With help from Kike Santander, the same producer who guided 1999's
Mi Vida Sin Tu Amor to multi-platinum success,
Cristian's
Azul is another album of sweet ballads, paced with an occasional up-tempo cut. Beginning with the tender love songs "Yo Queria" and "Nuestro Amor,"
Cristian croons his way through a dozen luscious cuts of Latin pop, polished to near perfection (or perhaps beyond perfection) by Santander. Only occasionally does he shift into a higher gear, as on "Lloviendo Estrellas" and the downright catchy hit single "Azul." Even fans of Latin music may find the productions too syrupy and the songs too maudlin, but
Cristian's winning way with a ballad may just convert a few listeners. ~ John Bush