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Suavemente

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For a definition of the term "suavemente", see the Wiktionary entry suavemente.

Untitled

Suavemente (English: Smoothly) is the debut album by American merengue recording artist Elvis Crespo. It was released through Sony Music Latin on April 14, 1998.

Background

In 1993, brothers Henry and Omar Serrano formed Grupo Manía in Puerto Rico.[1] They enlisted Alfred Cotto, Reynaldo Santiago, and Elvis Crespo—who with the Serrano brothers transitioned as lead singers—toured and recorded two-step merengue music and popularized the genre to a more youthful crowd.[1] In 1996, Crespo left Grupo Manía and signed with Sony Music Latin—the same recording company who signed his former band—and began his solo career.[2][3] Crespo said in a May 1999 interview with Billboard magazine, that leaving the band was "a very hard decision".[4] Crespo originally intended "Suavemente" and "Tu Sonrisa" to be recorded with Grupo Manía, the two singles for which catapulted Crespo into international fame.[4]

Reception

Author Ed Morales wrote in his research book The Latin Beat (2003), that the title song was the equivalent of a "salsa classic or pop hit."[2] True crime novelist M. William Phelps called "Suavemente" a "romantic Latin ballad" in his book I'll Be Watching You (2008).[5] Lisa Shaw wrote in her book Pop Culture Latin America (2005), that "Suavemente" is "an example of some of the best merengue with a rock-pop sound."[6] According to Batanga magazine, Suavemente is "intoxicating, feverish, pure sabroso merengue. Sizzle in the summer streets to the fast-paced beats, ear busting horns and percussive stamina".[7] Latina magazine also called the recording a "feverish beat".[8]

Impact

Suavemente was considered to have revolutionized merengue music and shaped the genre into a popular subcategory of Latin music.[9] The recording elevated Crespo into international fame within the merengue market.[10]

The titular single became a staple in Latin nightclubs.[11][12] It also became a popular tune in Mexico, where the recording was predominantly used in festivals around the country.[13]

Track listing

  1. "Suavemente"
  2. "Nuestra Canción"
  3. "Luna Llena"
  4. "Me Arrepiento"
  5. "Princesita"
  6. "Tu Sonrisa"
  7. "Yo Me Moriré"
  8. "Llorando"
  9. "Por Qué?"
  10. "Te Vas"

Charts

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Morales 2003, p. 250.
  2. ^ a b Morales 2003, p. 249.
  3. ^ Lannert, John (July 25, 1998). "Latin Notas". Billboard. 110 (30): 57. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Ross, Karl (August 18, 2001). "Merengue Crew Stays On Winning Streak". Billboard. 113 (33): 32. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  5. ^ Phelps 2008, p. 228.
  6. ^ Shaw & Dennison 2005, p. 29.
  7. ^ "Batanga Music". Batanga (7–10): 27. 2004.
  8. ^ "Idaho: Shaping Up Moms As Role Models". Latina. 11: 476. November 2006.
  9. ^ Cobo, Leila (June 2, 2007). "Merengue Mélange". Billboard. 119 (22): 18. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  10. ^ Sellers 2004, p. 168.
  11. ^ Brusca 2011, p. 46.
  12. ^ Pritchard & Russo 2010, p. 48.
  13. ^ Santana 2005, p. 115.
  14. ^ "Elvis Crespo - Suavemente (album)". Allmusic. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  15. ^ "Argentinian album certifications – Elvis Crespo – Suavemente". Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers.
  16. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type Elvis Crespo in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Suavemente in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  17. ^ "American album certifications – Elvis Crespo – Suavemente". Recording Industry Association of America.
  18. ^ "Premios – 1999" (in Spanish). Cámara Uruguaya del Disco.

Sources

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