ARTIST

Gloria Estefan

At slightly over 40 years old, Gloria Estefan has accomplished all of her musical goals. Besides releasing 10 multi-platinum, platinum, and gold albums over the last 13 years, she has performed for Pope John Paul II and recorded the official song for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games ("Reach"). She was even offered the title role in the film version of Evita, which, as we all know, eventually went to Madonna. This would have been Estefan's film debut, and even though she turned down the role, her desire to make a transition from singer to actress has lead her to enroll in acting classes.

Still, Estefan is not quick to abandon her musical roots. Along with her husband and executive producer Emilio (the former leader of the Miami Sound Machine), the Miami-based mother of two recently released her latest disc, Gloria!, which was originally slated to be a remix album. The album showcases Estefan's ability to record timeless dance records that take listeners back to the styles of her early hits. Included are the disco-style first single "Heaven's What I Feel," the fun and dance-y "Feelin'," and plenty of rhythmic, conga-friendly tunes like "Lucky Girl," "I Just Wanna Be Happy," and "Cuba Libre." Gloria! even includes Spanish remixes of a few songs, and Wyclef Jean's contribution to "Don't Release Me" finds Gloria at her funkiest.

Gloria! is just the latest in a long line of hits from Estefan, who first came to global prominence with Miami Sound Machine's Afro-Cuban-inspired top 10 hit "Conga," from their album Primitive Love, in 1985. Estefan had already been performing with the Miami Sound Machine for 10 years at that point, but the success of that record opened the floodgates. Ever since, the salsa influence has become part of her trademark sound, though she's also found success with pop and Spanish ballads. Her voice has graced many albums both with the Miami Sound Machine and as a solo artist: Let It Loose (1987), Cuts Both Ways (1989), Into The Light (1991), Greatest Hits (1992), Mi Tierra (1993), Christmas Through Your Eyes (1993), Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me (1994), Abriendo Puertas (1995), Destiny (1996), and Gloria! (1998). Among her most notable accolades are nine consecutive No. 5 singles on Billboard's club play charts.

Witten by Billy Johnson Jr