Record Rack

** 1/2 Charlie Zaa, “Ciego de Amor,” Sony Discos. Given the number of young Latino artists currently resurrecting the old-fashioned bolero genre with an arsenal of high-tech production techniques, it’s particularly refreshing to see this young Colombian singer follow the reliable route of the swinging big band. Add to that the fact that most of the compositions here are new and you have a very respectable effort in the tired field of the lush romantic ballad. But it’s the record’s sound (masterminded by producer Emilio Estefan Jr.) that turns an adequate number such as “Por Tu Amor” into a gutsy affair, courtesy of a vibrant brass section. Elsewhere, Zaa rocks effortlessly through a catchy version of the classic “La Pollera Colora,” combining slick studio manipulation with genuine tropical oomph.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.