Stop

Venezuelan Franco de Vita seems incapable of writing a bad song. Last year, he penned No. 1 hits like "Tal Vez" for Ricky Martin. But when he helms his own songs, he's at his best. He lends his trademark high tenor to instantly hummable tunes with strong lyrics and Italian pop sensibilities. "Stop," de Vita's first album of new material since 1999, opens with the bachata-tinged single "Ay Dios." This sets the tone for a pop album laced with various tropical influences. De Vita veers into different territory in "Si La Ves," a duet with Latin R&B duo Sin Bandera. In contrast, tracks like "Tú de Qué Vas" are more straight-ahead pop but preserve de Vita's trademark melodic strength. Surprisingly, he includes "Un Extraño en la Bañera," a track about an abusive husband originally recorded by Ana Belén. That de Vita can also tell the story and convince the listener says much about his musicianship.—LC