Regalo del Alma

Amazon.com
The cries of "azucar" are unmistakable on Regalo del Alma, the posthumous album from salsa queen Celia Cruz. Though she was battling cancer at the time of its recording, Cruz sounds positively electric throughout the 11-track collection, which effortlessly melds native Cuban rhythms with soulful grooves and pop sensibilities. She teams with rap star El General on album opener "Ella Tiene Fuego," an irresistible call to the dance floor. The album's first single, "Ríe Y Llora," simmers under a Santana-esque guitar lick; and the bittersweet, deceptively cheery "Diagnóstico" finds Cruz visiting her doctor because she is homesick for her native country. Cruz's strength lies in her ability to personalize every song she sings; she makes every lyric, every word important. Anchored by her weathered, one-of-a-kind vocal delivery, Regalo del Alma stands as a glittering testament to a woman whose talent, spirit, and grace continue to carry the music straight to the hearts of anyone willing to listen. --Joey Guerra

Regalo del Alma,Celia Cruz,Sony International,Latin,Latin Continuum,Latin Music,Salsa/Merenge,Tropical

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Tracks:

Elle Tiene Fuego
Jose Caridad
Rie Y Llora
Ay, Pena, Penita
Diagnostico
La Nina De La Trenza Negra
Me Huele A Rumba
No Estes Amargao
Pa' La Cola
Maria La Loca
Yo Vivire (I Will Survive)

Amazon.com

The cries of "azucar" are unmistakable on Regalo del Alma, the posthumous album from salsa queen Celia Cruz. Though she was battling cancer at the time of its recording, Cruz sounds positively electric throughout the 11-track collection, which effortlessly melds native Cuban rhythms with soulful grooves and pop sensibilities. She teams with rap star El General on album opener "Ella Tiene Fuego," an irresistible call to the dance floor. The album's first single, "Ríe Y Llora," simmers under a Santana-esque guitar lick; and the bittersweet, deceptively cheery "Diagnóstico" finds Cruz visiting her doctor because she is homesick for her native country. Cruz's strength lies in her ability to personalize every song she sings; she makes every lyric, every word important. Anchored by her weathered, one-of-a-kind vocal delivery, Regalo del Alma stands as a glittering testament to a woman whose talent, spirit, and grace continue to carry the music straight to the hearts of anyone willing to listen. --Joey Guerra

Customer Reviews:

Celia Cruz, take me back to Sonora, Mama!.......2006-10-27

Ella Tiene Fuego es lo mas caliente. Whenever I play it in my car, I wish I had those massive subwoofers in my trunk like most of my friends down in Mexico.. I know it's salsa, but everytime I hear it it takes me back to the yard parties we had in Sonora, where we parked one of the cars in the driveway, opened all the doors, popped the trunk (to let those subwoofers free,) cranked the Norteno, and cumbia'ed our toocanas off.

You know what I'm saying.

I mean, Celia isn't Los Hurricanos del Norte, but in this album she's found that same Latin club bass layered in brass that just slams you onto the floor and makes you bailar como un gringo loco.. Cuba, Sonora, what's the differance? If it makes you dance, it's all good.

Great CD.......2005-08-01

This is a great CD with lots of songs that I love to blast in the car and dance to. You won't regret it.

An Incredible Talent That Lives On..........2004-12-22

Celia Cruz was taken from us far too soon, but her extraordinary talent will live on forever. She never gave in to trends, and remained tru to her musical roots right up to the end of her life. Sadly she will be missed, but her incredible way of interpreting a song will never be matched by any other entertainer as far as I'm concerned. She broke all musical barriers, and did Salsa the way it should be heard--in all its rawness. Never one to sell out, Celia's music will be a forever existing inspiration to us all.

This one was made for dancing!.......2004-08-06

I buy all my Salsa CDs for dancing so I rate them based on the "danceability" of the songs. Celia's recordings are always the best because nearly everything she produced was made for dancing! She wasn't the "Queen of Salsa" for nothing! You could also pop this one in for listening enjoyment, but why would you want to do that when you can shake it, shake it, shake it! Here is the breakdown:

1. "Ella Tiene Fuego" is a hot, danceable Salsa with a modern infectious groove!
2. "José Caridad" is also a great danceable Salsa that is still modern in sound but more traditional sounding than the first track.
3. "Ríe Y Llora" is a sassy danceable Cha Cha Cha. One can't help but sing `Na na na na na na!" along with Celia. It's very contagious!
4. "Ay, Pena, Penita" is similar in feel to track two on the CD. This is also a danceable salsa.
5. "Diagnóstico" is slightly more up tempo than the previous tracks and is a danceable Salsa.
6. "La Niña De La Trenza Negra" This song is great to listen to, but it's a little harder to dance to than other tracks on the CD. It utilizes some voice distortion technology for Celia's voice that is interesting and very modern.
7. "Me Huele La Rumba" Don't let the word "Rumba" in the title fool you; Celia kicks it up a notch with this song! It's a fast, but still danceable Salsa. It's great for your very tight and tiny moves. The breakdown in the middle is great for showing off.
8. "No Estés Amargao" Not the best song to dance to on the CD due to a constant change in tempo and rhythm but still fun for listening.
9. "Pa' La Cola" is a danceable Salsa.
10. "María La Loca" is one more danceable salsa.
11. "Yo Viviré (I Will Survive) is a cover of the Gloria Gaynor disco classic. This one is a little too fast to Salsa to but makes a quick Cha Cha Cha. It's a fun track, so you may be tempted to try to Salsa anyway. If you do, you'll definitely need a break afterwards.

Summary: A great album for dancing! There are 7 danceable Salsas, and two Cha Cha Chas. It's also great album for listening. Not a "skip that one" track on the whole CD. I don't know how you could possibly keep your seat while this is playing. While writing this review, I kept getting up to dance myself! A great buy and "must have" in your Salsa and Celia collection.

Regalo Del Alma.......2004-03-28

Celia Cruz es sea siempre la reina.

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