Author Archive
Maria Bethania: Brasileirinho
A real jewel of an album that is so evocative of Brazil that you can almost smell the jungle as you listen to 12 tracks celebrating different genres of Brazilian music from its African roots to its catholic celebrations. With poetry, beautful liner notes and lush ballads, this album never takes a false step.
Maria Bethania, along with her brother Caetano Veloso, have been at the forefront of MPB (Musica Brasileira Popular) or tropicalia since the mid-1960s. Bethania has predominantly recorded pop ballads with a light jazz sound and done so well that she became the first female Brazilian artist to have a record go platinum. Read the rest of this entry »
Eva Ayllon – Kimba Fa
Eva Ayllon is probably the most recognizable name in Peruvian music so fans will be eager to grab Kimba Fa’, her first album in five years. Rich, stylistically diverse with a nice mix of ballads and hotter, danceable numbers, there’s no doubt that Ayllon remains the ‘Queen of Peruvian Music.’ Read the rest of this entry »
Aventura – ‘The Last’
The self-styled ‘Kings of Bachata’ are back with what may be their last bachata-focused album. Aventura’s huge popularity has not been based on a large volume of music, but The Last is so good that bachata fans can only hope it is NOT their last. Read the rest of this entry »
Aterciopelados – Oye
Aterciopelados has been rocking Colombia and the Latin pop/rock world since 1992. Oye, their first studio album in five years, reunites Andrea Echeverri and Hector Buitrago in an album that continues to explore musical boundries. Unlike their last CD, Gozo Poderoso, Oye focuses more on live, native instrumentation combined with contemporary rock elements,creating an interesting and compelling Colombian/rock fusion. Read the rest of this entry »
Albita – Cuba: Un Viaje Musical with Rey Ruiz / Donato Poveda
A wonderful album from Cuban Miami-based trio Albita Rodriguez, Rey Ruiz and Donato Poveda. Cuban music in a variety of rhythms & styles from some older standards to newly composed numbers, each representing a different area of Cuba. This album is a must for Cuban music lovers. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Na Massa
Here’s an album of music you don’t hear everyday. 3 Na Massa celebrates the steamy, sensual side of life with 13 tracks of Brazilian electro-lounge combo music featuring a different female entertainer telling a story of intimate, sensual dreams and desires. The album could be tacky, but it’s not. It’s unusual, fresh and guaranteed adult entertainment for fans of this type of music. Read the rest of this entry »
3D Ritmo De Vida – ‘Que Siga La Rumba’
New York’s 3D Ritmo de Vida fuses salsa with soca, reggae, R&B, jazz and other styles, both modern and Afro-Caribbean, to create something wholly new, contemporary and irresistable.
Guide Review – Review: 3D Ritmo De Vida – ‘Que Siga La Rumba’ Read the rest of this entry »
Frankie Negron – ‘Independence Day’
Independence Day is salsa star Frankie Negron’s first English-language album. The change in language is bundled with a change in style. Rather than the tropical music that has made Negron a star, Independence Day is primarily full of power ballads, some effective, others dated. Read the rest of this entry »
Buika & Chucho Valdes – ‘El Ultimo Trago’
Concha Buika and Chucho Valdes joint togehter to celebrate the music of legendary singer Chavela Vargas. Recorded in Havana, El Ultimo Trago is a jewel of an album for those who love boleros, a blend of Buika’s powerful voice, Valdes’ stylish piano and the infusion of swing and jazz elements that make old classics shiny and contemporary.
Known for her eccentricities as well as for her haunting, gravelly voice, Chavela Vargas was born in Costa Rica, moved to Mexico as a child and then spent the next five decades mesmerizing audiences with her interpretation of rancheras and boleros. She turned 90 this year. Read the rest of this entry »
Toto La Momposina – ‘La Bodega’
The Bottom Line
Toto La Momposina is one of the best known names in Colombian traditional music from the tropical, coastal area and La Bodega is her sixth studio album. There’s no reason to be afraid of the ‘traditional or ‘folkloric’ label since the album works just as well when listened to by urban ears as by more rural sensibilities. The nine tracks on the album offer a fresh and joyous musical experience as Andean and Afro-Caribbean traditions meet, mix and party together. Read the rest of this entry »