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Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira, better known as Simone, is one of the great vocalists in Brazilian popular music the past 25 years. She has an extraordinary instrument--a deep, rich alto voice that exudes sensuality--and knows how to use it, especially in her ballads. She can wring out meaning of a line with a hesitation, the shading of a word, a discreet change in dynamics. Much of this is missing in the unsatisfying Loca, Simone's tribute to Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias. Blame some of it on language. This is her fifth release in Spanish (the 26th overall of her career). She has done great things with lesser songs than "Abrazame" (sung with Rafael Basurto of Trio Los Panchos) or "Lo Mejor de Tu Vida"--but singing in Portuguese. More troubling, the choice of material and the arranging, does not help her. She salvages "Mi Amor," a banal Spanish language version of Stevie Wonder's "My Love," despite the superfluous participation of Mexican singer Daniela Romo. But there is not much she can do with "Hey" or the faux flamenco of "Jurame" and "La Nave del Olvido." Simone is a rare talent and having her sing in Spanish has artistic and commercial merit--but it doesn't mean any concept, any song, any arrangement will do. --Fernando Gonzalez