Simplemente Lo Mejor is a greatest hits album by Guatemalan singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona that was released on December 2, 2008. The album is composed of Arjona's number-one hits, drawn from Animal Nocturno (1993) to Galería Caribe (2000). It served as his final project under the Sony Music label after signing a contract with Warner Music in 2008. A CD+DVD and a DVD edition of the album were released in several countries; these included a collection of music videos for the compilation's songs.
Simplemente Lo Mejor was made available one month after the release of Arjona's eleventh studio album, 5to Piso (2008). This led to speculation that the labels were in a fight to win Arjona's fanbase and sales. Simplemente Lo Mejor reached number seven on the Mexican Albums Chart, the US Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart and number 33 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. It was awarded platinum certifications in Argentina and Mexico.
Background and release
Background After spending the majority of his career signed to Sony and Sony BMG, Arjona signed a long-term recording deal with Warner Music LatinaCobo, Leila (22 September 2008). "Ricardo Arjona Signs With Warner Music Latina". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved on 23 March 2012. in September 2008. Iñigo Zabala, chairman of Warner Music Latin America commented that "he's an artist that fits perfectly with our company"; he also stated "We are a label that has a major catalog of songwriters and quality pop and rock from the likes of Maná, Alejandro Sanz, Laura Pausini, and now, Arjona." Arjona announced his eleventh studio album, 5to Piso, on 18 November 2008. In the first month of retail sales, approximately 200,000 copies were purchased; it went Platinum in Mexico,"Ricardo Arjona recibe disco de oro por sus 50.000 copias vendidas en México". JornadaNet.com. Retrieved 1 October 2011. the United States"Ricardo Arjona recibe Disco de Platino" . El Tiempo. Retrieved 1 October 2011. and several other countries."Arjona logró estos reconocimientos por las altas ventas que su nuevo disco.". Univisión Música (Univisión Communications). Retrieved 30 April 2012. It debuted at number one on Top Latin Albums, becoming his second chart-topper on that list, and sold more than one million copies worldwide."Ricardo Arjona se pone tropical en su nuevo disco" . La Nación. Retrieved on 11 May 2012. The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Pop Album and a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Best Singer-Songwriter Album.
Release While Warner Music released Arjona's new studio album, Sony Music released Simplemente Lo Mejor. This led to speculation that the labels were in a fight to win his fanbase and sales.(19 November 2008). . Son Famosos. Retrieved on 23 March 2012. 5to Piso hit shelves on 18 November 2008 in the United States,"5to Piso by Ricardo Arjona". iTunes. Apple, Inc. Retrieved on 10 May 2012. and Simplemente Lo Mejor followed on 2 December 2008. A CD+DVD edition and a DVD edition of the album were released that same day in the United States and Spain."Simplemente Lo Mejor: Ricardo Arjona". Amazon.com Retrieved on 10 May 2012."Simplemente Lo Mejor (CD/DVD): Ricardo Arjona". Amazon.com Retrieved on 10 May 2012. At that time, Univisión named Simplemente Lo Mejor "a true collector's item that every fan of Arjona or just happy to his poetry should not be without."
Reception
Simplemente Lo Mejor entered the Top 100 Mexico at number 35 the week of its debut. The following week, the album jumped to number 17 and, on its third week of release, reached its peak of number seven. It spent three weeks inside the top ten and 27 weeks on the chart."Ricardo Arjona – Simplemente Lo Mejor" . Mexicancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 May 2012. On the US Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, the album attained a peak of number 33 and stayed on the chart for 70 weeks.[ "Ricardo Arjona Album & Song Chart History"]. Billboard Latin Albums for Ricardo Arjona. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 30 May 2012. It performed better on the Latin Pop Albums component chart, where it reached a peak of number seven, remaining on the chart for 88 weeks.[ "Ricardo Arjona Album & Song Chart History"]. Billboard Latin Pop Albums for Ricardo Arjona. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 30 May 2012. Simplemente Lo Mejor was awarded a platinum certification in Argentina and Mexico for 40,000 copies sold and shipped, respectively. Simplemente Lo Mejor received positive critical reception; Jason Birchmeier from AllMusic awarded the compilation four-and-a-half stars out of five and stated that the compilation is "nothing short of stellar, filled with major hits and showcasing perfectly Arjona's mid-'90s rise to fame."
Track listing Following, the track list of Simplemente Lo Mejor as is shown on the iTunes Store.
Personnel Credits are taken from AllMusic.
Ricardo Arjona – composer, direction, primary artist, producer, realization Carlos Cabral Jr. – arranger Carlos Greene – artist direction Waldo Madera – arranger Angel "Cucco" Peña – arranger, producer
Chart performance
Charts Chart (2008)Peakposition
Sales and certifications
Release history Country Date Format(s) LabelUnited States2 December 2008Digital download"Simplemente Lo Mejor by Ricardo Arjona". iTunes Store. Apple, Inc. Retrieved on 10 May 2012.Sony MusicCD+DVD,"Simplemente Lo mejor (CD/DVD): Ricardo Arjona". Amazon.com Retrieved on 10 May 2012. DVD"Simplemente Lo mejor (DVD): Ricardo Arjona". Amazon.com Retrieved on 10 May 2012.Mexico"Simplemente Lo Mejor by Ricardo Arjona". iTunes Store. Apple, Inc. Retrieved on 10 May 2012.Digital downloadVenezuela"Simplemente Lo Mejor by Ricardo Arjona". iTunes Store. Apple, Inc. Retrieved on 10 May 2012.
References
External links Official website of Ricardo Arjona