:Suavemente

In 1993, brothers Héctor and Oscar Serrano formed Grupo Manía in Puerto Rico.{{sfn|Morales|p=250|2003}} They enlisted Alfred Cotto, Reynaldo Santiago, and Elvis Crespo to tour and record two-step merengue music, popularizing the genre to a younger audience.{{sfn|Morales|p=250|2003}} In 1996, Crespo left Grupo Manía and signed with Sony Music Latin (the company which signed his former band), beginning his solo career.{{sfn|Morales|p=249|2003}}{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=July 25, 1998|volume=110|issue=30|page=57|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gkEAAAAMBAJ&q=Crespo+Grupo+Mania&pg=PA57|access-date=4 March 2016}} He said in a May 1999 Billboard interview that leaving the band was "a very hard decision", since they worked well together.{{cite magazine|last1=Ross|first1=Karl|title=Merengue Crew Stays On Winning Streak|magazine=Billboard|date=August 18, 2001|volume=113|issue=33|page=32|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RMEAAAAMBAJ&q=Elvis+Crespo+Suavemente&pg=PA32|access-date=4 March 2016}} Crespo originally intended for "Suavemente" and "Tu Sonrisa", the singles which brought him international recognition, to be recorded with Grupo Manía.

The album was released in the United States on April 14, 1998.{{cite web|title=AllMusic Reviews: Suavemente|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/suavemente-mw0000037699|website=AllMusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=6 March 2016}} Suavemente and American merengue singer Manny Manuel's album, Es Mi Tiempo, increased U.S. tropical-music sales by 27 percent over the previous year. On November 28, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Suavemente gold for shipments of 500,000 copies, the first merengue record certified gold.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=November 28, 1998|volume=110|issue=48|page=38|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MAoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} The album was certified gold in Chile, platinum in Venezuela, and platinum in Central America. During the 1998 Christmas season, Suavemente was among the top-selling Latin albums in the United States.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=January 9, 1999|volume=111|issue=1|page=32|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fw0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo+suavemente&pg=PA32|access-date=20 March 2016}} On February 20, 1999, Sony Discos president Oscar Llord expressed an interest in promoting Suavemente in Latin America and Europe since he believed that the album would sell over one million copies. In May, it sold 1,500,000 copies worldwide.{{cite news|last1=Watrous|first1=Peter|title=For Latin Music, New Worlds To Conquer; English-Speaking Fans Discover a Spanish Voice|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/24/arts/for-latin-music-new-worlds-conquer-english-speaking-fans-discover-spanish-voice.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=21 March 2016|work=The New York Times|date=May 24, 1999}} {{As of|2017|10}} Suavemente has sold over 879,000 copies in the United States, making it the 11th bestselling Latin album in the country according to Nielsen SoundScan.{{cite magazine|last1=Estevez|first1=Marjua|title=The Top 25 Biggest Selling Latin Albums of the Last 25 Years: Selena, Shakira & More|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8005603/selena-quintanilla-top-selling-latin-albums-ranking-25-years|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=18 October 2017|date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017153546/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8005603/selena-quintanilla-top-selling-latin-albums-ranking-25-years|archive-date=October 17, 2017}} Worldwide, it had sold more than 4 million of copies.{{Cite web|last=Túa|first=Lynet Santiago|title=Elvis Crespo celebra 20 años de su éxito "Suavemente"|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/entretenimiento/2019/04/11/elvis-crespo-celebra-20-anos-exito-suavemente.html|access-date=2021-01-02|website=Metro|language=es}}{{Cite web|last=LIVE|first=L. A.|title=Grammy Award Winning Merengue Fusion Star Elvis Crespo's L.A. Performance with his Orchestra at The Conga Room Thursday May 19, 2011 {{!}} L.A. LIVE|url=https://www.lalive.com/news/detail/grammy-award-winning-merengue-fusion-star-elvis-crespos-la-performance-with-his-orchestra-at-the-conga-room-thursday-may-19-2011|access-date=2021-01-02|website=www.lalive.com|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Crespo performed at the 23rd New York Salsa Festival at Madison Square Garden on September 5, 1998, with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and Latin jazz recording artist Eddie Palmieri.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Songs > August 8, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=August 8, 1998|volume=110|issue=32|page=45|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8AkEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} He was part of the Hot Latin Nights show at Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island on September 19, which was broadcast as a two-part Telemundo special on December 14 and 31.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=September 26, 1998|volume=110|issue=39|page=49|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GgoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} On October 11 Crespo (performing with other Latin acts) sang "Suavemente" on the seven-hour Puerto Rico Se Levanta, a benefit concert broadcast live on Telemundo which raised $13 million for victims of Hurricane Georges on Hispaniola.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=October 24, 1998|volume=110|issue=43|page=54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} He performed "Suavemente" at the 1999 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Crespo's appearance was praised by Billboard{{'s}} John Lannert, who believed that it foreshadowed possible dominance at future music awards. He appeared at El Concierto Del Amor, an annual tropical-music festival held at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on February 14, 1999, with fellow salsa singers Jerry Rivera, Frankie Negron, Tito Nieves, and Michael Stuart.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=February 6, 1999|volume=111|issue=5|page=43|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kw4EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} To promote Suavemente Crespo toured Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru in the first quarter of the year, and he performed at Billboard{{'}}s 10th annual Latin Music conference on April 20, 1999.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=November 14, 1998|volume=110|issue=46|page=42|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}}

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In Billboard, Latin music contributor John Lannert called the album a "merengue-bomba disc"{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=And the Award Goes to|magazine=Billboard|date=April 29, 2000|volume=112|issue=18|page=62|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EA8EAAAAMBAJ&q=Suavemente&pg=RA1-PA104|access-date=6 March 2016}} and Crespo a "midtempo pop/merengue" artist. In his 2003 book, The Latin Beat, Ed Morales described the title song as a "salsa classic or pop hit."{{sfn|Morales|p=249|2003}} True crime novelist M. William Phelps called "Suavemente" a "romantic Latin ballad" in his 2008 book, I'll Be Watching You.{{sfn|Phelps|p=228|2008}} In her 2005 book, Pop Culture Latin America, Lisa Shaw called "Suavemente" "an example of some of the best merengue with a rock-pop sound."{{sfn|Shaw|Dennison|p=29|2005}} According to Batanga magazine, Suavemente is "intoxicating, feverish, pure sabroso merengue. Sizzle in the summer streets to the fast-paced beats, ear busting horns and percussive stamina";{{cite journal|title=Batanga Music|journal=Batanga|date=2004|issue=7–10|page=27}} Latina magazine noted the album's "feverish beat".{{cite journal|title=Idaho: Shaping Up Moms As Role Models|journal=Latina|date=November 2006|volume=11|page=476}} Spanish-language magazine Vistazo called Crespo the new sensation of merengue music,{{cite journal|title=Unknown Title|journal=Vistazo|date=January 1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k5MwAAAAYAAJ&q=Naci%C3%B3+en+Nueva+York+y+es+la+nueva+sensaci%C3%B3n+del+merengue.+Su+tema,+Suavemente+que+es+el+himno+de+los+que+les+gusta+la+%22pachanga%22.+De+su+%C3%A9xito+en+Norteam%C3%A9rica,+ha+dicho,+%22me+satisface|access-date=20 March 2016|url-access=subscription }} and his album a favorite of listeners who enjoy pachanga.

Sony Music International Latin America president Frank Welzer called Crespo a "genius" who wrote "catchy fan-pleasing" songs.

Terry Jenkins of AllMusic praised the album's "seductive Latin ballads" and found the focal mode of the recording to be sentimental, strong, lively, and swinging.{{cite web|last1=Jenkins|first1=Terry|title=Suavemente > Album Reviews|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/suavemente-mw0000037699|website=AllMusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=21 March 2016}} Business Wire noted its popularity in the American and Latino markets.{{cite news|title=Elvis Crespo Earns Grammy Nomination for Latin Smash "Suavemente".|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Elvis+Crespo+Earns+Grammy+Nomination+for+Latin+Smash+%22Suavemente%22.-a053536788|access-date=21 March 2016|work=Business Wire|date=1999|archive-date=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403183616/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Elvis+Crespo+Earns+Grammy+Nomination+for+Latin+Smash+%22Suavemente%22.-a053536788|url-status=dead}} The Los Angeles Times called Suavemente and Crespo's repertoire "energy-packed".{{cite news|title=Latin Grammy Award Winner, Elvis Crespo, Brings Merengue to Musical Line-Up of La 2da Edicion Premios Fox Sports.|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Latin+Grammy+Award+Winner,+Elvis+Crespo,+Brings+Merengue+to+Musical...-a0125403270|access-date=21 March 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 29, 2004|archive-date=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403195427/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Latin%20Grammy%20Award%20Winner%2C%20Elvis%20Crespo%2C%20Brings%20Merengue%20to%20Musical...-a0125403270|url-status=dead}} Billboard{{'s}} Lannert wrote that other Latin acts tried to emulate Crespo's style.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=April 22, 2000|volume=112|issue=17|page=50|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8A4EAAAAMBAJ&q=suavemente+elvis+crespo&pg=PA50|access-date=21 March 2016}}

Suavemente debuted at number six on the U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums chart for the week ending May 2, 1998. In its second week the album rose to number five,{{cite magazine|title=Top Latin Albums > May 9, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=May 9, 1998|volume=110|issue=19|pages=29, 53, 54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=6 March 2016}} selling 3,000 copies.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Elvis Crespo Has His Own Shakin' Goin' On|magazine=Billboard|date=May 16, 1998|volume=110|issue=20|page=45|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=6 March 2016}} Suavemente was number three on the chart for the week ending May 16, selling 5,000 copies (a 60-percent increase). The following week the album rose to number two, behind Selena's Anthology box set, and sold 7,000 copies.{{cite magazine|title=Top Latin Albums > May 23, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=May 23, 1998|volume=110|issue=21|page=58|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=6 March 2016}} The sales increase placed Suavemente at number 188 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, only the second merengue album to make that chart. In its fifth week, album sales fell 50 percent and it dropped to number eight.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=May 30, 1998|volume=110|issue=22|page=65|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=6 March 2016}} The following week (which included the Memorial Day weekend), Suavemente moved up to number six.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=June 6, 1998|volume=110|issue=23|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bw4EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=6 March 2016}} For the week ending June 13, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 170 and peaked at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart. The next week it dropped to number three and 197 on the Top Latin Albums and Billboard 200 charts, respectively.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=June 20, 1998|volume=110|issue=25|page=55|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-w0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=6 March 2016}} Suavemente sold 6,000 copies for the week ending June 13, rising to number two on the Top Latin Albums chart behind Ricky Martin's Vuelve.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=June 13, 1998|volume=110|issue=26|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7w0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo+suavemente&pg=PA60|access-date=6 March 2016}} The album dropped to third the following week.{{cite magazine|title=Top Latin Albums > June 20, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=June 20, 1998|volume=110|issue=25|page=55|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-w0EAAAAMBAJ&q=suavemente|access-date=20 March 2016}} Suavemente sold 6,000 copies the next week, rising to number two behind Vuelve.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=June 27, 1998|volume=110|issue=26|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7w0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} After five weeks behind Vuelve, Suavemente passed it on the Top Latin Albums chart when its sales increased 16 percent to 8,600 copies.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=August 1, 1998|volume=110|issue=31|page=57|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8wkEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} For the week of August 8, 1998, it fell back to number two behind Vuelve. After three weeks of declining sales, Suavemente was number three when it sold 5,000 copies as "Tu Sonrisa" (its second single) topped the Hot Latin Songs chart. It ended 1998 as the year's eighth-bestselling Latin album. Suavemente spent 98 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Top Latin Albums chart, the second-longest run in history.{{cite magazine|last1=Mayfield|first1=Geoff|title=Over the Counter|magazine=Billboard|date=May 31, 2003|volume=115|issue=22|page=87|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=suavemente+sold&pg=PA87|access-date=26 March 2016}}

The album remained atop the U.S. Tropical Albums chart for seven consecutive weeks after its release. It began sliding down the chart, but remained near the top. Suavemente returned to the top of the Tropical Albums chart after twelve weeks behind the Dance with Me soundtrack.{{cite magazine|title=Top Latin Albums > November 21, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=November 21, 1998|volume=110|issue=47|page=50|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HQoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} The following week it sold 4,000 copies, remaining at number one. In the album's fourth consecutive week atop the chart, it sold 6,500 copies. During its fifth straight week atop the Tropical Albums chart, it sold 6,000 copies, down 16 percent. Suavemente ended 1998 as the fourth-bestselling tropical-music album. In its ninth consecutive week atop the Tropical Albums chart the album sold 7,000 copies, down 17 percent from the previous week.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Songs > January 23, 1999|magazine=Billboard|date=January 23, 1999|volume=111|issue=3|page=45|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yg0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} The following week, its tenth consecutive at number one, it sold 7,500 copies (up seven percent).{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Songs > January 30, 1999|magazine=Billboard|date=January 30, 1999|volume=111|issue=4|page=42|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Q0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} For the week ending February 6, 1999, although sales of Suavemente dipped 13 percent to 6,500 copies the album remained atop the chart. On the February 27, 1999, chart, album sales increased by 67 percent.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Tracks|magazine=Billboard|date=February 27, 1999|volume=111|issue=9|page=44|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} The following week sales decreased 30 percent to 7,000 copies, but Suavemente remained atop the Tropical Albums chart for its fourteenth straight week.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=March 6, 1999|volume=111|issue=10|page=47|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8g0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}}

The album debuted at number 43 on the U.S. Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart for the week ending May 2, 1998;{{cite magazine|title=Heateekers Albums > May 2, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=May 2, 1998|volume=110|issue=18|pages=20, 47, 48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XA0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=6 March 2016}} the following week, it rose to number 39. For the week ending May 16, the album jumped to number 13; the following week, it rose to number nine. In subsequent weeks, the album continued to rise up the chart; for the week ending June 13, it was number five.{{cite magazine|title=Heatseekers Albums > June 13, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=June 13, 1998|volume=110|issue=24|page=21|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo+suavemente&pg=PA21|access-date=6 March 2016}}

After "Suavemente" debuted at number 15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart for the week ending April 25, 1998, the magazine's John Lannert predicted that Crespo could "easily win a new artist award" in 1999.{{cite magazine|title=Top Latin Albums > April 28, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=April 28, 1998|volume=110|issue=17|page=46|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=6 March 2016}} Billboard music analyst Karl Ross called the album's title song "a sultry [track] about the power of a kiss". For the week ending May 16 "Suavemente" peaked at number one, displacing "Una Fan Enamorada" by Servando y Florentino. Crespo became the first merengue recording artist with a number-one single on the Hot Latin Songs chart since Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra's "El Costo De la Vida" six years earlier. "Suavemente" remained at number one with 13 million audience impressions, a four-percent increase over the previous week. The song broke the record for most weeks at number one for a tropical-music recording on the Hot Latin Songs chart (six) since Billboard began monitoring Latin airplay in 1986, and it was number one on the Tropical Songs chart for nine consecutive weeks.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Latin Notas|magazine=Billboard|date=July 25, 1998|volume=110|issue=30|page=58|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Suavemente+elvis+crespo&pg=PA58}} "Suavemente" ended 1998 as the year's most-successful tropical single. Sony Discos president Oscar Llord told Billboard about the "carefulness" of crossing over into the English-language market, calling the lead single a process done "naturally" as a result of two U.S. radio stations (in Miami and New) York requesting a Spanglish version. The bilingual version was released in Germany in the second quarter of 1999. "Suavemente" became Crespo's most-popular song and a "teenage anthem" in the Latino community.{{cite news|last1=Hernandez|first1=Lee|title=Elvis Crespo: 'Suavemente' Singer Turns 40!|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/30/elvis-crespo-birthday-suavemente_n_1719516.html|access-date=21 March 2016|work=The Huffington Post|date=July 30, 2012}}{{cite magazine|last1=Cobo|first1=Leila|title=Sony Discos' Crespo Unleashes WOW Flash!|magazine=Billboard|date=October 21, 2000|volume=112|issue=43|page=105|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QBIEAAAAMBAJ&q=Tu+Sonrisa+elvis&pg=PA105|access-date=21 March 2016}}{{cite magazine|last1=Llewellyn|first1=Howell|title=Crossing the Pond|magazine=Billboard|date=February 19, 2000|volume=112|issue=8|page=48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=Tu+Sonrisa+elvis&pg=PA48|access-date=21 March 2016}} It was the first Sony Music Latin release to debut on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 84.{{cite web|title=Suavemente > Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/suavemente-mw0000037699/awards|website=AllMusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=21 March 2016}}

The album's second single, "Tu Sonrisa", was distributed to U.S. radio stations in the second week of July 1998. It debuted at number 21 on the U.S. Hot Latin Tracks chart, as "Suavemente" remained in the top five. The song peaked at number one on the Tropical Songs chart, Crespo's second number one. "Tu Sonrisa" topped the Hot Latin Tracks chart in its sixth week, the singer's second number one on that chart.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Songs > August 29, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=August 29, 1998|volume=110|issue=35|page=66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} It displaced "Te Quiero Tanto Tanto" by Mexican Latin pop group Onda Vaselina, and Crespo became the first merengue artist with two number-one Hot Latin Tracks singles. After a week at number one, "Tu Sonrisa" was displaced by Gloria Estefan's "Oye!".{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Tracks > September 5, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=September 5, 1998|volume=110|issue=36|page=88|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DQoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} A week later it again topped the chart for one week before being displaced by "Perdido Sin Ti", Martin's fourth single from Vuelve.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Tracks > September 19, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=September 19, 1998|volume=110|issue=38|page=72|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} After the success of "Suavemente{{"'}}s bilingual version, Sony Music distributed a club mix of "Tu Sonrisa" to radio stations in February 1999. Billboard Latin music contributor Leila Cobo called the song "catchy"{{cite magazine|last1=Cobo|first1=Leila|title=Crespo Turns 'Urbano' For Sony Discos|magazine=Billboard|date=May 18, 2002|volume=114|issue=20|page=55|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mg8EAAAAMBAJ&q=Tu+Sonrisa+elvis&pg=PA55|access-date=21 March 2016}} and (with "Suavemente") "irresistible". "Tu Sonrisa" is the fifteenth-most-successful Sony Discos single on the Hot Latin Tracks chart since the chart was established in 1999.{{cite magazine|last1=Mayfield|first1=Geoff|title=Charting Sony Discos' Success|magazine=Billboard|date=November 20, 1999|volume=111|issue=47|page=74|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwgEAAAAMBAJ&q=Tu+Sonrisa+elvis&pg=PA74|access-date=21 March 2016}}

"Luna Llena", Suavemente{{'s}} third single, debuted and peaked at number 29 on the Hot Latin Tracks chart for the week ending December 12, 1998.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Tracks > December 12, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=December 12, 1998|volume=110|issue=50|page=42|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} It dropped off the chart after a week{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Tracks > December 19, 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=December 19, 1998|volume=110|issue=51|page=36|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KQoEAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} before charting on Hot Latin Tracks and Tropical Songs at 33 and 13, respectively, for the week ending January 16, 1999.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Latin Tracks > January 16, 1999|magazine=Billboard|date=January 16, 1999|volume=111|issue=2|page=40|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} The song peaked at 26 and 11 on the Hot Latin Songs and Tropical Songs charts, respectively. The fourth and final single from the album, "Nuestra Cancion", was less successful; it peaked at number 17 on the Tropical Songs chart in 1999.

Suavemente is considered to have revolutionized merengue music, making it a popular subgenre of Latin music,{{cite magazine|last1=Cobo|first1=Leila|title=Merengue Melange|magazine=Billboard|date=June 2, 2007|volume=119|issue=22|page=18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BxMEAAAAMBAJ&q=suavemente+elvis+crespo&pg=PA18|access-date=21 March 2016}} and the album brought Crespo international recognition in the merengue market.{{sfn|Sellers|p=168|2004}} The singer is the first merengue artist with an album atop the U.S. Top Latin Albums chart,{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=10th Annual Latin Music Conference|magazine=Billboard|date=April 24, 1999|volume=111|issue=17|pages=47, 67, 79|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eigEAAAAMBAJ&q=suavemente|access-date=6 March 2016}} and two number-one songs on the U.S. Hot Latin Songs chart. Billboard cited Crespo and American singer-actor Carlos Ponce as jump-starting the US market with their albums.{{cite magazine|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=The Year in Music|magazine=Billboard|date=December 28, 1998|volume=110|issue=52|page=YE-28|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mw0EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} According to Billboard{{'s}} Karl Ross, Crespo transcended the U.S. Latino market and his success may have been felt in Europe and the Pacific Rim.{{cite magazine|last1=Ross|first1=Karl|title=The Smooth Solo Success of Elvis Crespo|magazine=Billboard|date=February 20, 1999|volume=111|issue=8|page=38|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zg4EAAAAMBAJ&q=elvis+crespo|access-date=20 March 2016}} Sony Discos president Oscar Llord called Suavemente the "most successful debut album of a Tropical artist in history." Suavemente was listed as the third best-charting and -selling Sony Discos album during the Top Latin Albums twenty-fifth year in 1999. Crespo was ranked fifth on the Hot Latin Songwriters in 1998, eleventh on the Top Latin Albums Artists, seventh on the Hot Latin Tracks Artists, fourth on the Top Tropical Album Artists, and second on the Tropical Tracks Artists lists. Suavemente has been named one of the most essential Latin albums of the past 50 years by Billboard,{{cite magazine|title=The 50 Greatest Latin Albums of the Past 50 Years|url=http://www.billboard.com/photos/6686047/50-most-essential-latin-albums-past-50-years/1|magazine=Billboard|access-date=22 March 2016}} and its title song became a staple in Latin-music nightclubs.{{sfn|Brusca|p=46|2011}}{{sfn|Pritchard|Russo|p=48|2010}} The lead single also became a popular tune in Mexico, where it was used in festivals around the country.{{sfn|Santana|p=115|2005}} "Suavemente" ranked number 219 on Pitchfork's list of the 250 best songs of the 1990s. According to contributor Gio Santiago, "Suavemente" catapulted merengue into the mainstream, introducing it to a wider audience, and ending the genre's waning popularity. Since its release, the song has become a staple at any Latino gathering and elicits attendees to dance once the a cappella opening of the song begins, which is followed by an explosion of horns, güira, and percussion that evokes an endless state of euphoria, according to Santiago.{{cite web |last1=Santiago |first1=Gio |title=The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-songs-of-the-1990s/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220927171945/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-songs-of-the-1990s/ |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |date=27 September 2022}}

At the 1999 Billboard Latin Music Awards Crespo received four nominations (including Album of the Year and Hot Latin Track of the Year), tying him with Selena for the most nominations in a single year; the record was later broken by Tito El Bambino, with 18 nominations in 2010.{{cite web|title=2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards|url=http://www1.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/photos/stylus/158808-2010-LATIN-AWARDS-WINNERS.pdf|website=Billboardevents.com|access-date=6 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221104/http://www1.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/photos/stylus/158808-2010-LATIN-AWARDS-WINNERS.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2016|df=mdy-all}} He won New Artist Album of the Year and Latin Dance Maxi-Single of the Year. Crespo was the Latin 50 Artist of the Year at the 2000 Billboard Latin Music Awards (the top-selling Latin artist from January 1999 to January 2000). He was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Performance in 1999, losing to Marc Anthony's Contra la Corriente.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zn0VAAAAIBAJ&pg=5909,1317889&dq|title=Top Grammy nominations|date=January 6, 1999|access-date=April 24, 2010|work=The Register-Guard|publisher=Guard Publishing}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At the 11th Premio Lo Nuestros, Crespo received six nominations and won five awards: Tropical Album of the Year, Tropical Song of the Year, Tropical Male Artist of the Year, Tropical-Salsa Duo or Group of the Year (shared with Milly Quezada), and Tropical New Artist of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://i.univision.com/contentuvn/rinconlatino/plnuestro/images/index_historia.swf|title=Lo Nuestro – Historia |language=Spanish |work=Univision |publisher=Univision Communications|access-date=March 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102925/http://i.univision.com/contentuvn/rinconlatino/plnuestro/images/index_historia.swf|archive-date=June 26, 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/notas/292976-%C2%BFquienes-se-llevaran-esta-noche-el-premio-lo-nuestro-%2299|title=¿Quiénes se llevarán esta noche el Premio Lo Nuestro "99?|language=Spanish|work=Panamá América|publisher=Grupo Epasa|date=May 6, 1999|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615032738/http://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/notas/292976-%C2%BFquienes-se-llevaran-esta-noche-el-premio-lo-nuestro-%2299|archive-date=June 15, 2013 }}

On April 11, 2019, the album was re-released to celebrate its 20th anniversary.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Suavemente-20-Anniversary-Elvis-Crespo/dp/B07PXGZ14Y |title=Suavemente 20 Anniversary|website=Amazon}} Nine of its tracks were redone into a salsa or mambo version. The song "Abracadabra" was added.

{{track listing

| collapsed =

| headline =

| title1 = Suavemente

| note1 =

| writer1 = Elvis Crespo

| length1 = 4:28

| title2 = Nuestra Canción

| note2 =

| writer2 = Homero d'Rodriguez

| length2 = 3:30

| title3 = Luna Llena

| note3 =

| writer3 = Raldy Vázquez

| length3 = 4:26

| title4 = Me Arrepiento

| note4 =

| writer4 = Luis A. Cruz

| length4 = 3:47

| title5 = Princesita

| note5 =

| writer5 = Juan L. Guzman

| length5 = 4:49

| title6 = Tu Sonrisa

| note6 =

| writer6 = Elvis Crespo

| length6 = 4:34

| title7 = Yo Me Moriré

| note7 =

| writer7 = Juan Perez

| length7 = 3:33

| title8 = Llorando

| note8 =

| writer8 = Elvis Crespo

| length8 = 3:57

| title9 = Por Qué?

| note9 =

| writer9 = Vázquez

| length9 = 4:25

| title10 = Te Vas

| note10 =

| writer10 = Vázquez

| length10 = 4:19

}}

{{track listing

| collapsed =

| headline = 20th Anniversary

| title11 = Abracadabra

| note11 =

| writer11 =

| length11 = 4:25

}}

• Alternate version of Track #1-9 were made for this edition.
• The song "Te Vas" was the only song from the original edition not included nor remade. It was replaced by the song Abracadabra released in 2019. It was the only merengue in this edition as the other 9 songs were remade for another genre.

Adapted from AllMusic.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Vocals

• Elvis Crespo – vocals, backing vocalist, composer, producer
• Juan "Tun Tun" Castro – backing vocalist, arranger
• Roberto Cora – backing vocalist, arranger, mixing, producer
• Henry Garcia – backing vocalist
• Raldy Vasquez – backing vocalist

Musicians

• Luis Aquino – trumpet
• Jose Dario del Rosario – trumpet
• Jose Diaz – saxophone
• Luis A. Cruz – piano, producer
• Alexis Fratacelli – guitar
• Miguel Gonzalez – bass
• Hector Herreras – congas, percussion

{{col-2}}

Production

• Marcos Careera – arranger
• Israel Raynoso Casado – arranger
• Jose Gazmey – executive producer
• Richard Marcell – arranger, bass, director, keyboards, piano
• Maximo Torres – requinto
• Ricky Marti – engineer
• Papo Rios – mixing, producer

Design

• Rafi Claudio – photography
• Ed Coreano – designer

{{col-end}}

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|title=Suavemente|artist=Elvis Crespo|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1998|certyear=1998|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110706084844/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date= 6 July 2011 |title=Discos de oro y platino |access-date=24 August 2019 |publisher=Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas |language=Spanish |url-status=dead }}|salesamount=181,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Elvis+Crespo&pg=PA64|title=Frank Welzer|magazine=Billboard|page=64|first=John|last=Lannert}}}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=Central America|award=Platinum|certref=|nosales=true}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|title=Suavemente|artist=Elvis Crespo|type=album|award=Platinum+Gold|relyear=1998|relmonth=4}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=Suavemente|artist=Elvis Crespo|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1999|certref={{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos. Año a año. 1959–2002|trans-title=Only Hits. Year by year. 1959–2002|year=1999|location=Madrid, Spain|publisher=Iberautor Promociones Culturales|page=950|language=Spanish|isbn=978-84-8048-639-2}}|salesamount=150,000|salesref={{cite news|url=https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19991202-127.html|title=Elvis Crespo: suavemente latino|newspaper=ABC|page=127|language=es}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Suavemente|artist=Elvis Crespo|award=Platinum|number=26|relyear=1999|certyear=2024|Spanish=yes|salesamount=879,000|salesref=}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=Uruguay|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|certyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|nocert=true|salesamount=500,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}

• 1998 in Latin music
• List of number-one Billboard Top Latin Albums from the 1990s
• List of number-one Billboard Tropical Albums from the 1990s
• List of best-selling Latin albums
• List of best-selling Latin albums in the United States

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin|30em}}

• {{cite book|last1=Morales|first1=Ed|title=The Latin Beat: The Rhythms And Roots Of Latin Music From Bossa Nova To Salsa And Beyond|url=https://archive.org/details/latinbeatrhythms00mora_0|url-access=registration|date=2003|publisher=Da Capo Press|isbn=0-7867-3020-X}}
• {{Cite book| last1 =Pritchard| first1 =Connor|last2=Russo|first2=Dominic| title =The Party Bible: The Good Book for Great Times| year =2010| publisher =Adams Media| isbn =978-1-4405-0812-7}}
• {{Cite book| last = Phelps| first =M. William|author-link1=M. William Phelps| title =I'll Be Watching You| year =2008| publisher =Pinnacle Books|isbn =978-0-7860-2718-7}}
• {{cite book|last1=Santana|first1=Ramón Antonio Glass|title=Merengue: ritmo que contagia! : historia del merengue en México|date=2005|publisher=Plaza y Valdes|isbn=970-722-419-3}}
• {{cite book|last1=Sellers|first1=Julie A.|title=Merengue and Dominican Identity: Music as National Unifier|date=2004|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=0-7864-1815-X|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/merenguedominica00juli}}
• {{Cite book| last = Brusca| first =Donny| title =Dj Music List Essentials| year =2011| publisher =Lulu.com|edition=2|isbn =978-1-257-11069-8}}
• {{Cite book| last1 = Shaw| first1 =Lisa|last2=Dennison|first2=Stephanie| title =Pop Culture Latin America!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle| year =2005| publisher =ABC-CLIO|isbn =1-85109-504-7}}

{{Refend}}

• {{Discogs master|type=album|279590|name=Suavemente}}

{{Elvis Crespo}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Good article}}

Category:Elvis Crespo albums

Category:1998 debut albums

Category:Sony Discos albums