Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson Debuts at No. 1 in U.S., Puerto Rico & Billboard's 'Top Tropical Albums'
If you are a Michael Jackson fan and you love salsa music, then you need to check out "Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson," a new salsa-infused, kickstarter-funded album that features the King of Pop's iconic tunes.
It turns out that fans in the U.S. and Puerto Rico have caught onto it and embraced "Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson" so much so that it has debuted as No. 1 in sales. The album is so fierce that it also nabbed the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Top Tropical Albums chart.
Talk about a "Smooth Criminal" stealing all the top slots!
Created by producer/multi-instrumentalist/arranger Tony Succar, "Unity" is the first-ever Latin album salute to the King of Pop and is available now in all formats on Universal Music Classics in collaboration with Universal Music Latin Entertainment.
Succar shared his excitement via Twitter: "Can't be anymore thankful for everything that is happening with @unitylatintribute ! Here ... https://ift.tt/1JrsqHV "
"Unity: The Latin Tribute To Michael Jackson" features Jackson's record-breaking "Thriller," "Billie Jean" and "I Want You Back" incorporated into salsa, tropical rhythms and vibrant arrangements.
The album, which was released on April 14, features over 100 musicians including Latin superstars Tito Nieves, Jon Secada, Obie Bermúdez, among many other notable artists and musicians.
Puerto Rican singer Jean Rodriguez brings his sultry, smooth vocals to Jackson's "Smooth Criminal," the first single from the project.
"The song seems set for Latin dance floors and radio from the first minute, thanks to the congas and horns punctuating the framework of the original song -- plus, Rodriguez brings some urban Latino love to the English vocals," Billboard points out.
Succar, a young Peruvian-American percussionist who was born in Lima, Peru and lives in Miami, Florida, was inspired by the world-class performer throughout his whole life. After the pop icon's passing, he wanted to carry on his memory and impressive body of work but in a unique way. He revived Jackson's sound with an energetic Latin spin, giving it an impressive boost.
"Michael influenced me so much and inspired all of us," Succar said. He added that Jackson's songs revel in all different cultures and racial backgrounds as well as the "unification of human beings for a better tomorrow.
"The one thing that stood out in Michael's music was love. The reality was unity," Succar explained. "I also wanted the title to stand for something: a real marriage between Latin roots and American pop culture, and to help keep Michael's legacy alive."
Check out "UNITY: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson Teaser 2015."
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