1. Jorge Drexler
Bailar en la Cueva (Warner Music)
The first Spanish Language artist to win an Oscar ( for Al Otro Lado del Río from The Motorcycle Diaries) Drexler is a supremely talented singer- songwriter. His latest album, Bailar en la Cueva , follows his style of combining eclectic styles, from Jazz to Electronica with a heavy dose of traditional Latin American music such Tango, Milong a, Murga, Candombé and Cumbia. Imagine a Uruguayan Caetano Veloso...Drex ler is one of those rare must have’s.
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2. La Maxima 79
Regresando al Guaganco (Smayra Publishing )
For years Italy has been the European mecca for Sal sa dancing, but unlike its dance crews, the music never reached the intern ational market. This could be the first Italian Salsa band to become tru ly popular; bringing together raw Salsa with the sophistication of the C uban Son. Watch out for this band, they know what they’re doing...
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3. Far Out Presents Brazilian Bass (Far Out Recordings)
Far Out has been putting out great music for over 2 0 years, from vintage compilations to Jazzanova; they have done amagnific ent job in making all this music available!. Brazilian Bass is their newe st release, featuring the best Brazilian Bass, Dub, Reggae, and Afro music, t he best World Cup soundtrack!
4. Gipsy Rhumba: The Original Rhythm of Gipsy Rhumba in Spain 1965-1 974 (Soul Jazz Records)
Sounds from the golden age of Rumba Flamenca, where gypsy music met Afrocuban. Some real gems made their way to the sal sa-mambo repertoire such as Dolores Vargas’ Achilipu . Others went from Latin America to Spain, like Ismael and Cortijo’s classic Oriza , delivered by the very funky Moncho y Su Wawanko Gitano. A real gem of a compilation.
5. Sunlightsquare: King Yoruba (Sunlightsquare Records)
Afrocuban, Jazz and House, the album has it all. Re corded by producer Claudio Passavanti in the National Televis ion building in Havana, King Yoruba is a beautifully crafted, unpretentious yet powerful album that follows the steps of Louie Vega’s classic Newyorican Soul , but with a deeper Yoruba angle to it. We love every part of it !
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6. Edwin Sanz San Agustin (Alex Wilson Records)
Venezuelan master percussionist Edwin Sanz’s opera prima is a tribute to his native neighbourhood of San Agustin in Caracas. Produced by UK's Alex Wilson (who also features on piano) this album shows that good salsa is alive and kicking in Europe, where a new generation of musicians led by Sanz are doing an ex traordinary job putting out quality albums such as this. Highly recommended.
8. Mariza
Best of Mariza (Warner Music)
Portuguese singer Mariza has been enchanting audien ces around the world since she was discovered. Injecting a new lea se of life to Fado, Mariza has managed to sell more than 1.000.00 0 albums, something that is rarely achieved these days. This album comp iles her most popular hits to date, along with the her unreleased version of Charlie Chaplin’s Smile.
9. Rodrigo and Gabriela
9 Dead Alive
The 4th album from the UK's favourite Mexicans. Thi s duet has played to sold out arenas across the globe without compromisi ng their artistic integrity. Recorded in Cuba, 9 Dead Alive is, accor ding to them "a personal celebration of individuals who have passed on, yet their deeds and words still resonate in the 21st century.” As usual R&G d on’t disappoint and deliver great music.
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10. Charlie Dennard From Brazil To New Orleans (Independent)
Cirque du Soleil’s musical Director and pianist Char lie Dennard has assembled an eclectic band of New Orleans jazz musi cians to create unique sound blending New Orleans and Brazilian jaz z. The album creates a landscape of sophisticated Latin jazz like no other. A self produced album which gives even more credit to Dennar d. www.charliedennard.com Steven Kroon On the #1 (Kroonatune Records) For over three decades Kroon has been one of the hott est R&B percussionists in the market, playing for Aretha Fra nklin , Luther Vandross and other greats. With this album he goes back to his Puerto Rican roots and plays homage to his love of Latin ja zz, Rumba, Mambo, Bomba, Bossa Nova and Samba, He has assembled a real ly tight band, which includes legendary bassist Ruben Rodriguez and other master musicians at the top their game.
