Legend and other heartthrobs

Love In The Future by John Legend. It has been almost two years since the song came out in the album Love In The Future but All Of Me is hotter than ever. I say this not only because the song remains popular. Sexy video or no sexy video, I still cannot think of any other ballad that made the same impact on listeners these past months. I say this because listening to All Of Me again is showing up nuances, textures, affecting little bits I had not noticed before.

What an artist this Legend is. What a pianist. Such depth in his vocals. And what a lyricist this guy is. He says, Smart mouth… Beautiful mind… Magical mystery ride… My head’s underwater but I’m breathing fine/ you’re crazy and I’m out of my mind/ cuz all of me loves all of you/ love your curves and all your edges/ all your perfect imperfections. People will still be singing this refrain for years to come.

And the great thing about Legend’s Love In The Future is that there are other songs to love. Who Do We Think We Are featuring Rick Ross is a sophisticated blend of gangsta and soul. I think the touching Open Your Eyes, a Bobby Caldwell oldie that Legend certainly made his own, should be released as a single. Those who want more ballads in the All Of Me mold should listen to the moving love song You And I (Nobody In The World). And for a bit of Motown jaunt, there is the Stevie-inspired Hold On Longer.

Just in case you have not heard the news or if you heard but had now forgotten, please let me remind you that Legend is coming to town in the course of his All Of Me Tour. You can now bet your life’s savings that the Big Dome will be resounding with a chorus of thousands singing All Of Me.

Presented by Wilbros Live in cooperation with BoardWorks Media and Zero-in Concept Productions, Legend will perform at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows: Patron A — P8,450; Patron B — P6,340; Patron C — P5,820; Box Regular — P3,700; and Upper Box — P1,850. For those who want special VIP Tickets that sometimes come with bonuses, call 374- 2222.

Sex And Love by Enrique Iglesias. I have had this album for a while and I have thought of writing about it quite a few times but I just kept on putting it off and putting it off. I have nothing against the album, just that there are too many collabs and it is a bit overdone in some cuts. It is the cover that I find gross for an album that kids might buy because of the dance tracks. It shows the back of Enrique’s headset against a woman’s spread-eagled legs. I know sex sells and that includes album covers but this one really overstepped the limits.

Still, there is no denying that Love And Sex is a good album. In fact, I think that it can now be said that Enrique has come to his own and is totally out of his famous father Julio’s shadow. He has found his music, a blend of fiery Latin dance, sexy hip-hop and romantic ballads, and he is good at it. Several excellent examples are included in the album.

Hip-hop’s urban flair spiced with a Latin flavor works well with Enrique’s sophisticated style. The collaborations, I’m A Freak and Let Me Be Your Lover with Pitbull and There Goes My Baby feat. Flo Rida are among the best cuts. But of course, it is the big hit Baillando, a terrific samba feat. Decemer Bueno and Gente de Zon, that has brought Love And Sex to the top and has been keeping it there all this time.

Also included are Beautiful feat. Kylie Minogue; Heart Attack; You And I; Still Your King; Only A Woman; Physical feat. Jennifer Lopez; Turn The Night Up; Loco feat. India Martinez; Finally Found You feat. Sammy Adams; I Like How it Feels feat. Pitbull and The WAVs; and El Perdedor feat. Marco Antonio Solis.

Yes! by Jason Mraz. I know that Mraz does not usually make it to the line-up of heartthrobs but after 10 years in the business I think it is about time that he moved into that category. He can still tote his guitar and sing happy tunes but the troubadour tag should now go to Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. Besides, Mraz is definitely at his most romantic in this new release titled simply Yes. Only a heartthrob would include a Boyz II Men song, It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, in his album, which interestingly has a smoother, mellower tone than his previous releases.

The softly rising Rise introduces Mraz new image most effectively. If you are a fan of early Mraz, you will still find him in the perky, radio-friendly songs Hello, You Beautiful Thing, Everywhere and 3 Things. But if you want to enjoy this new matured Mraz, check out what he does with Love Someone, Long Drive, Quiet and the very intense Best Friend. These really show off his expressive vocals, which I believe is one of the great things about his new sound. And he should do more covers given how excellent his It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye turned out.