Grandes Exitos

It's anyone's guess as to whether record-company wisdom or Shakira's vow to stay true to her roots prompted the Colombian singer to make her first hits package 100 percent en español. You won't find any of her English hits here--just the best Spanish-language tracks from her four solo albums. (The cover art even features an older, pre-crossover photo of Shakira sporting darker red and black hair.) This is simply Shakira at her best, from heartfelt early ditties "Estoy Aquí" and "Donde Estás Corazon" to rockier-edged gems from her best album, 1998's Donde Están los Ladrones?. Keepers include the schizophrenic "Ciega, Sordomuda," the aching ballad "Inevitable," and "Ojos Asi," a pulsing club thumper highlighted by Asian and Middle Eastern flourishes. Grandes Exitos also includes more recent hits "Suerte" and "Te Aviso, Te Anuncio (Tango)," which rank with her best compositions. --Joey Guerra