Ana Maria Alias Vega, commonly known by her artistic name, Pasión Vega, recorded her first solo album, Un Toque de Distincion, for the Sevillian record label La Voz del Sur in 1996. Two more releases on the label gained her enough regional success to open doors at the multinational BMG, with whom she released her self-titled, major-label debut in 2001. As her discography with Sony/BMG grew, so did her international renown and credibility. Following Banderas de Nadie (2003), Flaca de Amor placed in Billboard's Top European Albums chart. Released in 2006, La Reina del Pay-Pay boasts not only a wide array of musical influences (jazz, tropical, blues, etc.), but also contributions from some of Spain's most notable songwriters (including Joaquín Sabina and Pancho Varona). ~ Evan C. Gutierrez