Pasado

It's hard for Sin Bandera to go wrong on a covers album of great romantic songs, considering the soulful production the music receives and the subtle intimacy of the duo's vocals. But in the end, the pair doesn't substantially reinterpret or add much that's unexpected to lovely work by Alejandro Sanz ("Lo Ves") or Ricardo Montaner ("Será"). The modern touches do complement some songs nicely, like the ethereal downtempo treatment given to Miguel Bosé's "Si Tu No Vuelves" and a pleasantly funky version of Aleks Syntek's "Mis Impulsos Sobre Ti." The best track is a simple piano version of "Love Is in the Air," which transforms the cheesy disco classic into a soothing rainy-day tune. "Pasado" (Past) is more forward-looking than its name suggests and is recommended, but not required, listening.—ABY