Dove® Award winner and Grammy® nominee Jaci Velasquez releases her fourth album Crystal Clear to an anxiously waiting audience. After having successfully ventured into the Latin pop world with her Sony Discos release Llegar A Ti, Velasquez returns to her Christian pop roots with a newly-minted Latin fan base in tow while her loyal Christian fans patiently seek her homecoming. Eager not to disappoint either club, Velasquez belts out Latin-flavored pop laced with Spanish lyrics, but carrying a Gospel message on the opener "Escuchame (Listen To Me)." She revisits the Latin-flavored sound on "You Don't Miss A Thing," but never quite gets the fully authentic Latin pop sound that was present on Llegar A Ti. Rather, the sound is closer to the self-titled Jaci Velasquez. The album also delivers new-millennium pop with a big, clean sound that I like to call "98 Street Boys Sink Back 'N Degrees" on songs like "Everytime I Fall." Then there are moments that solidify the "diva status" of this rising star, such as on the Celine Dion-flavored "Adore" and the duet with Latin star Luis Fonsi on "Come As You Are." Velasquez shows more versatility on this album than in the past.
The majority of Crystal Clear showcases a maturing vocalist who is getting more involved in her career, while continuing to keep a clear head regarding fame and stardom. Velasquez wrote two of the songs here, "Escuchame" and "You Are There," and assisted with parts of the production. Combining the talents of Mark Heimermann and Rudy Perez, Crystal Clear is a successful blend of the two styles. Both producers were involved in getting Velasquez to where she is today. Heimermann produced the gold-selling A Heavenly Place and Jaci Velasquez, while Perez produced Llegar A Ti, which was nominated for a Grammy®.
While not striking out into new musical or artistic territory, Crystal Clear is a carefully calculated fan-pleaser destined for commercial success. The real test of mettle will be the album where Velasquez really stretches her lyrical and musical limits and swings for the fence instead of going for the safe base run. This is a transitional project to solidify her two fan bases, Latin secular pop and Contemporary Christian pop. It succeeds in what it sets out to do and sets the standard for all the newcomers on the horizon.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Stephanie K.At the age of 20 Jaci Velasquez is making a name for herself and continuing her strong performance with her fourth release, Crystal Clear. Velasquez combines a traditional pop sound with a twist of Latin to create some bold and uplifting new hits. Velasquez's music is similar to popular Latin singers Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. It's like Amy Grant meets Ricky Martin. The album offers a…Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Sucré Musique"The best selling solo debut artist in the history of the Christian market" could be compared to any number of pop divas, and at her young age she certainly has accomplished much. With Crystal Clear, she continues on the path begun at the tender age of fourteen, and while I'm not totally familiar with Jaci's previous work, this new release shows maturity and catchy, solid songwriting – not unlike…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Janet FriesenOne thing can definitely be said for Jaci Velasquez--she sure can sing! The young gal with the powerful voice showcases it again in her fourth release Crystal Clear. After winning over the AC Christian market with her A Heavenly Place and Jaci Velasquez cd's and then making a hit in the Latin music market with her Llegar A Ti disk, Velasquez combines the influences of both with eleven songs that…Similar sounding releases
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