by David Jeffries
"Not just the hits, but the life-changing songs" is the motto of Sony BMG's Mis Favoritas series, which is something to keep in mind when an a cappella version of "Huelo a Soledad" appears toward the end of this Ana Gabriel set. Another thing to keep in mind is the mountain of compilations already available featuring the Mexican singer's work, so an alternative viewpoint is welcome, especially since this one pulls representative selections from her work in pop, rock, and rancheras. The version of "Hice Bien en Quererte" comes from her smash 1990 album En Vivo; "Cosas del Amor" is the duet version with Vikki Carr; while the recording of "Y Aqui Estoy" comes from her 1986 effort Sagitario, rather than the redo recorded for 1991's Mi Mexico. With all those great -- but not necessarily "most popular" -- choices in place, the only thing left to know about this alternative view is that the years covered are 1987 to 2004, since Gabriel left Sony BMG and moved to the EMI family of labels in 2005.