Música Alma Sexo

Background

In a Billboard interview, Martin revealed that he wrote the album between Miami and his home in Golden Beach, Florida. Desmond Child practically moved in with his entire family. He said that: "[We] had two studios: one for the programmer, another to record bass, guitars and drums". Talking about the album style, Ricky said: "It’s more up-tempo because I’m at a point in my life where I simply want to be, and be free and not be contrived at all." Martin revealed that he and his team "wrote at least 60 songs and obviously, not all are in here". The ones that felt right are in the album. I think there are songs here that can become ballads. The most important thing about this album is it’s for the audience, but also for musicians. There’s great musicianship here."

Promotion and singles

Ricky Martin began a series of concerts in Puerto Rico, United States and Canada as part of his Música + Alma + Sexo World Tour. This is the eighth concert tour presented by Martin. The tour also visited Europe, and Central and South America.

Chart performance

Música + alma + sexo debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, selling 32,000 copies. The album became the highest charting, primarily-Spanish language album, since Selena's number one album Dreaming of You. This also represents the highest ever chart debut for a Sony Music Latin release.

Música + alma + sexo is Martin's highest-charting album since Ricky Martin debuted at number one in May 1999. It's his fourth top ten album, and his first (mostly) Spanish language album to hit the mark. Martin's previous highest-charting Spanish language album was Almas del silencio. In total, the album has sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide.

Critical reception

Upon its release, the album received generally favorable reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 72/100 from Metacritic. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic rated it 3 stars (out of 5) and said that: "Theoretically, this loosening of expectations would give him some freedom to roam on Música + Alma + Sexo, and it does to the extent that he does not feel compelled to devote the record to the English language". The Billboard review was positive and went to say that: "Martin largely shuns easy romanticism for more assertive messages that celebrate liberation and diversity, themes that can be associated with his coming out last year". Ernesto Lechner from Los Angeles Times was favorable in his review, saying that: "Martin rarely transcends the narrow parameters of commercial Latin music, but the sincerity of his vision places him one step ahead of the competition". Jon Pareles from The New York Times was more positive, saying that: "On this album his usual exhortations to seize life's pleasures mingle with coming-out manifestos, and he smiles through them all".

Carlos Quintana from About.com rated it four stars (out of five) and positively reviewed the album, commenting that: "Música + Alma + Sexo is an album that reflects Ricky's present and offers a variety of vibrant and relaxing songs that are filled with deep meanings". Dan Aquilante from the New York Post said that: "Ricky Martin is back to his Latin roots with a mostly Spanish-language album of cutting-edge dance and pop. There are arena ballads, such as the pretty love song "Tú y Yo," but the thrill of this disc is in the bright Latin pop tunes, such as "Más," in which Martin tries to capture the early '90s streets of Spanish Harlem." Joey Guerra from Houston Chronicle went to say that: "Martin is making hips move and hearts soar… [with] symphonic arrangements [and] stomping dance-rock grooves… Shine has a whiff of nostalgia and is Martin’s most appealing English-language song in years." Grace Bastidas from Latina (magazine) opined, positively, that: "the pop album feels like a dream come true for Martin, who has been in the spotlight since he joined Menudo as a 12-year-old, and can finally be himself. He brims with pride throughout—and it’s definitely infectious".

Awards

Ricky Martin received three Latin Grammy Awards nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Short Form Music Video. The 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held on November 10, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Desmond Child also received nomination for Producer of the Year.

Track listing