Intro/general thoughts: The man I marry will play the Flamenco Guitar. I love this CD.

And what perfect timing. I'm stranded in my house because of the worst snow/ice storm North Carolina has seen in years, and Tomas Michaud sends me "Passion Dance," a CD that turns up the heat and sends my mind to the beaches of Jamaica. Maybe if I take my CD player outside and play it at full volume, I can melt all the ice in the driveway and finally get my car free.

Type of Music: The basic feel is Latin Jazz, but so much is thrown into the mix with each song. A bit of reggae. Sounds of nature. The mystical hint of the Orient. Some rock sounds here and there. I guess the description on the back of the CD covers it: "Contemporary Instrumental World Music blended with Smooth Jazz." And did I mention Michaud plays the Flamenco Guitar? Oooooh....

Hometown: Michaud is from California - he started playing in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended California State University.

Highs: Michaud plays the Flamenco Guitar. Nuff said.

OK, there's actually more to be said. Like the way he plays the guitar. His fingers sound like they're barely touching the strings, gliding over them to play intricate melodies and making the guitar sing.

And I have to mention my favorite track, "A Walk in the Night." The ominous intro with the wailing sax evokes images from film noir. Then the dangerously mysterious mood breaks into a festival sound, like I just stepped off the dark street and into the welcoming heat of a nightclub.

Lows: Only one teensy little thing that breaks the romantic spell for a few seconds. The otherwise beautiful "Un Poquito Dulce" has a bell/percussion intro that sounds almost exactly like the opening riff from "Copacabana." With a CD this romantic, I do not want to be having visions of Barry Manilow. However, I must add that the VERY nice saxophone work here by Wayne Ledbetter definitely makes up for it.

Favorite Lines: This is instrumental music, so normally I'd leave this part out. But Michaud's guitar sings the lyrics, especially in "Night in Antigua" and "El Desierto." Each listener's imagination can supply the words.

Fans: People caught up in the Latin music invasion American music is experiencing will already have their hearts and minds open for this. However, if you think Ricky Martin is the best Latin music has to offer, drop whatever you're doing and listen to this CD. Right now. Don't make me come over there.

Foes: People with no imagination or sense of romance. Seriously. No matter what kind of music you usually listen to, if there is playfulness anywhere in your soul, you will dance to this music.

Summary: North Carolina is expecting another ice storm in the next 24 hours, and we'll probably lose our electricity. Bring it on. My portable CD player is battery-powered. I'll just soak in a bubble bath, light some candles, and get swept up in this romantic music again.

Guys, play Michaud's "Passion Dance" CD during the next romantic dinner with your wives/girlfriends. Trust me. Michaud plays the Flamenco Guitar. Ooooh...