Suenan los Cueros

On her third album, Cuba's Osdalgia shows herself to be a true, natural singer of passion and power. She obeys of rhythm of her (mostly self-composed) material, toying back and forth with the musicians in a light, sophisticated manner, as on "Definitivamente," which moves gently across the dancefloor. But at times the sheen of civilized music drops and the sound becomes more primitive, as on the raw "Rumbero Homenaje," or "Un Día Cualquiera," where she really lets rip from the heart. In that regard, it's a schizophrenic album, where the two halves never quite meet. Yet it's also remarkably satisfying, illustrating the different facets of an excellent young singer who deserves attention. The musicianship is skilled and sympathetic, following her lead, shifting through moods but never losing the delicate touch that's ineffably Cuban.