Selena's older brother, AB Quintanilla III, and his band, Los Kumbia Kings "rocks the house, y'all" on "Kumbia King 4". From soulful ballads to cumbia to Latino hip hop, they and their guests performers put together a really great album -- a sort of trip through the regional music of Mexico.

The album consists of 14 songs, although two are remix versions (of songs already on the CD):

1. No Tengo Dinero - (with Juan Gabriel/El Gran Silencio)
2. Amores Como El Tuyo
3. Insomnio
4. Llevame Al Cielo - (with Aleks Syntek)
5. Baby
6. Rompecabezas
7. Mi Gente - (with Ozomatli)
8. Contigo
9. Don't Wanna Try - (with Frankie J)
10. Under My Skin - (with Frankie J)
11. Please Don't Go Girl - (with Frankie J/Nino B)
12. Count On Me - (with Frankie J)
13. Amores Como El Tuyo - (Cumbia version)
14. No Tengo Dinero - (ATM remix, with Limi T21)

Although mostly in Spanish, the music and vocal interpretations crosses the language barrier. Superstar Mexican guests, such as Juan Gabriel, El Gran Silencio, Aleks Syntek and, another up-and-coming group, Ozomatli, show how much respect LK2 deserve. (Frankie J. and Nino B. are members of LK2). They are just that good.

My personal favorites are "Llevame al Cielo" (Take Me to Heaven) and "Mi Gente" (My People). On "Llevame al Cielo", Aleks Syntek emotes a sensitivity that reminds of George Michael in his best years, while Ozomatli just plain "raises the roof", Peter Tosh-style. The rest of the album varies in style, as LK2 show their versatility: "No Tengo Dinero" (I Don't Have Any Money) is a cross between cumbia (a regional Mexican dance, popular also in Central America) and hip hop, "Contigo" (With You) is a romantic ballad with flamenco guitar riffs, and on "Don't Wanna Try", Frankie J. out R. Kellys R. Kelly.

Now, you don't have to understand Spanish to understand the songs, although it helps. We listen to opera in other languages, and, for that matter, many groups in English without knowing what they're saying -- can anyone tell me what Nirvana was mumbling about ??? -- and that doesn't stop us from recognizing good music when we hear it. David Byrne of the Talking Heads was rumored to have written lyrics with the sole purpose of getting people to listen to the music he'd written; he wanted us to hear the melodies, regardless of what he was singing.

It's about time that people take the next logical step in their musical listening habits to cross borders and not let language be the barrier when seeking great music. Los Kumbia Kings, Ozomatli, and, little known (even in Latino music) Si*Se are great places to start.

You can sample LK2 at www.loskumbiakings.com, sí*se at www.carolc.com, and Ozomatli at www.ozomatli.com.

Pick it up...you won't be sorry. You'll be sure to pick up your feet...and you might even pick up a little Spanish.

Update! LKK released an album of remixes "Los Remixes 2.0". Skip it. Nothing original here. Most of the songs sound exactly the same...what a disappointment.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Romancing