Coming Out of the Dark

Designed as a companion to the singer's 1991 Into The Light--World Tour concert video, this look behind the scenes in Gloria Estefan's career draws drama and urgency from her recovery following a disastrous bus accident, which crippled the Cuban-American performer even as her popularity pushed further into the pop mainstream. Produced for the video arm of her record company, Coming Out of the Dark is hardly an objective documentary, laced as it is with testimonials from executives and frankly designed as a valentine to the feisty star; when we're given an "informal" look at Estefan composing new material in her music room, there isn't a figurative hair out of place as captured through these expertly shot segments.

The story, however, is intrinsically compelling, and Estefan offers her fans glimpses into the genesis of the songs from her Into the Light album. The singer's steely resolve, which doubtless explained the speed of her recovery, is visible, too, as is her sure sense of command over recording sessions. Brief performance excerpts show her saucy style of salsa-drenched pop, as well as less satisfying stabs at boiler-plate pop-rock songs that were aimed squarely at the charts. A segment chronicling a video shoot with choreographer-turned-director Kenny Ortega reveals both the technical intricacy of shooting elaborate dance sequences and the hyperbolic coddling platinum stars can expect from their most diplomatic handlers. --Sam Sutherland
Customer Review: THAT MOVIE IS THE BEST
i thought that movie is the best gloria did a great job on her recovery and i thought it was great. the picture was a little fizzy but it goes away .. great movie get it ..
Customer Review: Re: ASAP
Does this Moves show the accicent and does it show her recovery

It wasn't long after I first fell in love with the Mount Shasta area that I discovered Sophia's Hidden Waters/ Sacred Ground CD. Her stunningly pure, sensuously hypnotic vocals carved a window into my heart, a window which remains open to this day. Sophia is able to put more heart and soul into her voice than all but a few singers I've ever heard. But more than just having technical chops, Sophia evokes the sublime passion of the Goddess. Listening to Sophia is like listening to an angel, one who is able to bridge the apparent divide between this world and that of pure, loving Spirit. Her entire discography, including Emergence, Return, Chakra Healing Chants and more, is well worth collecting.

The musicians on Spirit Healing Chants are truly an amazing group of stars in their own right. Gifted singer-songwriter Michael Stillwater plays guitar and adds his inimitable voice to " Heart of the Mother/I am One," while Raphael contributes keyboards. Along the way, Fantuzzi gifts us with invocations and vocals on "Universal Lover," and Donnie Regalmuto offers keyboards, vocals, percussion and programming throughout. Additional artists contribute violin, bass, percussion, flutes, sax and more.

Other chants on Spirit Healing Chants that Sophia and crew do more than justice to include " Blessed are the Peacemakers," " Shakti," " Keepers of the Garden/We are the Ones" and the delightfully jazz-tinged " Celebrate this Day."

An exquisite accompaniment to tantra and other yoga practices, active meditation or massage, Spirit Healing Chants artfully and passionately celebrates the Divine in all of manifest creation. Be sure to give Sophia's new CD your undivided attention. Your heart will love you for it.

Steve Ryals has been writing music reviews since 1994, and to date has published more than 1200. Steve specializes in World Beat, Native American, New Age, Meditation, Contemporary Instrumental, Chanting, Devotional Singing, and more. He currently writes two music reviews every month as part of his Drunk with Wonder Newsletter. To sign up for his FREE newsletter go to http://www.drunkwithwonder.com

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