La Soledad de Tu Amor - Michael Stuart, Alfanno, Omar
A Fuego Lento - Michael Stuart, Cabarcas, Luis Dani
Destino - Michael Stuart, Gabriel, Ana
Cómo Decirte Adiós - Michael Stuart, Flores, Marcos
Hasta Cuándo - Michael Stuart, Enriquez, Yoel
Pero Ella - Michael Stuart, Ramazzotti, Eros
Vivo Para Siempre - Michael Stuart, Osorio, Fernando
Pero Ahora - Michael Stuart, Quiñes, Domingo
An impressive array of tropical music vets lined up to back this young and modern sonero's sophomore effort. Stuart's Cuentos de la Vecindad debut sold gold, and this set, showcasing an even more refined, mature Stuart, sh... more »ould easily exceed that achievement. The current resurgence of the highly romantic Latin style known as son is due, in large part, to this generation of arrangers and singers like Stuart, who spice up the classic form's languorous sweetness with fiery contemporary salsa rhythms, rendering love songs like "Nina Bella" more turntable compatible with the electrifying rhythms that are pulling more and more people--Anglos and Latinos alike--into stateside salsa dance clubs. Happily falling in with another contemporary trend in tropical music, Stuart, who was born in New York of Puerto Rican parents, also touches on a diverse array of non-Latino forms, blending his rich, exquisitely throbbing tenor and salsa sensibilities with rock, R&B, and urban dance. With gifted eclectics like Stuart leading the way, it shouldn't be long before the walls come down and salsa is heard not just in Latino venues, but in the club mixes of equally adventurous Yanqui deejays. --Elena Oumano« less
An impressive array of tropical music vets lined up to back this young and modern sonero's sophomore effort. Stuart's Cuentos de la Vecindad debut sold gold, and this set, showcasing an even more refined, mature Stuart, should easily exceed that achievement. The current resurgence of the highly romantic Latin style known as son is due, in large part, to this generation of arrangers and singers like Stuart, who spice up the classic form's languorous sweetness with fiery contemporary salsa rhythms, rendering love songs like "Nina Bella" more turntable compatible with the electrifying rhythms that are pulling more and more people--Anglos and Latinos alike--into stateside salsa dance clubs. Happily falling in with another contemporary trend in tropical music, Stuart, who was born in New York of Puerto Rican parents, also touches on a diverse array of non-Latino forms, blending his rich, exquisitely throbbing tenor and salsa sensibilities with rock, R&B, and urban dance. With gifted eclectics like Stuart leading the way, it shouldn't be long before the walls come down and salsa is heard not just in Latino venues, but in the club mixes of equally adventurous Yanqui deejays. --Elena Oumano
CD Reviews
A Future Legend in the Making
D. Pawl | Seattle | 06/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A good online friend of mine first introduced me to the sound and style of Michael Stuart, and I have to say I was a little hesitant to share my heart with anyone else's voice but Huey Dunbar's (Stuart's rival in salsa!). That didn't last long, though. On a whim, I purchased this album after hearing only snippets of his songs on Amazon.com. I really wasn't sure if it would live up to the fire and energy that I initally heard in those samples. I was happy to find that these songs definitely lived up to my hopes! Michael has a very warm quality in his voice and interprets each song in a very sensitive and expressive way. From the the very first track ("Niña Bella"), Michael sparkles with energy. You could be at a club or in the kitchen and he makes you want to get up and dance! Not only is Stuart's voice one of a kind, but the arrangements of his songs mix salsa, rock and R&B which keeps it lively and original. He is also a great mimic (something he is known for!). I even caught him immitating Huey Dunbar! (see Track #7 "Pero Ella" during his freestyle!) Michael Stuart is also great at capturing the tenderness of a romantic ballad. ("Vivo Para Siempre")
This man is greatly underrated and underappreciated in the salsa world! I don't think many people in my part of the country (Seattle, where salsa is heating up) have even heard of him. Please support him! You won't be sorry."
Michael Stuart...uno de los mejores salseros!
ALEK LAUREANO | New Berlin, Wisconsin - USA | 04/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sinceramente Michale Stuart es uno de los mejores salseros de todos los tiempos. Tiene una mezcla entre la salsa moderna y la salsa tradicional. En este disco "Retratos" se puede notar la gran calidad vocal de Michael Stuart. RMM Records ha hecho una gran labor de promocion y produccion para este exelente cantante. Algo que asegura el exito de este disco lo es la produccion de Ralph Mercado y Angel Fernandez. Los mejores temas de este disco lo son "Niña bella", "Destino", "Pero Ella", "Como Decirte Adios", y "La Soledad De Tu Amor". He tenido la oportunidad de ver los shows en vivo de este salsero y da el 100% de su talento. Michael es un exelente imitador de su padrino musical, el maestro Domingo Quiñones. "Retratos" el mejor disco de Michael Stuart."
The best salsa singer!
ALEK LAUREANO | 11/16/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Michael Stuart is the best salsa singer. He also has a great personality. My favorite song is in the album retratos, it is A fuego lento. Buy his albums so you can enjoy good quality salsa. Thanks!"
Felicitaciones
ALEK LAUREANO | 07/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Quiero felicitar a Michael Stuart por tan excelente produccion. El que no tenga este CD, se los recomiendo esta super lindo y muy variado."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1