and Where Do You Start where her vocals soar and swoop occasionally. Her renditions of Make Someone Happy and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (which she delivers in a pleasant retro-soul sound) are amazing.

Fans won’t be disappointed by the minimalist approach or haunting sentimentality of A Time for Love, which also provides a good example of Streisand’s skill for colourful and restrained vocalisation. An ideal album to unwind to after a hectic day.

Christmas from the Heart

David Archuleta
Sony & BMG Music

This is David Archuleta’s first Christmas album featuring some of the classic songs such as Joy to the World, Silent Night, The First Noel, I’ll Be Home for Christmas and O Holy Night.

Archuleta’s vocals soar with passion when he sings some of these tunes. His rendition of the Spanish tune, Riu Chiu, especially touches the heart.

On Melodies of Christmas, Archuleta teams up with his dad, Jeff, who also produced and arranged the song.

An incredible duet of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with up-and-coming Charice Pempengco is also featured here.

This album will put you in the festive mood. – Isaac Zulen

She Wolf

Shakira
SonyBMG

Shakira has already created a niche for herself with her infectious hits such as Whenever, Wherever; Underneath Your Clothes; and Hips Don’t Lie.

Okay, I admit she may be lyrically challenged at times but Shakira’s powerful vocals sound convincing.

This album is even more sexy than her previous efforts (which are already overtly sexual to begin with) but then again, Shakira is Shakira and she ain’t apologising for it.

Some tracks like Why Wait, Long Time and Spy (with Wyclef Jean) are peppy but entertaining. Good Stuff, a lovely dance tune, has a very catchy chorus that lingers on, and the country music-influenced Gypsy is also good.

The guitar-driven Mon Amour is a beautiful love song that showcases Shakira’s powerful warbling skills.

Overall, this is a worthwhile buy if you are a huge fan of Shakira. – S. Indra Sathiabalan