Let me go on record to say that I think Chao’s album Cruzando El Tiempo (Crossing Time) is one of the best albums of 1989. Spanish singer and actor, Juan Carlos Nieto Chao, better known as Chao, hit my radar in 1985 when he sang on Flans’s debut album. It wasn’t until 1988 when he signed with Melody Records. His 1985, Amor Sin Limites (Love without Limits) release was reissued in Mexico under Melody.
Within a year, the singer’s popularity soared in Mexico and Chao was recording his second album. Cruzando El Tiempo has a great combination of pop tracks as well as ballads. Chao’s high vocals and strong Spanish accent make such a great combination. He is more than a great singer, he wrote all the tracks for this album. He’s songwriting has given strength to my favorite ballad, “Gigante James Dean” (Giant James Dean), which is about the life and tragedy of the actor, James Dean.
Chao’s most popular track from the album is “Cecilia” and fun pop song that has a large choir of back-up singers. Another popular song that Chao performed a lot at the time of promotion, is “En La Playa Estoy” (On The Beach I am). There isn’t a song on this album that isn’t wonderful.
At the time of release, Discos Melody was dominating the teen market with artists like Alejandra Guzman, Microchips, Timbiriche, and others. The competition was EMI, which had an older set of artists like Yuri and Pandora.
You can listen to Chao’s album, Cruzando El Tiempo online. Let’s us know if you agree with us, or not. Comment below with your opinions.
Since that day, I have been study Latin pop and rock music and have become a Latin pop music historian through the publishing of articles, fanzine, and websites. My goal is to teach people about Latin pop music and the history behind it with my website, Siempre En Domingo.
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