Miss Little Havana

Last updated
Miss Little Havana
Miss Little Havana.jpg
Studio album by
Gloria Estefan
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2011 (2011-09-27)
Genre
Length55:57
Label Crescent Moon, Verve Forecast
Producer Pharrell Williams, Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan
Gloria Estefan chronology
90 Millas
(2007)		Miss Little Havana
(2011)		 The Standards
(2013)
Singles from Miss Little Havana
  1. "Wepa"
    Released: July 24, 2011
  2. "Miss Little Havana"
    Released: September 2011
  3. "Hotel Nacional"
    Released: November 2011 [4]

Miss Little Havana is the twelfth studio album by Cuban-American recording artist Gloria Estefan. The singer's first English-language album since 2003's Unwrapped and her twenty-sixth overall, it was released on September 27, 2011 on Crescent Moon Records, distributed by Verve Forecast and Universal Music Group. [5] [6] The project was largely conceived and produced by urban producer Pharrell Williams, while Estefan's husband Emilio Estefan contributed another four tracks to the album. In the US, the album was released only through Target stores.

Contents

Preceding the album's release, lead single "Wepa" was released for digital download in July 2011, and reached the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

Background

Estefan announced her retirement from music after the release of her studio album 90 Millas in 2007. [3] Three years later American producer and performer Pharrell Williams presented Estefan with two songs, "I Can't Believe" and "Miss Little Havana", which the singer liked, and they began working on them in the recording studio while writing the rest of the songs included on Miss Little Havana. [3] Estefan first became interested in collaborating with Williams after meeting him through their trainer at a Miami gym in early 2010. The pair began sending messages back and forth, while Williams started writing songs he hoped Estefan would want to record. It was not until early 2011, they entered the recording booth to create the basis for Miss Little Havana. The album was recorded in English with some Spanish lyrics. [3] Coincidentally, the album was released on the 25th anniversary of her single "Conga", and with the CD purchase a new version of the track, titled "Conga 25", is available for download. [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine's review in Allmusic described Pharrell's rhythms as lively but "straightjacketed", and mentioning that the Cuban-like rhythms are too "stiff and mannered, and certainly not like the colorful, endless party its singer and producer intended". [8] Slant Magazine's Eric Henderson commended Pharrell and Estefan for "managing to avoid the many pitfalls left in dance music's wake by the likes of David Guetta, Pitbull, LMFAO, and so on." However, Henderson was ambivalent towards the album's "patina of dress-up dance music", which he distinguished as "dance music worn in the manner of an expertly executed Halloween costume, both uncannily close to the mark at the same time as it's jovially self-lampooning". [2]

Track listing

U.S. & Canadian iTunes Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Miss Little Havana" Pharrell Williams 3:15
2."I Can't Believe"Williams3:42
3."Heat"Williams3:49
4."Wepa" Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Williams4:01
5."Say Ay"G. Estefan, Williams2:53
6."So Good"E. Estefan, G. Estefan, Williams3:16
7."Right Away"E. Estefan, G. Estefan, Williams4:07
8."Make Me Say Yes"Williams3:56
9."Time Is Ticking"E. Estefan, G. Estefan, Williams3:54
10."Hotel Nacional"E. Estefan, G. Estefan, Motiff3:28
11."Make My Heart Go" (featuring El Cata)Edward "El Cata" Bello, Black Dada, E. Estefan, Motiff3:53
International iTunes Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."On"Black Dada, Danny Ponce, E. Estefan4:26
12."Make My Heart Go" (featuring El Cata)Edward "El Cata" Bello, Black Dada, E. Estefan, Motiff3:53
13."Medicine"E. Estefan, Adrian "Drop" Santalla, Azriel "Phe" Reckley4:04
Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina & Mexico CD Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Wepa" (R3hab Remix featuring Pitbull)E. Estefan, G. Estefan, Williams, Armando C. Perez3:28
15."Let's Get Loud"G. Estefan, Kike Santander 3:43
16."Conga 25" (Bonus Track)Enrique E. Garcia3:58
U.S. Target Exclusive CD Deluxe Edition / Canadian CD Release
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
16."Conga 25" (not a CD track, but a downloaded track accessed through a code included on the CD's inlay)Enrique E. Garcia3:58

Charts

Chart (2011)Peak
Position
US Billboard 200 [9] 28
Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico) [10] 27
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [11] 93

Release history

RegionDateFormat
United States [12] September 27, 2011Special Edition CD
Worldwide [13] October 3, 2011Digital album
Latin America [13] November 29, 2011CD album
Mexico [13]
Portugal [13]
Spain [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gloria Estefan</span> Cuban-American singer (born 1957)

Gloria María Milagrosa Estefan is a Cuban-American singer, actress, and businesswoman. Estefan is an eight-time Grammy Award winner, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and has been named one of the Top 100 greatest artists of all time by both VH1 and Billboard. Estefan's record sales exceed 100 million worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female singers of all-time. Many of Estefan's songs became international chart-topping hits, including "1-2-3", "Don't Wanna Lose You", "Coming Out of the Dark", "Turn the Beat Around", and "Heaven's What I Feel". Other hits include "Bad Boy", "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You", "Get On Your Feet", and "You'll Be Mine ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn the Beat Around</span> 1976 single by Vicki Sue Robinson

"Turn the Beat Around" is a disco song written by Gerald Jackson and Peter Jackson, and performed by American actress and singer Vicki Sue Robinson in 1976, originally appearing on her debut album, Never Gonna Let You Go (1976). Released as a single, the song went to #10 on the Billboard pop charts, and #73 on the Billboard soul chart. The song earned Robinson a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The track also went to number one on the Billboard disco chart for four weeks. "Turn the Beat Around" is considered a disco classic and is featured on many compilation albums.

<i>In My Mind</i> (Pharrell Williams album) 2006 studio album by Pharrell Williams

In My Mind is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer Pharrell Williams. The album was released on July 25, 2006, by Star Trak Entertainment, Virgin Records and Interscope Records. It debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200, selling 142,000 copies in its first week of release. The album is also certified Silver in the United Kingdom for sales of over 60,000 copies. In My Mind would go on to receive a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>Cuts Both Ways</i> 1989 studio album by Gloria Estefan

Cuts Both Ways is the debut solo album by American recording artist Gloria Estefan. Though the release marked the first time Estefan was billed solely as a solo artist, Miami Sound Machine still performed instrumentation for the album. It has sold over 4 million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gloria Estefan albums discography</span>

The album discography of the Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan consists of fourteen studio albums, fourteen compilations, and four EPs. Estefan's career sales is estimated at over 90 million records sold worldwide which made her one of the most successful female Latin crossover artists. According to RIAA, Estefan has sold 15.5 million certified albums in the United States. Hailed as the reigning "Queen of Latin Pop", she has achieved 38 number one hits across all Billboard charts. Billboard listed her as the 23rd Greatest of all-time Latin artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hotel Nacional</span> 2011 single by Gloria Estefan

"Hotel Nacional" is a song by Cuban-American recording artist Gloria Estefan. It was released as the second single from her studio album Miss Little Havana (2011). Written by Estefan, the song portrays the need to dance, going to parties and being glamorous. On February 3, 2012 a sneak peek of the video for the song was provided to an audience at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

<i>Éxitos de Gloria Estefan</i> 1990 greatest hits album by Gloria Estefan

Éxitos de Gloria Estefan is the first compilation album released by American recording artist Gloria Estefan, but is the second solo release and the 13th overall, released in 1990. In 1999, the CD was re-released in the US as 20th Anniversary.

<i>Into the Light</i> (Gloria Estefan album) 1991 studio album by Gloria Estefan

Into the Light is the second studio solo album released by American singer Gloria Estefan, but is the 14th overall, released on January 22, 1991, by Epic Records. The album reached number five on the US Billboard 200, becoming her most successful album on the chart.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Gloria Estefan album) 1992 greatest hits album by Gloria Estefan

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by Cuban-American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan, released on October 30, 1992, by Epic Records. The album includes songs with soft rock influenced sounds as well as more upbeat Latin pop works inspired by dance music. The tracks were gathered from various releases over the 1985 to 1992 period.

<i>Mi Tierra</i> 1993 studio album by Gloria Estefan

Mi Tierra is the third studio album by Cuban-American recording artist Gloria Estefan, released on June 22, 1993, by Epic Records. Produced by husband Emilio Estefan, it is a Spanish-language album and pays homage to her Cuban roots. The album features Cuban musical genres, including boleros, danzón and son music. Recorded at Crescent Moon Studios in Miami, Florida, Mi Tierra features notable Latin musicians such as Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval, Cachao López, Chamin Correa and Paquito D'Rivera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conga (song)</span> 1985 single by Miami Sound Machine

"Conga" is a song by American band Miami Sound Machine, led by Gloria Estefan, released as the first single from their second English-language album, Primitive Love. The song was written by the band's drummer Enrique Garcia. The song first appeared on August 31, 1985, as part of the album. The single was released in Australia on September 9, 1985.

<i>Gloria!</i> 1998 studio album by Gloria Estefan

Gloria! is the eighth studio album released by Cuban-American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan, released on June 2, 1998, by Epic Records.

<i>Greatest Hits Vol. II</i> (Gloria Estefan album) 2001 greatest hits album by Gloria Estefan

Greatest Hits Vol. II is the third English greatest hits album released by American singer Gloria Estefan, but is the fourth compilation and twenty-third album overall, released on February 6, 2001, by Epic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pharrell Williams discography</span>

The discography of Pharrell Williams, an American recording artist and record producer, consists of two studio albums, two extended plays (EPs), three mixtapes, 30 singles.

<i>90 Millas</i> 2007 studio album by Gloria Estefan

90 Millas is the eleventh solo studio album by the Cuban-American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan, and her fourth Spanish language album, coming after Mi Tierra, Abriendo Puertas and Alma Caribeña. It was released on September 17, 2007 by SonyBMG. All original material, the album contains a selection of various Cuban rhythms mixed with Latin-American contemporary pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oye! (Gloria Estefan song)</span> 1998 single by Gloria Estefan

"Oye" is a song by Cuban American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan. It was released by Epic in 1998 as the second single from her eighth studio album, gloria! (1998). The song was written by Estefan, her husband Emilio Estefan, Jr., Randall Barlow and Angie Chirino and produced by Estefan, Jr., Barlow and Tony Moran. However, the single still reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and in Spain. It earned the Billboard Latin Music Award in the category for "Best Latin Club-Dance Track of the Year".

<i>Primitive Love</i> 1985 studio album by Miami Sound Machine

Primitive Love is the ninth studio album and second English-language record by the Miami Sound Machine, released in August 1985, by Epic Records. The album has sold over 6 million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gloria Estefan singles discography</span>

The discography of singles, promo singles, remixes and Latin tracks for Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine consists of 50 singles and 24 promotional singles. Miami Sound Machine began releasing singles in 1977 and continued until 1989, when Estefan began being credited solely as a solo artist. Miami Sound Machine released a number of commercially successful singles through the late 1980s, including "Conga", "Dr. Beat", "Anything for You", and "Bad Boy". Although Miami Sound Machine was no longer featured in the credits of releases from 1989 onwards, they remain Estefan's backing group until this day, though none of the original members remain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wepa</span> 2011 single by Gloria Estefan

"Wepa" is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan for her twelfth studio album, Miss Little Havana. The song was written by Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio Estefan Jr. and by American producer and musician Pharrell Williams, while production was credited to Estefan Jr. and Williams. The single was released by Verve Forecast Records on July 24, 2011, digitally worldwide as the lead single from Miss Little Havana.

<i>The Standards</i> 2013 studio album by Gloria Estefan

The Standards is the thirteenth studio album by Cuban-American recording artist Gloria Estefan. It was released on September 10, 2013 on Sony Masterworks. The album features a selection of covers of traditional pop standards from the Great American Songbook.

References

  1. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Gloria Estefan Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Henderson, Eric (October 14, 2011). "Gloria Estefan: Miss Little Havana". Slant Magazine . Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "'Este álbum ocurrió de chiripa': Gloria Estefan" (in Spanish). Vive.in. November 30, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  4. ↑ "PRO MOTION on Twitter".
  5. ↑ "Gloria & Target Team up for Miss Little Havana". GloriaEstefan.com. September 6, 2011. Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Gloria Estefan Partners with Target on New Album, 'Miss Little Havana'" (Press release). Target Corporation. September 6, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Gloria Estefan lanzará nuevo disco 'Little Miss Havana'" (in Spanish). Terra Networks. September 7, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "Miss Little Havana - Gloria Estefan - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic".
  9. ↑ "Gloria Estefan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Mexicancharts.com – Gloria Estefan – Miss Little Havana". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  11. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Gloria Estefan – Miss Little Havana". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Miss Little Havana Target Edition". Target.com. 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Miss Little Havana - WorldWide". GloriaEstefan.com. 2011-10-03. Archived from the original on 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.