Evidently someone at Sony International advised Gilberto Santa Rosa that what the Latin music world really needed was more heartfelt pop love songs -- and that's exactly what he made on the 2006 release Directo al Corazón, although the CD begins with the confident, mature salsa that made him the superstar he is. The majority of the playlist reveals a side of Santa Rosa, arguably one of the most credible salsa vocalists around, that most of his fan base never knew existed -- the side that lives and dies for keyboard-drenched balladry -- although Directo al Corazón is still peppered with the simmering grooves and skillful improvisation that are more typical of Santa Rosa's records. The production and musicianship throughout remain top drawer, and even Santa Rosa's vocal performance is at his usual high level. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide
Joseph Fonseca (Vocals (Background)), Jesus Caunedo (Sax (Alto)), Efrain Toro (Drums), Pablo Padin (Bongos), Mari Tsumura (Violin), Antonio Vazquez (Trombone), Arturo Ortiz (Fender Rhodes), Jesus Caunedo (Sax (Tenor)), José Lugo (Percussion Programming), Frank Gener Villar (Graphic Design), Benji Rodriguez (Computer Consultant), Pablo Padin (Timbales), Anatoly Rosinsky (Violin), Jimmy Morales (Conga), José Lugo (Producer), Tito de Gracia (Conga), Pablo Padin (Conga), Jan Duclerc (Trumpet), Willie Torres (Vocals (Background)), José Lugo (Remixing), Jules Chaikin (Orchestra Contractor), Edwin Colon Zayas (Tiple), Arturo Ortiz (Programming), José Lugo (Piano), Rolando Alejandro (Engineer), Ronnie Torres (Mixing), José Lugo (Programming), Edwin Colon Zayas (Guitar), Denyse Buffum (Viola), Arturo Ortiz (Arranger), Patricia Johnson (Violin), Jerry Rivas (Vocals (Background)), Rolando Alejandro (Mixing), Tommy Villarini (Arranger), Carlos A. Arcila Sosa (Photo Assistance), Johnny Torres (Bass), Moises Nogueras (Trombone (Bass)), Tito de Gracia (Timbales), Efrain Toro (Percussion), Marilyn Baker (Viola), Lucy Ortiz (Make-Up), Larry Corbett (Cello), Pablo Padin (Percussion), Tommy Villarini (Trumpet), Armen Garabedian (Violin), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Vocals), Arturo Ortiz (Bass), Ronnie Torres (Mastering), Victor Manuelle (Vocals (Background)), Charlie Bisharat (Violin), José "Jochy" Rodríguez (Flugelhorn), Rafael "Tito" DeGracia (Conga), Suzie Katayama (Cello), José Lugo (Percussion), Eric Persing (Design), Angel Torres (Sax (Alto)), Richard Torres (Keyboard Technician), Angel Torres (Sax (Baritone)), Richard Torres (Studio Technician), John Kurlander (Engineer), Johnny Torres (Arranger), José Lugo (Drum Programming), Mariella Sosa (Photography), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Repertoire), Tito de Gracia (Bongos), José Lugo (Arranger), Milton Sesenton (Arranger), Miguel Martinez (Cello), Efrain Toro (Tabla), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Vocals (Background)), Rafael "Tito" DeGracia (Bongos), Miwako Watanabe (Violin), José Lugo (Mixing), Jorge Diaz (Trombone), Milton Sesenton (Keyboards), Rolando Alejandro (Audio Engineer), Moises Nogueras (Trombone (Bass)), Shari Zippert (Violin), Jeremy Lubbock (String Conductor), James V. Ross (Viola), Jorge Laboy (Guitar), Ronnie Torres (Engineer), Johnny Torres (Transcription), Osvaldo De La Rosa (Copista), Matt Traum (Design), Pablo Padin (Keyboards), Frank Perez (Sax (Tenor)), José Lugo (Keyboards), Efrain Toro (Cajon), Raffi Torres (Trombone), Rafael "Tito" DeGracia (Timbales), Javier Fernández (Arranger), José Lugo (Mastering), Pablo Padin (Arranger), Juan Ramón Cadeño (Vestuario), Evan Wilson (Viola), Arturo Ortiz (Drum Programming), José Lugo (Synthesizer), Edwin Colon Zayas (Cuatro), Peter Kent (Violin)
