Desde un Principio: From the Beginning [Sony International]

1	No Me Ames / Jennifer Lopez 5:04
2	Si Tu No Te Fueras 4:31
3	Necesito Amarte 4:38
4	Hasta Que Te Conoci 4:52
5	El Ultimo Beso 4:23
6	Te Conozco Bien 5:01
7	Nadie Como Ella 4:44
8	Te Amare 4:35
9	Hasta Ayer 3:57
10	Y Hubo Alguien 6:10
11	Contra la Corriente 4:56
12	No Me Conoces 4:52
13	No Sabes Como Duele 4:51
14	Preciosa 5:12
15	Vivir Lo Nuestro 6:06

Barnes & Noble

Marc Anthony may be a new name to pop fans thanks to his English-language album and single "I Need to Know," but Latin audiences have loved the Nuyorican salsero for years. This new greatest-hits collection is a fine place for Marc's new fans to catch up. These Latin chart-busters, including "Te Conozco Bien," "Contra la Corriente," and his smash duet with Jennifer Lopez, "No Me Ames," amply demonstrate Anthony's primary strength: a vocal technique so completely enveloping it can hold a listener on the edge of her seat, or at least on the edge of one of his carefully tremulous phrases. He excels at evoking the wounded pride and residual bitterness of love gone all wrong -- certainly the ingredients of great salsa songs. "Hasta Que Te Conocí" is a classic example, as Marc limns the beauty and ease of a life more innocent, before love's tumult. His voice ascends, in pain and fury as the song's vamp constricts around the rhythm, reaching a shuddering climax in his account of treason and betrayal. The productions by Sergio George (responsible for Marc's first two hit albums) are state-of-the art Nuyorican salsa, heavy on the bass and R&B inflections. Because only a few of Marc Anthony's original albums are in print (which could change with his 1999 Sony deal) DESDE UN PRINCIPIO should be your first and best bet. Mark Schwartz

All Music Guide

Desde Un Principio is a superb collection of Marc Anthony's biggest salsa hits, which preceded the English language success he attained with his 1999 self-titled album. The only complaint is that several of the songs are severely truncated, especially toward the end, but, nonetheless, this proves to be an ideal introduction to the singer, especially for fans who became aware of him only after "I Need to Know." This album, arranged more or less chronologically, assembles four songs from his debut, Otra Nota, including his gutsy take on Juan Gabriel's "Hasta Que Te Conoci," four songs from his fantastic sophomore album, Todo A Su Tiempo, and four from Contra La Corriente. The album also includes "No Me Ames," his hit duet with Jennifer Lopez from her album On the 6 (which, to Lopez's credit, is surprisingly good), and "Vivir Lo Nuestro," his sizzling duet with India from her album Dicen Que Soy. Finally, the album also includes his version of "Preciosa," which is a tribute to Puerto Rico, and his rendition makes one believe it was written specifically for him. Marc Anthony's delivery is always passionate, sophisticated, and elegant, and, despite a serious lack of liner notes, Desde Un Prinicpio proves a wonderful introduction to the music of Marc Anthony, a singer that, undoubtedly, will one day rank among the best. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide