Sensual Simplicity Leaving Room for Growth.

It sounded great on paper. For its annual season at the Joyce Theater, which began on Tuesday, Ballet Hispanico commissioned a piece by the celebrated choreographer Ronald K. Brown. The dance would apply Mr. Brown's deep understanding of the African diaspora to the company's Latino heritage, by way of the Peruvian singer and preservationist of Afro-Peruvian culture Susana Baca. Ms. Baca was even on hand at the Joyce, with four fine musicians, to give richly sensual, spiritually subtle renditions of songs from her 2002 recording, ''Espiritu Vivo'' (''Living Spirit''). Mr. Brown's dance, also called ''Espiritu Vivo,'' was a richly sensual, spiritually subtle composition. Subtle, however, is not Ballet Hispanico's strong suit. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]