Into the Light (CD - 1991)

Personnel includes: Gloria Estefan (vocals); Brian Monroney (guitar); Angelo Morris (piano); Jorge Casas (bass); Robert Rodriguez (drums); Emilio Estefan (congas); Rafael Padilla (percussion); Betty Wright, Jon Secada (background vocals).

Producers: Emilio Estefan, Jr., Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald.

Recorded at Crescent Moon Studios, Miami, Florida.

Personnel: Gloria Estefan (vocals, programming, background vocals); Scott Shapiro (guitar, programming); John DeFaria, Brian Monroney (guitar); Juan R. Marquez (12-string guitar); Mike Scaglione (saxophone, alto saxophone); Teddy Mulet (trumpet, trombone); Randy Barlow, Arturo Sandoval (trumpet); Clay Ostwald (piano, keyboards, programming); Angelo Morris (piano); Jorge Casas (fretless bass, programming); Robert Rodriguez (drums); Emilio Estefan, Jr. (congas); Rafael Padilla (percussion); Jon Secada (programming, background vocals); Tom McWilliams (programming); Namphuyo Aisha McCray, Carl Ramsey, Jeannette Wright-Black, Clovette Hilton, Anita Faye Green, Rod Wilson, Betty Wright (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Keith "KC" Cohen; Eric Schilling ; Mike Couzzi; Phil Ramone.

Recording information: Crescent Moon Studios, Miami, FL.

Photographer: Alberto Tolot.

Arrangers: Clay Ostwald; Keith "KC" Cohen; Tom McWilliams; Gloria Estefan; Scott Shapiro; Jon Secada; Jorge Casas; Phil Ramone.

With its lead-off single, "Coming Out of the Dark," paving the way, Gloria Estefan moved even more firmly into adult contemporary territory with 1991's INTO THE LIGHT. That direction had already been hinted at with 1989's successful CUTS BOTH WAYS, but INTO THE LIGHT is even more toned-down, and further removed from the bright, Latin-influenced dance-pop on which Estefan built her name with Miami Sound Machine.

Estefan moves deeply into ballad territory here, with sweet, radio-ready production touches surrounding swelling singalong choruses. The singer explores themes of love, life, and spiritual perseverance, themes that resonated with her fans given Estefan's miraculous recovery from serious injuries resulting from a car accident prior to the making of the album. In this way, INTO THE LIGHT was inspirational on a personal level--and also proved that Estefan was still a powerful force in the mainstream pop market. minimize