This has to be Gloria Estefans most accomplished album and one of her best. Conveying strong messages of love and spirituality over percussive afro cuban rhythms it really hits home. It's title track "Destiny" speaks of a sometimes dangerous and obsessive love, one that we can't turn away from no matter what the circumstances, while "I'm not giving you up" tells the tale of a thwarted love affair where the love is so strong and loyal it can beat the odds. Lyrically the album is quite deep without being pretentious..even it's upbeat tracks "You'll be mine (Party Time)" is in my opinion singing the celebrations of what waits for us after we leave this world..that no matter what we are in life or what we're seeking, the biggest party is yet to come.."When the sun is setting in the sky, everybody knows it's party-time" while "Higher" is an all out anti-drug anthem..."Path of the right love" is probably the most spiritual track on the album and with it's unforgettable haunting chorus it says that we all seek the same in life..to be loved, but sometimes without realising we're on a direct path towards it, it's all around us but we take it for granted. While it's first single "Reach" the theme tune to the 96 Olympics is one if the most up-lifting, positive and influential songs I've heard..."So I'll do whatever it takes..Follow through with the promise I made"...an excellent anthem but avoiding all the anthemic cliches in it's production and arrangements! Do yourself a favour..but this cd, sit back and listen!

Destiny marks the return to English music for Gloria Estefan, but the African, Carribbean, and Latin influences of her last few years can easily be heard here. From the very African You'll Be Mine (Party Time) to the beautifully rich Spanish guitar on Steal Your Heart, the world rhythms permeate this album. Reach, which is probably most familiar from radio play, is unsurprisingly the most mainstream song here. While I don't care for a couple of the songs, many of the others spontaneously pop into my head frequently. Highly recommended.

By far, this is probably the best Gloria Estefan CD. I've never heard such creativity and emotion on an album before. Each song is very deep, leaving you looking at your life and the relationships you have. "Destiny" speaks about changing your life and accepting your fate, while the ballads "I'm Not Giving You Up" "Steal Your Heart" "I Know You Too Well" and "The Heart Never Learns" speak about relationships and the effect it has on the people in it. Gloria's dance style comes through in "You'll Be Mine (Party Time) and "Higher." Gloria pens tribute to her daughter Emily in "Along Came You (A Song For Emily)" Let's not forget about the official theme for the 1996 Olympics and very inspiring "Reach." Although the rest of the songs are magnificant, the most heart-wrenching, emotional ballad is track 7, "Show Me The Way Back To Your Heart." I must say, this song ranks better than Gloria's classic ballads such as, "Anything For You" and "Here We Are." I was amazed when I heard this song. Her voice glides with the music, very passionate. The guitar solo in the middle is outstanding. Gloria's best ballad. All in all, this CD is phenominal...very deep, emotional and relaxing. If that wasn't enough, you also get a bonus CD-Extra when you load the CD into your PC. Pick it up, I GUARANTEE you, you will NOT be disappointed!

I am by far the biggest Gloria Estefan fan in my home state (SD), and most likely the US, and Destiny is my favorite album by Gloria. What bugs me is that nowadays, the only Latin music there is playing is Ricky and Jennifer, and that's not even true Latin in my mind, its just a bad blend of pop and latin. However, this album is pure Latin from the title track, to my favorite song, "Reach". The mezmorizing guitar playing on "Steal Your Heart", and the ballad "Show Me the Way Back to Your Heart" written by Diane Warren are just some other favs on this album and let's not forget "Along Came You" which Gloria wrote for her daughter. This album has everything, including great dance numbers. So if you like REAL latin music, then I can't tell you how much I reccommend this album.

Quality in every department on this album. As an artist she always gives the best to the listner. You know what you get, but it`s nothing wrong with that. From the opening track Destiny to Track 11 Reach there is just small musical letdowns to not give the CD a five star. But the glorious "Estefan touch" shines trough the weaker things anyway. Personally I prefer here when she sings in spanish, because it`s more real in a way. You get anyway a good mix of slow songs
and songs with more "up tempo" beat. Track 5 You`ll be mine is a good example of that. Track 9 Along came you is an another example wich realy make you "cha cha cha" all trough. The acoustic Track 11 Reach is a classical Estefan
songs as we like it. A fine end to a good musical journey.