I caught up with Mr. Secada, himself, at Salvation nightclub on South Beach while he was performing his new single, Stop. Jon was generous enough to take the time to speak with me about his new album and what's been going on in his life, over the past few years.

JH: What was going on in your life in the two years of absence from the music industry (from the public's eye)?

JS: I've just been writing. When EMI went bankrupt in the States; between the switch of EMI and Sony, and then everything that came about as a result. I've got a new label (Sony) and a new relationship. That's when the whole thing about new songs came about. I just started to write. We wrote seventy songs for this album, did demos for fifty of them. In the process, I did a lot of production work for other people as well; Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, - it was a good time for me. It really honed in the sound of this record. I'm really excited about that.

JH: Going back quite a ways, how was your experience with the Estefans and the Miami Sound Machine?

JS: Emilio Estefan used to be my manager. I've always loved that relationship. We get along great. We understand each other (and) we communicate well. He co-produced part of this record (Better Part Of Me). And Gloria, she's a star in every sense of the word. She's a sweetheart to me. She's like a sister.

JH: How do feel about Latin music being so big, being a forerunner in the 'Latin Boom' of the 90's?

JS: I feel very fortunate to be a part of this 'Latin Boom'. I feel fortunate that I was there at the beginning, or part of the beginning. I mean, Gloria and Santana, all these people - they're pioneers. Just for me to be a part of it is a blessing. I'm very proud of what's goin' on today. Ricky (Martin), Jennifer (Lopez), Marc (Anthony); that's just great, you know? We're a tremendous minority in the States, with a tremendous influence.

JH: What was your experience in coming to the US?

JS: I've been here since I was a child; raised in Miami, raised in Hialeah. I'm a product of what this cities' all about. I've always been proud of that. I'm lucky that I've never had to go anywhere else to be who I needed to be in the music business. I always did everything here.

JH: What do you have planned for the future?

JS: We're gonna' promote this record for the next seven or eight months. And then at the end of that time, I'd like to tour.

JH: Any plans beyond that (the next ten years)?

JS: If I can still be doing what I'm doing now, it would be great. I just wanna' keep the music commin'.

JH: It was a pleasure talking with you Jon.

JS: Thank you very much. -V