Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		5.0

Ricky Martin Live: Black & White Tour Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Sir Terrence February 10, 2009

If I was to vote today which artist has improved the most in the last 10 years, Ricky Martin would be at or near the top of my list. The growth and performance maturity he has shown since 2000 when he released his first self titled English album to the American market has been phenomenal. After the release and subsequent tour Ricky just seemed to disappear off the radar of the American pop charts. He however was quite busy with the Latin American market releasing two albums, one in 2001, and another in 2003. The former “La Historia” and the latter "Almas del Silencio" went to number one on the Latin American pop charts, the first for five weeks, and the second for more than twelve weeks. In 2005 Martin released his second English language album entitled “Sound Loaded”, his tenth album of his career. In 2007 he began an international tour titled “Blanco Y Negro”, which brings us to the night of August 10th and 11th of 2007 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Puerto Rico, where Enrique Martin Morales got on stage and laid it down for this Bluray disc release.

1. ACT I TRIBAL Intro/Pégate/Raza de Mil Colores/Por Arriba, Por Abajo/ This Is Good/ Indonesian Transition/ Jaleo/ I Don't Care/María Mix/ Hindu Dance Transition

2. ACT II ROMANCE Vuelve/ Gracias Por Pensar En Mí/ Fuego de Noche, Nieve de Día/ She's All I Ever Had/Bella

3. ACT III REVOLUTION Rebirth Intro/ Revolución/ It's Alright/ Livin' La Vida Loca/ Somos La Semilla/ Asignatura Pendiente

4. ACT IV RAVE Rave Intro/ Drop It On Me/Lola, Lola/La Bomba/ The Cup of Life

5. ENCORE Tal Vez/ Tu Recuerdo (feat. La Mari of Chambao)

When I finished this disc, I had to sit back and say wow, that was powerful! Ricky Martin’s performance had the energy and voltage of 110 kilo volt power line, and you get so sucked up in that energy during his performance, that you are drained in the end. You always know how good a performer is when the washes, spots, video walls and dancers are off the stage, and they can still hold your attention. Ricky Martin most certainly has this gift, as he stood and blew out several ballads with his powerful and thickly textured baritone voice. He gives you a little of everything here, he sings, dances, swoons, climbs up sets and really puts on a great performance. Being Puerto Rican myself, I really appreciated the salsa and Caribbean tinged rhythmic flavors on some of the songs, but there is not a weak number on this disc. The majority of this concert Ricky speaks rapid fire Spanish as he is performing in Puerto Rico(we Puerto Ricans sure do talk fast!). It really doesn't matter, you will enjoy both the English and Spanish songs just the same.

Ricky Martin Live: Black & White Tour Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Ricky Martin Blanco Y Negro Tour Live dances its way onto the Bluray format in a flawless 1080p/AVC encode that is perfect, and I mean perfect! Filmed entirely with high definition cameras, images are squeaky clean and pristine with not a digital artifact to be found. Black levels are extremely deep, but shadow detail and detail in dark areas of the images are spectacular. Contrast is right on the money, and along with deep black levels gives the overall picture quality a very wide dynamic punch. Colors are very well saturated, and look as if they come out of a 100 color crayon box. Every primary and secondary color is in the visual mix, along with hues as well. Colors cut through the darkness with such visual power, it leaves you stunned on occasion. Pay attention to the head dress in the Indonesian Transition. Every detail of the head dress is plainly visible to the eye. The picture quality on this disc will leave nobody wanting. This is a perfect five if these eyes ever saw one. Sony deserves a big kudos for the job they did on the visuals of this disc.

Ricky Martin Live: Black & White Tour Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As good as the video is the audio keeps up with it nicely. The 5.1 PCM uncompressed audio is an auditory feast to the ears. Presented in a 24/48 kHz bit and sample rate, the audio is so transparent, my speakers just disappeared into space. Imaging is first rate, and the sound field is bigger than life, pushing the walls of my room back at least ten feet from their actual position. Bass is always tight as a stretched rubber band, and that goes for the kick drum as well. All of the musical elements had enough space and air that each could clearly and cleanly be heard. All vocals are clearly heard, from Ricky Martin's, to his background singers. The sound design is interesting, and not just your run of the mill concert sound. All channels are utilized to their fullest, and the occasional panning of effects is smooth and seamless. The sound is every bit a hit as the video, and both are as close to perfection as you can get.

Comparing the other tracks to the main track, I found the two channel sounded like the 5.1 but with the lack of envelopment the missing channels provide. The Dolby Digital track truncated the sound stage in every direction, not quite as tight in the bass, and lack the presence of the other two tracks.

Ricky Martin Live: Black & White Tour Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is not much in the name of extras, but here is what we get.

Featurette: Behind the Scenes takes us backstage before the performance, and features Ricky and the entire crew from musical director to choreographer to dancers to singers. I found it interesting but it's partly in Spanish, so there are subtitles to translate for you.

Videoscreens is a video representation of video screens presentation during the live show. I found it pretty cool, but others may disagree.

Ricky Martin Live: Black & White Tour Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

After viewing the disc, I can do nothing but rave about Ricky Martin's performance. To say it succinctly, he is just off the hook! The entire show knocks you to the floor with its energy, the visuals are to die for, and Ricky sings like a mad man on a mission. This disc deserves nothing less than a perfect score across the board, and is worth every dime. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!