It was only a matter of time before Havana-born Gloria Estefan recorded an album steeped in the intoxicating grooves of Afro-Cuban music. Mi Tierra is a before-and-after moment for the assimilation of authentic Latin textures by the American mainstream. Estefan shines on the lush collection of velvety boleros and funky sones, illustrating the pervasive connection between old-fashioned Cuban styles and salsa. More than the songs themselves or the touches of instrumental virtuosity, the purity in Estefan’s vocals steals the show.