El Cantante (soundtrack)

El Cantante (English: The Singer) is the soundtrack to the motion picture of the same name by American pop musician Marc Anthony. The album was released on July 24, 2007 by Sony Norte. The entire album, with the exception of the last track "Toma de Mí", is a cover album of songs originally recorded by the famous Puerto Rican salsa icon Héctor Lavoe. The main theme song was written by famous Panamanian salsa singer and composer, Ruben Blades.

Background

Marc Anthony plays the role of Héctor Lavoe in El Cantante, a film he had been wanting and waiting to make for many years.^[2] Lavoe was known, and is still considered a hero to salsa fans, famed for the artistry of his vocals and the intensity of his rhythm, as well as his involvement with famous salsa musician Willie Colón during the early '70s were high points for salsa, and they paved the way for many vocalists to come (including one Marc Anthony). The album is not only a soundtrack, but a tribute album to the famous salsa singer. Anthony's cover versions of "Aguanile", "Che Che Colé", "Mi Gente" and "El Cantante", have become chart topping hits on the United States Latin Billboard. Anthony also worked with Rubén Blades during the production of the film, as well as the soundtrack. The tenth track finds Jennifer Lopez, Anthony's wife in the film and in real life, performing a pop ballad titled "Toma de Mí," composed by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. The album was awarded Best Salsa Album at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2008 and Tropical Album of the Year at the 2008 Latin Billboard Music Awards.a

Chart performance

The soundtrack debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and number 31 on the Billboard 200. In its second week it still peaked at number 1 on the Top Latin Albums but felt back 2 places to end at number 33 on the Billboard 200. It still peaked the Top Latin Albums in the third, fourth and fifth week and went on number 32, number 44 and number 55 on the Billboard 200. ^[3]

Track listing

1. "El Cantante" (Rubén Blades) — 6:47
2. "Mi Gente" (Johnny Pacheco) — 3:52
3. "Escándalo" (Rafael Cárdenas Crespo; Rubén Fuentes) — 3:58
4. "Aguanile" (Willie Colón; Héctor Lavoe) — 5:15
5. "Che Che Colé" (Willie Colón) — 3:26
6. "El Día de Mi Suerte" (Willie Colón; Héctor Lavoe) — 5:19
7. "Qué Lío" (Willie Colón; Joe Cuba; Héctor Lavoe) — 4:24
8. "Quítate Tú" (Johnny Pacheco; Bobby Valentín) — 4:24
9. "Todo Tiene Su Final" (Willie Colón) — 4:56
10. "Toma de Mí" (Performed by Jennifer Lopez) (Nelly Furtado; Julio Reyes Copello) — 4:29

Charts

Credits and personnel

Performance credits

Technical credits

References

External links

• Official El Cantante home page