Thalia Con Banda: Grandes Exitos CD

Maria Ariadna Thalia Sodi Miranda is a crossover artist in the grand Latina tradition. Star of countless telenovelas, she has also had a singing career since the tender age of nine. However, it wasn't until she came in contact with A.B. Quintanilla III, better known as Selena's brother, that her musical career took off and she became a star both in South America and the Philippines. Her musical oeuvre is cumbia-based, sung in an attractive, mature-sounding vocal style, unquestionably commercial though with somewhat limited crossover potential--there are no Selena-like norteno arrangements here. Though it doesn't include her Filipino-oriented material (several of her hits were sung in Tagalog), GRANDES EXITOS is a comprehensive introduction to the music of this emerging Latin superstar.

Thalia's expression on the front cover of 'Con Banda Grandes Exitos', wearing a gorgeous Mexican outfit made by dressmaker Gustavo Mata, means what this album is about - a tribute to her native country. It was recorded in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, & officially released after a private party in Hacienda Los Morales, one of Mexico City's most traditional places. Produced by Guillermo Gil, Con Banda Grandes Exitos comprised her greatest hits with new arrangements by Pancho Ruiz & Adolfo & Omar Valenzuela, including chart-toppers 'Amor a la Mexicana,' 'Entre el Mar y Una Estrella', & 'Arrasando.' 14 tracks. EMI International. 2001.

Recording information: Crescent Moon Studios, Miami, FL; Estudio "Hugo's", Los Mochis, Sin.

Photographer: Omar Cruz .

Arrangers: Omar Valenzuela; Adolfo Valenzuela.

Personnel: Sal Cuevas, Julio Hernandez (bajo sexto); Omar Valenzuela, Adolfo Valenzuela (clarinet, percussion); Oscar Sotelo, Jr. (trumpet, trombone); Archie Pena (percussion, programming, drum programming); Guillermo Gil, Beto Dominguez (percussion); Memo Gil (programming).

Audio Remixer: Alfred Figueroa.