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| Miami Sound Machine |
| Emilio Estefan is the force behind the Miami Sound Machine. The Cuban-born bandleader is the Desi Arnaz of his generation. Like Desi he is the man behind the star/wife (Gloria) pulling all the strings and making it all possible. M.S.M. defines the Miami sound with it's mix of latin rhythms and pop sensibilities. Oddly enough they made a play for the disco market early on but had to wait until the 1980's to find success on the dance floors. Emilio was born in Cuba on April 3, 1953 to a large and loving family. In 1968 Estefan moved to the United States, where he shared an apartment with 15 family members. He worked odd jobs, running errands for neighbors until he landed a job at the local Bacardi factory. Starting in the mailroom he eventually graduated to the Latin marketing department. But the corporate world was not where his heart was. Emilio's real passion, remained with music. He started a local group which became known as the "Miami Latin Boys". The group had success, being hired to play at multiple private parties and events around Miami. It was during one such event that Emilio met Gloria Estefan, then Gloria Fajardo, in 1975. In 1977, Gloria decided to join the band and it became know then as the Miami Sound Machine. Emilio played the accordion, while Gloria sang. The line-up of the group would shift often, members would come and go, the numbers would go up and down, one singer at times and at others Gloria would share vocal duties. Always in search of the right combination. In 1978 Gloria and Emilio married. Shortly thereafter they inked a deal with CBS/Discos International. Their first album, "Otra Vez" was geared towards the hispanic market and quickly entered the charts. Gloria shared vocal duties with Mercy Murciano on this release. But by the next years release Mercy was gone. 1982's "Rio" had the core sound of what would make them international stars. During the next two years Emilio and the group decided that in order to reach a larger audience they needed to croosover. With the backing of CBS the group switched to the labels Epic imprint and released "Eyes Of Innocence" in 1984. The english language debut received heavy promotion from the label. Two 12" singles were remixed for club consumption, "I Need A Man" and the better known "Dr. Beat." The latter became an immediate club hit and set the path for the groups sassy mix of latin and pop. Video companions to the songs helped propell the album's sales. By the time of 1985's "Primitive Love" the group had polished up it's crossover act and made a name for itself outside of the Hispanic and club markets. When the album was released it shot straight up the charts bearing no less than three 12" singles. "Falling In Love (Uh-Oh)" was the weakest of the three, "Bad Boy" sailed along thanks to a clever "Cats" video. And then there was the song that would come to be known as their signature tune...."Conga." When released it became a club sensation, but by now I'm sure we've all tired of it? The album also spawned a ballad hit, the first for Gloria, which would later help define her solo career. "Words Get In The Way" has that special intimate sound that has made Gloria's ballads a strong point in her career. During a tumultous two-year period the group underwent a metamorphasis. Thanks to the extended 12" singles from "Primitive Love" they were able to maintain chart action over that period. A concerted desicion was made during that time to push Gloria out, front and center, of the group. The group was inescapable, making the concert rounds as well as numerous key television appearances. By 1987 when "Let It Loose" was released, it was billed as Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine. If there was any doubt in anyone's mind this clearly spelled out what the future had in store. The mega-blockbuster album sold in the millions and established Gloria and M.S.M. as true pop superstars. The lead 12" single was "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You." The saucy blend of latin/pop sounds followed the "Conga" vein in hook-filled lyrics and percussion effects. Oddly Epic Records was in this terrible period of releasing different mixes of a song in identical jackets. This is one such case. Both picture jackets have the same number and are identical, the only way to tell the difference is on the actual label. The first one was a 7:09 version and the second was a 7:10 version with (e-oh e-oh edit) typed under it, this was difficult as the records came sealed in shrink wrap. Another Epic release like this that comes to mind is Teena Marie's "Lovergirl." "Betcha Say That (To All The Girls)" was the next 12" single. One of my personal favorites because of it's shuffle-beat style that reminds one of a 1960's girl group hit. On the heels of that came the album's most memorable dance track "1-2-3." High energy riffs with a terribly catchy chorus, the song has been used in commercials as well as remainig a perrenial hit. The final hit from the album was the beautiful ballad "Anything For You." By now it was apparent that Gloria could not only rock the house but rack up impressive sales by crossing over into Adult Contemporary territory with her heartfelt ballads. A trend that many mid-1980's artists followed was to release a 12" club hit or two and then a power ballad. This formula worked for Madonna, Whitney Houston, Prince and many others. By 1988 the Miami Sound Machine was dissolved. The group had by now become nothing more than a road band for Miss Estefan, nothing like the original vision of the Miami Latin Boys. Gloria would have her first solo release the following year. Eyeing the success of Tejano star Selena, Gloria began also courting the lucrative latin market that the group had shyed away from earlier. She followed the trend of club hits and power ballads for the next decade and a half. A near-death bus crash only served to make her a household name towards the end of the decade. In the 1990's she became a mega-superstar. She also came back to court her club-based fans with a disc devoted to old disco and R&B favorites, it worked and gave her a new younger audience. Emilio went on to become a respected producer of other latin and pop artists and the highly coveted producer of the Latin Grammy Awards shows. The Miami based couple are still together after 27 years of marriage and two kids. Gloria still records and releases discs but not to the universal audience she once knew. |
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