Carlos Vives Albums (9)
'El Rock de Mi Pueblo'
Release Date 5/18/2004
Tracks 12
Label EMI International
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What The Critics Say
El Rock de Mi Pueblo has the infectious, irresistible, organic, natural quality of a backyard jam session. The palette used is full of vibrant earth tones, tonal colors as honest and real as Carlos Vives' living, breathing lyricism. The joy and excitement is intoxicating and unavoidable. Vives' sensitive yet contemporary treatment of the vallenato music of his native Colombia is a breath of fresh air in the often over-processed Latin pop world, which often either refuses to update or completely obliterate the native musical styles. With smart production from Emilio Estefan, Jr. and intuitive musical direction from Vives, El Rock de Mi Pueblo is neither vallenato nor rock en español. They have instead created a music for their people, who live in multiple worlds simultaneously, a world that requires constant reinvention and integration of the old with the new. Brilliantly engineered and arranged, Vives has created his most sonically pleasing project to date, which won him a Latin Grammy nomination in 2004. The tuneful writing and intelligent lyrics distinguishes Vives as one of the smartest practitioners of the craft today. There are few artists in the broad genre creating records as charming or listenable. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Carlos Vives' Dejame Entrar was produced in Miami by Emilio Estefan, Jr. and Sebastián Krys, with its main title composed by himself, Martín Madera, and Andrés Castro, climbing the Latin charts after it was released. The king of vallenato, Colombian coastal folk music, delivers a full-length album featuring plenty of festive songs, intensified by the sound of the accordion, Latin percussion, and impassioned singing. Carnival-oriented "Carito," "A las Doce Menos Diez," and "Decimas" joined the romantic and sensual "Quiero Verte Sonreir" and "Santa Elegia." As the album comes to an end, a second version of "Déjame Entrar" emerges as one of its best. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Carlos Vives recorded his second studio album, El Amor de Mi Tierra, under the aegis of executive producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. The 11 songs' foundation is the vallenato rhythm of Vives' native Colombia, which he blends with a sure melodic sense and polished, radio-ready production to create a pop-listener-friendly hybrid. Highlights include the title track and "Fruta Fresca," the lead single. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
'La Tierra del Olvido'
Release Date 7/25/1995
Tracks 11
Label Polygram
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'Escalona, Vol. 2'
Release Date 6/21/1994
Tracks 13
Label Sony International
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'Clasicos de la Provincia'
Release Date 2/22/1994
Tracks 15
Label Polygram
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What The Critics Say
After making his mark as a romantic lead in one of Latin America's most popular soap operas, Carlos Vives burst onto the music scene with this infectiously upbeat CD of vallenato tunes from Colombia. The music as updated here is percussion-driven, with a rollicking accordion and great vocal harmonies, and Vives' expressive, full-throated vocals are a wonderful contrast to much of the treacly singing that emanates from Latin pop. The packaging is also superior, respectful of all concerned, with photos of the songwriters and transcriptions of the lyrics (in Spanish) that underscore the strong narrative structure of this music. Most are straightforward, albeit poetic, love songs -- notable exceptions are the opening "La Gota Fria" (a witty tune that was a major hit for Vives); the slower, darkly evocative "Altos de Rosario"; and the funny closing fragment of a song, "Contestacion a la Brasilera," wherein a friend is counseled to steer clear of the charms of foreign women. Reach for this disc when you need a mid-afternoon lift. ~ Janet Rosen, All Music Guide
'Escalona un Canto a La Vida'
Release Date 6/23/1992
Tracks 13
Label Sony International
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'Al Centro de La Ciudad'
Release Date 7/1/1991
Tracks 9
Label Sony International
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