Leyendas de la Bachata

Description

FRANK REYES
Dominican bachata-merengue singer Frank Reyes had his breakthrough after Sony released his album Estelares de Frank Reyes on September 2, 1997. Known as Bachata's prince, Frank Reyes achieved a Casandra award, a major local recognition, as well as being nominated by Acroarte, the Dominican art journalists association, for best Bachata performer. After issuing 1998's Vine a Decirte Adios, the tropical artist returned with 1999's Extraño Mi Pueblo, produced by himself and Rafael Núñez, later, getting into the new millenium with Amor en Silencio.

LUIS MIGUEL DEL AMARGUE
Luís Miguel del Amargue is a bachata singer from the Dominican Republic who was successful as a recording artist in Spain for a decade prior to breaking into the American music market with the compilation album Mis Canciones in 2009. Born in Azua, Dominican Republic, he made his album debut with Amor de una Noche in 1998. A collection of both bachatas and merengues, Amor de una Noche was released on the independent label Chaira Records and distributed in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Though commercial success was limited, del Amargue was offered a new recording contract with the label JM Records, and found a niche market for his music in Spain, where bachata and merengue are less commonplace than in the United States. He proceeded to release several albums on JM Records, including Luisa María (1999), Te Echo de Menos (2000), Quiero Amanecer Contigo (2001), and Amor de Locos (2003). These albums proved popular enough in Spain to warrant a television-advertised double-disc greatest-hits collection, Grandes Exitos (2003). Successive albums include Corazón de Dinero (2004), Quiero Saber (2005), Buscame (2006), and De Nuevo Contigo (2007). Del Amargue's next album, De Rodillas de Te Pido (2008), is particularly notable for its title track. The popularity of the song was such that it was featured once again on the follow-up album Mi Regreso (2009). By this time, del Amargue had dedicated himself primarily to bachata, which positioned him well for the American marketplace. Well aware of the growing popularity of bachata in the United States, Sony Music signed del Amargue and repackaged Mi Regreso for stateside release in summer 2009. Later in the year, Sony released the best-of compilation Mis Canciones, which included the tropical radio favorites "De Rodillas de Te Pido," "Se Acabó lo Bonito," and "Abrazame Amor.

LUIS VARGAS
Dominican self-started and hardworking singer/guitarist Luis Vargas (born Luis Rafael Valdez Vargas) became involved in popular music after meeting a local musician who taught him how to play guitar. After deciding to pursue a solo career, Luis Vargas self-produced his first single, promoted and sold by himself. Supported by local artists Pedro Pimentel, Artemio Sánchez, Antonio Carrasco, and Anthony Santos, his music began being played by local radio stations. After issuing his music through an independent label, Sony International signed him up, releasing Volvio el Dolor in 1997.