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The 2006 release of The Essential Gloria Estefan satisfied a long unmet need for a career-spanning English-language retrospective, one that includes the singer's popular hits with Miami Sound Machine in the mid-'80s as well as her subsequent solo recordings. For years, Estefan fans had few best-of choices to choose from -- the Spanish-language Exitos de Gloria Estefan (1990), the two-volume Greatest Hits series (1992, 2001), and the latter-day Amor y Suerte: Exitos Romanticos collection (2004) -- with no alternatives, not even budget-line knockoffs. The long-overdue release of The Essential Gloria Estefan thankfully resolved this gripe, for it includes the highlights from all aspects of Estefan's varied output, spread generously across two jam-packed discs. (Well, it does exclude her bounty of Spanish-language recordings, the highlights of which can be found on Oye Mi Canto: Los Exitos, an excellent single-disc retrospective released simultaneously. But at least there are some key inclusions here from the excellent Mi Tierra album from 1993 -- a full-length that deserves to be heard in full. Pretty much all the Miami Sound Machine hits are here, beginning with "Dr. Beat," as are all of Estefan's initial solo smashes from Cuts Both Ways (1989) and Into the Light (1991). Some of these songs are featured in their single versions, notably "Bad Boy," "1-2-3," and "Live for Loving You," which is a good call in those cases, because these versions were the ones that became radio hits. There is also a lot of Estefan's post-prime material here, taken from albums like Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me (1994), Destiny (1996), and Gloria! (1998); and there are a few songs previously found only on compilations, most notably the beautiful "I See Your Smile." But the emphasis overall is on Estefan's more popular, earlier material, and rightfully so. The sequencing may be an issue for some, as it splits her songs between a "fast" and "slow" disc -- that is, a disc of dance-pop and one of ballads. It's an appropriate decision, for Estefan's music always did veer back and forth from one extreme to the other. However, the decision to sequence the discs non-chronologically is more troublesome, especially for those who would prefer the Miami Sound Machine material front-loaded in favor of the less well-known latter-day solo recordings. These minor matters aside, The Essential Gloria Estefan is without question the one-stop English-language retrospective that her catalog had been lacking for years. A more succinct single-disc collection (for instance, the Miami Sound Machine-heavy Greatest Hits) may be more suitable for the less committed, but anyone looking for the full package need not look further. That is, unless you want her Spanish-language hits, too, in which case there's the likewise full-package Oye Mi Canto: Los Exitos.
© Jason Birchmeier /TiVo
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Leo Villar, Trumpet - Luis Perez, Trombone - Gustavo Lezcano, Harmonica - Rubens Basini, Performer - Joe Galdo, Performer - Enrigue "Kiki" Garcia, Drums - Wesley B. Wright, Guitar - Juan Marcos Avila, Bass - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Jr. Emilio Estefan, Percussion - Betty Cortes, Synthesizer - Miami Sound Machine, Performer - Eddie Calle, Performer - Victor López, Trumpet - Gloria M. Estefan, Vocal - Roger Fisher, Keyboards - E. E. Garcia, Composer - E. E. Garcia, Lyricist - Lawrence Dermer, Performer
(P) 1984 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Teddy Mulet, Trumpet - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - E. Garcia, Composer - E. Garcia, Lyricist - Lawrence Dermer, Producer - Rafael Vigil, Producer - John De Farria, Guitar - Enrique Garcia, Drums - Jorge Casas, Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Clay Ostwald, Keyboards - Joe Galdo, Producer - Randy Barlow, Trumpet - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Percussion - Ed Calle, Saxophone - Jim Trompeter, Keyboards
(P) 1987 Sony Music Entertainment
K. Santander, Composer - K. Santander, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Tony Moran, Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1998 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jorge Casas, Bass - Dana Teboe, Trombone - Donna Allen, Background Vocal - Buzz Cason, Composer - Buzz Cason, Lyricist - Ed Calle, Tenor Saxophone - Whit Sidener, Alto Saxophone - Lawrence Dermer, Background Vocal - Lawrence Dermer, Producer - Edwin Bonilla, Percussion - Mac Gayden, Composer - Mac Gayden, Lyricist - Jorge Casas, Producer - Andy Goldman, Guitar - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Charles Christopher, Background Vocal - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Executive Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Randy Barlow, Trumpet
(P) 1994 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Lawrence Dermer, Composer - Lawrence Dermer, Lyricist - C. Ostwald, Composer - C. Ostwald, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Lyricist - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Composer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1996 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Teddy Mulet, Trumpet - Teddy Mulet, Trombone - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - J. De Faria, Composer - J. De Faria, Lyricist - John DeFaria, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - John DeFaria, Electric Guitar - Mike Scaglione, Saxophone - J. Casas, Composer - J. Casas, Lyricist - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Background Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Clay Ostwald, Background Vocal - Clay Ostwald, Piano - Clay Ostwald, Synthesizer - C. Ostwald, Composer - C. Ostwald, Lyricist - Randy Barlow, Background Vocal - Randy Barlow, Trumpet - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Jon Secada, Background Vocal
(P) 1989 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Lawrence Dermer, Composer - Lawrence Dermer, Lyricist - Jorge Casas, Producer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1992 Sony Music Entertainment
Lawrence Dermer, Producer - Lawrence Dermer, Composer - Lawrence Dermer, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Ruben Blades, Lyricist - Ruben Blades, Composer - Tony Moran, Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Composer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Lyricist - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1998 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Pedro Alfonso, Violin - Robert Blades, Vocal - Robert Blades, Producer - Robert Blades, Composer - Robert Blades, Lyricist - Ricardo Gaitán, Vocal - Edwin Bonilla, Percussion - Edwin Bonilla, Congas - Edwin Bonilla, Bongos - Alberto Gaitán, Vocal - Paquito Hechavarria, Piano - George Noriega, Producer - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Manny López, Guitar - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Lyricist - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Composer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Sal Cuevas, Guitar - Sal Cuevas, Bass
(P) 2000 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Lawrence Dermer, Composer - Lawrence Dermer, Lyricist - R. Vigil, Composer - R. Vigil, Lyricist - J. Galdo, Composer - J. Galdo, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1985 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Lawrence Dermer, Producer - E. Garcia, Composer - E. Garcia, Lyricist - RAFAEL VIGIL, Producer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Gloria M. Estefan, Composer - Gloria M. Estefan, Lyricist - JOE GALDO, Producer
(P) 1987 Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited
Teddy Mulet, Background Vocal - Teddy Mulet, Trumpet - Teddy Mulet, Trombone - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - Paco Fonta, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - John DeFaria, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - John DeFaria, Electric Guitar - Mike Scaglione, Saxophone - J. Casas, Composer - J. Casas, Lyricist - Jorge Casas, Background Vocal - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Bass - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Background Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Clay Ostwald, Piano - Clay Ostwald, Synthesizer - Paquito Hechevarria, Piano - C. Ostwald, Composer - C. Ostwald, Lyricist - Randy Barlow, Background Vocal - Randy Barlow, Trumpet - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Jon Secada, Background Vocal
(P) 1989 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Emilio Estefan, Producer - Diane Warren, Lyricist - Diane Warren, Composer - Jorge Casas, Producer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Lyricist - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Composer
(P) 1991 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
J. R. Marquez, Composer - J. R. Marquez, Lyricist - Jorge Casas, Producer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1993 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Randall Barlow, Producer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - R. Barlow, Composer - R. Barlow, Lyricist - Tony Moran, Producer - A. Chirino, Composer - A. Chirino, Lyricist - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Composer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Lyricist - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1998 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Lawrence Dermer, Producer - Lawrence Dermer, Arranger - Gerald Jackson, Composer - Gerald Jackson, Lyricist - Pete Jackson, Composer - Pete Jackson, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Nathaniel Seidman, Arranger - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1994 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jorge Casas, Producer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Fabio Salgado, Composer - Fabio Salgado, Lyricist
(P) 1993 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Juanito Márquez, Guitar - Victor López, Trumpet - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - Roger Fisher, Keyboards - Betty Cortez, Background Vocal - Betty Cortez, Keyboards - Gustavo Lezcano, Harmonica - Juan Marcos Avila, Bass - Enrique Elias Garcia, Composer - Enrique Elias Garcia, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Wesley B. Wright, Guitar - Paquito Hechevarria, Piano - Miami Sound Machine, Performer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Percussion - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Ed Calle, Saxophone - Enrique E. Garcia, Drums - Tony Concepción, Trumpet
(P) 1985 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
DISC 2
Teddy Mulet, Trumpet - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - Lawrence Dermer, Producer - Rafael Vigil, Producer - John De Farria, Guitar - Enrique Garcia, Drums - Jorge Casas, Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Clay Ostwald, Keyboards - Joe Galdo, Producer - Randy Barlow, Trumpet - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Percussion - Ed Calle, Saxophone - Jim Trompeter, Keyboards
(P) 1987 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Teddy Mulet, Trumpet - Teddy Mulet, Trombone - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - Michael Thompson, Electric Guitar - John DeFaria, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - John DeFaria, Electric Guitar - Mike Scaglione, Saxophone - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Bass - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Clay Ostwald, Piano - Clay Ostwald, Synthesizer - Randy Barlow, Trumpet - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Jon Secada, Background Vocal
(P) 1989 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Teddy Mulet, Trumpet - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - John De Farria, Guitar - Enrique Garcia, Drums - Jorge Casas, Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Clay Ostwald, Keyboards - Randy Barlow, Trumpet - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Percussion - Ed Calle, Saxophone - Jim Trompeter, Keyboards
(P) 1987 Sony Music Entertainment
Victor López, Trumpet - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - Roger Fisher, Keyboards - Betty Cortez, Background Vocal - Betty Cortez, Keyboards - Gustavo Lezcano, Harmonica - Juan Marcos Avila, Bass - R. Vigil, Composer - R. Vigil, Lyricist - Lawrence Dermer, Composer - Lawrence Dermer, Lyricist - MSM, Performer - Gloria M. Estefan, Vocal - J. Galdo, Composer - J. Galdo, Lyricist - Wesley B. Wright, Guitar - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Percussion - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Ed Calle, Saxophone - Enrique E. Garcia, Drums - Tony Concepción, Trumpet
(P) 1985 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Victor López, Trumpet - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - Roger Fisher, Keyboards - Betty Cortez, Background Vocal - Betty Cortez, Keyboards - Gustavo Lezcano, Harmonica - Juan Marcos Avila, Bass - MSM, Performer - Gloria M. Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Wesley B. Wright, Guitar - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Percussion - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Ed Calle, Saxophone - Enrique E. Garcia, Drums - Tony Concepción, Trumpet
(P) 1985 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Teddy Mulet, Trumpet - Teddy Mulet, Trombone - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - John DeFaria, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - John DeFaria, Electric Guitar - Mike Scaglione, Saxophone - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Clay Ostwald, Piano - Clay Ostwald, Synthesizer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Randy Barlow, Trumpet
(P) 1989 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Teddy Mulet, Trumpet - Teddy Mulet, Trombone - Rafael Padilla, Percussion - John DeFaria, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - John DeFaria, Electric Guitar - Mike Scaglione, Saxophone - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Bass - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Clay Ostwald, Piano - Clay Ostwald, Synthesizer - Randy Barlow, Trumpet - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Roger Hughes, 2nd Engineer
(P) 1989 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Luis Enrique, Percussion - Juanito R. Marquez, Guitar - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Bass - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Chamin Correa, Guitar - Alfredo Correa, Background Vocal - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Composer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Lyricist
(P) 1993 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rafael Padilla, Percussion - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Bass - Gloria Estefan, Background Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Clay Ostwald, Piano - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - John DeFaria, Guitar
(P) 1991 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Laura Seaton, Violin - Mark Schuman, Acoustic Cello - Jorge Casas, Orchestrator - Jorge Casas, Performer - Jorge Casas, Bass - Edwin Bonilla, Percussion - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Paolo Gualano, Snare Drum - Paolo Gualano, Drums - Craig Mumm, Viola - John Pinta Valle, Violin - Crystal Garner, Viola - Barry Finclair, Violin - Barry Finclair, Bass - Rick Melverne, Performer - Narciso Figueroa, Violin - Elena Barere, Violin - Shaun Fisher, Performer - Joe Bongiorno, Bass - Eric Wyric, Violin - Nancy MacAlhany, Violin - Diane Warren, Composer - Diane Warren, Lyricist - John Feeney, Violin - Sharon Diacheysn, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Avril Brown, Violin - Michelle Vandenbos, Performer - Julien Barber, Viola - Andy Goldman, Guitar - Marti Sweet, Bass - Guillermo Figueroa, Violin - Carol Becker, Performer - John Beale, Violin - Homer Mensch, Bass - Jose A. Molina, Orchestrator - Caryl Paisner, Acoustic Cello - Joyce Hammann, Violin - Donna Tecco, Violin - Paul Peabody, Violin - Gene Orloff, Violin - Cecilia Hobbs Gardner, Violin - David Nadien, Violin - Ellen Westerman, Acoustic Cello - Charles Libove, Violin - Lawrence Dermer, Background Vocal - Lawrence Dermer, Producer - Sarah Moore, Performer - Richard Locker, Acoustic Cello - Rick Morris, Performer - Philip Lakofsky, Acoustic Cello - Richard Sortomme, Violin - Debbie Spring, Viola - Heidi Modr, Violin - Carol Landon, Viola - Susan K. Pray, Viola - Jan Mullen, Violin - Diane Barere, Acoustic Cello - Maryhelen Ewing, Viola - Donna Allen, Background Vocal - Jean LeBlanc, Acoustic Cello - Davonda Afolabi, Performer - Sandra Park, Violin - Jr. Eugene Moye, Acoustic Cello - Carol Sortomme, Violin
(P) 1996 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Diane Warren, Composer - Diane Warren, Lyricist - *NSYNC and Gloria Estefan, Performer
(P)1999 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
M. A. Morejon, Composer - M. A. Morejon, Lyricist - Rene Luis Toledo, Electric Guitar - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - J. Secada, Composer - J. Secada, Lyricist - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1992 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
K. Santander, Composer - K. Santander, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1996 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
G. Marco Zignago, Composer - G. Marco Zignago, Lyricist - Luis Angel Pastor, Bass - Archie Peña, Percussion - Sebastian Krys, Producer - Gloria M. Estefan, Producer - Gloria M. Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria M. Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Dan Warner, Guitar - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Ron Taylor, Keyboards - Manu Katche, Drums
(P) 2003 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Julian C. Barber, Viola - Laura Seaton, Violin - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Piano - Jorge Casas, Bass - Tim Mitchell, Guitar - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - John Beal, Bass - John Pinta Valle, Violin - Harry Noble, Jr., Composer - Harry Noble, Jr., Lyricist - Barry Finclair, Violin - Elena Barere, Violin - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Background Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Charles McCracken, Acoustic Cello - Homer Mensch, Bass - Donna Tecco, Violin - Mark Orrin Shuman, Acoustic Cello - Frederick Zlotkin, Acoustic Cello - Clay Ostwald, Producer - David Nadien, Violin - Marti Jane Sweet, Violin - Lawrence Dermer, Background Vocal - Charles Libove, Violin - Lagaylia, Background Vocal - Richard Locker, Acoustic Cello - Jean M. Ingraham, Violin - Richard Sortomme, Violin - Rita Quintero, Background Vocal - Regis Iandorio, Violin - Jesse Levy, Acoustic Cello - Olivia Koppell, Viola - Jan Mullen, Violin - Rick Bieder, Background Vocal - Susan K. Pray, Viola - Matthew Raimondi, Violin - Abraham Appleman, Violin - Harold Kohon, Violin - Sandra Park, Violin - Gerald Tarack, Violin - Lamar Alsop, Viola - Charles Christopher, Background Vocal
(P) 1994 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Laura Seaton, Violin - Emily Estefan, Rap Performed By - Mark Schuman, Acoustic Cello - Jorge Casas, Guitar - Jorge Casas, Orchestrator - Jorge Casas, Performer - Jorge Casas, Bass - Edwin Bonilla, Percussion - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Craig Mumm, Viola - John Pinta Valle, Violin - Crystal Garner, Viola - Barry Finclair, Violin - Barry Finclair, Bass - Narciso Figueroa, Violin - Elena Barere, Violin - Joe Bongiorno, Bass - Eric Wyric, Violin - Nancy MacAlhany, Violin - John Feeney, Violin - Gloria Estefan, Background Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Avril Brown, Violin - Julien Barber, Viola - Marti Sweet, Bass - Guillermo Figueroa, Violin - John Beale, Violin - Homer Mensch, Bass - Joyce Hammann, Violin - Caryl Paisner, Acoustic Cello - Donna Tecco, Violin - Paul Peabody, Violin - Gene Orloff, Violin - Cecilia Hobbs Gardner, Violin - David Nadien, Violin - Ellen Westerman, Acoustic Cello - Lawrence Dermer, Keyboards - Charles Libove, Violin - Richard Locker, Acoustic Cello - Philip Lakofsky, Acoustic Cello - Richard Sortomme, Violin - Debbie Spring, Viola - Heidi Modr, Violin - Carol Landon, Viola - Susan K. Pray, Viola - Jan Mullen, Violin - Diane Barere, Acoustic Cello - Maryhelen Ewing, Viola - Jean LeBlanc, Acoustic Cello - Sandra Park, Violin - Jr. Eugene Moye, Acoustic Cello - Carol Sortomme, Violin
(P) 1996 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Rod Wilson, Background Vocal - Robert Rodriguez, Drums - Angelo Morris, Piano - Brian Monroney, Guitar - Clovette Hilton, Background Vocal - Carl Ramsey, Background Vocal - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Jeannette Wright-Black, Background Vocal - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Namphuyo Aisha McCray, Background Vocal - Anita Faye Green, Background Vocal - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Lyricist - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Composer - Betty Wright, Background Vocal - Jon Secada, Background Vocal - Jon Secada, Composer - Jon Secada, Lyricist
(P) 1991 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Lawrence Dermer, Background Vocal - Rene Luis Toledo, Electric Guitar - Jorge Casas, Producer - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jorge Casas, Acoustic Bass - Gloria Estefan, Vocal - Gloria Estefan, Performer - Gloria Estefan, Lyricist - Gloria Estefan, Composer - Clay Ostwald, Producer - Clay Ostwald, Organ - Steven Sigurdson, Acoustic Cello - Emilio Estefan, Jr., Producer
(P) 1992 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Album review
The 2006 release of The Essential Gloria Estefan satisfied a long unmet need for a career-spanning English-language retrospective, one that includes the singer's popular hits with Miami Sound Machine in the mid-'80s as well as her subsequent solo recordings. For years, Estefan fans had few best-of choices to choose from -- the Spanish-language Exitos de Gloria Estefan (1990), the two-volume Greatest Hits series (1992, 2001), and the latter-day Amor y Suerte: Exitos Romanticos collection (2004) -- with no alternatives, not even budget-line knockoffs. The long-overdue release of The Essential Gloria Estefan thankfully resolved this gripe, for it includes the highlights from all aspects of Estefan's varied output, spread generously across two jam-packed discs. (Well, it does exclude her bounty of Spanish-language recordings, the highlights of which can be found on Oye Mi Canto: Los Exitos, an excellent single-disc retrospective released simultaneously. But at least there are some key inclusions here from the excellent Mi Tierra album from 1993 -- a full-length that deserves to be heard in full. Pretty much all the Miami Sound Machine hits are here, beginning with "Dr. Beat," as are all of Estefan's initial solo smashes from Cuts Both Ways (1989) and Into the Light (1991). Some of these songs are featured in their single versions, notably "Bad Boy," "1-2-3," and "Live for Loving You," which is a good call in those cases, because these versions were the ones that became radio hits. There is also a lot of Estefan's post-prime material here, taken from albums like Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me (1994), Destiny (1996), and Gloria! (1998); and there are a few songs previously found only on compilations, most notably the beautiful "I See Your Smile." But the emphasis overall is on Estefan's more popular, earlier material, and rightfully so. The sequencing may be an issue for some, as it splits her songs between a "fast" and "slow" disc -- that is, a disc of dance-pop and one of ballads. It's an appropriate decision, for Estefan's music always did veer back and forth from one extreme to the other. However, the decision to sequence the discs non-chronologically is more troublesome, especially for those who would prefer the Miami Sound Machine material front-loaded in favor of the less well-known latter-day solo recordings. These minor matters aside, The Essential Gloria Estefan is without question the one-stop English-language retrospective that her catalog had been lacking for years. A more succinct single-disc collection (for instance, the Miami Sound Machine-heavy Greatest Hits) may be more suitable for the less committed, but anyone looking for the full package need not look further. That is, unless you want her Spanish-language hits, too, in which case there's the likewise full-package Oye Mi Canto: Los Exitos.
© Jason Birchmeier /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 37 track(s)
- Total length: 02:32:35
- Main artists: Gloria Estefan
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Epic - Legacy
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
(P) 2006 Sony Music Entertainment
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