"Ese Hombre" ( en, "That Man") is a song written by Ana Magdalena and

Manuel Alejandro Manuel Álvarez-Beigbeder Pérez (born 21 February 1932), better known as Manuel Alejandro, is a Spanish composer of Latin love songs, which are better known as ''ballads''. He has written, composed, and arranged songs for the likes of Luis Migu ...

and performed by Spanish recording artist

Rocío Jurado María del Rocío Mohedano Jurado (, 18 September 1944 – 1 June 2006), better known as Rocío Jurado, was a Spanish singer and actress. She was born in Chipiona (Cádiz) and nicknamed "La más grande" ("The Greatest"). In 2000 in New York Cit ...

for her studio album ''Señora'' (1979). It was released by RCA Records as a

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...

to "Señora" in 1980. Lyrically, the song is about a womanizer who lures women into a wrongful relationship filled with lies and deceit. In 1994, American

salsa Salsa most often refers to: * Salsa (Mexican cuisine), a variety of sauces used as condiments * Salsa music, a popular style of Latin American music * Salsa (dance), a Latin dance associated with Salsa music Salsa or SALSA may also refer to: A ...

singer La India recorded the track for her first solo album, ''

Dicen Que Soy ''Dicen Que Soy'' (''They Say That I Am'') is the third studio album by Puerto Rican recording artist La India released on September 20, 1994, by RMM Records. The album was produced by American musician Sergio George, who chose the songs for Indi ...

'' (1994), which was produced by Sergio George. "Ese Hombre" is the salsa song responsible for La India's honorific title as the "Princess of Salsa", according to '' The New York Times''. The recording received positive reviews and acclaim from media respondents. "Ese Hombre" peaked at number one on the US ''Billboard'' Tropical Songs chart and peaked within the top 20 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Tracks and Latin Pop Songs charts. The track became La India's second number-one single on the Tropical Songs chart behind, " Nunca Voy a Olvidarte".

Background and release

In 1979,

recorded "Ese Hombre" for her studio album ''Señora'' (1979). It was released by RCA Records as a

to "Señora" in 1980. The song was written by

and Ana Magdalena for the Spanish singer. Jurado sung a duet version with Rosario Mohedano during one of her live tours. According to the lyrics, the protagonist is describing negative attributes about a former lover who uses a false identity to capture and lure women into deceitful ill-fated relationships.

La India salsa version

La India recorded the song for her second studio album, ''

'' (1994). Because of its heavy airplay on radios, the single boosted sales for the parent album. RMM selected "Ese Hombre" among its top ten music videos for their compilation album ''RMM Best of Videos Vol. I'' (1997). "Ese Hombre" is a

song set in common time at 88 beats per minute.

Reception

Lise Waxer wrote in her book ''Situating Salsa: Global Markets and Local Meanings in Latin Popular Music'', that "Ese Hombre" is a "strong

feminist Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes. Feminism incorporates the position that society prioritizes the male po ...

song". Virginia Marie Raymond wrote in her book ''Mexican Americans Write Toward Justice in Texas, 1973--1982'' that the lyrics are "rousingly hostile", while John Lannert of ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' magazine praised the recording's lyrical content calling it a "fiery, stand-up-to-that-man testimony". David Cazares of the '' Sun Sentinel'' called the track an "outrageous song that bashes an egotistical and womanizing man". Cazares believed the track suited La India because it revamped her salsa career. Ramiro Burr of the ''

San Antonio Express-News The ''San Antonio Express-News'' is a daily newspaper in San Antonio, Texas. It is owned by the Hearst Corporation and has offices in San Antonio and Austin, Texas. The ''Express-News'' is the third largest newspaper in the state of Texas, with ...

'' named "Ese Hombre" and another La India recording, "Nunca Voy Olvidarte" as "radio hits". Manuel Peter wrote that "Ese Hombre" is an "anthem for female salsa lovers". Larry Flick of ''Billboard'', called the recording a "tropical purity". According to Jose Manuel Simian of '' The New York Times'', "Ese Hombre" contributed to La India being named the "Princess of Salsa". Madeline Rodriguez of Gozamos.com named "Ese Hombre" the "perfect break-up song". Jim Allen of AllMusic, called the song a "propulsive, no-nonsense attack" that "deliver a resonant portrait of this contemporary salsa sensation."

Chart history

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Allmusic and ''Dicen Que Soy'' liner notes. * La India – vocals * Roberto Belester – songwriting * Sergio George – piano, keyboard programming, drum programming, chorus * Ruben Rodriguez - bass guitar * Papo Pepin -

congas The conga, also known as tumbadora, is a tall, narrow, single-headed drum from Cuba. Congas are staved like barrels and classified into three types: quinto (lead drum, highest), tres dos or tres golpes (middle), and tumba or salidor (lowest) ...

* Sammy Garcia - congas * Richie Bastar - congas * Bobby Allende - bongos * Marc Quiñones - timbales * Ite Jerez - trumpet * Angie Machado - trumpet * Luis Bonilla - trombone * William Cepeda - trombone * Johnny Rivera - chorus * Eustace "Huey" Dunbar - chorus

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ese Hombre 1979 songs 1970s ballads 1980 singles 1994 singles La India songs Ivy Queen songs Salsa songs Song recordings produced by Sergio George Spanish-language songs RCA Records singles RMM Records singles Songs written by Manuel Alejandro