"Mi Buen Amor" (transl. "My True Love")[1] is a song by Cuban American singer Gloria Estefan from her third studio album Mi Tierra (1993). It was written by Estefano and the artist with her husband Emilio Estefan, Jorge Casas, and Clay Ostwald handling its production. It was released as the sixth single from the album in 1993 by Epic Records. It is a danzoneteballad, that according to a music journalist, speaks of a "romantic ode".[2] Music critics gave it a positive reaction who found it delicate. Commercially, it topped the BillboardHot Latin Songs chart in the United States. The accompanying music video features the artist in an empty ballroom. "Mi Buen Amor" was acknowledged as an award-winning song at the 1995 BMI Latin Awards.
Background and composition
In January 1993, Gloria Estefan announced that she was working on a Spanish-language album titled Mi Tierra.[3] The artist had wanted to record a Spanish-language album reflecting her Cuban heritage since the beginning of her musical career.[4] Before recording in English, Estefan and her band performed at Latin nightclubs;[5]
she also remembered her grandmother teaching her old Cuban songs. Music had an important role in Estefan's family, her paternal grandmother was a poet, and an uncle played the flute in a salsa band.[4] The singer's desire to record an album in Spanish was also influenced by her son, Nayib; she wanted him to recognize his Cuban heritage.[5]
Mi Tierra was produced by Estefan's husband, Emilio Estefan, and fellow Miami Sound Machine members Clay Ostwald and Jorge Casas.[2] Recording took place at the Crescent Moon Studios in Miami, Florida.[1] Colombian musician Estefano composed four of the album's songs including "Mi Buen Amor", which he co-wrote with Estefan.[6] It is a danzoneteballad which tells of a "romantic ode".[2][7]
Promotion and reception
"Mi Buen Amor" was released as the album's sixth single in 1993 by Epic Records.[8] The accompanying music video was co-directed by Emilio, which marked his debut as music video director, and Mo Fitzgibbon.[9] It features Estefan in an empty ballroom.[10]AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis selected the song as one of the ballad highlights of the album Mi Tierra.[6] John Lannert of the Sun-Sentinel states that it sets to a "delicate, lilting danzonete cadence".[2]The Courier-Journal critic Howie Allen listed it as one of the four ballads in the album that "glide along on flowing melodies, delicate percussion, deft guitars and elegant string arrangements".[7] The Knoxville News Sentinel's Chuck Campbell was unimpressed with the track, calling it and "Hablas de Mi" "the most saccharine of the lot".[11] It was acknowledged as an award-winning song at the 1995 BMI Latin Awards.[12] Commercially, the single topped the BillboardHot Latin Songs chart in the US, making it her fourth number one on the chart.[13] Lannert described "Mi Buen Amor" as one of the songs that made Estéfano a prominent figure in Latin music.[14]
^ abcMi Tierra (CD liner). Gloria Estefan. United States: Epic. 1993. EK 53807.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ abcdLannert, John (June 20, 1993). "Disc Satisfying, Convincing". Sun-Sentinel. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2013. ...followed by a romantic ode, Mi Buen Amor, set to a delicate, lilting danzonete cadence.
^ abHowie, Allen (August 14, 1993). "Reviews". The Courier-Journal. p. 46. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023. Such ballads as 'Con Los Años Que Me Quedan', Mi Buen Amor' 'Volverás' and 'Hablas de Mi' glide along on flowing melodies, delicate percussion, deft guitars and elegant string arrangements.
^Mi Buen Amor (Media notes). Gloria Estefan. United States: Epic Records. 1993. ESK 5589.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Spencer, Kay (November 29, 1996). "Producing Women: A Brief Sampling of the Work Being Done by Women in Florida Production". Shoot. 37 (48). ISSN1055-9825. When Emilio Estefan made his directorial debut on wife Gloria's music video "Mi Buen Amor" in 1994, he hand-picked Fitzgibbon to produce and codirect.
^Estefan, Gloria (1993). Mi Buen Amor (online video) (in Spanish). YouTube. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
^"The Year in Music 1994". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. December 24, 1994. pp. YE-82. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
