David DeMaría - Séptimo cielo (2016)

Singer/songwriter David DeMaria hails from Jerez, Spain. Thanks to his melodic writing and strong Andalusian influence (the region credited with birthing flamenco, famous for its Middle Eastern melodic overtones), DeMaria became one of Spain's most prevalent pop music figures during the noughties. He released his first solo record independently in 1997. Though not a huge commercial success, he began to be noticed by others in the genre, which offered him the opportunity to write for artists who were at the time more successful than himself. DeMaria's songwriting became well known long before his voice, having penned number one hits for artists like Los Caños, Bustamente, and the crew from Operacion Triunfo, to name only a few. His first platinum disc as solo artist came in 2003 with Sin Miedo Perder, which was followed by 2004's Barcos de Papel, which reached double platinum status. Regular touring in Spain and promotional visits to the U.S. proved important for DeMaria's breakthrough to non-European markets, and many singles from Barcos de Papel charted in Billboard's Latin categories. His 2006 offering, Caminos de Ida y Vuelta, proved a hit with European audiences, as well as being well-received in the States and Latin America. The album was followed in 2007 by La Fuerza de la Voluntad: Grandes Éxitos and then in 2009 by Relojes de Arena. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez.