Enrique Iglesias is in London putting the finishing touches on his first Spanish-language album in four years. Due September 17th, the album follows the singer's multi-platinum English-language breakthrough releases, 1999's Enrique and last year's Escape. Prior to his breaking the English-language market, Iglesias had sold more than 17 million copies of Enrique Iglesias (1995), Vivir (1997) and Cosas del Amor (1998).

Iglesias co-wrote all but one of the tracks on the as-yet-untitled record, and he co-produced the album with Lester Mendez and Rafael Perez Botija. In describing the music late last year, Iglesias downplayed the language issue. "What I did in Spanish was pop," he said. "People tend to think, 'Latino . . . is it salsa?' It's like saying, 'Is it English music?' What does English music mean? It's musically different but it's what I think falls into that pop category."

The first single, the bolero "Mentiroso," will be shipped to radio on July 22nd.

ANDREW DANSBY
(July 10, 2002)