Uno No Es Uno is
Noel Schajris' first full-length solo album effort after he and fellow singer/songwriter
Leonel García concluded their partnership as
Sin Bandera in 2007. The Latin pop duo experienced tremendous success prior to their breakup, releasing the albums
Sin Bandera (2001), De Viaje (2003),
Mañana (2005), and
Pasado (2006), and scoring nearly a dozen Top Ten hits on the Mexican charts, including a half-dozen number one smash hits. In addition to
Sin Bandera,
Schajris wrote songs for numerous Latin pop superstars, among them
Alejandro Fernández,
Luis Fonsi,
Paulina Rubio, Jessy & Joy,
Reik,
Victor Manuelle,
Yuridia, and
Fanny Lu. Embarking on a solo career as a singer/songwriter was therefore a logical step forward for
Schajris, given his recognition was half of
Sin Bandera's and his reputation as a first-rate songwriter. In fact,
Schajris had been a solo recording artist prior to teaming up with
García. He made his full-length solo debut back in 1999 with the little-heard album Cita en las Nubes. Released a decade later,
Uno No Es Uno is a much more impressive album, a collaborative effort featuring elite Latin pop producer
Sebastián Krys; co-songwriters Claudia Brant and
Gian Marco; and guest turns by vocalists
Yuridia ("Nadie Me Hace Mas Feliz Que Tu"),
John Legend ("No Importa"), and
Luis Fonsi ("Aunque Duela Aceptarlo"). There aren't many surprises here for anyone already familiar with
Sin Bandera. The songs are emotional and generally in ballad form with sweeping choruses and often trembling vocals. The piano playing of
Schajris and subtle string arrangements are the predominant musical elements, and with the absence of
García, there isn't as much guitar as there was in
Sin Bandera. Highlights include the excellent lead single, "No Veo La Hora," along with a couple of the duets ("No Importa," "Aunque Duela Aceptarlo"), which are sequenced in a mid-album bunch.
Uno No Es Uno drags a little bit toward the end, once the duets and the uptempo song "Gracias por Entrar" pass, yet the album is solid overall and should delight fans of
Sin Bandera.