Únicas is the eleventh studio album by Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, released on Sony International in 2002.
Únicas was the first Azúcar Moreno album since 1990's Bandido not to be partly or entirely recorded in the United States, but in Spain and Italy, and it also features strings by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Únicas however saw the Salazar sisters continuing their longtime and successful collaboration with Spanish singer and composer Miguel Gallardo, this time also in the role as main producer, assisted by Bruno Zuchetti and Danilo Ballo in Milan and Rome. The album also featured further songwriting contributions from the team Pedro del Moral and David Ferrero, who previously had remixed several of their hits like "Amén", "Abracadabra", "Mamma Mia", "Olé" and "Mecachis!".
The lead single from the album was "Besame", also released as an extended dance mix, followed by a cover of The Champs' 1958 rock hit "Tequila" and the melancholy ballad "Volvería A Nacer". The album continued the duo's fusion of rumba flamenca and contemporary urban dance music genres like disco and R&B, the track "Que Me Quiten Lo Bailao" also incorporates influences from Brazil and "Habbibi Te Quiero" ("Habibi" meaning "darling" or "my beloved" in Arabic) again features rhythms and sounds from the Middle East. The album closes with the high camp anthem "Divina De La Muerte", with the verse explaining that there is nothing better to cheer up a dull day than going on a shopping spree, and the sisters namedropping their favourite designer brands; Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Prada, Shiseido, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Galliano, Dior, Moschino, Valentino, Escada, Versace, Cartier, Cavalli etc. The chorus goes on to proclaim; "Yo soy una chica con suerte – estoy divina de la muerte!" (Translated: "I'm a lucky girl – I'm deadly divine!")
Únicas was only a moderate commercial success compared to Azúcar Moreno's previous efforts, selling some 100,000 copies in their native Spain. Unicas was also one of Sony Music Entertainment's 2002 releases known to be affected by the company's copy protection software, both the album cover and the CD itself clearly state .
Únicas came to be Azúcar Moreno's final album with Miguel Gallardo, who over a period of some ten years had written, co-written, produced or co-produced around twenty-five songs for the duo, including some of their greatest hits. After a long struggle with cancer Gallardo died in 2005.
Track listing Original CD issue.
Personnel
Azùcar Moreno – lead vocals, backing vocals Cinzia Astolfi – backing vocals Angela Bautista – backing vocals Triana Bautista – backing vocals Emilio "Webo" Cuervo – backing vocals Esmeralda Grao – backing vocals Araceli Lavado – backing vocals Miguel Morant – backing vocals Danilo Ballo – keyboards, programming Luis Cabañas – programming Jesús Catalá – percussion Miguel Angel Collado – keyboards, programming, backing vocals Danny Costa – percussion, palmas Pedro del Moral – programming David Ferrero – programming Enzo Filippone – drums Pedro J. González – Spanish guitar José Agustín Guereñu – bass guitar Manuel Machado – trumpet, soloist Segundo Mijares – saxophone, soloist Juan Miguel Mogica – programming William Paredes – trombone David Perez – accordion Bruno Zuchetti – keyboards, programming Ludovico Vagnone – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Spanish guitar, backing vocals, recording The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra – orchestra Mario Klemens – orchestral conductor Richter Arnolt – violin, orchestra Pok Bahuslav – violin, orchestra Kristyna Belohlavkova – violin, orchestra Marek Elznic – violin, orchestra Rammy Emanuelle – violin, orchestra Silar Franchíl – violin, orchestra Froneh Frant – violin, orchestra Trykar Marek – violin, orchestra Vladyka Milan – violin, orchestra Mrázek Ivo – violin, orchestra Hron Jakub – violin, orchestra Kóhle Jan – violin, orchestra Pavicek Jeromin – violin, orchestra Holenà Jirí – violin, orchestra Zajíe Jiri – violin, orchestra Millite Kaudersova – violin, orchestra Mchutil Josef – violin, orchestra Bohumil Kotmel – violin, orchestra Forbelská Ludmila – violin, orchestra Mracková Ludmila – violin, orchestra Srámek Morek – violin, orchestra Branislav Ondrèv – violin, orchestra Ysech Pavel – violin, orchestra Klas Petr – violin, orchestra Josef Pokluda – violin, orchestra Sisler Radim – violin, orchestra Tatána Richterová – violin, orchestra Dana Sislerová – violin, orchestra Lauda Stepón – violin, orchestra Barinka Tomas – violin, orchestra Richard Valasek – violin, orchestra Zajacik Vladimir – violin, orchestra Dudek Van – violin, orchestra Köhler Van – violin, orchestra Jkosa Virí – violin, orchestra Vlastimil Zeman – violin, orchestra
Production Miguel Gallardo – record producer, musical director, realization Bruno Zuchetti – musical arranger, producer, musical director, realization, recording Danilo Ballo – musical arranger, producer, musical director, realization, recording Miguel Angel Collado – musical arranger, musical director Emanuele Ruffinengo – production coordination, musical director, realization Ludovico Vagnone – recording José Peña Engineer – digital editing, mixing Riccardo Dacunto – recording Fernando Chávez – recording Sabino Cannone – mixing, sound design Mark Bishop – sound design Jose Vinader – engineer Francisco Gude – engineer Marcos Liviano – assistant Michael Hradisky – assistant Antonio Baglio – mastering engineer Carlos Martin – graphic design, art direction Juanjo Manez – stylist Adolfo Cabiedes – interpretation Joan Alsina – photography Recorded at Zodiak Studios and Altavox Studios (Milan), Trendy Studios (Rome), Ludus Studios & Trak Studios (Madrid). Strings recorded at Smečky Studios (Prague).
Certifications
References