Uncasville, CT – Ricky Martin left his fans wanting more after his April 28, 2007 performance at the Mohegan Sun Arena. On April 17, 2011, more is exactly what they got; more music spanning his 20-year solo career, more soul stemming from his inner peace and self-love, and more sex(iness) than he’s ever shown onstage. The tour, M.A.S. for his latest CD Musica + Alma + Sexo (Music + Soul + Sex) will travel to Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, and California before heading to Mexico and Europe.Dressed in black leather pants, jacket, and boots, Martin kicked off the show with “Too Late Now,” a bonus track on Target’s exclusive 2-disc set. He took long-time fans back to his self-titled debut solo album with the track, Dime que Me Quieres (Tell Me that You Love Me). From his 2005 English album Life, “It’s Alright,” Martin supported himself from a secured bar above his head, in the center square of a towering 9-block set, and thrust his pelvis up into the air. “Que Dia es Hoy,” a cover of Laura Branigan’s “Self Control” surprised as Ricky Martin has not sung his 1993 hit in quite some time.
Accompanied by piano and trumpet, Martin delivered his greatest romantic ballad, Vuelve (Come Back) in calf-high fog and bathed in blue lighting. After he finished the bridge with the entire audience singing along, a second of silence erupted into screams and wild applause. Martin, as in all previous shows, normally picks up the song. However, the intense showering of love put a huge smile on his man-child face, caused him to laugh in appreciation, shake his head in modesty, pound his fist over his heart, and leave him speechless for a full minute. Martin only managed to utter “Wow” and “Unbelievable” before he finished the song.
The next 5-song set was done cabaret style. He began with “Living la Vida Loca”. The female dancers fought over Martin and surrounded him on silver chairs during “She Bangs.” Next up from his 2nd English album, Sound Loaded were “Shake Your Bon Bon,” and “Loaded.” Sitting center-stage, the words of “Basta Ya” (Enough Already) from Musica + Alma Sexo filled the air.
The mega-hit “Maria” (original version) consisted of Martin and a female flamenco dancer pursuing one another. “Tu Recuerdo” off the MTV Unplugged album and DVD followed. A medley of 1990’s amazing ballads “Fuego Contra Fuego,” “El Amor de Mi Vida,” and “Te Extraño, Te Olvido, Te Amo” delighted. Martin unleashed an adult presentation of “Frio” complete with whips and dominatrix only to be outdone by a rather touchy feely session with and male and female dancers to “I Am.”
The party music resumed and the energy level rose as Martin broke out his new single “Mas” (More) which will be released in English later this year. The dancing continued in the arena to “Lola Lola,” “La Bomba,” “Pegate” (Come Closer) and ended with a carnival-like interpretation of “La Copa de la Vida/The Cup of Life.” Between songs Martin honorably invited the nationality-mixed audience to vacation in Puerto Rico, his place of birth. The Department of Economic Development and Commerce is collaborating with Martin to boost tourism.
Ricky Martin, unlike artists who lip sync or sing over their own vocals to compensate for running out of breath while dancing, is completely live. The band and backup singers Jackie Mendez and Carlos David Perez (Perez has performed with Martin since 1999) are who you hear when Martin isn’t singing. This tour delivers new and improved dance moves and his continued vow to leave his soul onstage.
The one encore started with “The Best Thing about Me is You” and finished in the Spanish version, “Lo Mejor de Mi Vida Eres Tu” during which Martin sported a white v-neck T-shirt that read You = Me and Tu = Yo. Using the stage as his platform, he asked for equality for all mankind. Martin has always used his high profile status to promote world peace, leadership, tolerance, and child welfare.
Ricky Martin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ricky_martin
Ricky Martin Foundation: http://rickymartinfoundation.org/
M.A.S. Tour dates: http://rickymartinmusic.com/Events
Lisa K. Berton 
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