Search - Dulce :: Mi Historia

The One, The Incomparable Diva...DULCE!

Rob Ez | Chicago | 08/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dulce, what can I NOT say about this woman...gifted vocalist, emotive performance skills, great performer...but most importantly, a true artist.



Native of Tamaulipas, Mexico, Dulce began her career in the early 70's, singing in local bars, discoteques and basically anywhere that would have her. Then, conviced that she was destined for stardom, moved to Mexico City in 1975 poised on becoming a singer. She was building a buzz around the jazz clubs on Mexico City when she was discovered by a talent scout for Discos America (now Univision Records) in Mexico. She released her first album in 1978, marketed and promoted as a new singer from Puerto Rico (this is a lie that Melody made, in order to make Dulce more appealing, since most of the A.C. vocalists of that time were from Puerto Rico, such as Nydia Caro, Yolandita Monge, Sophy, Ednita Nazario..etc). Her first 2 albums were critically acclained but failed to provide her with a popular hit on the radio. During this period, she won the Festival OTI in Mallorca with her song "Señor Amor", written by Armando Manzanero. It wasn't until 1981 when she released her Rafael Perez-Botija produced record "Heridas" that she would become the popular singer she is today. This one record spawned the hits were "Heridas", "Cara a Cara" "Dejame Volver Contigo" and "La Cantante" that are still played today, and the rest is history...



This by far is the best Dulce compilation I have seen. It compiles the aforementioned tracks, going through all the way to 1993, when she released her last Melody album. With her powerful and astonishingly beautiful voice, she gives 20 of the best performances ever on record. My personal favorite is "Amamos Tanto", from 1988. The song starts as a gradual piano ballad, then transforms almost into a "power ballad" by the chorus. Amazing! Other mentionable tracks are her mega-hit from 1984 "Tu Mueca", her classic "Heridas", "Hielo" and "Aun Lo Amo" (both covered by freestyle-turned-salsa singer India). My only suggestion that I would make towards this compilation is to include material from her first 2 "unpopular" albums. The only song featured is "Señor Amor", and even then it was a remake she did in 1988 to commemorate her 10th anniversary. But I understand that it would be too much of a contrast to feature vocal art songs with the pop songs that made her famous.



Through most of the 90's, Dulce seemed to have retired or dissapeared from the music scene, every now and then re-appearing in Mexican soap operas. Such a shame, Mexico should not let this amazing vocalist waste her talents. I'm sure I can say without hyperbole that Dulce is the best pop singer to ever come out of Mexico. But instead, I wil simply say that...if you're looking for a great singer who will strike feelings inside of you, then Dulce is right for you.



*NOTE* She recorded a great album that was released in 1998 solely in Mexico called "Dulce con Chamin Correa". It's an acoustic torchsong album, where she worked with known guitarrist Chamin Correa...It's incredible. She still had the capacity to release great work with incredible performances. Look out for it, it is so worth your time!"