Lo Mejor de Mi [Cristian]

Personnel includes: Cristian (vocals); Alfredo Oliva (conductor); Rudy Perez (acoustic guitar, programming, background vocals); Manuel Lopez (acoustic & electric guitars); Michael Thompson, Dean Parks (guitar); Billy Ross (alto saxophone); Ed Calle (tenor saxophone); Whitney Sidener (baritone saxophone); Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Tony Concepcion, Jim Hacker (trumpet); Bill Reichenbach, Dana Teboe (trombone); Neil Stubenhaus, Julio Hernandez (bass); Orlando Hernandez, John Robinson (drums); Luis Santiago, Luis Conte (percussion); Juan Zambrano, Mark Portman (programming); Wendy Pedersen, Rita Quintero, Raul Midon, Betty Wright, Tammy Hert (background vocals); The Miami Symphonic Orchestra.
LO MEJOR DE MI was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance.
Personnel: Cristian Castro (background vocals); Dean Parks, Manuel Lopez (guitar, acoustic guitar); Michael Thompson (guitar, electric guitar); Rudy Prez (acoustic guitar, keyboards, programming, background vocals); Rene Toledo (acoustic guitar); Alfredo Oliva (violin, concertina); Scott Flavin (violin); Tim Barnes (viola); Chris Glansdorp (cello); Miami Symphonic Orchestra (strings); Dan Higgins (saxophone, soprano saxophone); Billy Ross (alto saxophone); Ed Calle (tenor saxophone); Whit Sidener (baritone saxophone); Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Tony Concepcion, Jim Hacker (trumpet); Bill Reichenbach Jr. , Dana Teboe (trombone); Ral Di Blasio (piano); Mark Portmann, Juan Vincente Zambrano (keyboards, programming); Orlando Hernandez (drums, percussion); John "J.R." Robinson (drums); Luis Spice Santiago, Luis Conte (percussion); Rita Quintero, Miriam Cuan, Raul Midn, Wendy Pedersen (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Eric Schilling ; Joel Numa; Ray Pyle; Rudy Prez; Bob Brockman; Bruce Weeden.
Recording information: Bullseye Recording Studio, Miami Beach, FL; Conway Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, FL; On The Mark Studios, Hollywood, CA?Circle House Studios; Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Westlake Studios, Hollywood, CA.
Directors: Rudy Prez; Gary Lindsay.
Photographer: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders.
Unknown Contributor Role: Joel Numa.
Arrangers: Danilo Amerio; Mario Natale; Mark Portmann; Rudy Prez; Eros Ramazzotti; Juan Vincente Zambrano; Gary Lindsay.
Lo Mejor de Mi isn't a hits collection -- it is the first album Cristian has released on Ariola/BMG records. However, it is designed to generate hits, which is almost as good as a hits collection. There isn't much variety on the album -- basically, it's almost all smooth romantic ballads -- but Cristian is blessed with an appealing voice and producers who know how to pick material that showcases it at its best. As a result, Lo Mejor de Mi does come pretty close to being the best Cristian has to offer. ~ Terry Jenkins