Almas del Silencio (English: Souls from the Silence) is the seventh studio album and fifth Spanish-language album recorded by Puerto Rican-American recording artist Ricky Martin. This is the first Spanish album release since 1998's Vuelve. The album witch released by Sony Discos and Columbia Records on May 20, 2003 (see 2003 in music). The album was released in 38 non-Hispanic countries and reached top ten in Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Norway and Finland.[2]

Almas del Silencio
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 20, 2003 (2003-05-20)
RecordedSeptember 2002 – February 2003
Studio
  • Bogart Studios
  • Crescent Moon Studios
  • Critiera Moon Studios
  • Diginote Studios
  • EQ's Studios
  • The Gallery Recording Studios
  • Macondo Studios
  • Normad Music Studios
  • Outline Studios
  • Peaceful Planet Studios
    (Miami, FL)
  • JL Recording Studios
    (Guanabo, Puerto Rico)
  • Record One
  • Capitol Recording Studios
    (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Soundstage Studios
    (Nashville, TN)
  • The Hit Factory
    (New York City, NY)
Genre
Length50:23
LanguageSpanish
Label
Producer
Ricky Martin chronology
The Best of Ricky Martin
(2001)
Almas del Silencio
(2003)
Life
(2005)
Singles from Almas del Silencio
  1. "Tal Vez"
    Released: March 24, 2003 (2003-03-24)
  2. "Jaleo"
    Released: April 28, 2003 (2003-04-28)
  3. "Asignatura Pendiente"
    Released: July 14, 2003 (2003-07-14)
  4. "Juramento"
    Released: September 8, 2003 (2003-09-08)
  5. "Y Todo Queda en Nada"
    Released: November 24, 2003 (2003-11-24)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Background and development

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Martin initially planned to release an English-language album, which was supposed to be his first complete work in the field of songwriting. He changed his mind:

I woke up five months ago, and I said 'We're doing an album in Spanish.' Everyone went nuts. They said, 'You don't have time; you have to release an album in English because of timing issues with your career.' And that's fine. But I told them, 'In five months, you'll have a kick-ass album' [in Spanish].[3]

Martin noted about the language: "Many countries are releasing [this album] simply as Ricky Martin's next album, period. They know me as a Latino who recorded an album in English. And the next English-language album will be Ricky Martin's next album, period."[4]

Martin said of the new album: "I really needed to go back to focus, to my center, to the beginning. I had the need to search within, and really dig deep, and find those emotions that, because of the adrenaline and the euphoria that I lived for a couple of years, were probably sabotaged."[5] Therefore, he asked the songwriters for tracks that "reflect his own state of mind, expressing his yearning for his native Puerto Rico and for the simpler things in life."[4]

Singles

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"Tal Vez" was released as the lead single of Almas del Silencio on March 24, 2003, it was written by the Venezuelan singer-songwriter Franco De Vita, who wrote Vuelve, the title track of the last album in Spanish from Martin. "Tal Vez" is a radical ballad that never turns cloying.[6] The single debuted at No. 1 on the US Hot Latin Tracks, It was the first time that list has seen a No. 1 debut since February 7, 1998, when Los Temerarios "Porque Te Conoci" (Why Did I Meet You) bowed in the top slot, then spent 11 weeks on top of the Hot Latin Songs. "Tal Vez" also debuted at No. 1 on the Latin Pop Airplay (thirteen weeks on top) and at No. 4 on the list of Tropical Airplay (weeks later it reached number one).[7] It also reached number seventy-four on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to its seventy-three peak on the Hot 100 Airplay. "Tal Vez" topped the Billboard Top Latin Songs Year-End Chart.[8] Also reached number 1 in Argentina, Chile, Central America, Mexico and Venezuela. Martin performed "Tal Vez" at the Latin Billboard Music Awards on May 8 in Miami.[9]

"Jaleo" it was the first international single and the second single from the album. It was released on April 28, 2003, internationally and in July 2003 in the United States. "Jaleo", a Spanish word with various definitions, but it basically means "to clap" or, rather, yell out words of excitement such as "¡olé!" and "¡eso!" usually during flamenco and merengue performances. The song has reached number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks and number two on the Latin Pop Airplay. He also entered the charts in Belgium, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden and Japan with the single achieving the top 10 positions in Spain (# 1 for four weeks), Italy and Sweden and Top 30 entries in Denmark, Holland and Switzerland.[9]

"Asignatura Pendiente" was released as the third single on July 14, 2003. The song was written by Guatemalan singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona and produced by Tommy Torres, is about the artist's experiences, whatever it may be, not only Ricky Martin, but in the mouth of the Puerto Rican singer. This refers to his beginnings with the famous group Menudo", how success has influenced his life and the nostalgia he feels far from his native Puerto Rico, which also applies to Ricardo Arjona, due to his ex-wife and very good friends of the island. In "Asignatura Pendiente" lovelessness, sacrifice and lived rewards are evidenced.[10] The song has reached number five on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks and number four on the Latin Pop Airplay.

"Juramento" it was the second international single and the fourth single from the album. It was released on September 8, 2003. The Spanglish version is called "Juramento (The Way to Love)". The song reached number eleven in Spain, number forty-five in Italy, number fifty-seven in Switzerland and number ninety-two in Germany.[11]

"Y Todo Queda en Nada" is the fifth and final single from the album. It was released as a promotional single on November 24, 2003, in Latin territories. The song reached number one on the Hot Latin Tracks in the United States and stayed at the top for one week. It arrived at peak number nine on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100, it also peaked at number two on the Latin Pop Airplay and Latin Tropical Airplay. In 2004 the song he stayed with number 4 of Billboard Top Latin Songs Year-End Chart.[8] On February 26, in Miami, Martin performed "Y todo Queda en Nada" along with "Jaleo" at the Premio Lo Nuestro.

Commercial performance

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Almas del Silencio released by Sony Discos debuted at number one on the US Top Latin Albums and stayed there for six weeks. The album has also made the highest charting debut on the Billboard 200 (# 12) of any Spanish-language album in the SoundScan era, selling more than 65,000 copies the first week.[12]

In total, he sold 261,000 copies in the US.[13] It was certified 4× Platinum Latin award by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), indicating shipments of over 400,000 copies in the country.[14] Outside the United States, it was certified Platinum in Spain and Argentina, and Gold in Mexico and Switzerland. The album has sold over two million copies worldwide.[15]

Awards and nominations

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Year Ceremony Award Result
2003 Premios Tu Música Best Ballad Album Won
American Music Awards[16] Favorite Latin Artist Won
2004 Lo Nuestro Awards[17] Pop Album of the Year Nominated
Latin Billboard Music Awards[18] Latin Pop Album of the Year, Male Won
Latin Grammy Awards[19] Best Male Pop Vocal Album Nominated
Premios Juventud CD To Die For Nominated

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Jaleo"
Tommy Torres3:43
2."Tal Vez"Franco De VitaTommy Torres4:40
3."Jamás"
Emilio Estefan, Jr.3:09
4."Si Tú Te Vas"JuanesLuis Fernando Ochoa4:22
5."Nadie Más Que Tú"
  • Tommy Torres
  • Daniel López
4:21
6."Besos de Fuego"
  • Yasmil Marrufo
  • Juan Vicente Zambrano
  • Juan Vicente Zambrano
  • Daniel López
4:25
7."Asignatura Pendiente"Ricardo ArjonaTommy Torres3:57
8."Juramento"George Noriega3:33
9."Y Todo Queda en Nada"
Estéfano4:37
10."Si Ya No Estás Aquí"
  • Emilio Estefan, Jr.
  • Tony Mardini
  • Ricardo Gaitán
  • Alberto Gaitán
  • Nicolás Tovar
Emilio Estefan, Jr.3:05
11."Raza de Mil Colores"
  • Daniel López
  • Yasmil Marrufo
  • Juan Vicente Zambrano
  • Juan Vicente Zambrano
  • Daniel López
3:35
12."Las Almas del Silencio"Alejandro SanzTommy Torres3:31
13."Jaleo" (Spanglish)
  • Antonio Rayo "Rayito"
  • José Miguel Velásquez
  • Jodi Marr
Tommy Torres3:41
14."Exclusive Interview Footage"   

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[47] Platinum 40,000^
France 65,000[48]
Mexico (AMPROFON)[50] Gold 140,000[49]
Portugal (AFP)[51] Silver 10,000^
South Korea (RIAK) 14,197[52]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[53] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[54] Gold 20,000^
United States (RIAA)[55] 4× Platinum (Latin) 400,000^
Summaries
Worldwide 2,000,000[15]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for Almas del Silencio
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Hong Kong May 20, 2003 CD Columbia Records [56]
Taiwan [57]
Japan June 18, 2003 Sony Music Japan [58]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ AllMusic review
  2. ^ "Ricky Martin to Receive This Year's Premio Lo Nuestro Excellence Award". Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  3. ^ Cobo, Leila (June 3, 2003). "Ricky Martin Hits No. 1 Again; Almas Del Silencio Sets Sales Record, Latin Star Returns After 2-Year Hiatus". Toronto Star.
  4. ^ a b "Ricky Still Packs Star Sales Punch". June 7, 2003. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  5. ^ Gurza, Agustin (May 17, 2003). "Livin' The Serious Life; Ricky Martin's New Album Matches His Outlook". Los Angeles Times.
  6. ^ "Ricky Martin's 'Almas del Silencio' is a triumphant Latin return". THE BALTIMORE SUN. June 5, 2003. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  7. ^ "Ricky Martin Returns With A Bang". Billboard. April 4, 2003. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "2003 Year End Charts: Hot Latin Tracks Titles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "'Almas del Silencio' de Ricky Martin es el # 1". Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  10. ^ ""Asignatura Pendiente" Ricardo Arjona". December 8, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  11. ^ "danishcharts". Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  12. ^ D'Angelo, Joe (May 28, 2003). "Staind Marked For #1 On Billboard Albums Chart". MTV. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "Ask Billboard - Viva la 'Vida' singer". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 28, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
  14. ^ "American certifications – "Martin, Ricky"". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Ricky Martín manejará su carrera". El Universo (in Spanish). September 18, 2003. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "Rock on the Net: 31st American Music Awards (Presented in 2003)". Rockonthenet.com.
  17. ^ "News". Businesswire.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013.
  18. ^ "News". Businesswire.com. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  19. ^ "Latin Grammy Nominations - latimes". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  20. ^ "Argentina lista semanal". CAPIF. Archived from the original on June 9, 2003. Retrieved June 9, 2003.
  21. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  22. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  23. ^ "Ultratop.be – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  24. ^ "Ultratop.be – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  25. ^ "Musicalia Online!". Archived from the original on June 11, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2003.
  26. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  27. ^ a b "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  28. ^ "Ricky Martin: Almas del Silencio" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  29. ^ "Lescharts.com – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  30. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  31. ^ "Top 50 Ξένων Άλμπουμ". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on August 6, 2003. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  32. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2003. 26. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  33. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  34. ^ リッキー・マーティンのアルバム売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  35. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  36. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  37. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  38. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  39. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  40. ^ "Ricky Martin Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  41. ^ "Ricky Martin Chart History (Top Latin Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  42. ^ "Ricky Martin Chart History (Latin Pop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  43. ^ "Topp 40 Album Skoleslutt 2003" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  44. ^ "Swiss Year-end Charts 2003". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  45. ^ a b "The Year in Music: 2003" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  46. ^ "Best of the 2000s: Latin Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  47. ^ "Discos de Oro y Platino" (in Spanish). CAPIF. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  48. ^ Decant, Charles (February 10, 2011). "Charts US : Nicki Minaj enfin numéro un, Ricky Martin de retour". Ozap (in French). Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  49. ^ Rangel, Ivett (August 3, 2003). "Venden mas los alumnos que los maestros". Reforma (in Spanish). ProQuest 307211459. Retrieved December 29, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  50. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved November 17, 2013. Type Ricky Martin in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Almas del Silencio in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  51. ^ "Top 30 Artistas". Clix Música (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on November 20, 2003. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  52. ^ ":: Best Selling Foreign Album in Korea (1999-Now)". January 2004. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  53. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  54. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Almas del Silencio')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  55. ^ "American album certifications – Ricky Martin – Almas del Silencio". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  56. ^ "Almas del Silencio" (in Chinese). Apple Music. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  57. ^ "Almas del Silencio" (in Chinese). Sony Music Taiwan. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  58. ^ "Almas Del Silencio" (in Japanese). CDJapan. Retrieved May 28, 2022.