OK, here's the bad news: If you don't speak Spanish you won't know what they're singing on "Voces Unidas," the third of five official Olympic albums, slated for May release.
But EMI Latin director Jose Behar - the driving force behind the album - thinks the language barrier won't be a problem: "It's all about hope and peace and unity."And you can dance to it.
The album features more than 20 Spanish-language artists, including Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Placido Domingo and the late Selena. And though the title translates as "United Voices," the album showcases the diverse sounds of Spanish-speaking musicians, from Miami beat to tejano bounce to barrio ballad.
"It's an amalgamation of all these cultures," Behar says. "While they're all different, they're similar also. That was the vision when we started two years ago - not to just make an album about pole vaulting or swimming, but use the concept of the Olympics, which neutralizes divisions."
The album's first cut, "Puedes Llegar," hits airwaves at 8 a.m. March 26. If you ask producer Emilio Estefan Jr., recording it was an Olympian feat in itself.
The song features nine artists: Estefan's wife Gloria, Secada, Julio Iglesias, Domingo, Roberto Carlos, Patricia Sosa, Alejandro Fernandez, Ricky Martin and Carlos Vives. And each of them was recorded separately, in different parts of the world.
"When we cut this track, we did it in five different keys, because I was looking for a very bright sound," Estefan says. "I wanted it to be very emotional. But at the same time, you're dealing with a very different vocal range, from Placido Domingo to Julio to Gloria."
As for the task of mixing all the voices in the studio, Estefan (who produced two other cuts on the album) says, "Sometimes it's like being an interior designer: You have everything in your head, but then when you try to explain, it's difficult."
"Puedes Llegar" translates as "you can get there." An English version called "Reach" sung by Gloria Estefan (who co-wrote the tune) appears on the Olympic R&B album.
Behar selected the artists himself, hiring "a regular army of songwriters that submitted material to us, which we then submitted to the artists." The details of an Olympic classical album (from Sony) and a jazz album (from DMX) have yet to be announced.
The final two tracks of the "Voces Unidas" were being mixed this week. An initial 500,000 albums will be shipped in May; a price hasn't been determined. Expect additional "Voces" merchandise (from mugs to T-shirts) featuring the album logo by New York artist Javier Romero.
Oh, and once you get your hands on the CD, here's a listening tip from Estefan: "Remember: The more you drink, the better we sound."