90 Millas (90 Miles in English, pronounced "no-VEN-ta Mi-yas" in Spanish) is the eleventh solo studio album by the Cuban-American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan, and her fourth Spanish language album, coming after Mi Tierra, Abriendo Puertas and Alma Caribeña. It was released on September 17, 2007 by SonyBMG. All original material, the album contains a selection of various Cuban rhythms mixed with Latin-American contemporary pop.

90 Millas
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 17, 2007 (2007-09-17)
Recorded2006
StudioGlenwood Place Studios (Burbank, California), Capitol Studios (Los Angeles, CA), Alfa Recording Studios (San Juan, Puerto Rico), Panic Room Studios (Miami, Florida), Tarpan Studios (San Rafael, California)
Genre[1]
Length52:28
Label
Producer
Gloria Estefan chronology
The Essential Gloria Estefan
(2006)
90 Millas
(2007)
Miss Little Havana
(2011)
Singles from 90 Millas
  1. "No Llores"
    Released: June 18, 2007
  2. "Me Odio"
    Released: November 2007
  3. "Píntame De Colores"
    Released: February 2008

The album debuted at #25 in the Billboard 200 chart and became Estefan's third number-one album on Billboard's Top Latin Albums. She was also honored with awards including two Latin Grammy Awards for "Best Traditional Tropical Album" and "Best Tropical Song" (for "Píntame De Colores"). Estefan also received two Billboard Latin Music Awards and was the recipient of the BMI Icon of the Year Award.

Three singles were released from the album, although "Pintame De Colores" was a promotional-only single for Latin-radio stations. "No Llores" became Estefan's 14th number-one on Billboard's Latin Songs chart. It was followed by "Me Odio," which shot to the Latin Chart Top 40, and finally the Latin Grammy Award winning song, "Píntame De Colores."

Recording and development

edit

The album, with 14 brand new tracks, is a tribute to the music of Estefan's native Cuba, following on from her previous Cuban-influenced album, 1993's multi-platinum Mi Tierra. 90 Millas has been described as Estefan's love letter to the people of Cuba, and her beloved country.[2]

Carlos Santana made a guest appearance on the album, which also included several other legends of traditional Latin music such as: Andy García, Jose Feliciano, Cachao, La India, Candido Camero, Sheila E., Johnny Pacheco, Papo Lucca, Sal Cuevas, Giovanni Hidalgo, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Nelson Gonzalez, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, Generoso Jiménez, Luis Enrique, and Orestes Vilato. The Album was produced by Emilio Estefan & Gaitán Bros, and Composed by Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Ricardo Gaitán & Alberto Gaitán.

The album was released worldwide in September 2007 and the track listing was different in certain countries, the European version and the Limited Edition Package (which was released exclusively in United States and United Kingdom) have two bonus tracks; "Vueltas Da La Vida" and "No Llores" (featuring Wisin & Yandel). The Japanese edition also features "Vueltas Da la Vida" as well as "Al Verte Partir", a track exclusive to this version.

The inclusion of Carlos Santana on the album stirred a controversy among certain Cuban exiles in the U.S. who alleged Santana was sympathetic to the Fidel Castro regime and Che Guevara because he had worn a t-shirt featuring Guevara's image created by Jim Fitzpatrick.[3] Emilio and Gloria Estefan issued a joint statement in March 2007, addressing the controversy:

"For the past 32 years of our career, our position against the Castro regime has been crystal clear . . . we have expressed our disagreement with the Cuban dictatorship and have spoken worldwide of the pain of the Cuban people. We have never nor would we ever collaborate with anyone who supports the Cuban dictatorship or Che Guevara. This should be abundantly clear due to our trajectory".[4]

90 Millas made it to the 2007 Billboard Year-End Charts", and ranked #28 at the Billboard Top Latin Albums, and #4 at the Top Tropical Albums. In April 2008, Estefan was the winner of two Billboard Latin Music Awards beating other artists such as Olga Tañon and Fanny Lú in the race for the "Tropical Album of the Year — Female" and "Tropical Airplay Song of the Year" for "No Llores".

Estefan also received three nominations at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2008, and won for "Best Traditional Tropical Album" and "Best Tropical Song" for "Píntame De Colores" (she was also nominated for "Best Music Video – Long Form", but she lost out to Julieta Venegas's MTV Unplugged video concert). Estefan was also selected as the "Persona Del Año" ("Person of the Year"), the first time this award was given to a female artist.

For the 2008 Billboard Year-End charts, the album ranked at #7 in the Top Tropical Albums, and #59 in the Top Latin Albums. Estefan also ranked seventh as the Top Tropical Albums Artist.[5][6]

Promotion

edit

Media and promotional tour

edit

Estefan embarked on a short international promotional tour in September 2007. She performed first in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on September 8, 2007. Her performance included new songs, along with a collection of old hits. The performance was free and open to members of the public, and was part of the "Wereld Havens Dagen" (World Harbour Days), commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Port of Rotterdam.[7] She also performed a free show at the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Spain on September 15, 2007.

A point of promotion for the album was a special album signing date at a Starbucks in the Bronx, New York. Another venue of the promo-tour was a special concert at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan. She was also set to appear on the show Dancing With the Stars, performing some songs from her new album, but canceled the performance due her mother's critical health status. A week later, she performed at the show singing "A Bailar" and her 1985 hit "Conga".[8]

Tour

edit

On May 1, 2008, Estefan announced that she would begin a tour in September 2008 in Spain to promote her latest effort. The "90 Millas World Tour" was made to promote the album only on the European continent,[9] but before she started the European tour, Estefan made an appearance in the United States at the opening of the MGM Grand's new venue, the Foxwoods Resort Casino, for three sold-out dates including Memorial Day. She then performed at the Casino Rama, in Canada before beginning the European dates.

Singles

edit

"No Llores" was released as the lead single on June 18, 2007. The song received some praise by Leila Cobo of Billboard who called it "a standout for impeccable production and enviable mix that allows every instrumental line (and there are many) to resonate with bell-like clarity. This is real music, to be danced to as much as cherished for its adept skill".[10] The song was a success on the Latin charts, becoming Estefan's fourteenth number-one on the "Hot Latin Songs" chart and was also another number-one on the Tropical Airplay charts. It was also a Top 20 hit in other Latin major charts such as Latin Pop Airplay, Latin Regional Mexican Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay charts. However, the song didn't make it onto the Billboard Hot 100 charting outside it at #117. To promote the song further in different formats, some remixes were made for the single, Cuban rapper Pitbull performed on a Hip-Hop version of the song, and a Reggae mix featuring Puerto-Rican Wisin & Yandel was also released. A Salsa remix was also made.

"Me Odio" was released as the second single from the album in November 2007 as a radio-only single. The song was less successful in comparison to its predecessor, peaking at #37 on the "Hot Latin Songs", though it made the Top 40 on various other Airplay charts such as the Tropical Airplay and the Latin Regional Mexican Airplay. Remixes made again included a Hip-Hop version (this time featuring rapper Fat Joe) and a Salsa version.

"Píntame De Colores" was released as the third and final single from this album in February 2008, again as a U.S. radio promo single. Though the song was a hit in the Tropical Airplay charts, it failed to enter the major Latin charts, becoming Estefan's first single released solely to Latin music stations not to make the Hot Latin Songs chart. Despite this, the song won a Latin Grammy for "Best Tropical Song", and was also nominated for a Billboard Latin Music Award (though lost to Ivy Queen and "Dime").

"Bésame" was released exclusively to Honduras, where due excellent digital sales, the song was able to peak number two on the singles chart, becoming the only country where the song gained that position, and also being the only song to chart from the album at the country.[11]

Critical reception

edit
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic     [1]
Billboardfavorable[12]
About.com     [13]

Jason Birchmeier from Billboard commented that "ever since Gloria Estefan split from Miami Sound Machine in 1989 to go solo, her best efforts tended to be her Spanish-language ones, and her fourth such album, 90 Millas, is no exception. In fact, it might be her best overall effort—regardless of language—since Mi Tierra (1993), which was her first to be sung entirely in Spanish and an instant, best-selling classic. In a couple ways, 90 Millas is a follow-up to Mi Tierra".[12]

Tijana Illich from about.com said "Gloria Estefan's fourth Spanish-language album is her best, not surprising when you consider the spectacular cast of musicians that join her on this homage to her native Cuba. 90 Millas takes Estefan back to her roots with lots of varied Afro-Cuban rhythms and genres, some pure in form, others mixed with her trademark pop sound. A must have for any fan of modern, Afro-Cuban music".[13]

Accolades

edit
Year Award Show Award
2008 Billboard Latin Music Awards Tropical Album of the Year — Female
Tropical Airplay Song of the Year — Female for "No Llores"
Latin Grammy Awards Best Traditional Tropical Album
Best Tropical Song for "Píntame De Colores"
Billboard Year-End Chart 90 Millas ranked at #59 at Top Latin Albums
90 Millas ranked at #7 at Top Latin Tropical Albums
Gloria Estefan ranked at #7 as Top Tropical Albums Artists
2009 Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) Icon of the Year

Commercial performance

edit

In the United States, 90 Millas debuted at #25 on the Billboard 200, selling approximately 23,000 copies in its first week.[14] In comparison, Estefan's previous English-language album, Unwrapped (2003), only made it to #39. 90 Millas also became Estefan's third number-one album on Billboard Top Latin Albums and her fourth number-one on the Billboard Top Tropical Albums. It also went into the Top 20 on Billboard's Top Digital Albums. As of July 2011 it has sold 150,000 copies in United States.[15]

The album enjoyed some success in other countries, charting at #1 in The Netherlands (becoming the first number-one album for Estefan since 1988's Anything For You and also the first Spanish language album to reach number-one on the Dutch charts). The album was also a Top 10 hit in Spain and Switzerland, and Top 20 in Italy and Europe overall.

Track listing

edit

Standard edition

edit
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Me Odio"Gloria M. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., Ricardo Gaitan, Alberto GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:15
2."No Llores" (featuring Carlos Santana, José Feliciano and Sheila E.)G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan4:10
3."Lo Nuestro"G. EstefanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan4:14
4."Píntame De Colores"G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:32
5."Caridad"G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:20
6."Yo No Cambiaría"G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:41
7."Bésame"E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:52
8."Refranes"E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan2:59
9."A Bailar"G. EstefanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:42
10."Esta Fiesta No Va' Acabar"G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:50
11."Volveré"G. EstefanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:46
12."Esperando (Cuando Cuba Sea Libre)"G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan4:40
13."Morenita"E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, DROP DEAD BeatsE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, DROP DEAD Beats4:13
14."90 Millas" (featuring La India)E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan4:40

United States & Europe Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Vueltas Da La Vida"E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:38
16."No Llores (Reggaeton Remix)" (featuring Wisin & Yandel)G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan, Juan Luis Morera, Llandel VeguillaJ.L. Morera, L. Veguilla, V. Martinez3:59

iTunes Bonus Tracks

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."No Llores (Hip Hop Remix)" (featuring Pitbull)G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:53
16."Me Odio (Salsa Remix)"G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan2:56

Japan Bonus Tracks

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Al Verte Partir"E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:34
16."Vueltas Da La Vida"E. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. GaitanE. Estefan Jr., R. Gaitan, A. Gaitan3:38

Bonus DVD

edit
No.TitleWriter(s)DirectorLength
1."90 Millas: The Documentary" (English version)E. Estefan Jr., José MaldonadoE. Estefan Jr.25:04
2."90 Millas: El Documental" (Spanish version)E. Estefan Jr., J. MaldonadoE. Estefan Jr.25:04
3."No Llores" (Music video)E. Estefan Jr.E. Estefan Jr.4:10
4."Behind the Scenes of No Llores"E. Estefan Jr.E. Estefan Jr.2:08
5."Essential Featurette...A Career Retrospective"G. Estefan, E. Estefan Jr.E. Estefan Jr.12:52

Additional notes:

  • Some tracks were originally planned to be on the album but then omitted were: "No Voy a Trabajar" (I'm Not Going to Work), "Tratare De Olvidarte" (I'll Try To Forget You) and "Vueltas Da La Vida" (Life Goes Around). But later "Vueltas Da La Vida" was confirmed by SonyBMG-Japan as being a bonus track on the Japanese version of the album along with a new song titled "Al Verte Partir" (While Watching You Leave).
  • Also, some names were changed: "Píntame" was changed for "Píntame De Colores", as "Esperando" was changed finally to "Esperando (Cuando Cuba Sea Libre)".

Formats

edit
  • Standard – 14 tracks album.
  • Deluxe Edition – 14 tracks + DVD with the documental "90 Millas" with bonus features such the "No Llores" music video, behind the scenes footage and career retrospective.
  • Limited Edition Wal-Mart Exclusive 2-Pack – 14 tracks + 2 bonus tracks, includes the deluxe version of the album with a DVD with the documental "90 Millas" with bonus features such the "No Llores" music video, behind the scenes footage and career retrospective. This set was only sold at Wal-Mart stores.

Personnel

edit

Musicians

edit

Production

edit
  • Gloria Estefan – mixing engineer
  • Emilio Estefan Jr. – Executive producer, mixing engineer
  • Ricardo & Alberto Gaitan (Gaitan Bros) (Gaitanes) – producers, tracking engineers
  • Bob Ludwig – Mastering
  • José Maldonado – production coordinator
  • Billie Pechenik – Studio coordinator
  • Leyla Leeming – logistic
  • Andy Pechenik – technical support
  • Kurt Berge – technical support
  • Danny Ponce – tracking engineer
  • Mike Couzzi – tracking engineer
  • Eric Schilling – Mixing engineer
  • Steve "Rock Star" Dickey – additional engineer of "Me Odio", "Caridad" & "Volveré"
  • Jim Ritzel – additional engineer of "No Llores", "A Bailar" & "Esperando (Cuando Cuba Sea Libre)
  • Raymond Mckinley – additional engineer of "No Llores"
  • Mauricio Guerrero – additional engineer of "Píntame De Colores"
  • Hector Ivan Rosa – additional engineer of "Caridad", "A Bailar"
  • Ron Taylor – additional engineer of "Volveré"
  • José Colon – assistant engineer at Crescent Moon Studios
  • Sarita Torres – assistant engineer at Crescent Moon Studios
  • Miguél Bermudez – assistant engineer at Crescent Moon Studios

Design

edit
  • Jennifer Liebeskind – marketing
  • Tony Ward – marketing
  • Jeff Schluz/Command Z-Design – art direction and design
  • Alberto Tolot – photography
  • Francesca Tolot – make-up
  • Serena Radaelli – hair
  • Cristina Cellini – stylist

Chart positions

edit

Certifications

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[36] Gold 40,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Region Date Format(s) Edition(s)
Spain September 17, 2007 CD, digital download Standard, deluxe
Worldwide
Japan September 18, 2007
United States
Thailand September 25, 2007

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. 90 Millas at AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  2. ^ Cohen, Jonathan "Estefan Revels In Cuban Roots On '90 Millas'" @ Billboard.com — June 15, 2007
  3. ^ Liborio, Forza (March 27, 2007). "Gloria Estefan/Carlos Santana controversy". Blogger.com. Cuba Companioni. Retrieved 2010-06-28. [dead link]
  4. ^ Estefan, Gloria (March 28, 2007). "Gloria Estefan On 90 Millas". Star Quotes. quotesstar.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  5. ^ "Billboard Charts - Year-end Albums - Top Latin Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Billboard Charts - Year-end Top Artists - Top Tropical Album Artists". Billboard. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Gloria Estefan Performs At Holland". GossipRocks. September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  8. ^ Mazewski, Joanna (October 15, 2007). "Gloria Estefan Cancels "Dancing With The Stars"". All Headline News. AHN. Archived from the original on March 25, 2008. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  9. ^ Gloria Estefan volverá a España con una nueva gira
  10. ^ Cobo, Leila (July 7, 2007). "No Llores: Review". Billboard. Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  11. ^ "90 Millas (2007)".
  12. ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason (September 17, 2007). "Album: 90 Millas". Billboard. billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  13. ^ a b Ilich, Tijana (September 18, 2007). "CD Reviews: 90 Millas". About.com. About.com. Archived from the original on 2010-05-19. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  14. ^ Hasty, Katy (September 17, 2007). "Reba Outmuscles Kanye, 50 To Score First No. 1". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  15. ^ "Most Anticipated". Billboard. Billboard. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Argentina Top Albums". Capif.org.ar. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Gloria Estefan – 90 millas" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be – Gloria Estefan – 90 millas" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  19. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Gloria Estefan – 90 millas" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "90 Millas World Charts". Billboard. 2007. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  21. ^ "Lescharts.com – Gloria Estefan – 90 millas". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Gloria Estefan – 90 millas" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  23. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Gloria Estefan – 90 millas". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  24. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Gloria Estefan – 90 millas". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  25. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Gloria Estefan – 90 millas". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  26. ^ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  27. ^ "90 Millas Charts". Billboard. 2007. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  28. ^ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Top Latin Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  29. ^ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Tropical Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  30. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2007". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  31. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2007". hitparade.ch. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  32. ^ "Top Latin Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  33. ^ "Tropical Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  34. ^ "Top Latin Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  35. ^ "Tropical Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  36. ^ "Spanish album certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Select Álbumes under "Categoría", select 2008 under "Año". Select 24 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
edit