Paraíso Express
Encyclopedia
Paraíso Express is the eighth studio album
recorded by Spanish singer-songwriter
Alejandro Sanz
. It was produced by Tommy Torres
, mixed by Bob Clearmountain
, and was released worldwide in late November 2009. This album is the follow-up to the Grammy Award winning
album El Tren de los Momentos
. All the tracks included were written by Sanz, along with several writers, a first for the singer, and also the first album without help by Emmanuele Rufinengo and Lulo Pérez, his longtime producing team. Paraíso Express received a nomination for an Album of the Year
and won Best Male Pop Vocal Album at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2010
. It is also won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
in 2011.
confirmed through his official website that he was finalizing the details of his long-awaited new album, the first since 2006, El Tren de los Momentos
, which was awarded with the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
and sold 120,000 units in United States. In one of his posts, the singer broadcast a video that showed Sanz and American singer Alicia Keys
recording a music video
in New York
. Keys also made public the fact that she was featured on both a video and a song with Sanz, through her Twitter account. The remaining details of the album recording were a mystery. The only fact revealed was that Tommy Torres
would be producing the album. Furthermore, Sanz was focused during this time on the preparation of a live performance along Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes
on July 26 in Honduras
. Before the release of the first single, Sanz asked to his fans and friends to send him to his website their ideas about paradise. "I was surprised that everyone was talking nearby havens that have to do with family, friends", stressed the composer during the press conference held for the album presentation. The album title was made public on September 4, 2009. The song "Looking for Paradise
" was premiered on a fan club members-only section of Sanz's official site on September 18, 2009. In the track both singers performs lyrics in English and Spanish.
", was preceded by a viral campaign in which fans and friends of the artist were asked to send him ideas of paradise. The song, a collaboration with American singer Alicia Keys
, became another number-one hit for Sanz in the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, and the first for Keys in this chart. The album debuted at the top of the charts in Spain and the Latin charts in United States, and eventually peaked at number-one in México
. "Desde Cuándo
" was released as the second single of the album in 2010.
, after going through more experimental and/or alternative stages in his two previous albums. According to Sanz, the songs included on Paraíso Express are the happiest of his career as a songwriter, but they are not "autobiographical" or "have a lot of his life", they are "common themes and attitudes of people." "Mi Peter Punk", deals with the issue of "those people who does not enjoy the stages of life"; "Hice Llorar Hasta los Angeles", refers to the author religious beliefs; "Lola Soledad" is a tribute to a very special woman in his life. "Looking for Paradise" is about the search for a paradise for everyone of us. With Paraíso Express traded his trademark flamenco
arrangements and latin percussion
beats, in order to get closer to a pop
and British rock style
. Sanz said that this was something different, "it could be a step forward or backward." On his work relationship with Torres, Sanz told: "Tommy did a perfect interpretation in that sense. Everything flowed in a very natural way."
The songs were recorded in Barcelona
, Spain, and "Looking for Paradise
" in New York City on Alicia Keys
recording places and studio. Alejandro Sanz revealed the track listing and the official cover for the album, he said that the album was almost soft rock
, and the music is more happy and calmed that the past albums.
|-
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
recorded by Spanish singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Alejandro Sanz
Alejandro Sanz
Alejandro Sanz , is a Spanish singer-songwriter and musician. For his work, Sanz has won a total of fifteen Latin Grammy Awards and three Grammy Awards. He has won the Latin Grammy for Album of the Year three times, more than any other artist...
. It was produced by Tommy Torres
Tommy Torres
Tommy Torres is a Grammy Award winning producer, singer, and songwriter. Named as the No. 1 Hot Latin Tracks producer of 2007 by Billboard Magazine and Composer of the Year at 2010 ASCAP's Latin Music Awards, Torres has written and produced songs for many artists such as Ricardo Arjona, Ednita...
, mixed by Bob Clearmountain
Bob Clearmountain
Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He has worked with many prominent names in music including Bruce Springsteen , The Rolling Stones , Bryan Adams , Robbie Williams Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He...
, and was released worldwide in late November 2009. This album is the follow-up to the Grammy Award winning
Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
The Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album was awarded from 1984 to 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1984 to 1991 the award was known as Best Latin Pop Performance*From 1992 to 1994 it was awarded as Best Latin Pop Album...
album El Tren de los Momentos
El Tren de los Momentos
El Tren de los Momentos is the seventh studio album recorded by Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz, which counts with the collaborations of Juanes, Antonio Carmona , Shakira and Calle 13...
. All the tracks included were written by Sanz, along with several writers, a first for the singer, and also the first album without help by Emmanuele Rufinengo and Lulo Pérez, his longtime producing team. Paraíso Express received a nomination for an Album of the Year
Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year
The Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards, a ceremony that recognizes excellence and creates a wider awareness of cultural diversity and contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally...
and won Best Male Pop Vocal Album at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2010
Latin Grammy Awards of 2010
The 11th Annual Latin Grammy Awards were held on November 11, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was the third time the annual event had taken place at this location. The eligibility period for recordings to be nominated was July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Nominations...
. It is also won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
The Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album was awarded from 1984 to 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1984 to 1991 the award was known as Best Latin Pop Performance*From 1992 to 1994 it was awarded as Best Latin Pop Album...
in 2011.
Background information
In July 2009, Alejandro SanzAlejandro Sanz
Alejandro Sanz , is a Spanish singer-songwriter and musician. For his work, Sanz has won a total of fifteen Latin Grammy Awards and three Grammy Awards. He has won the Latin Grammy for Album of the Year three times, more than any other artist...
confirmed through his official website that he was finalizing the details of his long-awaited new album, the first since 2006, El Tren de los Momentos
El Tren de los Momentos
El Tren de los Momentos is the seventh studio album recorded by Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz, which counts with the collaborations of Juanes, Antonio Carmona , Shakira and Calle 13...
, which was awarded with the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album
The Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album was awarded from 1984 to 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1984 to 1991 the award was known as Best Latin Pop Performance*From 1992 to 1994 it was awarded as Best Latin Pop Album...
and sold 120,000 units in United States. In one of his posts, the singer broadcast a video that showed Sanz and American singer Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
recording a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Keys also made public the fact that she was featured on both a video and a song with Sanz, through her Twitter account. The remaining details of the album recording were a mystery. The only fact revealed was that Tommy Torres
Tommy Torres
Tommy Torres is a Grammy Award winning producer, singer, and songwriter. Named as the No. 1 Hot Latin Tracks producer of 2007 by Billboard Magazine and Composer of the Year at 2010 ASCAP's Latin Music Awards, Torres has written and produced songs for many artists such as Ricardo Arjona, Ednita...
would be producing the album. Furthermore, Sanz was focused during this time on the preparation of a live performance along Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes
Juanes
Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez , better known as Juanes is a Colombian musician who was a member of heavy metal band Ekhymosis and is now a solo artist. In 2000, his solo debut album Fíjate Bien won three Latin Grammy Awards.Juanes has sold more than 13 million albums...
on July 26 in Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
. Before the release of the first single, Sanz asked to his fans and friends to send him to his website their ideas about paradise. "I was surprised that everyone was talking nearby havens that have to do with family, friends", stressed the composer during the press conference held for the album presentation. The album title was made public on September 4, 2009. The song "Looking for Paradise
Looking for Paradise
"Looking for Paradise" is a 2009 single by singer Alejandro Sanz which features Alicia Keys. It is the first single from Sanz's eighth studio album, Paraíso Express...
" was premiered on a fan club members-only section of Sanz's official site on September 18, 2009. In the track both singers performs lyrics in English and Spanish.
Singles
The first single yielded from the album, "Looking for ParadiseLooking for Paradise
"Looking for Paradise" is a 2009 single by singer Alejandro Sanz which features Alicia Keys. It is the first single from Sanz's eighth studio album, Paraíso Express...
", was preceded by a viral campaign in which fans and friends of the artist were asked to send him ideas of paradise. The song, a collaboration with American singer Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
, became another number-one hit for Sanz in the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, and the first for Keys in this chart. The album debuted at the top of the charts in Spain and the Latin charts in United States, and eventually peaked at number-one in México
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. "Desde Cuándo
Desde Cuándo
"Desde Cuándo" is a song by Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz, the song serves as second single for Sanz's eighth studio album "Paraíso Express" , it was released airplay through Warner Music on January 19, 2010 and digitally on February 2, 2010.-Music video:A music video for the song was filmed on...
" was released as the second single of the album in 2010.
Style
This album marks Sanz' return to the light-hearted and melancholical song styles he had in his 2000 album El Alma Al AireEl Alma Al Aire
El Alma al Aire is the fifth studio album recorded by Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz in which he gives us interpretations that come from the soul, melodies in which it seems that the voice breaks. It is one of his more suggestive and emotive works...
, after going through more experimental and/or alternative stages in his two previous albums. According to Sanz, the songs included on Paraíso Express are the happiest of his career as a songwriter, but they are not "autobiographical" or "have a lot of his life", they are "common themes and attitudes of people." "Mi Peter Punk", deals with the issue of "those people who does not enjoy the stages of life"; "Hice Llorar Hasta los Angeles", refers to the author religious beliefs; "Lola Soledad" is a tribute to a very special woman in his life. "Looking for Paradise" is about the search for a paradise for everyone of us. With Paraíso Express traded his trademark flamenco
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
arrangements and latin percussion
Latin percussion
The term Latin percussion refers to any number of a large family of musical percussion instruments used in Latin music, which in turn is a very loosely related group of musical styles, mainly from the Latin American region, and ultimately having roots or influences in African tribal...
beats, in order to get closer to a pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and British rock style
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. Sanz said that this was something different, "it could be a step forward or backward." On his work relationship with Torres, Sanz told: "Tommy did a perfect interpretation in that sense. Everything flowed in a very natural way."
The songs were recorded in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Spain, and "Looking for Paradise
Looking for Paradise
"Looking for Paradise" is a 2009 single by singer Alejandro Sanz which features Alicia Keys. It is the first single from Sanz's eighth studio album, Paraíso Express...
" in New York City on Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
recording places and studio. Alejandro Sanz revealed the track listing and the official cover for the album, he said that the album was almost soft rock
Soft rock
Soft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
, and the music is more happy and calmed that the past albums.
Track listing
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Mexican Albums Chart | 1 |
| Spanish Albums Chart PROMUSICAE Spanish Music Producers is a trade group representing the Spanish recording industry... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums Billboard Top Latin Albums Latin Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine and is labeled as the most important music chart for Spanish language, full-length albums in the American music market. Like all Billboard album charts, the chart is based on sales... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Latin Pop Albums Latin Pop Albums Latin Pop Albums is a record chart published on Billboard magazine. It features Latin music information of the Pop music genre. Established in June 1985, this chart features only full length albums and like all album charts on Billboard, is based on sales. The information is compiled by Nielsen... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
84 |
Sales and certifications
Chart procession and succession
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