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Spanish language music: Latin Pop
ABOUT LATIN POP
In the early 1990s, the US witnessed a grand expansion in Latin music,
driven by a growing Hispanic population and several crossover artists.
Though not restricted to the US, Latin pop was greatly influenced by
production methods and musical styles that originated mainly in the
US. In addition, Miami and New York each had a thriving Latin club scene
that fueled the Latinized dance-pop movement. In 1999, Latin pop further
boosted its commercial success with the popular acceptance of crossover
stars Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez.
LATIN POP ARTISTS
Marc
Anthony (New York, USA)
CD Amar sin mentiras [2005] LISTEN
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CD REVIEW: Amar sin mentiras finds pop-salsero Marc
Anthony standing comfortably at the crossroads of his bilingual career.
The album (his first since 2002's English-language Mended) is
Anthony's first foray into Latin pop, and it's one of his finest efforts
overall. Anthony's previous Spanish-language albums were fiery salsa
collections, and they helped him cement his status as the genre's premiere
superstar. His English pop releases, however, never quite matched that
passion, mostly because of drippy production and syrupy sweet songwriting.
Amar Sin Mentiras sees the accomplished singer conquering the
romantic ballad territory occupied by the likes of Enrique Iglesias
and Ricky Martin with an eenthusiastic energy. First single "Ahora
Quien" is anchored by a lovely arrangement featuring the London
Symphony Orchestra. Equally compelling is "Escapemonos," Anthony's
duet with blushing bride Jennifer Lopez from the film "Shall We
Dance?" Through it all, Anthony's rich voice remains a marvel.
And for those disappointed by the overall pensive mood, fear not: a
salsa version of the album is scheduled to be released later this year.
-- Review by Joey Guerra
CD Soundtrack El
Cantate [2007] LISTEN
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CD | CD Sigo siendo yo: Grandes
exitos [2006] LISTEN
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CD |CD Marc Anthony
[1999] LISTEN
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CD | CD Libre [2001]
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CD | CD Valió la pena
[2004] LISTEN
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CD | CD Exitos eternos [2003]
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CD
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Christina
Aguilera (New York, USA)
CD Stripped
[2002] LISTEN
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CD REVIEW: Underneath all Christine
Aguilera's coy affectations and vocal gymnastics lurks a rare talent.
With her second album, Aguilera allows it to flower by abandoning all
pretense at courting the teenage market. Stripped is a seemingly
effortless move into weightier adult territory. Using her extraordinary
voice as a much subtler instrument, Aguilera sings movingly and with
grit and anger about the disintegration of a relationship; she's ultimately
stronger for the pain. But that's not her whole agenda. Aguilera also
extols the power of women on "Can't Hold Us Down," which features
Lil' Kim. Other guests include Dave Navarro, Redman, and Alicia Keys.
Aguilera cowrote most of the songs on the disc and produced one cut.
She also partnered with former 4 Non Blondes leader and Pink collaborator
Linda Perry on four songs, which gives Aguilera a rock edge that she
has never before displayed. -- Review by Jaan Uhelszki
CD Back to Basics [2006]
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CD | CD Mi reflejo [2000]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Christina Aguilera
[1999] LISTEN
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CD | CD Just Be Free [2001]
LISTEN
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CD
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at amazon
Aventura
(Bronx, USA / Dominican Republic)
CD K.O.B.: Live [2006]
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CD | CD God's Project
[2005] BUY
CD | CD We Broke the Rules
[2002] BUY
CD
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David
Bisbal (Spain)
CD Oye El Boom
[2007] LISTEN
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CD | CD Premonición
[2006] LISTEN
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CD | CD Bulería [2004]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Corazón Latino
[2002] LISTEN
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CD
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Celtas
Cortos (Spain)
CD
20 Soplando Versos [2006] BUY
CD | CD C'est
la vie [2004] BUY
CD | CD Nos
vemos en los bares [2004] BUY
CD
Browse or buy Celtas Cortos CDs at amazon
Chayanne
(Puerto Rico)
CD Mi tiempo
[2007] LISTEN
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CD | CD Desde siempre
[2005] LISTEN
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CD | CD Sincero [2003]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Grandes exitos [2002]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Influencias
[1994] LISTEN
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CD | CD Tiempo de vals [1990]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Atado a tu amor [1998]
LISTEN
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CD
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Cristian
(Castro) (Mexico)
CD El Indomable
[2007] LISTEN
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CD | CD Azul [2001]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Amar es [2003]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Canciones que amo
[2003] BUY
CD | CD 15 Greatest Hits
[2003] BUY
CD | CD Mi vida sin tu amor
[1999] LISTEN
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CD | CD Lo mejor de mi [1997]
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CD
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Sergio
Dalma (Spain)
CD Lo Mejor de
Sergio Dalma 1989-2004 [2004] LISTEN
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CD | CD Historias normales
[1999] LISTEN
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CD | CD Nueva Vida [2001]
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CD
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Gloria
Estefan (Cuba / Florida, USA)
CD Amor y suerte: Exitos románticos
[2004] LISTEN
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CD REVIEW: Gloria Estefan may have fallen out of commercial
favor with English-speaking audiences over the past several years, but
her musical output has hardly reflected a change. It's particularly
true of her Spanish-language recordings, on which she has continually
evolved and explored new, diverse sounds. Amor y Suerte: Exitos Romanticos
chronicles that impressive path, culling some of Estefan's best work
from the past decade. Notable are a trio of duets that find the Cuban
diva holding her own against the formidable voices of Alejandro Fernandez
("En el Jardin"), Jon Secada ("Por Amor") and Jose
Feliciano ("Tengo Que Decirte Algo"). The compilation also
features "Hoy" and "Tu Fotografia," two stellar
singles from Estefan's unjustly overlooked Unwrapped album. Lush production
values and Estefan's plaintive-yet-longing delivery unify the entire
project. It ends with "Ay, Ay, Ay Amor," a new track that
pulses to a rousing salsa-dance beat and signifies another exciting
direction for Latin-pop's premiere songstress. -- Review by Joey
Guerra
CD The Essential Gloria Estefan
[2006] LISTEN
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CD | CD Greatest Hits [1992]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Greatest Hits, Vol.
2 [2001] LISTEN
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CD | CD Unwrapped [2003]
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CD | CD Gloria! [1998]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Exitos de Gloria
Estefan [1990] LISTEN
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CD | BOX SET Let It Loose
/ Cuts Both Ways / Into the Light [1998] LISTEN
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CD
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Enrique
Iglesias (Spain)
CD Insomniac
[2007] LISTEN
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CD | CD Escape
[2001] LISTEN
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CD | CD Enrique [1999]
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CD | CD Seven [2003]
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CD | CD Cosas del amor
[1998] LISTEN
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CD | CD Quizas [2002]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Enrique Iglesias
[2002] LISTEN
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CD | CD Vivir [1997]
LISTEN
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CD
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La
Mafia (Houston, USA)
CD A todo color
[1992] LISTEN
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CD
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Los
Lobos (East Los Angeles, USA)
BOX SET Just
Another Band From East L.A. [1993] LISTEN
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CD
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Jennifer
Lopez (Bronx, USA)
CD Como ama una
mujer [2007] LISTEN
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CD |CD Rebirth [2005]
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CD | CD On the 6 [1999]
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CD | CD J.Lo [2001]
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CD | CD This Is Me ... Then
[2003] LISTEN
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CD | CD The Reel Me [2003]
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CD
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Maná
(Mexico)
CD Revolución
de amor [2002] LISTEN
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CD REVIEW: With 16 million total units in global sales (1999's
MTV Unplugged has sold 3 million copies so far), four-time Grammy
winners Maná are one of the biggest Latin rock bands around.
Revolución de Amor, the four-piece band's first studio
album in five years, continues Maná's ongoing dual interest in
themes of love and social issues, and the band is masterful at packaging
its potent messages in an accessible guitar-based sound. Hailing from
Guadalajara, Mexico, Maná create an organic mix of classic rock,
modern rock, and traditional Latin music that will appeal to fans of
Santana and Rubén Blades (both of whom make guest appearances
here). But the band is also able to attract younger audiences thanks
to punkier songs such as "Nada Que Perder," which could very
easily break through on K-rock radio stations across the U.S. One of
Maná's best albums to date, Revolución de Amor
is proof positive that Latin rock can be accessible to a broad range
of people who don't speak Spanish. --Tad Hendrickson
CD Cuando los angeles lloran
[1995] LISTEN
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CD | CD Sueños liquidos
[1997] LISTEN
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CD | CD MTV Unplugged [1999]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Donde jugarán
los niños [1994] LISTEN
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CD | CD En vivo [1994]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Falta amor [1992]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Todos sus exitos
[2000] LISTEN
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CD | BOX SET Lo esencial
de Maná [2001] LISTEN
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CD
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Ricky
Martin (Puerto Rico)
CD Ricky Martin
[1999] LISTEN
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CD | CD Vuelve [1998]
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CD | CD Sound Loaded [2000]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Best of Ricky Martin
[2001] LISTEN
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CD | CD La historia [2001]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Almas del silencio
[2003] LISTEN
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CD | CD A medio vivir [1995]
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CD
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Mecano
(Spain)
CD Ana, José,
Nacho [1998] LISTEN
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CD | CD Descanso dominical
[1987] LISTEN
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CD
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Luis
Miguel (Mexico)
CD México
el la piel [2004] LISTEN
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CD | CD 20 Años
[1990] LISTEN
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CD | BOX SET Todos los romances
[1998] LISTEN
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CD
Browse or buy Luis Miguel CDs at amazon
Tito
Puente, Jr. (New York, USA)
Browse or buy Tito Puente, Jr.
CDs at amazon
Paulina
Rubio (Mexico)
CD Paulina [2000] LISTEN
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CD REVIEW: Since the release of 1996's dance-oriented Planeta
Paulina, Paulina Rubio has switched labels, refocused her musical
energy, and emerged with a palette of sounds and styles that makes Paulina
her most diverse and mature album yet. With the help of Colombian producer
and songwriter Estefano, Rubio has taken the rock, pop, and dance influences
heard on previous albums and blended them effortlessly on this collection,
her fourth. The first single, "Lo Hare Por Ti," rides an infectious
guitar hook, while "Yo Sigo Aqui" and "Sexi Dance"
showcase pulsing club rhythms. Rubio even dabbles in Go-Go's-flavored
pop ("Sin Aire") and interprets one of the great Juan Gabriel's
polished ballads ("Cancun y Yo"). The album's shining moment,
though, is "El Ultimo Adios," which bleeds electric guitars
and a lilting pop beat into a traditional mariachi arrangement. Forget
Ricky and Jennifer--Paulina is Latin pop for the new millennium. --
Review by Joey Guerra
CD Pau-Latina [2004]
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CD | CD Border Girl [2002]
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CD | CD I'm So in Love: Grandes
exitos [2002] LISTEN
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CD | CD 30 exitos insuperables
[2003] LISTEN
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CD | CD Planeta Paulina
[1996] LISTEN
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CD | CD Tiempo es oro [1995]
LISTEN
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CD | CD La chico dorada
[1992] LISTEN
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CD
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Alejandro
Sanz (Spain)
CD Grandes Éxitos
91-04 [2004] BUY
CD REVIEW: If anyone warrants an expanse career retrospective,
it's Alejandro Sanz, whose gravelly-voiced charm and thoughtful songwriting
have been thrilling fans for years. The Spanish singer gets his just
due on this beautifully packaged, three-disc collection chronicling
his entire musical livelihood. Two new tracks, "Tu No Tienes Alma"
and "Cuando Sea Espacio," mesh nicely with Sanz's repertoire.
But it's the well-known hits--"La Fuerza del Corazon," "Como
Te Hecho de Menos," "Quisiera Ser" and "No Es Lo
Mismo," just to name a few--that give Grandes Éxitos
its heft. Sanz is one of Spanish pop music's most-accomplished songwriters
and musicians, and experiencing his entire body of work at once is a
genuine treat. Equally enticing is the third disc of rarities, which
includes unreleased duets with Omara Portuondo, the Corrs and Armando
Manzanero, as well as several demos, including an acoustic rendition
of the Sanz classic "Corazon Partio." A true keepsake of an
artist in his electrifying prime. -- Review by Joey Guerra
CD MTV Unplugged
[2001] LISTEN
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CD | CD Más [1997]
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CD | CD No es lo mismo [2003]
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CD
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Shakira
(Columbia)
CD Fijación
oral [2005] LISTEN
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CD REVIEW: It's thrilling--in any language--to hear new music
from Colombian superstar Shakira. And it's been a long time coming.
Shakira's English crossover opus, Laundry Service, was released
in 2001. The Spanish Donde Estan Los Ladrones came three years
before that. Fijación Oral, Volumen 1 is the first of
two new discs; an English counterpart is due in November. Shakira's
bleating, biting voice is in fine form, and it gives the material an
electric urgency. She's girlish and innocent during the glittering "Dia
de Enero" and sensual and seductive amid the thundering beats of
"Lo Imprescindible." A talented stable of producers, including
former Soda Stereo vocalist Gustavo Cerati, has swathed Shakira in rhythm-based
arrangements. But the album's best moments come when Shakira channels
her inner--and innate--rock goddess. "La Tortura" is a hurts-so-good
break-up duet with Alejandro Sanz, and "Escondite Ingles"
rides a beach-party guitar groove. -- Review by Joey Guerra
CD Fijación oral 2 [2006]
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CD | CD Live & Off the Record
[2004] LISTEN
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CD | CD Grandes exitos [2002]
LISTEN
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CD | CD Laundry Service [2001]
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CD | CD Dónde están
los Ladrones? [1998] LISTEN
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CD | CD Pies Descalzos
[1996] LISTEN
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CD
Browse or buy Shakira CDs at amazon
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