It was released on August 14, 2012,[1] and was recorded during a live performance at Carioca Club in São Paulo, Brazil on January 17, 2012.

"Esencial" features remakes of several of Chávez's more famous songs including "Y Si No Ves" and "Tu Amor" which was written by Diane Warren and released when Chávez was a part of Latin pop sensation RBD.

has been remade into a duet with Indonesian singer and actress Agnes Monica.

"Sacrilegio", written by Chavez and Claudia Brant, was released as an EP on May 22, 2012, and is included as a track on "Esencial".

[3] People magazine said the song "...marks the return of Christian Chavez"[4][5] Other notable tracks on the album include "No Me Olvides" written for Chávez by his friend, singer/songwriter Juan Gabriel.