3.0 (Marc Anthony) | 3.5./5

SINGAPORE - Sure, he looks like a Hispanic version of Steve Buscemi at times, and he did do the deed with J Lo. But Marc Anthony, whom we thought would never shake off the pop and club pretensions that he employed to bring his music to a wider audience, has actually managed to get back to where he once belonged with this album. Aptly titled 3.0, this album is his first full original salsa album since 2004’s Valio la Pena. While the opening track Vivir Mi Vida - a chart-topper when it was released - isn’t quite your typical salsa number, but it has a melodic hook and is frankly, quite irresistible. Even the club version of the song will get you movin’ to the groovin’. But the album’s “middle eight”, which includes the gorgeous Espera, La Copa Rota - with some lovely Spanish guitar work, and the delightful Hipocresía. Is this the great return that fans have long been waiting for? You bet.