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{{Infobox album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->

Name = Aries
{{Infobox album
| Type = [[Album]]
| Artist = [[Luis Miguel]]
| name = Aries
| Cover = ariesLM.jpg
| type = studio
| Released = {{Start date|1993|6|22}}
| artist = [[Luis Miguel]]
| Genre = [[Latin pop]]
| cover = ariesLM.jpg
| Length =
| border = yes
| alt = A man wearing a white shirt is front of the camera and laying down.
| Recorded = 1992-93
| released = {{Start date|1993|6|22|df=yes}}
| Label = [[Warner Music Group|WEA]]
| recorded = June 1992 – May 1993<ref name="Liner2">{{cite AV media notes |title= Ayer Single|others= Luis Miguel|year= 1993|type= CD liner|publisher= WEA Latina|id= 4509 92853-2|location= México|pages=1–2}}</ref>
| Producer = [[Luis Miguel]]
| Reviews =
| venue =
| studio = {{hlist|[[Ocean Way Recording|Ocean Way]] (Hollywood)|[[Record One]] (Los Angeles)|[[Larrabee Sound Studios|Larrabee]] (Hollywood)|Ground Control (Los Angeles)}}
| Last album = ''[[América & En Vivo]]''<br /> (1992)|
| genre = {{flat list|
| This album = ''Aries'' <br />(1993)
* [[Dance-pop]]
| Next album = ''[[Segundo Romance]]''<br /> (1994)|
* [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]
| Misc = {{Extra album cover
| Upper caption = Alternative cover
| Type = studio
| Cover = LMAries2.jpg}}
{{Singles
| Name = Aries
| Type = studio
| single 1 = Ayer
| single 1 date = {{start date|1993}}
| single 2 = Hasta Que Me Olvides
| single 2 date = {{start date|1993}}
| single 3 = Suave
| single 3 date = {{start date|1993}}
| single 4 = Hasta el Final
| single 4 date = {{start date|1994}}
| single 5 = Tú y Yo
| single 5 date = {{start date|1994}}
| single 6 = Pensar en Tí
| single 6 date = {{start date|1994}}
}}
}}
}}
| length = {{duration|m=44|s=31}}
'''''Aries''''' is an album by [[Mexican people|Mexican]] singer [[Luis Miguel]] released on [[June 22]], [[1993]].
| language = [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
| label = [[Warner Music Latina|WEA Latina]]
| producer = {{flat list|
* Luis Miguel
* [[Kiko Cibrian]]
* [[David Foster]]
* Emilio Castillo
}}
| prev_title = [[América & en Vivo]]
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = [[Segundo Romance]]
| next_year = 1994
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Aries
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Ayer (Luis Miguel song)|Ayer]]
| single1date = 17 May 1993
| single2 = [[Hasta Que Me Olvides]]
| single2date = August 1993
| single3 = [[Suave (song)|Suave]]
| single3date = 1993
}}
}}

'''''Aries''''' is the ninth [[studio album]] by Mexican recording artist [[Luis Miguel]]. It was released by [[WEA Latina]] on 22 June 1993. After attaining commercial success in 1991 with his previous album, ''[[Romance (Luis Miguel album)|Romance]]'', Luis Miguel decided to return to a style similar to his earlier work, featuring [[pop ballad]]s and dance numbers with R&B influences. The record was produced by Miguel, who was assisted by [[Kiko Cibrian]], [[Rudy Pérez]], [[David Foster]], and [[Juan Luis Guerra]].

Three singles were released to promote the album. The first two singles, "Ayer" and "Hasta Que Me Olvides," topped the US [[Hot Latin Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Latin Songs]] chart and the third, "Suave," peaked at number nine. Two other songs were released as promotional singles, "Hasta el Fin" and "Tú y Yo"; both peaked at number four on the Hot Latin Songs chart. To further promote the record, Luis Miguel launched the 1993 [[Aries Tour]] to some Latin American countries and the United States.

''Aries'' peaked at number one on the US [[Latin Pop Albums|''Billboard'' Latin Pop Albums]], where it stayed for 19 weeks. Internationally, the album was certified quadruple platinum in Mexico, where it sold over one million copies. It was also [[List of diamond-certified albums in Argentina|certified diamond in Argentina]]. ''Aries'' sold over three million copies worldwide. Upon its release, the album received mixed reviews from [[music journalism|music critics]]; they were divided on the dance tunes and ballads, although Luis Miguel's vocals and the album's arrangements garnered positive reactions. Luis Miguel received several accolades, including the [[Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album]].

==Background and recording==
[[File:Nanci y Rudy (cropped).JPG|thumb|upright|left|Rudy Pérez wrote four of the album's tracks including "Me Niego a Estar Solo", "Luz Verde", "Ayer", and "Tú y Yo".|alt=A man wearing sunglasses is smiling towards the camera]]
In 1991 Miguel released his eighth studio album, ''[[Romance (Luis Miguel album)|Romance]]'', a collection of classic [[bolero]]s, the oldest of which originated in the 1940s. The album, which was produced by [[Armando Manzanero]] and arranged by [[Bebu Silvetti]],<ref name="romance">{{cite web|title=Romance&nbsp;– Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/romance-mw0000277001/credits|access-date=6 October 2018|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006114803/https://www.allmusic.com/album/romance-mw0000277001/credits|url-status=live}}</ref> was a commercial success in Latin America and sold over seven million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1992/10/12&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar05100&PageLabel=51|title=Dimes y Diretes|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|date=12 October 1992|page=51|access-date=17 July 2022|archive-date=24 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524024147/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1992%2F10%2F12&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar05100&PageLabel=51|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="popculture">{{cite book| first1 = Cordelia| last1 = Candelaria| first2 = Peter| last2 = Garcia| first3 = Arturo| last3 = Adalma| volume = 2| title = Encyclopedia of Latino popular culture| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3uD6PKXl3q4C&q=%22world%20music%22%20awards%20%22luis%20miguel%22%20%22romances%22&pg=PA551| access-date = 14 March 2011| year = 2004| publisher = Greenwood Publishing Group| location = Westport, United States| isbn = 9780313322150| pages = 551–552| archive-date = 11 June 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140611094200/http://books.google.com/books?id=3uD6PKXl3q4C&lpg=PA552&dq=%22world%20music%22%20awards%20%22luis%20miguel%22%20%22romances%22&pg=PA551| url-status = live}}</ref> It revived interest in the bolero genre and was the first record by a Spanish-speaking artist to be [[record certification|certified gold]] in Brazil, Taiwan, and the United States.<ref name="popculture"/> In spite of the album's success, Miguel did not want to release a follow-up record that was similar to ''Romance''.<ref name="burr1">{{cite news|last1=Burr|first1=Ramiro|title=Luis Miguel meets his challenges|work=[[San Antonio Express-News]]|date=11 July 1993}}</ref> When asked why he chose not to record more boleros, he replied "I wanted to try my music, just forgetting a little bit about those boleros that everyone knows".<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Luis Miguel Returns With An R&B Flavor|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=3 July 1993|volume=105|issue=27|pages=1, 72|publisher=[[Nielsen N.V.]]|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> He began working with the composers for the album a year before recording in a studio in 1992; in Miguel's words, he wanted to "discuss the works, the themes, and melodies;&nbsp;...&nbsp;The creation of an album has to be part of me or else I would not be able to interpret it, or sing in it".<ref name="burr2">{{cite news|last1=Burr|first1=Ramiro|title=Tejano pop star croons 2nd album|work=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|publisher=[[Cox Media Group]]|date=17 June 1993}}</ref>

On 24 August 1992, Mexican newspaper ''[[El Siglo de Torreón]]'' reported that Miguel had begun collaborating with [[David Foster]] and [[Juan Carlos Calderón]] on some compositions, along with English-speaking composers, and selecting [[cover versions]] for the album.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1992/08/24&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar05000&PageLabel=50|title=Hit Parade|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=50|date=24 August 1992|access-date=20 July 2015|archive-date=17 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717114641/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1992%2F08%2F24&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar05000&PageLabel=50|url-status=live}}</ref> He also received assistance from Cuban composer [[Rudy Pérez]] and Dominican singer-songwriter [[Juan Luis Guerra]] with the songwriting.<ref name="burr2"/> Recording began on 4 July 1992.<ref>{{cite news|title=Comentarios de...|last=Calzada|first=Gloria|newspaper=[[El Informador (Mexico)|El Informador]]|publisher=Unión Editorialista|language=es|trans-title=Comments from...|date=10 June 1992|page=13-E}}</ref> Miguel had difficulty finding a suitable producer for the record; he initially worked with American audio engineer [[Bruce Swedien]], but decided to re-record the whole album after disagreements with Swedien's direction. Unable to find a producer, he decided to co-produce the album with his long-time associate Kiko Cibrian.<ref name="billboard"/> Recording the album took almost a year and was affected by several complications, including its high budget of over US$1.5 million, his father's death, and an [[appendectomy]].<ref name="burr1"/> Miguel announced that the name of the album would be ''Aries'' during a presentation at the 1993 Festival Acapulco.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1993/05/18&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03904&PageLabel=39|title=Hit Parade|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=39|date=18 May 1993|access-date=20 July 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210726/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1993%2F05%2F18&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03904&PageLabel=39|url-status=live}}</ref> About the naming of the album he said, "This album expresses my personal self. I had a lot to do. I produced everything and wanted to have a lot of fun, take what I like, and what better than the zodiac sign representing what one is."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1993/05/19&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03801&PageLabel=38|title=Confirmado Luis Miguel ¡No es mexicano!|language=es|trans-title=Luis Miguel is not Mexican!|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=39|date=19 May 1993|quote=Este disco expresa mi forma muy personal. Tuve mucho que ver en todo. Lo produje totalmente y quise divertirme mucho, sacar lo que a mi me gusta y, entonces qué mejor que el signo zodiacal que representa lo que uno es.|access-date=20 July 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203110/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1993%2F05%2F19&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03801&PageLabel=38|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Composition==
{{Listen
|filename=Luis Miguel - Que Nivel de Mujer.ogg
|title=Luis Miguel "Que Nivel de Mujer"
|description=A 27-second sample of Miguel's "Que Nivel de Mujer", a Spanish adaptation of "Attitude Dance" by Tower of Power. One of the band's member Emilio Castillo arranged the horn sections in the song. About the inclusion of the song, Miguel commented that he was very fond of "that type of R&B, Motown, and hip-hop" and that "My musical influence comes from those sounds".<ref name="billboard"/>
|format=[[Ogg]]
}}
''Aries'' is composed of ten tracks, six of which are [[Sentimental ballad|romantic ballads]].<ref name="promis"/> The remaining four songs are [[dance-pop|dance]] numbers which ''[[San Antonio Express-News]]'' editor Ramiro Burr describes as containing a "pop groove" and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] influences, further comparing them to Miguel's earlier recordings before ''Romance''.<ref name="burr1"/><ref name="lannert1">{{cite news|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=A Seduction Of Rhythm|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-06-20/features/9301190737_1_aries-luis-miguel-john-mceuen|access-date=21 July 2015|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=20 June 1993|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223838/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-06-20/features/9301190737_1_aries-luis-miguel-john-mceuen|url-status=dead}}</ref> Miguel said the mixture of ballads and uptempo music was done to "keep a steady musical line" because he did not want his music to be unrecognizable.<ref name="billboard"/> The dance tunes "Suave", "Dame Tu Amor", and "Que Nivel de Mujer" are "upbeat, [[Brass instrument|brass-heavy]], attitudinal numbers" while "Luz Verde" incorporates [[Latin hip hop]] and R&B.<ref name="promis"/> "Suave" features a saxophone solo by American musician [[Kirk Whalum]] and "Que Nivel de Mujer" is a Spanish-language adaptation of "Attitude Dance" by American band [[Tower of Power]]. The band members assisted with the [[horn section]] in the song, which was led by one of its lead members Emilio Castillo.<ref name="burr2"/> Miguel said he included the band's song on the album because of his fondness for R&B in the 1970s, citing the group as one of his musical influences.<ref name="billboard"/>

"Ayer" is a Spanish-language cover of David Foster's instrumental "All That My Heart Can Hold" with additional lyrics by Rudy Pérez.<ref name="burr1"/><ref>{{cite web|last=du Lac|first=J. Freedom|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/08/31/rudy-perezs-two-romance-languages-spanish-music/|title=Rudy Perez's two romance languages: Spanish, music|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=31 August 2007|access-date=12 August 2015|archive-date=6 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906135233/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-08-31/features/0708290441_1_love-songs-latin-music-hot-latin-tracks-chart|url-status=live}}</ref> Burr characterized the song as a "lush ballad sung by Miguel in his stylistic
romantic swagger that simultaneously conveys pride and pain".<ref name="burr3">{{cite news|last1=Burr|first1=Ramiro|title=Luis Miguel's latest due out Tuesday|work=San Antonio-Express News|publisher=Heart Corporation|date=16 June 1993|page=3}}</ref> Similarly, John Lannert wrote for the ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]'' that the track was comparable to ''Romance''{{'}}s "sparse lyrical muse and smooth musical backdrop".<ref name="lannert1"/> Lannert also called Juan Luis Guerra's composition "Hasta Que Me Olvides" an "emotion-drenched love ode" and referred to "Me Niego Estar Solo" and "Hasta El Fin" as "desperate confessionals about being out of love".<ref name="lannert2">{{cite news|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=A Seduction Of Rhythm|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-06-20/features/9301190737_1_aries-luis-miguel-john-mceuen|access-date=21 July 2015|work=Sun-Sentinel|publisher=Hearst Corporation|date=20 June 1993|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223838/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-06-20/features/9301190737_1_aries-luis-miguel-john-mceuen|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Achy Obejas]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' labeled the ballads "Hasta El Fin" and "Tú y Yo" as "luxuriantly slow narratives of love lost".<ref name="obejas"/>

==Singles and promotion==
{{Listen
|filename=Luis Miguel - Ayer.ogg
|title="Ayer"
|description=A 20-second sample of Miguel's "Ayer", the album's lead single. The song is a cover of David Foster's instrumental "All That My Heart Can Hold" with lyrics added by Rudy Pérez. Ramiro Burr writes for the ''San Antonio Express-News'': "It is a lush ballad sung in Miguel's stylistic swagger that simultaneously conveys pride and pain".<ref name="burr3"/>
|format=[[Ogg]]
}}

"Ayer" was released as the [[lead single]] from ''Aries'' on 17 May 1993.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Luis Miguel Sets New Single, Album|magazine=Billboard|date=22 May 1993|volume=105|issue=21|page=73|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cygEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73|access-date=22 October 2015|publisher=Nielsen N.V.|issn=0006-2510|archive-date=17 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717114640/https://books.google.com/books?id=cygEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73|url-status=live}}</ref> It reached number one on the [[Hot Latin Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Latin Songs]] chart in the United States the week of 17 July 1993, and stayed there for three weeks.<ref name="latinsongs1993">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1993/latin-songs|title=Hot Latin Songs&nbsp;– 1993 archive|year=1993|magazine=Billboard|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=29 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829132832/http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1993/latin-songs|url-status=live}}</ref> The three music videos for "Ayer" were directed by Benny Corral, Rubén Galindo, and [[Gustavo Garzón]] respectively.<ref name="ayervideo">{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1993/06/22&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03800&PageLabel=38|title=Dimes y diretes|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=38|date=22 June 1993|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=17 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717114641/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1993%2F06%2F22&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03800&PageLabel=38|url-status=live}}</ref> The music videos were filmed in a mansion in Mexico City.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1993/08/31&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04201&PageLabel=42|title=Luis Miguel, el número uno|language=es|trans-title=Luis Miguel, number one|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=42|date=31 August 1993|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205025/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1993%2F08%2F31&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04201&PageLabel=42|url-status=live}}</ref> "Ayer" ended 1993 as the sixth-[[Billboard Top Latin Songs Year-End Chart|best-performing Latin song of the year]] in the US.<ref name="yearend">{{cite magazine| last = Lannert| first = John| date = 28 November 1998| title = Topping The Charts Year By Year| magazine = Billboard| publisher = Nielsen N.V.| volume = 110| issue = 48| page = 35| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MAoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA35| access-date = 3 March 2010| issn = 0006-2510| archive-date = 17 July 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220717114613/https://books.google.com/books?id=MAoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA35| url-status = live}}</ref> The album's second single, "Hasta Que Me Olvides", was released in August 1993 and reached number one on the Hot Latin Songs chart the week of October 23, and remained there for three weeks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Arias |first1=Vilo |title=Article - Hit ParadeHit Parade |url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1993/08/09&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04400&PageLabel=44 |access-date=25 March 2022 |work=El Siglo de Torreón |date=9 August 1993 |page=44 |language=es |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325050851/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1993%2F08%2F09&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04400&PageLabel=44 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="latinsongs1993"/> The album's third single, "Suave", was released in 1993 and peaked at number nine on the Hot Latin Songs chart.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1993/09/27&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar09500&PageLabel=95|title=Hit Parade|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=95|date=27 September 1993|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023020/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1993%2F09%2F27&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar09500&PageLabel=95|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="latinsongs">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=luis miguel|chart=Latin Songs}}|title=Luis Miguel&nbsp;– Chart history: Latin Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=5 May 2014}}</ref> Its music video was directed by Kiko Guerrero and features Miguel dancing with several women on a beach.<ref name="listo">{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1994/07/27&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03403&PageLabel=34|title=Listo el "Segundo Romance" de Luismi|trans-title="Segundo romance" by Luis Miguel is ready|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=34|date=27 July 1994|access-date=17 July 2022|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195916/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1994%2F07%2F27&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03403&PageLabel=34|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media| people = Guerrero, Kiko (director) | title = Suave|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t6ZIU17jxU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/-t6ZIU17jxU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| medium = Television| publisher = Warner Music Latina | access-date= 5 September 2015 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> "Hasta el Fin" and "Tú y Yo" were released as [[promotional recording|promotional singles]] in the US and both peaked at number four on the Hot Latin Songs chart.<ref name="latinsongs"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Tú y Yo|author=Luis Miguel|date=1993 |type=Promo single CD|publisher=WEA Latina, a division of Warner Music Group|location=United States|id=PROM #1141}}</ref> "Pensar en Ti" received airplay in Mexico,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1994/06/28&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03903&PageLabel=39|title=Hit Parade|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=39|date=28 June 1994|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202304/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1994%2F06%2F28&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03903&PageLabel=39|url-status=live}}</ref> while "Me Niego a Estar Solo" was released as a promotional single in Spain in 1993.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Me Niego a Estar Solo|author=Luis Miguel|date=1993 |type=Promo single CD|publisher=WEA Spain, a division of Warner Music Group|location=Spain|id=M-37778}}</ref>


To promote the album, Miguel began his [[Aries Tour]] on 29 May at the 1993 Acapulco Festival in Mexico.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1993/05/18&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03904&PageLabel=39|title=Listo el nuevo LP de Luismi|trans-title=Luis Miguel's new LP is ready|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=39|date=18 May 1993|access-date=8 October 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210726/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1993%2F05%2F18&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03904&PageLabel=39|url-status=live}}</ref> After his performances in Mexico, he toured several countries in Latin America beginning with Argentina, and later performed in the US.<ref>{{cite news|title=Exitosa presentación de Luis Miguel|language=es|trans-title=Successful presentation by Luis Miguel|newspaper=El Informador|publisher=Unión Editorialista|date=22 September 1993|page=11-E}}</ref> His set list consisted mainly of pop songs and ballads from ''Aries'' and his earlier career, as well as boleros from ''Romance'', which he performed during the second half of the concerts.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Romero|first1=Fernando|title=Maturing Luis Miguel now knows how to put on a show|work=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]]|date=17 June 1993}}</ref>
The album was produced by Luis Miguel, Emilio Castillo, Rudy Pérez and Kiko Cibrian. With sales of over 4 million the album proved to be one of the singer's most successful albums. At the 1994 [[Grammy Awards]] the album won the [[Best Latin Pop Album]] field, beating [[María Conchita Alonso]], [[Vikki Carr]], [[José Feliciano]] and [[The Triplets (band)|Las Triplets]]. The album was also awarded "Pop Album of the Year" at the 1994 [[Premio Lo Nuestro]] awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=490961 |title=Lo Nuestro 1994 - Historia de Premio lo Nuestro |publisher=Univision |date=2001-11-13 |accessdate=2012-01-14}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
{{album reviews
{{album reviews
|rev1=[[Allmusic]]
|rev1=[[AllMusic]]
|rev1score={{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="promis">{{cite web|title=Aries&nbsp;– Overview|last=Promis|first=Jose F.|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/aries-mw0000620025|access-date=7 February 2015|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|archive-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012030002/http://www.allmusic.com/album/aries-mw0000620025|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev1score={{Rating|2.5|5}} <ref>{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r188809|pure_url=yes}}</ref>
|rev2=[[Chicago Tribune]]
|rev2=''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
|rev2score={{Rating|2.5|4}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-08-11/features/9408110113_1_luis-miguel-star-aries |title=Luis Miguel Aries (WEA) (STAR)(STAR) 1/2 There... - Chicago Tribune |publisher=Articles.chicagotribune.com |date=1994-08-11 |accessdate=2012-01-14}}</ref>
|rev2score={{Rating|2.5|4}} <ref name="obejas">{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-08-11/features/9408110113_1_luis-miguel-star-aries|last=Obejas|first=Achy|author-link=Achy Obejas|title=Luis Miguel Aries|work=Chicago Tribune|date=11 August 1994|access-date=14 January 2012|archive-date=26 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926041247/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-08-11/features/9408110113_1_luis-miguel-star-aries|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev3=[[Los Angeles Times]]
|rev3=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
|rev3score={{Rating|3|4}} <ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1993-07-11/entertainment/ca-11968_1_latin-pulse link]</ref>
|rev3score={{Rating|3|4}}<ref name="lopegetui">{{cite news|last1=Lopetegui|first1=Enrique|title=Latin Pulse : Salsa Converts and Veterans Flavor Sassy Beat With Meaning|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-07-11-ca-11968-story.html|access-date=7 February 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=11 July 1993|archive-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211004108/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-07-11/entertainment/ca-11968_1_latin-pulse|url-status=live}}</ref>
|noprose=yes
|noprose=yes
}}
}}


Upon its release, ''Aries'' received mixed reactions from music critics. [[AllMusic]] editor Jose F. Promis gave the album two-and-a-half stars out of five and found the ballads to be "sometimes a little too syrupy". He complimented some of the dance tunes such as "Suave" and "Dame Tu Amor", but said "Luz Verde" was a "somewhat dated attempt at early-'90s Latin hip-hop R&B".<ref name="promis"/> A music journalist for ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine wrote a favorable review of ''Aries'', stating that Miguel "trades in nostalgic boleros for a stylish, up-to-date package" and called "Ayer" a "perfect transition track from ''Romance''".<ref name="billboardreview">{{cite magazine|last1=Verna|first1=Paul|last2=Morris|first2=Chris|last3=Morris|first3=Edward|title=Album Reviews|magazine=Billboard|date=3 July 1993|volume=105|issue=27|page=48|publisher=[[Nielsen N.V.]]|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> ''Chicago Tribune'' music critic Achy Obejas gave the record two-and-a-half stars out of four, calling it "a kind of middle ground between ''Romance'' and its lush ballads, and the bouncy pop of ''20 Años,'' its immediate antecedent". She praised Miguel's vocals as "wonderfully nuanced and dramatic", and said the ballads mostly "work", but that "the uptempo tunes fall flat most of the time".<ref name="obejas"/> Enrique Lopetegui of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' gave the album three stars out of four; he lauded Miguel's inclusion of "healthy elements of jazz and funk into his polished sound" and said he "returns to familiar territory accompanied by his usual superb arrangements and musicianship".<ref name="lopegetui"/>
==Singles released==


===Accolades===
The first single released was "Ayer", with a very big promotional campaign behind it. The singer shot three different versions for the video (directed by Benny Corral, Gustavo Garzón and Kiko Guerrero) and they were premiered on "Siempre en Domingo" (a very well known variety show in [[Latin-America]]) for three consecutive weekends. The single became another number one smash for the singer in Mexico and USA.
At the [[36th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 1994, Miguel won the [[Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album]] for ''Aries''.<ref>{{cite news|title=The 36th Annual Grammy Awards : And the Grammy Goes to . . . Winners According to Category|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-02-ca-29147-story.html|access-date=12 July 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2 March 1994|archive-date=11 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011001119/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-03-02/entertainment/ca-29147_1_grammy-awards|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[Premio Lo Nuestro 1994|6th Lo Nuestro Awards]] in the same year, the album won the award for [[Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Album of the Year|Pop Album of the Year]] and Miguel was named [[Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Male Artist of the Year|Pop Male Artist of the Year]].<ref name="Winners-archive">{{cite web |url=http://i.univision.com/contentuvn/rinconlatino/plnuestro/images/index_historia.swf|title=Lo Nuestro – Historia |language=es |work=[[Univision]] |publisher=[[Univision Communications]]|access-date=8 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102925/http://i.univision.com/contentuvn/rinconlatino/plnuestro/images/index_historia.swf|archive-date=26 June 2015}}</ref> He also received two nominations in the category of [[Lo Nuestro Award for Pop Song of the Year|Pop Song of the Year]] for "Hasta Que Me Olvides" and "Ayer"; the latter track was also nominated [[Lo Nuestro Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]].<ref name="LoNuestro-Award-Nominees-1994">{{Cite news | last1 = Burr| first1 = Ramiro| title = Miguel, Guerra top awards nominees | newspaper = [[San Antonio Express-News]] | date = 1 May 1994 }}</ref> At the inaugural [[Billboard Latin Music Awards|''Billboard'' Latin Music Awards]] in 1994, Miguel received two awards including Pop Album of the Year and Pop Male Artist of the Year.<ref>{{cite magazine| last = Lannert| first = John| date = 21 May 1994| title = First Latin Music Awards Recognize Range of Talent| magazine = Billboard| publisher = Nielsen Business Media, Inc.| volume = 106| issue = 21| page = LM-8| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52| access-date = 12 July 2015| issn = 0006-2510| archive-date = 19 May 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160519135240/https://books.google.com/books?id=TAgEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA1&pg=PA52| url-status = live}}</ref> Miguel was awarded Best Male Singer, Best Male Show for the tour, and Best Disc for the album at the 1994 ''Eres'' awards.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1994/02/12&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar05805&PageLabel=58|title=Fueron entregados los premios "Eres"|trans-title=The Eres Awards were given|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|date=12 February 1994|access-date=20 July 2015|page=58|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202232/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1994%2F02%2F12&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar05805&PageLabel=58|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Commercial performance==
"Hasta Que Me Olvides" was released as the second single and was also a #1 hit (both Mexico and US). No video was made for the single release. Singer [[Manuel Mijares|Mijares]] covered it in his 2009 Spanish album [[Vivir Así]].
''Aries'' was released internationally on 22 June 1993,<ref name="burr3"/> although [[piracy (media)|pirated]] cassettes of the album were being sold for $1 in Mexico ten days before the official release.<ref name="billboard"/> WEA Latina prepared 500,000 copies to be distributed on the release date, but after finding legitimate copies of the compact disc were already being sold on the pirate market, they discovered only 300,000 units stored in their warehouse. WEA Latina responded to the piracy by having a Mexican radio station play the whole album a few days before its release.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1993/06/14&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04403&PageLabel=44|title=Nuevo producto de Luis Miguel inunda el mercado, pero en versión "pirata"|trans-title=New product by Luis Miguel floods the market, but it's pirated|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|date=14 June 1993|page=44|access-date=17 July 2022|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211642/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1993%2F06%2F14&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04403&PageLabel=44|url-status=live}}</ref> In Mexico, the album was certified quadruple platinum; it has sold over one million copies in the country.<ref name="mexicansales"/> In the US, it debuted and peaked at number two on the [[Top Latin Albums|''Billboard'' Top Latin Albums]] chart, second to [[Gloria Estefan]]'s album ''[[Mi Tierra]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Latin Notas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CxAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26|volume=105|issue=28|page=26|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen N.V.|date=10 July 1993|access-date=10 September 2015|issn=0006-2510|archive-date=17 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717114641/https://books.google.com/books?id=CxAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Aries'' remained in this position until it was replaced by the [[Gipsy Kings]]'s album ''[[Love and Liberté]]'' 20 weeks later.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top Latin Albums &nbsp;– Week of November 27 1993|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/latin-albums/1993-11-27|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 September 2015|date=27 November 1993|archive-date=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124040245/http://www.billboard.com/charts/latin-albums/1993-11-27|url-status=live}}</ref>


''Aries'' peaked at number one on the [[Latin Pop Albums|''Billboard'' Latin Pop Albums]] chart and stayed at the top for 19 weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1993/latin-pop-albums|title=Latin Pop Albums&nbsp;– 1993 Archive|year=1992|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 September 2015|archive-date=3 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003001854/http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1993/latin-pop-albums|url-status=live}}</ref> It ended 1993 as the second best-selling Latin pop album in the US after ''Romance''.<ref name="yearend1993"/> In Argentina, the album peaked at number two on the album chart and was certified diamond by the [[Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers]] for sales of 500,000 copies.<ref name="argentinecharts"/><ref name="argentinecert"/> Elsewhere in South America, the album peaked at number one on the Chilean albums chart and was certified platinum in Colombia.<ref name="chilecharts"/><ref name="colombiacert"/> ''Aries'' sold over three million copies worldwide.<ref name="wwsales">{{cite news|last=Estrada|first=Nora Alicia|title=Es un 'Sol' de plata|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/373620351/4E1958AE45F54DC6PQ/|access-date=8 July 2022|work=[[Grupo Reforma|Mural]]|date=19 April 2006|language=es|url-access=subscription|via=ProQuest|archive-date=17 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717114647/https://www.proquest.com/docview/373620351/4E1958AE45F54DC6PQ|url-status=live}}</ref>
"Suave" was the third single. The video was directed by Kiko Guerrero. The single was the third straight number one for the singer in Mexico and peaked at #9 in the US charts.


==Track listing==
"Pensar en Ti" was featured on a Mexican advertising campaign for processed milk (Leche Lala). Also went to number one in Mexico.
All recordings produced by Luis Miguel and [[Kiko Cibrian]], except where noted.<ref name="Liner">{{cite AV media notes |title= Aries|others= Luis Miguel|year= 1993|type= CD liner|publisher= WEA Latina|location= United States|pages=6–7}}</ref>
{{tracklist
|
|extra_column= Producer(s)
| title1 = [[Suave (song)|Suave]]
| length1 = 4:47
| music1 = Cibrian
| lyrics1 = {{flat list|
* Orlando Castro
* Kiko Cibrian}}
| title2 = Me Niego a Estar Solo
| length2 = 4:17
| music2 = Pérez
| lyrics2 = [[Rudy Pérez]]
| title3 = Luz Verde
| length3 = 4:59
| music3 = Pérez
| lyrics3 = {{flat list|
* Pérez
* Carlos Castellón - Jorge L. Piloto <small>(Spanish adaptation)</small>}}
| title4 = Hasta el Fin
| length4 = 4:49
| music4 = Cibrian
| lyrics4 = Cibrian
| title5 = [[Ayer (Luis Miguel song)|Ayer]]
| length5 = 3:25
| music5 = {{flat list|
* [[David Foster]]
* [[Jeremy Lubbock]]}}
| lyrics5 = Pérez
| extra5={{flat list|
* Miguel
* Cibrian
* Foster
}}
| title6 = Que Nivel de Mujer
| length6 = 4:28
| music6 ={{flat list|
* [[Emilio Castillo]]
* [[Tower of Power|Stephen Kupka]]}}
| lyrics6 = Castro
|extra6={{flat list|
* Miguel
* Cibrian
* Castillo}}
| title7 = Pensar en Ti
| length7 = 4:15
| music7 = Céspedes
| lyrics7 = [[Francisco Céspedes|Francisco F. Céspedes]]
| title8 = Dame Tu Amor
| length8 = 3:23
| music8 = Cibrian
| lyrics8 = {{flat list|
* Adrián Posse
* Cibrian}}
| title9 = [[Hasta Que Me Olvides]]
| length9 = 4:40
| music9 = Guerra
| lyrics9 = [[Juan Luis Guerra]]
| title10 = Tú y Yo
| length10 = 4:50
| music10 = Jorge Calandrelli
| lyrics10 = Pérez
}}


==Personnel==
In USA another two singles were released: "Tú y Yo" and "Hasta el Fin" both peaking at #4 on the [[Hot Latin Tracks]] charts.
Adapted from the ''Aries'' liner notes:<ref name="liner">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Luis Miguel |year=1993 |first=Luis |last=Miguel |author-link=Luis Miguel |pages=17-18 |type=Album liner notes |publisher=WEA Latina, a division of Warner Music Group |id=7 4509-92993 2|location=US}}</ref>


===Musicians===
The [[Tower of Power]] horns played on "Qué Nivel de Mujer" (track 6).
{{div col}}


* Robbie Buchanan&nbsp;– [[musical keyboard|keyboards]] {{small|(tracks 1–2, 4, 7–8, 10)}}, [[Arrangement|arranger]] {{small|(1–2, 4, 7)}}
==Track listing==
* Marcel East&nbsp;– keyboards, arranger and [[programming (music)|programming]] {{small|(track 3)}}
* [[Randy Kerber]]&nbsp;– keyboards, arranger {{small|(tracks 5, 9)}}
* Nick Milo&nbsp;– keyboards {{small|(track 6)}}
* Jorge Calandrelli&nbsp;– [[electric piano]], arranger {{small|(track 10)}}
* [[John Robinson (drummer)|John Robinson]]&nbsp;– [[drums]] {{small|(tracks 1, 9–10)}}
* [[Harvey Mason]]&nbsp;– drums {{small|(tracks 2–5, 7)}}
* Francis Russ McKinnon&nbsp;– drums {{small|(track 6)}}
* [[Kiko Cibrian]]&nbsp;– [[guitar]] {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 5, 8)}}, background vocals {{small|(1–2, 6)}}, arranger {{small|(1, 4, 8)}}, programing {{small|(8)}}, brass arrangements {{small|(1, 8)}}
* [[Michael Landau]]&nbsp;– guitar {{small|(tracks 2, 4, 7, 10)}}
* Carmen Grillo&nbsp;– [[guitar]] {{small|(track 6)}}
* [[Paul Jackson, Jr.]]&nbsp;– guitar {{small|(tracks 7, 9)}}
* [[Dean Parks]]&nbsp;– [[Acoustic guitar]] {{small|(track 9)}}
* [[Paulinho da Costa]]&nbsp;– [[percussion]] {{small|(tracks 1, 4, 8–10)}}
* [[Neil Stubenhaus]]&nbsp;– [[bass (instrument)|bass]] {{small|(tracks 2, 7, 9–10)}}
* [[Freddie Washington (bassist)|Freddie Washington]]&nbsp;– bass {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* [[Rocco Prestia]]&nbsp;– bass {{small|(track 6)}}
* [[Jerry Hey]]&nbsp;– [[brass instrument|brass]], brass arrangements {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 8)}}
* [[Dan Higgins]]&nbsp;– brass {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 8)}}
* [[Gary Grant (musician)|Gary Grant]]&nbsp;– brass {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 8)}}
* [[Bill Reichenbach Jr.]]&nbsp;– brass {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 8)}}
* [[Kirk Whalum]]&nbsp;– [[saxophone]] solo {{small|(track 1)}}
* [[Emilio Castillo]]&nbsp;– [[tenor saxophone]] {{small|(track 6)}}, background vocals {{small|(track 6)}}
* [[Brandon Fields (musician)|Brandon Fields]]&nbsp;– [[tenor saxophone]] {{small|(track 6)}}
* Stephen "Doc" Kupka&nbsp;– [[baritone saxophone]] {{small|(track 6)}}
* Greg Adams&nbsp;– [[trumpet]], arranger {{small|(track 6)}}
* Lee Thornburg&nbsp;– [[trombone]], trumpet {{small|(track 6)}}
* [[Tower of Power]]&nbsp;– guest artist {{small|(track 6)}}
* Annie Cruz&nbsp;– [[background vocals]] {{small|(tracks 1–2, 8)}}
* Iliana Holland&nbsp;– background vocals {{small|(tracks 1–2)}}
* [[Dan Navarro]]&nbsp;– background vocals {{small|(tracks 1–2, 6)}}
* Tom Bowes&nbsp;– background vocals {{small|(tracks 1–2, 6)}}
'''The Hollywood String Ensemble''' {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 7–10)}}
* Ezra Kliger&nbsp;– [[concertmaster]], [[violin]]
* Paul C. Shure&nbsp;– violin
* Shari Zippert&nbsp;– violin
* Roman Volodarsky&nbsp;– violin
* Barbara J. Porter&nbsp;– violin
* Vladimir Polimatidi&nbsp;– violin
* Cordon H. Marron&nbsp;– violin
* Charles H. Everett&nbsp;– violin
* Norman J. Hughes&nbsp;– violin
* [[Joel Derouin]]&nbsp;– violin
* [[Sid Page]]&nbsp;– violin
* Linda Rose&nbsp;– violin
* R.F. Peterson&nbsp;– violin
* John J. Wittenberg&nbsp;– violin
* Leslie J. Woodbury&nbsp;– violin
* [[Endre Granat]]&nbsp;– violin
* Alexander Horvath&nbsp;– violin
* [[Israel Baker]]&nbsp;– violin
* Herschel P. Wiserenita Koven&nbsp;– [[viola]]
* Raymond J. Tisher II&nbsp;– viola
* James J. Ross&nbsp;– viola
* John T. Acevedo&nbsp;– [[viola]]
* Cynthia Morrow&nbsp;– viola
* Larry Corbett&nbsp;– [[cello]]
* Daniel W. Smith&nbsp;– cello
* Nancy Stein&nbsp;– cello
* Roger Lebow&nbsp;– cello
* Steve G. Edelman&nbsp;– [[contrabass]]
* Jon C. Clarke&nbsp;– [[Cor anglais|English horn]], [[oboe]]
* Joseph Meyer&nbsp;– [[French horn]]
* Calvin Smith&nbsp;– French horn
* Michael A. Englander&nbsp;– percussion
{{div col end}}


===Production===
{| class="wikitable"
{{div col}}
* Luis Miguel&nbsp;– producer
* Kiko Cibrian&nbsp;– co-producer
* Mauricio Abaroa&nbsp;– executive producer
* Julio Saenz&nbsp;– executive producer
* [[Benny Faccone]]&nbsp;– [[audio engineer|engineer]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] {{small|(tracks 2–3, 5–6, 8–9)}}
* [[Humberto Gatica]]&nbsp;– mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 4, 7)}}
* Paul McKenna&nbsp;– mixing {{small|(track 10)}}
* Rudy Pérez&nbsp;– co-producer in the voice recording
* Emilio Castillo&nbsp;– co-producer in "Que Nivel de Mujer"
* Jose Quintana&nbsp;– production coordination
* Ezra Kliger&nbsp;– production coordination
* Jim Champagne&nbsp;– [[Audio engineer|assistant engineer]], [[audio mixing|mixing assistant]]
* Noel Hazen&nbsp;– assistant engineer, mixing assistant
* Bryan Pollack&nbsp;– assistant engineer, mixing assistant
* Kimm James&nbsp;– assistant engineer, mixing assistant
* [[Bernie Grundman]]&nbsp;– mastering
* Cartel Diseñadores&nbsp;– design
* Alfredo Gatica&nbsp;– artistic coordination
* Carlos Somonte&nbsp;– photography
* [[Bruce Swedien]]&nbsp;– special thanks for their collaboration in this production
{{div col end}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Aries''
|-
|-
!align="left"|Chart (1993–94)
!
!align="left"|Peak<br />position
! Title
! Composer
! Time
|-
|-
|rowheader=true|Argentine Albums ([[CAPIF]])<ref name="argentinecharts">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA43|title=Hits of the World|date=28 May 1994|page=43|magazine=Billboard|access-date=7 February 2015|issn=0006-2510|archive-date=16 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316233116/https://books.google.com/books?id=TwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA43|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 1
|align="center"|2
| Suave
| Orlando Castro/Kiko Cibrian
| 4:48
|-
|-
|rowheader=true{{album chart|Billboard200|182|artist=Luis Miguel|refname="billboard200"|id=308532|access-date=7 May 2014}}
| 2
| Me Niego a Estar Solo
| [[Rudy Pérez]]
| 4:19
|-
|-
|rowheader=true{{album chart|BillboardLatin|2|artist=Luis Miguel|refname="latinalbums"|id=308532|access-date=7 May 2014}}
| 3
| Luz Verde
| Rudy Pérez
| 5:02
|-
|-
|rowheader=true{{album chart|BillboardLatinPop|1|artist=Luis Miguel|refname="uslatinpop"|id=308532|access-date=7 May 2014}}
| 4
| Hasta el Fin
| Kiko Cibrian
| 4:50
|-
|-
| 5
|}

| Ayer
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
| Jeremy Lubbock/[[David Foster]]/Rudy Pérez
| 3:31
|-
|-
! Chart (2003)
| 6
! Peak<br />position
| Qué Nivel de Mujer
| Emilio Castillo/Stephen Kupka/Orlando Castro
| 4:28
|-
|-
|rowheader=true|Spanish Albums ([[PROMUSICAE]])<ref name="spain">{{cite book |last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st |date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
| 7
|align="center"|91
| Pensar En Tí
|}
| Francisco Cespedes/Enrique Mesa

| 4:17
===Monthly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Monthly chart performance for ''Aries''
|-
|-
!align="left"|Chart (1994)
| 8
!align="left"|Peak<br />position
| Dame tu Amor
| Adrian Posse/Kiko Cibrian
| 4:02
|-
|-
|rowheader=true|Chilean Albums ([[IFPI]])<ref name="chilecharts">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41|title=Hits of the World|volume=106|issue=15|page=41|date=9 April 1994|magazine=Billboard|access-date=7 February 2015|issn=0006-2510|archive-date=17 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717114641/https://books.google.com/books?id=QQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 9
|align="center"|1
| Hasta Que Me Olvides
| [[Juan Luis Guerra]]
| 4:40
|-
|-
| 10
| Tú y Yo
| [[Jorge Calandrelli]]/Rudy Pérez
| 4:51
|}
|}


{{col-2}}
==Chart performance==

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Year-end chart performance for ''Aries''
|-
|-
!align="left"|Chart (1993)
! Year
!align="left"|Peak<br />position
! Chart
! Song
! Peak
|-
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |US Latin Pop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="yearend1993">{{cite news|title=Here are the yearly charts for the nation's best-selling...|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-12-31/entertainment/9312290943_1_janet-jackson-garth-brooks-swv/2|access-date=8 February 2015|work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=31 December 1993|page=2|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208230830/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-12-31/entertainment/9312290943_1_janet-jackson-garth-brooks-swv/2|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rowspan="2"| 1993
|align="center"|2
| ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Tracks
| Ayer
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
|-
|-
|}
| ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Tracks

| Hasta Que Me Olvides
{| class="wikitable "
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
!align="left"|Chart (1994)
!align="left"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|align="left"|US Top Latin Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="usyearend94">{{cite magazine|title=1994: The Year in Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ&q=intitle%3Abillboard%20%22mi%20tierra%22%20%22argentina%22&pg=RA1-PA51|volume=106|issue=52|page=YE-77, 78|magazine=Billboard|date=24 December 1994|access-date=27 August 2013|archive-date=10 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410162803/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ&q=intitle:billboard%20%22mi%20tierra%22%20%22argentina%22&pg=RA1-PA51|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rowspan="3"| 1994
|align="center"|14
| ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Tracks
| Suave
| style="text-align:center;"| 9
|-
|-
| ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Tracks
|align="left"|US Latin Pop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="usyearend94"/>
|align="center"|9
| Hasta el Fin
| style="text-align:center;"| 4
|-
|-
| ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Tracks
| Tu Y Yo
| style="text-align:center;"| 4
|}
|}


===All-time charts===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
|+All-time chart performance for ''Aries''
! Year
! Chart
! Peak
|-
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1985-1994)
|rowspan="2"| 1993
!scope="col"|Position
| The Billboard 200
| style="text-align:center;"|182
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US Latin Pop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="toplatinpopalbums85-94">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-100th-Anniversary.pdf|title=Latin Pop|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=1 November 1994|page=242|issn=0006-2510|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| ''Billboard'' Top Latin Albums
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|align="center"|9
|-
|1994
|Chile<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41&dq=hits+of+the+world+chile+intitle:billboard&hl=en&ei=V96QTtmWCJGjtgfnsvSiDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Hits of the World|date=1994-04-09|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Company|accessdate=2011-10-08}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}
|}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications==
==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|title=Aries|artist=Luis Miguel|type=album|award=Diamond|certref=<ref name="argentinecert">{{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110706084844/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date=6 July 2011 |title=Discos de oro y platino |access-date=4 November 2012 |publisher=[[Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]] |language=es |url-status=dead }}</ref>|salesamount=693,162|salesref=<ref name="argentinesales">{{cite web|last1=Franco|first1=Adriana|title=Nuevo galardón en la industria del disco|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/nuevo-galardon-en-la-industria-del-disco-nid158931|website=[[La Nación]]|publisher=Grupo Nación|access-date=13 May 2019|date=27 October 1999|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513000619/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/nuevo-galardon-en-la-industria-del-disco-nid158931|url-status=live}}</ref>|access-date=13 May 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|title=Aries|artist=Luis Miguel|type=album|award=Diamond|relyear=1993|autocat=yes}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Colombia ([[ASINCOL]])|type=album|artist=Luis Miguel|award=Platinum|salesamount=60,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-268395|title=Entre los villancicos y la música caliente|language=es|newspaper=[[El Tiempo (Colombia)|El Tiempo]]|date=23 December 1994|access-date=8 April 2022|archive-date=8 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408122720/https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-268395|url-status=live}}</ref>|certref=<ref name="colombiacert">{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1994/06/09&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar05002&PageLabel=50|title=Luis Miguel Muy Amable Con la Prensa|trans-title=Luis Miguel is loved by the press|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=50|date=9 June 1994|access-date=17 July 2022|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213756/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1994%2F06%2F09&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar05002&PageLabel=50|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes|noshipments=yes}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Chile|salesamount=200,000|salesref=<ref name="Chilesales">{{cite news|title=Luis Miguel programa gira por varias ciudades de Chile|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/1999/06/10/34/Ar03405.xml&CollName=EDT_1990_1999&DOCID=2281934&PageLabelPrint=34&skin=%45%6c%53%69%67%6c%6f&sLanguage=%45%6e%67%6c%69%73%68&Content=%41%4c%4c&selLanguage=&sPublication=%45%44%54&sQuery=%63%6f%70%69%61%73%2b%76%65%6e%64%69%64%61%73%2b%65%6e%2b%43%68%69%6c%65&sScopeID=%44%52&sDateFrom=%30%32%25%32%46%32%36%25%32%46%31%39%32%32&sDateTo=%31%32%25%32%46%33%31%25%32%46%32%30%30%30&x=%31%37&y=%35&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=%31%35&ViewMode=HTML|access-date=December 10, 2021|work=El Siglo de Torreón|language=es|url-status=live|date=July 10, 1999|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211005038/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT%2F1999%2F06%2F10%2F34%2FAr03405.xml&CollName=EDT_1990_1999&DOCID=2281934&PageLabelPrint=34&skin=ElSiglo&sLanguage=English&Content=ALL&selLanguage=&sPublication=EDT&sQuery=copias%2Bvendidas%2Ben%2BChile&sScopeID=DR&sDateFrom=02%252F26%252F1922&sDateTo=12%252F31%252F2000&x=17&y=5&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=15&ViewMode=HTML}}</ref>|nocert=true}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|title=Romance|artist=Luis Miguel|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=1993|certref=<ref name="mexicansales"/>|salesamount=1,000,000|salesref=<ref name="mexicansales">{{cite news|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text/html&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT/1994/03/09&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04300&PageLabel=43|title=Hit Parade|language=es|newspaper=El Siglo de Torreón|publisher=Editora de la Laguna|page=43|date=9 March 1994|access-date=17 July 2022|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913160644/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_ELSIGLO&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=spanish-skin-custom&Path=EDT%2F1994%2F03%2F09&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar04300&PageLabel=43|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|title=Aries|artist=Luis Miguel|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|certref=<ref name="elmundo">{{cite web|title=Discos de platino y oro 1999|url=https://www.elmundo.es/anuario/2000/sec/syc/427.htm|language=es|newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|access-date=January 7, 2022|archive-date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107011712/https://www.elmundo.es/anuario/2000/sec/syc/427.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Uruguay|title=Aries|artist=Luis Miguel|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Luis Miguel|magazine=Guambia|issue=283–294|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsEwAAAAYAAJ&q=%22luis+miguel%22+platino+romance|publisher=El Kiosko|date=1996|page=62|access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref>|relyear=1993|certyear=1996}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=3,000,000|salesref=<ref name="wwsales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[1993 in Latin music]]
*[[List of number-one Billboard Latin Pop Albums from the 1990s]]
* [[List of diamond-certified albums in Argentina]]
* [[List of number-one Billboard Latin Pop Albums from the 1990s]]
* [[List of best-selling albums in Argentina]]
* [[List of best-selling albums in Chile]]
* [[List of best-selling albums in Mexico]]
* [[List of best-selling Latin albums]]
* [[List of most expensive albums]]


==References==
==References==
Line 185: Line 368:


{{Luis Miguel}}
{{Luis Miguel}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Aries (Album)}}
[[Category:1993 albums]]
[[Category:1993 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by David Foster]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Luis Miguel]]
[[Category:Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album]]
[[Category:Luis Miguel albums]]
[[Category:Luis Miguel albums]]
[[Category:1990s Spanish-language albums]]
[[Category:Warner Music Latina albums]]
[[Category:Warner Music Latina albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Rudy Perez]]


{{1990s-pop-album-stub}}

[[es:Aries (álbum)]]
[[pt:Aries (álbum)]]

Latest revision as of 19:08, 26 October 2024

Aries
A man wearing a white shirt is front of the camera and laying down.
Studio album by
Released22 June 1993 (1993-06-22)
RecordedJune 1992 – May 1993[1]
Studio
Genre
Length44:31
LanguageSpanish
LabelWEA Latina
Producer
Luis Miguel chronology
América & en Vivo
(1992)
Aries
(1993)
Segundo Romance
(1994)
Singles from Aries
  1. "Ayer"
    Released: 17 May 1993
  2. "Hasta Que Me Olvides"
    Released: August 1993
  3. "Suave"
    Released: 1993

Aries is the ninth studio album by Mexican recording artist Luis Miguel. It was released by WEA Latina on 22 June 1993. After attaining commercial success in 1991 with his previous album, Romance, Luis Miguel decided to return to a style similar to his earlier work, featuring pop ballads and dance numbers with R&B influences. The record was produced by Miguel, who was assisted by Kiko Cibrian, Rudy Pérez, David Foster, and Juan Luis Guerra.

Three singles were released to promote the album. The first two singles, "Ayer" and "Hasta Que Me Olvides," topped the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and the third, "Suave," peaked at number nine. Two other songs were released as promotional singles, "Hasta el Fin" and "Tú y Yo"; both peaked at number four on the Hot Latin Songs chart. To further promote the record, Luis Miguel launched the 1993 Aries Tour to some Latin American countries and the United States.

Aries peaked at number one on the US Billboard Latin Pop Albums, where it stayed for 19 weeks. Internationally, the album was certified quadruple platinum in Mexico, where it sold over one million copies. It was also certified diamond in Argentina. Aries sold over three million copies worldwide. Upon its release, the album received mixed reviews from music critics; they were divided on the dance tunes and ballads, although Luis Miguel's vocals and the album's arrangements garnered positive reactions. Luis Miguel received several accolades, including the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.

Background and recording

[edit]
A man wearing sunglasses is smiling towards the camera
Rudy Pérez wrote four of the album's tracks including "Me Niego a Estar Solo", "Luz Verde", "Ayer", and "Tú y Yo".

In 1991 Miguel released his eighth studio album, Romance, a collection of classic boleros, the oldest of which originated in the 1940s. The album, which was produced by Armando Manzanero and arranged by Bebu Silvetti,[2] was a commercial success in Latin America and sold over seven million copies worldwide.[3][4] It revived interest in the bolero genre and was the first record by a Spanish-speaking artist to be certified gold in Brazil, Taiwan, and the United States.[4] In spite of the album's success, Miguel did not want to release a follow-up record that was similar to Romance.[5] When asked why he chose not to record more boleros, he replied "I wanted to try my music, just forgetting a little bit about those boleros that everyone knows".[6] He began working with the composers for the album a year before recording in a studio in 1992; in Miguel's words, he wanted to "discuss the works, the themes, and melodies; ... The creation of an album has to be part of me or else I would not be able to interpret it, or sing in it".[7]

On 24 August 1992, Mexican newspaper El Siglo de Torreón reported that Miguel had begun collaborating with David Foster and Juan Carlos Calderón on some compositions, along with English-speaking composers, and selecting cover versions for the album.[8] He also received assistance from Cuban composer Rudy Pérez and Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra with the songwriting.[7] Recording began on 4 July 1992.[9] Miguel had difficulty finding a suitable producer for the record; he initially worked with American audio engineer Bruce Swedien, but decided to re-record the whole album after disagreements with Swedien's direction. Unable to find a producer, he decided to co-produce the album with his long-time associate Kiko Cibrian.[6] Recording the album took almost a year and was affected by several complications, including its high budget of over US$1.5 million, his father's death, and an appendectomy.[5] Miguel announced that the name of the album would be Aries during a presentation at the 1993 Festival Acapulco.[10] About the naming of the album he said, "This album expresses my personal self. I had a lot to do. I produced everything and wanted to have a lot of fun, take what I like, and what better than the zodiac sign representing what one is."[11]

Composition

[edit]

Aries is composed of ten tracks, six of which are romantic ballads.[12] The remaining four songs are dance numbers which San Antonio Express-News editor Ramiro Burr describes as containing a "pop groove" and R&B influences, further comparing them to Miguel's earlier recordings before Romance.[5][13] Miguel said the mixture of ballads and uptempo music was done to "keep a steady musical line" because he did not want his music to be unrecognizable.[6] The dance tunes "Suave", "Dame Tu Amor", and "Que Nivel de Mujer" are "upbeat, brass-heavy, attitudinal numbers" while "Luz Verde" incorporates Latin hip hop and R&B.[12] "Suave" features a saxophone solo by American musician Kirk Whalum and "Que Nivel de Mujer" is a Spanish-language adaptation of "Attitude Dance" by American band Tower of Power. The band members assisted with the horn section in the song, which was led by one of its lead members Emilio Castillo.[7] Miguel said he included the band's song on the album because of his fondness for R&B in the 1970s, citing the group as one of his musical influences.[6]

"Ayer" is a Spanish-language cover of David Foster's instrumental "All That My Heart Can Hold" with additional lyrics by Rudy Pérez.[5][14] Burr characterized the song as a "lush ballad sung by Miguel in his stylistic romantic swagger that simultaneously conveys pride and pain".[15] Similarly, John Lannert wrote for the Sun-Sentinel that the track was comparable to Romance's "sparse lyrical muse and smooth musical backdrop".[13] Lannert also called Juan Luis Guerra's composition "Hasta Que Me Olvides" an "emotion-drenched love ode" and referred to "Me Niego Estar Solo" and "Hasta El Fin" as "desperate confessionals about being out of love".[16] Achy Obejas of the Chicago Tribune labeled the ballads "Hasta El Fin" and "Tú y Yo" as "luxuriantly slow narratives of love lost".[17]

Singles and promotion

[edit]

"Ayer" was released as the lead single from Aries on 17 May 1993.[18] It reached number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in the United States the week of 17 July 1993, and stayed there for three weeks.[19] The three music videos for "Ayer" were directed by Benny Corral, Rubén Galindo, and Gustavo Garzón respectively.[20] The music videos were filmed in a mansion in Mexico City.[21] "Ayer" ended 1993 as the sixth-best-performing Latin song of the year in the US.[22] The album's second single, "Hasta Que Me Olvides", was released in August 1993 and reached number one on the Hot Latin Songs chart the week of October 23, and remained there for three weeks.[23][19] The album's third single, "Suave", was released in 1993 and peaked at number nine on the Hot Latin Songs chart.[24][25] Its music video was directed by Kiko Guerrero and features Miguel dancing with several women on a beach.[26][27] "Hasta el Fin" and "Tú y Yo" were released as promotional singles in the US and both peaked at number four on the Hot Latin Songs chart.[25][28] "Pensar en Ti" received airplay in Mexico,[29] while "Me Niego a Estar Solo" was released as a promotional single in Spain in 1993.[30]

To promote the album, Miguel began his Aries Tour on 29 May at the 1993 Acapulco Festival in Mexico.[31] After his performances in Mexico, he toured several countries in Latin America beginning with Argentina, and later performed in the US.[32] His set list consisted mainly of pop songs and ballads from Aries and his earlier career, as well as boleros from Romance, which he performed during the second half of the concerts.[33]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
Chicago Tribune [17]
Los Angeles Times[34]

Upon its release, Aries received mixed reactions from music critics. AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis gave the album two-and-a-half stars out of five and found the ballads to be "sometimes a little too syrupy". He complimented some of the dance tunes such as "Suave" and "Dame Tu Amor", but said "Luz Verde" was a "somewhat dated attempt at early-'90s Latin hip-hop R&B".[12] A music journalist for Billboard magazine wrote a favorable review of Aries, stating that Miguel "trades in nostalgic boleros for a stylish, up-to-date package" and called "Ayer" a "perfect transition track from Romance".[35] Chicago Tribune music critic Achy Obejas gave the record two-and-a-half stars out of four, calling it "a kind of middle ground between Romance and its lush ballads, and the bouncy pop of 20 Años, its immediate antecedent". She praised Miguel's vocals as "wonderfully nuanced and dramatic", and said the ballads mostly "work", but that "the uptempo tunes fall flat most of the time".[17] Enrique Lopetegui of the Los Angeles Times gave the album three stars out of four; he lauded Miguel's inclusion of "healthy elements of jazz and funk into his polished sound" and said he "returns to familiar territory accompanied by his usual superb arrangements and musicianship".[34]

Accolades

[edit]

At the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in 1994, Miguel won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album for Aries.[36] At the 6th Lo Nuestro Awards in the same year, the album won the award for Pop Album of the Year and Miguel was named Pop Male Artist of the Year.[37] He also received two nominations in the category of Pop Song of the Year for "Hasta Que Me Olvides" and "Ayer"; the latter track was also nominated Video of the Year.[38] At the inaugural Billboard Latin Music Awards in 1994, Miguel received two awards including Pop Album of the Year and Pop Male Artist of the Year.[39] Miguel was awarded Best Male Singer, Best Male Show for the tour, and Best Disc for the album at the 1994 Eres awards.[40]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Aries was released internationally on 22 June 1993,[15] although pirated cassettes of the album were being sold for $1 in Mexico ten days before the official release.[6] WEA Latina prepared 500,000 copies to be distributed on the release date, but after finding legitimate copies of the compact disc were already being sold on the pirate market, they discovered only 300,000 units stored in their warehouse. WEA Latina responded to the piracy by having a Mexican radio station play the whole album a few days before its release.[41] In Mexico, the album was certified quadruple platinum; it has sold over one million copies in the country.[42] In the US, it debuted and peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, second to Gloria Estefan's album Mi Tierra.[43] Aries remained in this position until it was replaced by the Gipsy Kings's album Love and Liberté 20 weeks later.[44]

Aries peaked at number one on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart and stayed at the top for 19 weeks.[45] It ended 1993 as the second best-selling Latin pop album in the US after Romance.[46] In Argentina, the album peaked at number two on the album chart and was certified diamond by the Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers for sales of 500,000 copies.[47][48] Elsewhere in South America, the album peaked at number one on the Chilean albums chart and was certified platinum in Colombia.[49][50] Aries sold over three million copies worldwide.[51]

Track listing

[edit]

All recordings produced by Luis Miguel and Kiko Cibrian, except where noted.[52]

No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."Suave"
  • Orlando Castro
  • Kiko Cibrian
Cibrian 4:47
2."Me Niego a Estar Solo"Rudy PérezPérez 4:17
3."Luz Verde"
  • Pérez
  • Carlos Castellón - Jorge L. Piloto (Spanish adaptation)
Pérez 4:59
4."Hasta el Fin"CibrianCibrian 4:49
5."Ayer"Pérez
  • Miguel
  • Cibrian
  • Foster
3:25
6."Que Nivel de Mujer"Castro
  • Miguel
  • Cibrian
  • Castillo
4:28
7."Pensar en Ti"Francisco F. CéspedesCéspedes 4:15
8."Dame Tu Amor"
  • Adrián Posse
  • Cibrian
Cibrian 3:23
9."Hasta Que Me Olvides"Juan Luis GuerraGuerra 4:40
10."Tú y Yo"PérezJorge Calandrelli 4:50

Personnel

[edit]

Adapted from the Aries liner notes:[53]

Musicians

[edit]

The Hollywood String Ensemble (tracks 3, 5, 7–10)

  • Ezra Kliger – concertmaster, violin
  • Paul C. Shure – violin
  • Shari Zippert – violin
  • Roman Volodarsky – violin
  • Barbara J. Porter – violin
  • Vladimir Polimatidi – violin
  • Cordon H. Marron – violin
  • Charles H. Everett – violin
  • Norman J. Hughes – violin
  • Joel Derouin – violin
  • Sid Page – violin
  • Linda Rose – violin
  • R.F. Peterson – violin
  • John J. Wittenberg – violin
  • Leslie J. Woodbury – violin
  • Endre Granat – violin
  • Alexander Horvath – violin
  • Israel Baker – violin
  • Herschel P. Wiserenita Koven – viola
  • Raymond J. Tisher II – viola
  • James J. Ross – viola
  • John T. Acevedo – viola
  • Cynthia Morrow – viola
  • Larry Corbett – cello
  • Daniel W. Smith – cello
  • Nancy Stein – cello
  • Roger Lebow – cello
  • Steve G. Edelman – contrabass
  • Jon C. Clarke – English horn, oboe
  • Joseph Meyer – French horn
  • Calvin Smith – French horn
  • Michael A. Englander – percussion

Production

[edit]
  • Luis Miguel – producer
  • Kiko Cibrian – co-producer
  • Mauricio Abaroa – executive producer
  • Julio Saenz – executive producer
  • Benny Faccone – engineer, mixing (tracks 2–3, 5–6, 8–9)
  • Humberto Gatica – mixing (tracks 1, 4, 7)
  • Paul McKenna – mixing (track 10)
  • Rudy Pérez – co-producer in the voice recording
  • Emilio Castillo – co-producer in "Que Nivel de Mujer"
  • Jose Quintana – production coordination
  • Ezra Kliger – production coordination
  • Jim Champagne – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
  • Noel Hazen – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
  • Bryan Pollack – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
  • Kimm James – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Cartel Diseñadores – design
  • Alfredo Gatica – artistic coordination
  • Carlos Somonte – photography
  • Bruce Swedien – special thanks for their collaboration in this production

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[48] Diamond 693,162[60]
Colombia (ASINCOL)[50] Platinum 60,000[61]
Chile 200,000[62]
Mexico (AMPROFON)[42] 4× Platinum 1,000,000[42]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[63] Platinum 100,000^
Uruguay (CUD)[64] 3× Platinum 18,000^
Summaries
Worldwide 3,000,000[51]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ayer Single (CD liner). Luis Miguel. México: WEA Latina. 1993. pp. 1–2. 4509 92853-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ "Romance – Credits". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Dimes y Diretes". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Editora de la Laguna. 12 October 1992. p. 51. Archived from the original on 24 May 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b Candelaria, Cordelia; Garcia, Peter; Adalma, Arturo (2004). Encyclopedia of Latino popular culture. Vol. 2. Westport, United States: Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 551–552. ISBN 9780313322150. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d Burr, Ramiro (11 July 1993). "Luis Miguel meets his challenges". San Antonio Express-News.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Lannert, John (3 July 1993). "Luis Miguel Returns With An R&B Flavor". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 27. Nielsen N.V. pp. 1, 72. ISSN 0006-2510.
  7. ^ a b c Burr, Ramiro (17 June 1993). "Tejano pop star croons 2nd album". Austin American-Statesman. Cox Media Group.
  8. ^ "Hit Parade". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Editora de la Laguna. 24 August 1992. p. 50. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  9. ^ Calzada, Gloria (10 June 1992). "Comentarios de..." [Comments from...]. El Informador (in Spanish). Unión Editorialista. p. 13-E.
  10. ^ "Hit Parade". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Editora de la Laguna. 18 May 1993. p. 39. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Confirmado Luis Miguel ¡No es mexicano!" [Luis Miguel is not Mexican!]. El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Editora de la Laguna. 19 May 1993. p. 39. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2015. Este disco expresa mi forma muy personal. Tuve mucho que ver en todo. Lo produje totalmente y quise divertirme mucho, sacar lo que a mi me gusta y, entonces qué mejor que el signo zodiacal que representa lo que uno es.
  12. ^ a b c d Promis, Jose F. "Aries – Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on 12 October 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  13. ^ a b Lannert, John (20 June 1993). "A Seduction Of Rhythm". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  14. ^ du Lac, J. Freedom (31 August 2007). "Rudy Perez's two romance languages: Spanish, music". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  15. ^ a b c Burr, Ramiro (16 June 1993). "Luis Miguel's latest due out Tuesday". San Antonio-Express News. Heart Corporation. p. 3.
  16. ^ Lannert, John (20 June 1993). "A Seduction Of Rhythm". Sun-Sentinel. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  17. ^ a b c Obejas, Achy (11 August 1994). "Luis Miguel Aries". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
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  21. ^ "Luis Miguel, el número uno" [Luis Miguel, number one]. El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Editora de la Laguna. 31 August 1993. p. 42. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  22. ^ Lannert, John (28 November 1998). "Topping The Charts Year By Year". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 48. Nielsen N.V. p. 35. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
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  27. ^ Guerrero, Kiko (director). Suave (Television). Warner Music Latina. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  28. ^ Luis Miguel (1993). Tú y Yo (Promo single CD). United States: WEA Latina, a division of Warner Music Group. PROM #1141.
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  31. ^ "Listo el nuevo LP de Luismi" [Luis Miguel's new LP is ready]. El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Editora de la Laguna. 18 May 1993. p. 39. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  32. ^ "Exitosa presentación de Luis Miguel" [Successful presentation by Luis Miguel]. El Informador (in Spanish). Unión Editorialista. 22 September 1993. p. 11-E.
  33. ^ Romero, Fernando (17 June 1993). "Maturing Luis Miguel now knows how to put on a show". San Diego Union-Tribune.
  34. ^ a b Lopetegui, Enrique (11 July 1993). "Latin Pulse : Salsa Converts and Veterans Flavor Sassy Beat With Meaning". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  35. ^ Verna, Paul; Morris, Chris; Morris, Edward (3 July 1993). "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 27. Nielsen N.V. p. 48. ISSN 0006-2510.
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  38. ^ Burr, Ramiro (1 May 1994). "Miguel, Guerra top awards nominees". San Antonio Express-News.
  39. ^ Lannert, John (21 May 1994). "First Latin Music Awards Recognize Range of Talent". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 21. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. LM-8. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  40. ^ "Fueron entregados los premios "Eres"" [The Eres Awards were given]. El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 12 February 1994. p. 58. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  41. ^ "Nuevo producto de Luis Miguel inunda el mercado, pero en versión "pirata"" [New product by Luis Miguel floods the market, but it's pirated]. El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Editora de la Laguna. 14 June 1993. p. 44. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
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  50. ^ a b "Luis Miguel Muy Amable Con la Prensa" [Luis Miguel is loved by the press]. El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Editora de la Laguna. 9 June 1994. p. 50. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  51. ^ a b Estrada, Nora Alicia (19 April 2006). "Es un 'Sol' de plata". Mural (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022 – via ProQuest.
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  53. ^ Miguel, Luis (1993). Luis Miguel (Album liner notes). US: WEA Latina, a division of Warner Music Group. pp. 17–18. 7 4509-92993 2.
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