Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias' Universal debut, Enrique, was designed to be a massive crossover success, breaking him to the pop audience that devoured Ricky Martin and "Livin' la Vida Loca." So, the Latin roots were pushed into the background and the record leaned heavily on mainstream dance-pop and adult contemporary ballads. Iglesias served as an executive producer, overseeing a number of producers whose work all sounds fairly cohesive. That may be because each specialized in a certain area: dance floor numbers or slow-burners. It's all impeccably crafted and appealing, the way a big-budget record like this should be. Song wise, there are a couple of stretches that are a little rote but not unappealing, and for the most part, the tunes are endearing; as a matter of fact, the first breakthrough hit, "Bailamos," pales in comparison with much of the first half of the album, including "Rhythm Divine," "I Have Always Loved You," and "Oyeme." If Enrique doesn't pack a knock-out punch, it's because the album wasn't structured that way. It was made to be a sturdy and satisfying mainstream crossover effort, and that's exactly what it is. [This special edition includes an enhanced bonus disc.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide