Gloria Estefan Album: “Eyes of Innocence”

When I picked up this CD, I thought that 'Primitive Love' would be her first. Until I've heard of 'Eyes Of Innocence', I was wrong. Indeed, this is the first set of Estefan's engish dubbed songs after her Spanish recordings. This album has all the synth-pop, dance music you can handle. Who can ever forget the song "Dr. Beat"? Very pure dance music right there, so are "I Need A Man" and "Prisoner Of Love". Besides those, there's "OK" with an upbeat 50's doo-wop style. For some good time songs, try listening to "Orange Express", "Eyes Of Innocence" and "Do You Want To Dance". And for the love song department, try these slow movers "Love Me", "When Someone Comes Into Your Life" and "I Need Your Love". With a great '84 sound, this is worth spicing up your party. Take it from me, if you think that 'Primitive Love' was her first, try this CD out first, and you'll hear what I mean.

Big MSM and Gloria Estefan fans should eat up this Japanese reissue of their pre-Primitive Love attempt at the American market. Eyes of Innocence is definitely the same in sound and style as the hit album that followed, with plenty of pop and electronic beats as well as ballads, plus the important Latin ingredient MSM brings to the table. This version of the CD, which comes in a cardboard sleeve like a real album cover, features TWO bonus tracks. First is the 12" version of one of my favorites on the album, "I Need A Man". Classic 80s electronic pop sound. Although the disc itself says it's an 'instrumental' version, it's not. It's a full vocal 6 minute extended version. Next we have the only 'hit' from this album--at least on the US dance charts. Dr. Beat 12" clocks in at 6:15, and I still can't figure out what the difference is between this length (which has shown up on various compilations), and the 6:30 version that has also appeared on various compilations, Including the MSM "Best Remixes" mini album CD. Either way, the 12" of I Need a Man makes this a must for MSM collectors.

This is a great CD for fans and collectors to buy,the sound quality is excellent also.

What is there to say about Gloria Estefan? I can tell you one thing, and that is that I am a huge fan of hers. She made her debut when she came out as a member of Miami Sound Machine back in 1984. I wasn't born until 1985 and since 1985, I have been one of Gloria's loyal fans. Gloria joined Miami Sound Machine as the lead vocalist when she married bandmate, Emilio Estefan, in 1978. They recorded and released their first album, Eyes Of Innocence, in 1984. This album did not get them the recognition they were hoping for.

DR. BEAT

PRISONER OF LOVE

OK

LOVE ME

ORANGE EXPRESS

I NEED A MAN

EYES OF INNOCENCE

WHEN SOMEONE COMES INTO YOUR LIFE

I NEED YOUR LOVE

DO YOU WANT TO DANCE?

This album really isn't all that bad, but I wish it could have been better.

Miami Sound Machine's 1984 release proves how much the group has grown as musicians in the last seventeen years. The songs on this CD are keyboard heavy, but with the innovative Latin-pop style Gloria would become famous for. Yes, many of the songs on here are on the cheesy side, especially the last track, "Do You Want To Dance." I love the harmonica on "Eyes Of Innocence." "When Someone Comes Into Your Life" is a pretty and emotional ballad. Gloria's voice sounds very nice on that one. In the end, this is a good CD, even better than Primitive Love, which was the next release, and it had three big hits on it. Eyes Of Innocence has "Dr. Beat," but I think it was bigger in Europe than in the U.S.