SOUND CHECK.

Luis Miguel/``Amarte es un Placer'' (WEA Latin)

Mexican-raised crooner Miguel doesn't need - or apparently even want - to sing perky Top 40 dance-pop ditties in English like so many Latin pop stars. Instead, this top-grossing performer prefers to express himself in his native language without hype or hard sell.

On his latest self-produced effort, ``Amarte es un Placer'' (``Loving You Is a Pleasure''), Miguel's lush boleros and earthy up-tempo numbers were penned by renowned composers Armando Manzanero and Juan Carlos Calderon with the best tunes co-written by Miguel himself. The gorgeous arrangements, played by such top session musicians as Michael Landau and Dean Parks on guitars, plus the ``Al Jarreau horns,'' emphasize piano and lingering strings with the symphonic element stopping short of saccharine.

Many non-Spanish-speakers caught up with Miguel on his 1997 ``Romances'' album, falling for his soaring, effortless delivery and the r&b spice he adds to classic Spanish love ballads. With standouts like ``Sol, Arena y Mar'' (``Sun, Sand and Sea'') and the radio staple ``O tu O Ninguna'' (``You and No Other''), ``Amarte'' will broaden his following even further. Three stars

- Fred Shuster

Creed/``Human Clay'' (Wind-up/BMG)

This hard-rocking Florida foursome's new album is just as plainly heartfelt, melodic and direct as their 1997 debut, ``My Own Prison.'' Kids respond to Creed singer-songwriter Scott Stapp's dynamic anthems, including the first disc's stirring title track and the solid new single ``Higher,'' which tap into spiritual confusion, depression, loyalty and other universal teen-age worries.

The Led-heavy ``Human Clay,'' which raced to No. 1 upon release with no noticeable above-ground hype, explores new territory for the quartet, such as the Zeppelin-inspired sonics of album opener ``Are You Ready?'' and the lush ballad ``Wash Away Those Years.'' Creed's got a future. Three stars

- F.S.

Bill Frisell/``The Sweetest Punch: The New Songs of Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach'' (Decca)

Guitarist Frisell and his seven-piece band boldly recorded this album simultaneously with last year's Costello/Bacharach collaboration, ``Painted From Memory,'' working from the rough piano demos recorded in Bacharach's home studio. The ambitious results are fascinating and every bit as good as the previous disc.

Frisell mostly remains faithful to the music's melodic structure, demonstrating affection for the material's spirit and substance. But this is unmistakably a Frisell album, too, with its sparkling and intuitive arrangements and ideas. While mostly instrumental, Costello and jazz chanteuse Cassandra Wilson each appear on one song, also combining for a lovely duet on ``I Still Have That Other Girl.'' Beautiful stuff. Three and one half stars

- Glenn Whipp

Soundtrack/``Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album'' (TVT Soundtrax)

As the ``Friends'' and ``Dawson's Creek'' samplers proved, TV soundtracks are hot cross-promotional items. Like those shows, music is an essential ingredient of ``Buffy,'' starting with the churning theme by Nerf Herder (included here) to tracks by obscurities and big names.

This vampire's choice leans toward the less conspicuous side of town, where a cryptful of engaging tunes from indie acts Guided by Voices, Bif Naked (appearing in Tuesday's episode), Velvet Chain, Rasputina and Hepburn outnumber Garbage and Alison Krauss. A selection to please even the most discriminating werewolf, just in time for Halloween. Two and one half stars

- F.S.

Soundtrack/``American Beauty'' (DreamWorks) Soundtrack/``Bringing Out the Dead'' (Sony Music Soundtrax)

The genre-busting ``American Beauty'' disc spans the '40s to the '90s, offering choice cuts from jazz divas Peggy Lee and Betty Carter, rock legends the Who and Free, '70s soul man Bill Withers and emerging contemporary forces Elliott Smith, the Eels, Gomez and Folk Implosion. Along with these vocal tracks, used ironically in the scathingly satirical film, the soundtrack includes excerpts from Thomas Newman's score. Two and one half stars

Pop music has always played an important role in Martin Scorsese's films. The particularly dark ``Bringing Out the Dead,'' hitting screens Oct. 22, contains a marvelously tough-minded selection. The dozen tracks open with Van Morrison's agonizing ``T.B. Sheets'' and run through such delights as the late Johnny Thunders' finest moment (``You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory''), two great Clash cuts (``Janie Jones'' and ``I'm So Bored With the U.S.A.'') and some top-notch rock, soul and reggae items from R.E.M., the Who, Martha & the Vandellas and the Melodians. Three stars

- F.S.

Various/``Funkdamentals'' (Right Stuff/Capitol)

Here's a mother lode of funky dance tunes from many of the usual suspects, along with some lesser-known nuggets that also fit. Set your time-travel dial to the '70s, when George Clinton's ``Atomic Dog,'' Ohio Players' ``Fire,'' Kool & the Gang's ``Hollywood Swinging'' and the great B.T. Express cut ``Do It 'Til You're Satisfied'' ruled the waves. We wish someone would recognize the equally top-notch funk and r&b of the same period from across the Atlantic by bands such as Kokomo, FBI and Gonzalez, but either way, if you're not dancing to this stuff, you need resuscitation. Three stars

- David Bloom

Switchblade Kittens/``Hey Punk! Try Heroine(s)'' (Switchblade Kittens)

This girl-centric local quartet has banned guitars. Instead, the Kittens - known for a humorous remake of the ``Titanic'' theme that snagged college radio play - boast three bassists (one of which sounds like a guitar) and a drummer. The punky quartet's debut lives up to its potential. The tunes - namely ``All Cheerleaders Die,'' ``My Dad's a Janitor'' and the sly ``Titanic'' deconstruction - are inventive and fun. Move over, Rover, and let the Kittens take over. Two and one half stars

- F.S.

Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson and Ray Brown/``The Very Tall Band Live at the Blue Note'' (Telarc)

Last November, jazz giants Peterson, Jackson and Brown played a memorable three-night stint at New York's intimate Blue Note. Sadly, with Jackson's death from liver cancer last Saturday, this was the final time this trio recorded together. They definitely went out in style. With young drummer Karriem Riggins, the combo performs a swinging, blues-tinged program filled with the kind of instinctive improvisations that can only be developed over a lifetime. Pianist Peterson sets the groove, bassist Brown drives it along, and Jackson nails the ideas. Then, the roles switch while the music shines, infused with a profound sense of joy and connection. Three and one half stars

- G.W.

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6 Photos

PHOTO (1) no caption (Luis Miguel)

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