Joyas Prestadas

Niña Pastori

It was only a matter of time--and savvy marketing--before Niña Pastori's throaty, commanding vocals commanded stateside attention. The young performer is widely regaled as Spain's top contemporary flamenco singer. But instead of taking a chance with unfamiliar originals, Pastori makes her official domestic debut with Joyas Prestadas (Borrowed Jewels), a regal collection of modern and classic pop covers. It's still a risky move, considering the familiarity of so many songs on the disc. But it largely works because of Pastori's rich, emotive delivery. She caresses each lyric as if it were here own. Pastori dives right in with first single "Burbujas de Amor," one of many hits immortalized by Juan Luis Guerra. Her delicate take on the song initially fails to match Guerra's passion, but Pastori kicks it up considerably by the end. Better is her pulsing rendition of "Vivir Sin Aire," a 1992 hit for Mexican supergroup Mana, that still sounds intense and immediate. There are also sexy, assured readings of Armando Manzanero's "Todavia" and Joan Manuel Serrat's "Mediterraneo." The disc's highlight is Pastori's haunting take on Alejandro Sanz's mournful "Cuando Nadie Me Vie," which alternates between mournful vocals and hushed piano interludes. The tune glows with goth-pop prowess and makes the most of Pastori's unique vocal talents. --Joey Guerra

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