Otra Nota
Encyclopedia
Otra nota is the debut album by American singer Marc Anthony
that was released on January 26, 1993, by RMM Records
. Produced by Sergio George
, it was the first album by Anthony to record in salsa
after starting his career as a freestyle
musician. Recording of the album began after Anthony asked RMM
president Ralph Mercado
to record Juan Gabriel
's "Hasta que te conocí
" in salsa after hearing it on the radio during a taxi ride. Recorded on a low budget, the album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Tropical Albums
chart and reached No. 30 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
The album was well-received by critics who complimented George's production and Anthony's youthful voice. Anthony received two awards for "Best New Artists" at the Billboard Latin Music Awards
and the Lo Nuestro Awards
. The album produced three singles: "Hasta que te conocí", "Palabras del alma", and "Si tú no te fueras", all of which charted on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs
chart. To date, Otra nota has sold over 300,000 copies.
ian during which he was a backup vocalist for boy bands such as Menudo
and the Latin Rascals. Anthony also wrote songs for his school friend Sa-Fire
, including "Boy I've Been Told" which became a hit on the Billboard Hot 100
chart. Anthony got his start as a lead vocalist when he collaborated with Little Louie Vega
on the album When the Night Is Over
. The lead single "Ride on the Rhythm
" became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
RMM manager Ralph Mercado
invited Anthony to record a salsa album, but Anthony declined the offer due to a lack of interest to record in Spanish. The following day, while in a taxi, Anthony was listening to Juan Gabriel
's song "Hasta que te conocí" ("Until I Met You") on the radio and was motivated to record in the song in salsa and told Mercado about his change of decision. Mercado introduced Anthony to Sergio George
who would produce the album. According to George, the album was an "total experiment", citing that it was on low budget, recorded with one musician at a time without a band, and the full production was done on computers while George handled the keyboards.
. "Si tú no te fueras" ("If You Would Not Leave") was composed by Nelson Frank and Jaime Gutierrez. "Hasta que te Conocí" was first performed and written by Juan Gabriel
. "El último beso" was composed by Anthony's father Felipe Muñíz. "Make It With You
" is a cover of American band Bread
's song. "Necesito amarte" was written by Luis Castillo who composed songs for RMM recording artists including José Alberto
and Tito Nieves
. Sergio George co-wrote "¿Juego o amor" ("Game or Love?") along with Adam Sez. "Si he de morir" ("If I Were to Die") was composed by Luis Díaz.
chart during the week of April 17, 1993, behind Jerry Rivera
's Cuenta Conmigo
. It remained at this position for eight weeks. During the week of June 11, 1994, the album peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums, where it spent nineteen weeks on the chart. Otra Nota has sold over 300,000 copies as of 2002.
chart. The second single "Palabras del alma" peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. "Si tú no te fueras" was the last single released from the album which peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.
's arrangements as "outstanding" though he felt the production was outdated in places. David Wilson of Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews also gave the album a 3.5 out of 5, calling "Palabras del alma" and "Si tú no te fueras" as "danceable" tunes and noted "Hasta que te conocí" as the highlight of the album. Enrique Lopetegui gave the album 3 out of 4 stars, noting that while Anthony was viewed with skepticism on the salsa market, he felt that Anthony "may be the best of the many newborn salseros." Lopetegui also praised Anthony's vocals as "excellent" and described the overall album as "noble effort" though he criticized Anthony's cover of "Make It With You" as unnecessary. In 1994, Anthony received a Billboard Latin Music Award
for "Tropical/Salsa New Artist of the Year" and a Lo Nuestro award
for "Tropical - New Artist of the Year".
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
that was released on January 26, 1993, by RMM Records
RMM Records & Video
RMM Records, also known as RMM Records & Video Corp, was an independent Latin music record label based in New York City, The record label was formed originally as RMM Management by one of Fania Records promoter Ralph Mercado, but in 1987 it started operating as a record label, with Angelito...
. Produced by Sergio George
Sergio George
Sergio George is a pianist and record producer, known for working with many famous performers of salsa music, although he has worked in other genres as well...
, it was the first album by Anthony to record in salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
after starting his career as a freestyle
Freestyle music
Freestyle or Latin freestyle, sometimes referred to as Latin hip hop, is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s. Mostly popular during the mid 80s to the early 90s...
musician. Recording of the album began after Anthony asked RMM
RMM Records & Video
RMM Records, also known as RMM Records & Video Corp, was an independent Latin music record label based in New York City, The record label was formed originally as RMM Management by one of Fania Records promoter Ralph Mercado, but in 1987 it started operating as a record label, with Angelito...
president Ralph Mercado
Ralph Mercado
Ralph Mercado Jr. was a promoter of Latin American music — Latin Jazz, Latin rock, merengue and salsa — who established a network of businesses that included promoting concerts, managing artists, Radio Mundo Musical a record label the most important in the Latin industry during 1980-1990, film...
to record Juan Gabriel
Juan Gabriel
Alberto Aguilera Valadez , better known by his stage name Juan Gabriel , is a Mexican singer and songwriter who is one of the most famous living representatives of the Mexican ranchera, ballad, mariachi, and pop music....
's "Hasta que te conocí
Hasta Que Te Conocí
"Hasta Que Te Conocí" is a song written, produced and performed by Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel. It was released in 1986 as the second single from his studio album Pensamientos. This song deals with a man who has never learned about suffering or sadness until he love fell in love with a...
" in salsa after hearing it on the radio during a taxi ride. Recorded on a low budget, the album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Tropical Albums
Tropical Albums
Tropical Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. Established in June 1985, the chart compiles information about the top-selling albums in genres like salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, and vallenato, which are frequently considered tropical music...
chart and reached No. 30 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
The album was well-received by critics who complimented George's production and Anthony's youthful voice. Anthony received two awards for "Best New Artists" at the Billboard Latin Music Awards
Billboard Latin Music Awards
The Billboard Latin Music Awards grew out of the Billboard Music Awards program from Billboard Magazine, an industry publication charting the sales and radio airplay success of musical recordings. The awards began in 1990...
and the Lo Nuestro Awards
Lo Nuestro Awards
Lo Nuestro is an awards show honoring the best of Latin music, presented by television network Univision. The awards began in 1989. Notable recipients include Selena, Gloria Estefan, Juan Gabriel, Olga Tañón, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Laura Pausini, Luis Miguel, Maná, Juan Luis Guerra, ...
. The album produced three singles: "Hasta que te conocí", "Palabras del alma", and "Si tú no te fueras", all of which charted on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs
Hot Latin Songs
Hot Latin Songs is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. It is often recognized as the most important music chart for Spanish language Latin music in the American music market. It was established by the magazine on September 6, 1986 with La Guirnalda by Rocío Dúrcal being the first song...
chart. To date, Otra nota has sold over 300,000 copies.
Background
Marc Anthony began his recording career in 1980s as a freestyle musicFreestyle music
Freestyle or Latin freestyle, sometimes referred to as Latin hip hop, is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s. Mostly popular during the mid 80s to the early 90s...
ian during which he was a backup vocalist for boy bands such as Menudo
Menudo
Menudo can refer to:* Menudo , boy band** Menudo , three of their albums went by this name** Menudo: La Reunion , a music project composed of former band members* Menudo , traditional Mexican soup...
and the Latin Rascals. Anthony also wrote songs for his school friend Sa-Fire
Sa-Fire
Wilma Cosmé better known by her stage name SaFire, is an American singer. While she was one of the few freestyle artist to have major pop-chart success, she is considered an important part of Latin freestyle...
, including "Boy I've Been Told" which became a hit on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart. Anthony got his start as a lead vocalist when he collaborated with Little Louie Vega
Little Louie Vega
Luis Fernando Vager , better known as "Little" Louie Vega, is an American musician and one half of the Masters At Work musical production team...
on the album When the Night Is Over
When the Night Is Over
When the Night is Over is a collaboration album by Little Louie Vega and Marc Anthony, released in 1991. The album was done by the Masters at Work. It is also Marc Anthony's first album as an artist previously releasing a single-only record "Rebel"...
. The lead single "Ride on the Rhythm
Ride on the Rhythm
"Ride on the Rhythm," is a dance/house song recorded by DJ/remixer/producer Little Louie Vega, released in August 1991, by Atlantic Records. It features Marc Anthony when he was still a freestyle musician.-Legacy:...
" became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
RMM manager Ralph Mercado
Ralph Mercado
Ralph Mercado Jr. was a promoter of Latin American music — Latin Jazz, Latin rock, merengue and salsa — who established a network of businesses that included promoting concerts, managing artists, Radio Mundo Musical a record label the most important in the Latin industry during 1980-1990, film...
invited Anthony to record a salsa album, but Anthony declined the offer due to a lack of interest to record in Spanish. The following day, while in a taxi, Anthony was listening to Juan Gabriel
Juan Gabriel
Alberto Aguilera Valadez , better known by his stage name Juan Gabriel , is a Mexican singer and songwriter who is one of the most famous living representatives of the Mexican ranchera, ballad, mariachi, and pop music....
's song "Hasta que te conocí" ("Until I Met You") on the radio and was motivated to record in the song in salsa and told Mercado about his change of decision. Mercado introduced Anthony to Sergio George
Sergio George
Sergio George is a pianist and record producer, known for working with many famous performers of salsa music, although he has worked in other genres as well...
who would produce the album. According to George, the album was an "total experiment", citing that it was on low budget, recorded with one musician at a time without a band, and the full production was done on computers while George handled the keyboards.
Music
The album includes five compositions and three cover songs. The lead track "Palabras del alma" ("Words from the Soul") is a cover originally performed and written by Ilan ChesterIlan Chester
Ilan Chester is a celebrated Venezuelan singer, keyboardist, arranger and composer. Born in Israel in 1952, of European parents, Ilan emigrated to Venezuela in 1953.- Biography :...
. "Si tú no te fueras" ("If You Would Not Leave") was composed by Nelson Frank and Jaime Gutierrez. "Hasta que te Conocí" was first performed and written by Juan Gabriel
Juan Gabriel
Alberto Aguilera Valadez , better known by his stage name Juan Gabriel , is a Mexican singer and songwriter who is one of the most famous living representatives of the Mexican ranchera, ballad, mariachi, and pop music....
. "El último beso" was composed by Anthony's father Felipe Muñíz. "Make It With You
Make It with You
"Make It with You" is a song written by David Gates and originally recorded by the pop/rock group Bread, of which Gates was a member.The song first appeared on Bread's 1970 album On the Waters...
" is a cover of American band Bread
Bread (band)
Bread was a rock band from Los Angeles, California. They placed 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1970 and 1977 and were a prime example of what later was labeled soft rock....
's song. "Necesito amarte" was written by Luis Castillo who composed songs for RMM recording artists including José Alberto
José Alberto
José Alberto is a Dominican salsa singer. José Alberto moved to Puerto Rico with his family at the age of 7, and inspired by Latin music went on to polish his singing at Las Antillas Military Academy...
and Tito Nieves
Tito Nieves
Humberto "Tito" Nieves became one of the leading Salsa singers of the 1980s and the early 1990s....
. Sergio George co-wrote "¿Juego o amor" ("Game or Love?") along with Adam Sez. "Si he de morir" ("If I Were to Die") was composed by Luis Díaz.
Commercial reception
Otra Nota debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Tropical AlbumsTropical Albums
Tropical Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. Established in June 1985, the chart compiles information about the top-selling albums in genres like salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, and vallenato, which are frequently considered tropical music...
chart during the week of April 17, 1993, behind Jerry Rivera
Jerry Rivera
-Albums:* Empezando a Vivir Sony Music* Abriendo Puertas * Cuenta Conmigo * Cara de Niño...
's Cuenta Conmigo
Cuenta Conmigo
Cuenta Conmigo is Jerry Rivera's second and most successful album. The album holds the record for the best-selling salsa album, selling over five million copies. His hit song, "Amores Como el Nuestro", is considered by his fans to be his best song and signature song...
. It remained at this position for eight weeks. During the week of June 11, 1994, the album peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums, where it spent nineteen weeks on the chart. Otra Nota has sold over 300,000 copies as of 2002.
Singles
"Hasta que te conocí" was the first single to be released from the album and peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot Latin SongsHot Latin Songs
Hot Latin Songs is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. It is often recognized as the most important music chart for Spanish language Latin music in the American music market. It was established by the magazine on September 6, 1986 with La Guirnalda by Rocío Dúrcal being the first song...
chart. The second single "Palabras del alma" peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. "Si tú no te fueras" was the last single released from the album which peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.
Critical reception
Evan Gutierrez of Allmusic gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars and complemented Anthony's voice as "developed, unique, and individual" and felt that Anthony's debut "brought quality and passion to his listeners from the beginning." Gutierrez also found the songs in salsa enjoyable while calling the ballads. Gutierrez praised Sergio GeorgeSergio George
Sergio George is a pianist and record producer, known for working with many famous performers of salsa music, although he has worked in other genres as well...
's arrangements as "outstanding" though he felt the production was outdated in places. David Wilson of Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews also gave the album a 3.5 out of 5, calling "Palabras del alma" and "Si tú no te fueras" as "danceable" tunes and noted "Hasta que te conocí" as the highlight of the album. Enrique Lopetegui gave the album 3 out of 4 stars, noting that while Anthony was viewed with skepticism on the salsa market, he felt that Anthony "may be the best of the many newborn salseros." Lopetegui also praised Anthony's vocals as "excellent" and described the overall album as "noble effort" though he criticized Anthony's cover of "Make It With You" as unnecessary. In 1994, Anthony received a Billboard Latin Music Award
Billboard Latin Music Awards
The Billboard Latin Music Awards grew out of the Billboard Music Awards program from Billboard Magazine, an industry publication charting the sales and radio airplay success of musical recordings. The awards began in 1990...
for "Tropical/Salsa New Artist of the Year" and a Lo Nuestro award
Lo Nuestro Awards
Lo Nuestro is an awards show honoring the best of Latin music, presented by television network Univision. The awards began in 1989. Notable recipients include Selena, Gloria Estefan, Juan Gabriel, Olga Tañón, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Laura Pausini, Luis Miguel, Maná, Juan Luis Guerra, ...
for "Tropical - New Artist of the Year".
Track listing
Chart performance
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums | 30 |
| U.S. Billboard Tropical Albums Tropical Albums Tropical Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. Established in June 1985, the chart compiles information about the top-selling albums in genres like salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, and vallenato, which are frequently considered tropical music... |
2 |