Gloria Estefan - Gloria!

In the middle of the techno revolution, it was a bit of a risky move for Gloria Estefan to release Gloria!, an album of pure, unadulterated disco that sounds as if it could have been recorded two decades earlier. The risk paid off, though, because the album turned out to be one of her best--a nonstop dance party that keeps cooking through beat-heavy thumpers such as "Heaven's What I Feel," "Oye," and "I Just Wanna Be Happy"--the latter two bring in some of the Latin elements of her Miami Sound Machine days. Two concessions to current music trends include a duet with Wyclef Jean on "Don't Release Me" and the politically charged lyrics of "Cuba Libre" that cause you to think while you dance. --Daniel Durchholz Amazon.com essential recording

THE BEST !!!!

Well, I'm the number one fan !!!i need to have this LP record ! This is one of the best Gloria Estefan's album ! The blue vinyl it's just great !!! August 1, 2008

Super. A real party cd too

I really love this one. Full of music that I keep listening to over and over again. My faves on this one are:Heaven's What I Feel,Real Woman,Don't Let This Moment End,Lucky Girl May 20, 2008

Her Rhythm's Gonna Get You...

Admittedly, I am biased. I love Gloria and think that the lady can do no wrong. Having said that, I can say that this is one of the best dabce CDs ever recorded, and one of the best musical statements of Gloria's versatile career. I often judge music by it's longevity in my life, and this one returns with a vengeance every time the weather heats up and I'm looking for some inspiration. After nine years, it's STILL the soundtrack to my summers. There are few artists who could meld disco, salsa, hip-hop, techno and Afro-Cuban rhythms seamlessly. But Gloria can, and this album proves that there is nothing she can't do. From the pop sensibilities of "Heaven's What I Feel" to the Latin fusion and bilingual delivery of the spicy "Oye" to the disco-heavy beats of "Don't Let This Moment End," each song presents a sound and style all its own while combining together to create a dancefloor throw-down. And the non-singles are just as good, if not better, than those songs that went to radio and clubs. For instance, "Feelin,'" with its old-school vibe and joyous delivery, could be the best song that you've never heard, and "Don't Stop" and "I Just Wanna Be Happy" are undeniable in their brilliance. (Not to mention the guilty pleasure that is Gloria teaming with Wyclef Jean on the bonus remix of "Don't Relese Me") "Gloria!" is a non-stop celebration of life and love, and this diva has never sounded stronger-or sexier. It's a shame that this album got lost in the shuffle, with Madonna's "Ray Of Light" and Cher's "Believe" stealing its thunder, because, simply put, it's the only album of the three that doesn't have a letdown. This is the perfect CD for summer-and summer lovin'!-and I guarantee you'll find yourself dusting it off year after year 'cuz there's no denying that the rhythm's gonna get you! May 13, 2007

fast forward

One wonders how a project like this gets started.

Were Gloria and Emilio lounging around the fireplace one night when ...

Gloria: ¿Amor?

Emilio: Yes, mi Gloria?

Gloria: I've been thinking. I think we need to do a dance album.

Emilio: Hmm ... We've never done anything like that, mi vida.

Gloria: I know. But I think I have a dance album in me.

Emilio: I see, mi estrella. Let me make some phone calls.

Amazingly, it works. Against all odds, one might add.

Gloria thumps through this pulse-rattling, no-breathers-allowed collection of fifteen dance tunes as though her middle name were Janet Jackson. Amazingly, there's not a loser among them. She even manages to get enough Latin rhythm and language into the mix to make it sound like authentic Gloria.

All of which reminds one that she was someone's first pick for the musical 'Evita', giving place to Madonna in the end. And makes one wonder whether there's anything Gloria cannot, would not do with the right motivation and Emilio's quality production to make sure it flies high.

Hmm ... January 4, 2007

Gloria Returns to the Dancefloor...with winning results!

After spending most of the 1990's refining the art of the adult contemporary ballad & returning to her Cuban music roots; Gloria came home to the dancefloor in June of 1998. "Gloria!" made good on the promise of prior dance nuggets like "Everlasting Love", "Turn the Beat Around", & "You'll Be Mine (Party Time)".

The record is solid & flows as a cohesive unit due in part to Gloria's veteran production crew. Kike Santander, Lawrence Dermer, Pablo Flores, & Gloria's own husband/manager, Emilio Estefan all guide Gloria's lush vocals through the walls of sound they construct.

And what walls. Opening on the strong presence of the breezy "Heaven's What I Feel", Gloria sahsays through majority of the record, keeping the tempo upbeat, barring a momentary mid-tempo rest with "Touched By An Angel". The listener will barely be able to catch a breath before, or after that point, & joyfully so.

The highlights here are endless, ones that find Gloria's voice in charismatic, soaring form on the sparkling "Don't Let This Moment End" & spunky Wyclef Jean duet "Don't Release Me". The latter would be echoed by both Wyclef & Shakira several years later on her own "Hips Don't Lie" cut. "Oye" is smoking number reminiscent of "Conga", but leaves little to the imagination with it's sultry, but ever classy come-on's. "Real Woman", an excellent production showcase with amazing synth & authentic drum programming, is lush & fun. You can almost hear Gloria grinning here.

"Feelin'" is an upbeat & romantic ode to couples who first find love. Again, Gloria's voice is rich, textured, & all at once impassioned here. It proves that while the dance soundscapes are mighty, it is Gloria's voice that gives them true life & soul.

Even the remixes are full of inventive fire, rather than just recycling the same tired ideas. The "Don't Release Me" edit is quite colorful & full of romantic spark from both Gloria & Wyclef equally.

Sadly, this record carried on the commercial decline of the "only platinum" success of 1996's "Destiny", only achieving gold status. That is a shame, because "Gloria!" was another fine addition to discography of Estefan, though it did find life (rightfully so) within the dance charts. Either way, if you are looking for a record that is dancy, romantic, & fun, with soul..."Gloria!" is it. Highly recommended. December 5, 2006

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