Playlist: The Very Best of Gloria Estefan [PA]

Performer: Gloria Estefan
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Released in the same year as THE ESSENTIAL GLORIA ESTEFAN, THE VERY BEST OF is much less comprehensive, but still features 15 U.K. Top 40 hits from Cuba's biggest musical export. One of the most underrated artists of the late '80s, Gloria Estefan--together with her husband's Miami Sound Machine--was responsible for some of the most infectious and joyous pop hits of the decade, opening the doors for the likes of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in the process. Her unique blend of Latin beats and synth-heavy pop on such tracks as "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," "Conga," and "1-2-3" helped her first two albums ANYTHING FOR YOU and CUTS BOTH WAYS, sell a million copies. But her ballads were just as strong, particularly the haunting "Can't Stay Away from You" and the beautiful "Don't Wanna Lose You Now." Her '90s output, however, was more inconsistent. The official theme for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, "Reach," is perhaps her finest moment, a motivational power ballad complete with gospel choir and tribal drums, while the Caribbean-flavored "You'll Be Mine," later sampled in Will Smith's "Miami," is an effortlessly uplifting party track. With two of her three last albums in Spanish, just two songs from the '00s appear, the world music-inspired title track from 2003's UNWRAPPED and her biggest chart hit, Mylo's reworking of "Dr. Beat" on "Doctor Pressure," featured here alongside the original. There are a few surprising omissions, notably the Top Ten hit "Christmas Through Your Eyes" and her Oscar-nominated *NSYNC duet "Music of My Heart." But with a track list spanning 20 years and seven albums, THE VERY BEST OF GLORIA ESTEFAN is still an enjoyable and well-assembled hits collection from the undisputed Queen of Latin Pop.

Gloria Estefan began her career as the lead singer for Miami Sound Machine, which found great popularity in the 1980s with its salsa-tinged dance music, and she went on to be a Latin crossover success story. Estefan has since gone solo and experimented with romantic ballads, Latin-inspired pop, and smooth Afro-Cuban Spanish-language albums, but her greatest strength lies in irrepressible, danceable party music.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.5