Finally today -- a trip to CuCuLand. That's the name of a new album by a Cuban singer who lives in New York City. The World's William Troop has today's Global Hit.

The singer's name is CuCu Diamantes. You might know her -- if you've heard the music of New York-based Latin fusion band Yerba Buena. She's been the band's lead singer for 8 years. But now it's CuCu's time to let off a little "solo" steam.

The result is CuCuLand -- an album full of songs about the singer's past love affairs. This track is called ALGUIEN -- and in it CuCu Diamantes sings about longing for someone who would love her the way she wants to be loved.

Other songs talk about former lovers, old flames that return, even cheating partners called to task. Diamantes says writing the songs was like emptying a suitcase full of memories. And she says the main idea is -- if you're in a bad relationship -- move one, because you only have one life to live:

“Life is here now. So we have to take advantage of that. Because in reality we don't know if we're gonna have another life. I will enjoy that idea too. But I have to enjoy this one.”

Musically -- she does seem to be enjoying life. The new album by CuCu Diamantes is sassy, upbeat and full of life. She says there's a lot of her native Cuba in the music -- starting with her voice.

“I think, you know, my voice is very, very Cuban. I say I have a virus tha doesn't go away. (laughs) I'm like the female Ricky Ricardo!”

But she's more than just a female Ricky Ricardo. One reviewer's called CuCu Diamentes "a musicologist's dream." She's adept at mixing -- say -- funk with old-style Latin grooves. As you can hear in this track, called Mas Fuerte -- which means Stronger.

CuCu Diamantes sings to -- who else? -- a former lover -- I'm stronger than you -- I'm more courageous than you -- and I have a full life without you.

Ouch.

That's the kind of emotion that fills CuCuLand -- the CD.

But CuCu Diamantes says CuCuLand is also a state of mind -- an emotional place familiar to anyone who's ever suffered from a broken heart.

For The World, I'm William Troop.