The title of Gloria Estefan's latest album, 90 Millas (90 Miles), alludes to the physical distance between her native Cuba and the United States. It's no surprise, then, that lyrically she continues her peaceful activism in favor of democracy on the island nation. These include beautiful ballads such as "Cuando Cuba Sea Libre" ("When Cuba Is Free"), as well as romantic songs such as "No Llores" ("Don't Cry"), a down-tempo rumba that features Carlos Santana, José Feliciano, and Miami's own legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.
The disc is made more poignant by the fact that it was Israel "Cachao" López's final studio recording. Lopez, along with his brother Orestes, is credited with the creation of mambo — arguably the first Cuban genre to be recognized around the world — in the late Thirties. The veteran bassist passed away last December at age 89, just a few months after 90 Millas was released.
A lifelong South Floridian since emigrating from Cuba as a small child, Estefan understands the importance of giving back to the fans who helped make her an international celebrity. As such, part of the profits from her concert at Hard Rock Live will be donated to education funds in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Indian River public schools.
