17 - Ricky Martin

The "17" in Ricky Martin 17 stands for the 17 years of Martin's career -- and this compilation celebrates by plucking a track from each of those years, offering an extensive if not exactly thorough overview of his career. Given its approach, it should be no surprise that this is heavy on Latin material, to the extent that even his huge crossover hit, "Livin' la Vida Loca," is here in Spanish rather than English. Therefore, this isn't a compilation for the curious fellow pop travelers who only want to hear turn-of-the-millennium monsters like "She Bangs," a hit single that's not even here. Instead, this is a sampler, giving a taste of what Martin has done over the years, and in that regard it's successful, even if it's not definitive. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide