Dig These Discs :: Ricky Martin, Rumer, Diana Krall, 2Cellos, Matt Zarley

In this installment of Dig These Discs, enjoy a new take on beloved pop hits from the legendary Diana Krall. To those who might want to listen, Ricky Martin offers up a dozen hot rhythms for you. Instrumental duo 2CELLOS launch into the "Celloverse" with their mash-ups of classical and pop, on the cello. Rumer gets back to her old sound with her third studio album. Out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley releases his new album, featuring the original versions of each songs, and a soundtrack to his short film of the same name, with new arrangements. There's a little something for everyone!

"Wallflower" (Diana Krall)

Canadian five-time Grammy winner Diana Krall drops her 12th studio album this month, a heartwarming collection of 12 beloved pop hits. Krall's voice envelops the listener like an audible hug as she launches off with The Beach Boys' "California Dream," slow and steady like a drowsy bee buzzing. She moves on to The Eagles' "Desperado," giving it the time and attention it needs. Her jazz background serves her well in renditions of The Carpenters' hit "Superstar" and a jazzy version of the disco hit, "I Can't Tell You Why." She teams up with fellow Canook Michael Bubl� for Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)" and the result is mellifluous. Her pairing with Bryan Adams on "Feels Like Home" is also a winner, as his scratchy vocals prove a nice contrast to her smooth ones. Her titular cover of Bob Dylan's "Wallflower" has that country twang, and a (probably unintentional) gender-bending love story to it. Classical piano gives gravitas to her hit, "Let Me Take You Home Tonight," as she sings, "I will think of songs to sing to you, music filled with joy and light/ If I take you home tonight." The piano really comes through in "Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)," which she bookends nicely with 50cc's "I'm Not In Love." She wraps things up with Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over," a nice blast from the wild '80s. Krall launches her "Wallflower World Tour" on February 25 at Boston's Shubert Theater, and hitting 26 East Coast cities before rolling into the Carolinas. Do yourself a favor and catch her when she comes to your town.
(Verve Records)

"A Quien Queira Eschuchar" (Ricky Martin)

Ricky Martin drops his 10th studio album, and shows us all that's he's a big boy now. His vocal maturity and depth of artistry come through this album, translated as "To Whom Might Want to Listen." The 12 Spanish-language tracks fuse genres, but they all have a lot of rhythm. He calls it 'music to make babies to,' but you might be too busy dancing to break for that! His first cut, "Adi�s," is a dance floor dream; you'll find your feet moving no matter where you are. He spices up "Isla Bella" with fast hand drums and a steamy Latin dance feel. And "N�ufragao" is a breezy, lite-rock dream. Yotuel raps en espanol, on the dance track, "La Mordidita."
He does well with the slow songs, too, like the romantic, "Disparo al Coraz�n," and "Perd�name." "M�tame Otra Vez" and "Nada" are decent ballads, and the title track "A Quien Quiera Eschuchar" has a heartfelt vibe to it. You can tell Martin wants you to enjoy his work. "Cuanto Me Acuerdo de Ti," has excellent instrumental flourishes and hand drums, and he goes acoustic in the summer-sultry song "N�ufrago." He even includes an acoustic version of M�tame Otra Vez" and a Dharmik version of "Nada." "This is one of my favorite albums, and I cannot wait for everyone to listen to it," said Martin. "I am thrilled with the end result, and hope the fans enjoy it just as much as I did recording it." Way to keep things autentico, Enrique!
(Sony Music Latin)

"Into Colour" (Rumer)

Sarah Joyce, aka Rumer, releases her third studio album this month. Critics have likened her smoky voice to that of Karen Carpenter, saying it was well suited to singing the standards. Her second album, "Boys Don't Cry" found her covering work written by '70s male singer/songwriters. And her new album meshes that Burt Bacharach vibe with the '70s disco and groove sound, a la Hall & Oates. In fact, most of the music was performed live by members of Daryl Hall's band. "Stop hanging around my window, stop hanging around my door," she sings in her "Intro (Return of Blackbird)," ceding the vibe to disco in "Dangerous." Rumer said it was inspired by the Bee Gees, but also by her battle with bipolar disorder, as she sings, "you want me to let go/ I don't want to lose control." She tackles this in "Reach Out" singing about getting help in the battle against depression, and the contrast between love and spirituality. Rumer sings about the fickle nature of friendship in "You Just Don't Know People," but of a true friend sticking by her side in the title track, "Into Colour." She sings a grown-up woman's love song to her man in "Baby Come Back to Bed." She gives heart to other struggling musicians in "Play Your Guitar" and gives a tribe to those hard-working types in "Better Place," hitting those Karen Carpenter notes. She goes for freedom and fun in the melodious "Pizza and Pinball," and her "heart took flight" in "Butterfly." A gospel tinge runs through "Blessed." Rumer ends the album with "Frederick Douglass," a perfect addition for an album that drops on Black History Month. This is a perfect album to listen to on those lonesome winter nights.
(Atlantic Records)

"Celloverse" (2CELLOS)

The dynamic instrumental duo 2CELLOS drops their third album "Celloverse" as they bring their world tour to the U.S., with dates through March 10. The Croatian cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser break down the boundaries between rock and classical with their clever mashups. In this new album, they reinvent rock songs, including "The Trooper Overture," a metal meets classical mash up of Iron Maden and Rossini's "William Tell Overture." The dueling cellos are twice as cool. "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons is a buskers dream. They could be a couple of extra Mumfords. They also cover AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" with an intro so fast that it's a miracle the cellos didn't catch on fire! They follow it with "Hysteria," which makes you think of car chases in Monaco. Then, they play soft and teasing in the next track, Sting's "Shape of My Heart." They pluck and slap the cellos in "Mombasa" and get slow and mellow in "Time." They bring a country sound to cellos in "Wake Me Up," and bring a fast percussive sound to Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us." Sulic and Hauser demolish Paul McCartney's classic "Live And Let Die," with special guest Lang Lang. You would never have thought classical instruments could rock this hard. The title track -- the last track on the album -- is an original song penned and arranged by 2CELLOS. "In terms of arrangements and production, as well as playing and sound, this is our most advanced album," said Sulic. "And we're so excited to share it with our fans around the world!" A deluxe edition of the album includes seven videos and live performances. These guys, known to play just as great live as on their albums, are true virtuosos!
(Portrait/Sony Music Masterworks)

"hopefulROMANTIC" (Matt Zarley)

Out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley releases his new album "hopefulROMANTIC" this month, with a twist: the pop album features the original versions of each songs, and a soundtrack to his short film of the same name, with new arrangements of each. Zarley, the first gay to be featured in People Magazine's "Hottest Bachelors" issue, has brought together Chuck Saculla, Jolie Jenkins and George Takai for the short, practically dialogue-free film about one man's journey through love, heartbreak and healing. The first track, "Somebody 4 Everybody" inspired the film, and gave it the message of love and acceptance. The fast-moving pop track features Marck Picchiotti, and is solid soundtrack material. The acoustic version feaures Shoshana Bean and Jeb Havens. And there's even a dance version Moto Blanco remix. Buzzing violins intro "I Just Knew," an inspirational song about love at first sight. He sighs through losing a love in "Constantly," and in "Back To You," sings, "I had to lose a part of me to make me realize the truth, I know the journey was worth the fall, I know that much is true." He rocks it out with "Shiny New Toy" his take on "Yellow Brick Road." He's not just an empty-headed trick, girl! Female vocals intro "Hopeful," a tune about finding strength through a breakup and rebuilding oneself. "Let Me Let Go" paints a sad picture of "the last man left standing at the baggage claim," and that delicate time right before a break-up. The songs are a bit saccharine, but ideally suited for film use. At any rate, Zarley, with a scruffy beard covering his strong chin, his blue-green eyes twinkling, is a super cutie, and shouldn't have any trouble finding willing acolytes.
(Dylan Music Group)