Hazami - "Kata" (WM Malaysia, 2006)

If you're a fan of international music with a vibe similar to that of vintage Ricky Martin or Marc Anthony, Hazami might be just what you've been looking for in the pop world. His debut album Kata, which just received American release via WM Malaysia, is an impressive hook-driven group of songs that are sure to have you humming along. And though the language barrier prevents the casual listener from understanding the words Hazami is trying to get across, lacking a lyrical translation tends to be a bonus with this style of music. "Kata," the title track, has such an infectious beat and melodic structure, it's hard to deny the man's hit potential. However, the album's overall quality is diminished by Hazami's over-reliance upon trite balladry, so if that isn't your thing, the title track may be as deep as you'd like to dig. Still, considering how few opportunities arise in the midwest to experience Malay-pop music, Kata is definitely worth a listen even if it's just to broaden one's musical horizons for a short while.

All reviews (c) Jonathan Sanders, 2004-2006, all rights reserved. No part of these reviews may be retransmitted without express written permission.