Product Description

Wilkins' first release of the century became the Puerto Rico's best selling CD in 2001. "El Deseo Original" features hit songs "Pequeqa y fragil" and gospel classic "Un nuevo amor". Recorded entirely in Los Angeles, California, except for two tracks recorded live during his 1998 concert at El Morro Castle in Old San Juan.

Review

La gran sorpresa del 2001 la dio Wilkins con su candente album. -- Tite Curet, Vea, January 20, 2002

About the Artist

Pop singer and composer, Wilkins, has enjoyed great success in his native Puerto Rico and elsewhere around the world since his career began in the early 1970's. His success was throughout Puerto Rico and Latin America during the 1970's was also based on many concert appearances and tours, in addition to his hit songs and recordings. Wilkins was heard as far away as Germany and Japan.

Twice named by Billboard and ASCAP as the singer of the year, composer of the year, Wilkins also saw his album Respirari become a top seller and best recording of the year, during the period between 1980 and 1986.

Wilkins then released his smash hit album, Margarita which went gold in Puerto Rico and abroad; reaching the top of the Latin charts throughout Latin America, the United States and in countries like Norway, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Egypt, South Africa and the Phillipines.

In 1990, Wilkins released Una Historia Importante - 15 Grandes Exitos, with the international hit song Lambada. In 1991, Wilkins was quite active in Germany, performing for more than 25,000 at a concert in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1991. In that same year, his hit song "Sopa de caracol", co-produced with Emilio Estefan, reached the German "Hit Parade" list. The song was a hit in other countries around the world, in places like Argentina where it topped the charts and helped Wilkins to sold-out concerts through 1992.

His recording El amor es mas fuerte won the Tu Mzsica award in 1995, as the best Latin album of the year. Similarly, Wilkins won the Dominican Republic's Casandra award that same year in recognition of his successful career. All in all, 1995 was a very fruitful year for Wilkins. After three years away from the music scene in Puerto Rico, he returned to the stage for a sold-out concert appearance at the Hiram Bithorn stadium in San Juan, to critical accalaim and a resurgence of popularity in his native land. He closed out the year with the release of the four CD compilation of more than 70 songs: Wilkins-Leyenda. The release was a great commercial success, earning Wilkins yet another gold record.

During latter part of the 1990's, Wilkins released several more albums, including Pole-Pole in 1997; a success with its melding of Puerto Rican and African rhythms in the hit song "Saque Bombom". That same year, Wilkins made a concert appearance using a unique venue: the Spanish colonial fortress El Morro guarding the entrance to San Juan's harbor.

Wilkins's career spans many years as a popular artist with 23 gold and 10 platinum recordings among his extensive discography; testament to his dynamic presence and innovative style in songs such as "Un Nuevo Amor" from his album, El Deseo Original.

In 2004, Wilkins released his first DVD, with a 5.1 surround mix. "Wilkins Unplugged: Amores" includes a full-length unplugged concert held at San Juan's Fine Arts Center, his complete discography, photo gallery, and biographic documentary.