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Jennifer Lopez/"J.Lo"/(Epic)
Many of the tracks on "J.Lo" are meant to stay in step with the pulse of strobes, the flash of spotlights. Even Lopez, herself, admits she's itching to get down and party. "I just want to dance/Is that a crime?" she sings on "Play." It's grooves like this in which Lopez is at her best because, let's face it, she's not a great singer. Her attempt to be one on the slow jam "Secretly" comes off like a bad imitation of Diana Ross. But when Lopez sticks to the dance songs, she shines. And when she sings in Spanish? Even better. Some of her brightest moments include the single "Love Don't Cost a Thing" (No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart). You might also want to check out the Afro-Cuban "Carino," the salsa of "Dame (Touch Me)" and the Caribbean rhythms of "Si Ya Se Acabo." Three stars
- Sandra Barrera
Keith Jarrett/"Whisper Not" (ECM)
The prolific pianist has been exploring the American songbook to fine effect throughout his career, and this 2-CD live set from his 1999 Paris concert shows that Jarrett and his longtime collaborators - bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette - haven't run...