Unwrapped (CD - 2003)

Personnel includes: Gloria Estefan (vocals); Chrissie Hynde (vocals, guitar); Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica); Dan Warner (guitar, tres, mandolin); Alfredo Oliva, Tim Barnes (violin); Judith Mora-Arriaga (accordion); Ron Taylor (piano, Wurlitzer piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Arthur Hanlon (piano); Luis Angel (bass); Luis Enrique, Edwin Bonilla, Archie Pena (percussion); Sebastion Krys (programming); Jon Secada, Maceo Morris (background vocals).

Recorded at Crescent Moon Studio, The Hit Factory Criteria, The Warehouse Studios, Miami, Florida.

For her first English-language album in five years (coinciding with her 46th birthday), Gloria Estefan uses UNWRAPPED as a project where her creative energies go towards material with more of a sophisticated, singer-songwriter sheen a la Sting, and away from the dance-pop fare she's better known for. Like the aforementioned Gordon Sumner, this Cuban-born chanteuse does a fine job mixing in a wide range of genres, from the hint of Brazilian rhythms and an unusual use of mandolin in "Te Amare" to the reggae flourishes dancing around the fringes of "You."

Always known as a balladeer, Estefan doesn't disappoint as she tucks into aural bon-bons like the lush, Elton John-like "I Wish You" and the autobiographical "Famous," with its insight into the world inhabited by this Latin diva. She also cooks up collaborations with Stevie Wonder, whose vocals and harmonica-playing grace the spry "Into You," and Pretenders vocalist/guitarist Chrissie Hynde, whose distinctive vocals can be heard on the Ottmar Liebert-flavored "One Name." With UNWRAPPED, Gloria Estefan reveals another side of her musical personality only hinted at on prior Spanish-language and pop excursions. minimize