Sound Loaded (CD - 2000)

Personnel includes: Ricky Martin (vocals); Michael Landau, Rusty Anderson (electric guitar); Charlie Bisharat, Eve Butler (violin); Michael Migliore (alto saxophone); Tony Concepion, James Hacker (trumpet); Dana Teboe (trombone); Randall Barlow, George Nariega (keyboards); Paquito Hechevarria, Hector Garrido (piano); Hugh McDonal (bass); Abraham Laboriel, Jr. (drums); Daniel Lopez (percussion); Illyak Negroni, Robbie Nevil, Will Lee, Maurice Lauchner, Ron Grant, Larry Loftin, Chris Willis, KC Porter, Tommy Anthony (background vocals).

Producers include: Walter Afanasieff, Randy Barlow, Emilio Estefan, Jr., Steve Morales, George Noriega.

Engineers: Dave Reitzas, Robi Rosa, Rob Eaton.

"She Bangs" was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

"Nobody Wants To Be Lonely" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.

This is a Super Audio CD playable only on Super Audio CD players.

Personnel includes: Ricky Martin (vocals); Michael Landau, Rusty Anderson (electric guitar); Charlie Bisharat, Eve Butler (violin); Michael Migliore (alto saxophone); Tony Concepion, James Hacker (trumpet); Dana Teboe (trombone); Randall Barlow, George Nariega (keyboards); Paquito Hechevarria, Hector Garrido (piano); Hugh McDonal (bass); Abraham Laboriel, Jr. (drums); Daniel Lopez (percussion); Illyak Negroni, Robbie Nevil, Will Lee, Maurice Lauchner, Ron Grant, Larry Loftin, Chris Willis, KC Porter, Tommy Anthony (background vocals).

Producers include: Walter Afanasieff, Randy Barlow, Emilio Estefan, Jr., Steve Morales, George Noriega.

Engineers: Dave Reitzas, Robi Rosa, Rob Eaton.

"She Bangs" was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

"Nobody Wants To Be Lonely" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.

Personnel: Ricky Martin (vocals, percussion, background vocals); Calanit Ledani (chant); Rusty Anderson, Tim Mitchell (guitar, electric guitar); George Noriega (guitar, keyboards, programming, background vocals); Eric Bazilian, Gary Burr, Manny López, Adam Phillips (guitar); Michael Landau (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Ramon Stagnaro (acoustic guitar, nylon-string guitar, cuatro, tres, cavaquinho); Rene Toledo (acoustic guitar); Tim Pierce (electric guitar); Herman "Teddy" Mulet (cuatro, trumpet, trombone); Charlie Bisherat, Anatoly Rosinsky, Ken Yerke, Gary Kuo, Gerry Hilera, Edmund Stein, Murray Adler, Rachel Purkin, Eve Butler, Vladimir Polimatidi, Bruce Dukov, Clayton Haslop, Peter Kent, Brian Leonard, Robert Peterson, Armen Garabedian, Michele Richards, Susan Chatman, Berj Garabedian, Pedro Alfonso, Mario Diaz de Leon, Endre Granat (violin); Steve Richards (viola, cello); Carole Mukogawa, Matt Funes, Jorge Moraga, Karie Prescott, Linda Lipsett, John Hayhurst, Nancy Roth, Evan Wilson, Bob Becker , Renita Koven, Darrin McCann, Denyse Buffum (viola); Maurice Grants, Rudy Stein, Michael Matthews , Ernie Erhardt, Miguel Martinez, Suzie Katayama, Larry Corbett, Dan Smith (cello); Nestor Torres (flute); Ed Calle (saxophone, horns); Mike Migliore (alto saxophone); Jerry Vivino, Lenny Pickett (tenor saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Arturo Sandoval (trumpet, flugelhorn); Tony Concepcion (trumpet, horns); Randall Barlow (trumpet, keyboards, programming); José Sibajas, Glenn Drewes, Danny Cahn, Jim Hacker, Earl Gardner, Mark Pender (trumpet); Joe Meyer , Brian O'Connor (French horn); Dana Teboe (trombone, horns); Richie Rosenberg, Wayne Andre, Keith O'Quinn (trombone); Herb Besson (bass trombone); Camilo Valencia (horns); Hector Garrido, Desmond Child, Michelle Diaz, Paquito Hechevarria (piano); Walter Afanasieff (keyboards, programming, drum programming); K.C. Porter (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Mark Taylor , Randy Cantor (keyboards, programming); Pete Amato (keyboards, drum programming); David Siegel, Steve Morales (keyboards); Sal Cuevas (electric bass); Curt Bisquera, Abraham Laboriel, Sr., Kenny Aronoff, Lee Levin, Olbin Burgos, Brian Rawling (drums); Daniel Lopez (percussion, background vocals); Luis Conte, Rafael Solano, Ricardo Tiki Pasillas, Archie Pena (percussion); Bob Conley (programming); Illyak Negroni, Gyan Evans, Ron Grant, Maurice Lauchner, Tommy Anthony, Larry Loftin, Michael Contratto, Cheito Quinonez, Mike Harvey, Paul Barry, Robbie Nevil, Robi Rosa, Will Lee , Chris Willis, Gustavo Laureano (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: David Thoener; Jules Gondar; Mark Taylor ; Mick Guzauski; Rob Eaton; Sebastián Krys; Tony Maserati; Walter Turbitt; Benny Faccone.

Recording information: Aireborn Studios, Indianpolis, IN; Aireborne Studios, Indianopolis, IN; Bid Dog Studios, Miami, FL; Big Dog Studios, Miami, FL; Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Cello 1 Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Crescent Moon Studios, Miami, FL; Cresent Moon Studios; DreamHouse Studios, London, England; Gentlemen's Club, Miami Beach, FL; Hit Factory Criteria, Miami, FL; Kokopelli Studios, Miami, FL; Quad Recordings, Nashville, TN; Record Plant, LA; Rumbo Recorders; Rumbo Recorders, Canoga Park, CA; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Gentlemen's Club, Miami Beach, FL; The Hit Factory Cirteria, Miami, FL; Tone King Studios, Los Angeles, CA; WallyWorld Studios, CA; WallyWorld, CA; Worldbeat Recording, Calabasas, CA.

Photographer: Pablo Alfaro.

Unknown Contributor Role: Chino.

Arrangers: Randall Barlow; Emilio Estefan, Jr.; George Noriega; K.C. Porter; Pete Amato; Robi Rosa; Steve Morales.

Ricky Martin's second English-language album Sound Loaded did not fare nearly as well as its earth-shattering predecessor, even though the quality of the material is probably one notch higher. Several reasons could be given for this, but the most obvious is lousy marketing. First, the album's lead-off single, the electrifying (and terribly titled) "She Bangs" (arguably one of the best songs of 2000), which failed to make the U.S. Top Ten, wasn't even released as a commercial single. Second, the album's follow-up, "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely," was remixed and refashioned into a duet with red-hot Anglo-Latina vixen Christina Aguilera -- the album version is solo Ricky, and features largely acoustic accompaniment, as opposed to the remix's more bombastic instrumentation. Unbelievably, the version with Christina Aguilera wasn't released as a commercial single. Instead, the album was re-released with a single of the song clumsily attached to it (with a rubber band, no less). In other words, most of Ricky's fans, who had already bought the album, would have had to purchase it all over again in order to have the hit version of the song. And thirdly, the set's final single, "Loaded" (which was actually released commercially, indicating a base level of intelligence on the label's part), bore more than a striking resemblance to his breakthrough hit "Livin' la Vida Loca," but, by the time of its release, the magic had petered off. Those factors aside, the album is a lushly produced set, with more Latin-flavored dance cuts, such as the fun, Santana-ish "Amor," the smoldering, string-enhanced "Jezabel," the endearing "If You Ever Saw Her," and the sizzling Spanish-language track "Cambia La Piel." The ballads, however, tend to weigh the album down, such as the unmemorable "Come to Me" and "The Touch." And, finally, Latin loverman clichés abound, which bring down otherwise fine tracks such as "Saint Tropez" and the gypsy-tinged, slightly bizarre "One Night Man." Infinitely better marketing and less reliance on clichés will hopefully translate into better sales for Ricky Martin's future English-language albums, but, for the time being, Sound Loaded, an otherwise fine album (and exquisitely produced), will go down in history as something of an undeserved flop. ~ Jose F. Promis

Ricky Martin jump-started the early 21st century Latin pop explosion in early 1999 with his spirited, hip shaking appearance on the Grammy Awards. On SOUND LOADED, Martin's music has progressed and improved, while maintaining the vitality and rhythmic diversity of its predecessor. The album is a mix of party anthems, straight-ahead, hook-laden pop tunes, and tender, emotional ballads. Martin here has spared no expense in creating an album to satisfy his legions of fans.

"She Bangs" is the sequel to "Livin' La Vida Loca," a sexy, exciting, catchy song about a free and intense angel. "Saint Tropez," with its trumpets and strings, is a smooth, tropical groove. "Come To Me" could be Martin's best ballad yet, a tender tune with background vocals arranged by Jon Secada. "Loaded" rocks out with blaring horns, while "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" and "The Touch" are both logical singles that show Ricky's softer side. Ricky doubts a woman's intentions in "Are You in it For Love" ("are you in it for kicks, private jets and Armani, and when the ride's over, will you even bother to call me?"), while "Cambia La Piel" is a Latin party rocker that ends the album in swinging style. minimize