''Hits Mix'' is the first remix album by Cuban recording artist Celia Cruz. It featured two singles, a Spanglish remix version of " La Negra Tiene Tumbao", entitled "Gotta Get Down" and a dance remix of " Yo Vivire (I Will Survive)". Upon release, the album peaked at number 106 on the ''Billboard'' 200, number two on the ''Billboard'' Latin Albums chart, and number one on the ''Billboard'' Tropical Albums chart. It became the best-selling Tropical album of 2003. It was also the ninth best-selling Latin album of 2003.

Recording and production

Producer

Sergio George Sergio George (born May 23, 1961) is an American pianist, arranger, and record producer, known for working with many famous performers of salsa music, although he has worked in other genres of the music industry as well. He has worked with some ...

was hired to produce more traditional tracks for Cruz's fifty-ninth album, '' La Negra Tiene Tumbao'' (2001). However, George wanted to try something different. According to George, he played a demo version of "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" for Cruz, "not knowing how she would respond, and that was the song that she most reacted to". "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" was the last song completed for the album.

Musical composition

The original version of "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" combines elements of salsa music, reggae music and hip hop music. The song's title translates to "The Black Woman has Style" or "The Black Woman has Attitude". The song was composed in minor key and incorporates the use of vocal call and response. " Yo Vivire (I Will Survive)" was originally performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor. It was written by

Freddie Perren Frederick James Perren (May 15, 1943 – December 16, 2004) was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor. He co-wrote and co-produced songs including "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gay ...

and Dino Fekaris. Cruz originally covered the song in Spanish on her 2000 album, ''Siempre Vivire'' (''I Will Always Live'').

Critical reception

An editor for

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

gave the album three out of five stars, insisting that the album contains "pumped-up remixes of favorites from previous releases." The reviewer claimed that Cruz alternates from "swooping, but not showy, melodic moves to rhythmic rapid-fire pronouncements" on the release. According to the reviewer, "Cruz starts what feels like a dance party headed towards the wee hours." At the

2004 Latin Billboard Music Awards Below are the winners of the 2004 ''Billboard'' Latin Music Awards, handed out April 29 in Miami. Hot Latin Song of the Year Hot Latin Song of the Year * " Tal Vez", - Ricky Martin Vocal Duet or Collaboration * " Fotografía", Juanes With Ne ...

, the album was awarded the Greatest Hits Album of the Year Award. In the same category, Cruz was also nominated for ''Exitos Eternos'' (2003). Her 2004 album '' Regalo del Alma'' was awarded Tropical Album of the Year in the female category. Cobo predicted that the album should and would win the award. In the same category, Cruz was also nominated with ''Exitos Eternos'' and ''Hits Mix'', also becoming the Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year.

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Sales and certifications

References

{{Celia Cruz 2002 remix albums Celia Cruz remix albums Sony Discos remix albums Albums produced by Sergio George Spanish-language remix albums