Yolanda Perez

She promises to give all of herself, and Yolanda Perez comes pretty darn close on this beautifully produced album. Gone (for now) are the hip-hop pretensions -- instead we get the full passionate sweep of modern banda, underpinned by Adolfo and Omar Valenzuela's bright production and Perez's clear, emotive voice. She chose all the songs, steering clear of narco-corridos (as usual). Shes's at her best on the liberated opener "La Atrabancada" and the wrenching "Todo De Ti," a self-penned song that suggests her songwriting skills have only just begun to be tapped.