Search - Anais :: Asi Soy Yo

The talent-reality-show craze hasn't been lost on Latino record execs looking to make another Idol-size splash on U.S. soil--en espanol. Enter Anais, the Bronx-raised, Dominican-born beauty who was crooning in karaoke bars before winning the second season of Univision's Objetivo Fama. Her debut disc, Asi Soy Yo, arrives just shy of a year after her big win, and it packs an impressive punch. It's a lush, something-for-everyone affair, full of tropical, urban and regional rhythms. The omnipresent drone of reggaeton accents several songs ("Atrapada," "Sexo, Sexo," "Suelta"), but Anais proves equally adept at the romantic balladry of such key tracks as "Estoy Con El y Pienso en Ti" and "Estar Contigo." Her deep, creamy voice plays to the drama of each song's lyrics without completely jumping overboard. Smash hit "Lo Que Son Las Cosas" (originally recorded by Ednita Nazario) takes up almost one-third of the album via a slew of mixes: ballad, reggaeton, salsa, and duranguense, featured as a duet with Alacranes Musical. Each works in its own way and proves a nice showcase for Anais' chameleon-like charisma. --Joey Guerra