Latin DNA by Dorance Lorza and Sexteto Cafe
The latest release from one of the UK's most outstanding Latin musicians
THE MARCH REGGAETON RECAP
The five songs below are just as unpredictable as the weather (in the best way possible). Whether you’re feeling like a club anthem or hearing some sounds that transport you back to the 2010’s, the past four weeks of music have…
The Good Vibe
Not only did he showcase Bossa Nova to the world, Sergio Mendes personifies how you don’t have to be a shark to succeed in the global music business. The Brazilian music legend reminisces with Amaranta Wright on an amazing music…
Carlos Vives’ Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need, to get you through those times of despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway, Carlos Vives, one of the most emblematic…
CULTURA CIRCULAR: WHEN THE BEAT SPEAKS PORTUGUESE AND ENGLISH
What happens when a South London artist who raps in Portuguese, English and Spanish with roots in Angola meets one of Brazil’s foremost percussion outfits? “It feels like the circle is closing,” answers Afrocidade, the…
Keeping Cumbia Real
Whilst global explosion has taken cumbia on a wonderful, if sometimes weird, journey, pioneering producer, composer and bandleader Mario Galeano has found himself in the unlikely role of guardian of the cumbia truth. We speak to…
BUIKA THERAPY
Born of immigrants from Equatorial Guinea and growing up among Romani gypsies in Mallorca, Concha Buika has emerged to become Spain’s most unlikely Flamenco star. Yet her haunting, velvety voice, her sentimiento and chiselled…
Grupo Niche 35 Aniversario (Codiscos)
This Colombian salsa institution shows no sign of stopping. Even after the death of its founder and musical brain Jairo Varela, this album shows how the Cali group has managed to keep the band going without losing quality or…
Colombia Brings Hope
Kristian Herbolzheimer, a key analyst in the soon-to-be-signed Colombia peace agreement, explains how this historic achievement came about and its significance for Colombia and the world.
Three O Two Restaurant @ The H10 Hotel
The winner of this year's Latin-UK Awards for Spanish Restaurnt of the Year, the Three 0 Tow surprised all the judges with its adventurous and ambitious menu.
Voice in Residence
In the often vacuous world of Reggaeton, Residente has stood out as one of its most outspoken artists. Even at the Grammy Awards, where he has, perhaps surprisingly, won more than any other Latin artist, the former Calle 13…
Brown Girls in the Ring Make Argentina Sing…
How Cumbia conquered Argentina. The Cumbia invasion rides on populist political culture, but has urban snobs singing a different tune.
Human Rights Defenders in Colombia
Each day, human rights defenders speak out for the rights of others. And each day they risk their livelihoods, their liberty and in many cases their lives. As attacks, abductions, and assassinations increase in Latin America, we…
On the Divide: Reality and Hypocrisy in the Land of the Free
‘On The Divide' follows the story of three Latinx people living in McAllen, Texas who are connected by the most unexpected of places: the last abortion clinic on the U.S./Mexico border. As threats to the clinic and their…
Marshland (2015) Dir. Alberto Rodríguez
Critically acclaimed Spanish director Alberto Rodríguez’s latest film, Marshland, was a box-office hit in Spain, winning a spectacular ten Spanish Academy Goya awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best…
Quinoa Banana Bread
This Quinoa Banana bread consists of classic south american ingredients, and is PACKED with protein, supplemented by extra chia seeds. It’s one of my favourite loafs in the world. I don’t add any sugar to mine but ripe bananas…
What Will Biden Mean for Latin America?
After four years of global ridicule and eroding influence overseas, the new president will be under immediate pressure to show where his priorities lie. From détente with Iran to an assertive Russia and a combative China, Latin…
Bridge or Barrier? 10.000km (2014) New Release
Can a modern relationship survive long distance? Facebook, Skype and social media are designed to bring people closer, are they not? The award-winning opera prima ‘10.000 km (2014)’ of Carlos Marques-Marcet is finally available…
The Two Faces of Norway’s Rainforest Policies
Norway's government gives millions to Brazil for rainforest conservation, while Norsk Hydro's mines and smelters clear, pillage and pollute.
Peru Maravilloso: Vintage Latin, Tropical and Cumbia
Peru Maravilloso: Vintage Latin, Tropical & Cumbia
The Stuff of Warriors - A Guide to Latin American Super Foods
Great ancient civilizations were built on them, so no wonder Latin America supplies most of the world’s many super-foods – products extremely high in nutritious value – now flooding into UK health stores. Most hail from the…
LATIN LONDONER #4 Sonia Lollia - Zumba Teacher
Parisian born Sonia Isabelle Lollia is half Spanish and Guadeloupan and grew up in a small village outside Paris before coming to London and becoming Zumba Teacher of the Year 2014
The Resurrection of Fania
Everyone knows the legendary tunes that came out of Fania. Like all empires, Fania’s went into decline after the 1990s. For many years the catalogue of iconic albums that sold millions, made superstars of Latin artists such as…
The Grandfather of Brazilian Hip Hop
When you're talking about Latin Hip Hop, you can't get much bigger than Marcelo D2. A former vocalist of the band Planet Hemp, Marcelo D2 started his solo career in 1998 with the album Eu Tiro É Onda. After many years…
MORNING MASQUERADE
Inaugurated this month, an exciting new mural by Argentine artist Patricio Forrester has been unveiled on a large wall in the Deptford Arena on the New Cross Road. Forrester has lived in the area for many years, and is very well…
Afro-Cuba returns to Africa via London
A triumphant reunion for Boncana Maïga’s transatlantic charanga orchestra Las Maravillas De Mali...not so much a reunion as a reformation. Octogenarian master flautist, composer and arranger Boncana Maïga was the only original…
‘FRAGMENTED DIALOGUES’: Art and Identity in 1980s Chile
Corina talks to the curator of a fascinating exhibition of the work by two Chilean artists, Mario Fonseca and Mauricio Valenzuela. It is on at Austin/Desmond Fine Art till 30 June and explores both the fragmented and silenced…
Chile: Why Didn't This Happen Before
Dear friends, our country received so much help from you in its struggle to regain democracy, that I decided to send you this mini-report. After all, what are friends for?
Gay Marriage Legalized in Argentina Despite Huge Opposition From Church
On Thursday the 15th of July, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage, granting to gay and lesbian couples the same legal rights and benefits that heterosexual couples have traditionally…
Bebel Gilberto's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to get you through those times of despair? This castaway, world renowned and multi-Grammy-nominated Bebel Gilberto, daughter of bossa nova icon Joao…
Ibero-African Tragi-harmony
Paco Peña, arguably the best-known flamenco guitarist and composer outside Spain, talks about the musical harmony and human tragedy of Africa’s relationship with Spain. In his upcoming dance show at Sadler's Well's…
Allende’s Children
40 years after the coup that changed Chile, Pinochet’s exiles around the world have inspired a new generation in the fight for justice and equality. There is no better example than the Navarrete family who came to the UK…
Copán: The jewel on the southern tip of the ancient Mayan Empire
Located in western Honduras only an hour from the border with Guatemala, Copán was an ancient Mayan city that dominated trade and commerce in the area. It holds great importance in Mayan history due to its geographical position,…
Bilbao: the heart of the city
Although the Guggenheim Museum has been a genuine tourist magnet, it’s the local life that leaves the lasting impression, says Anna Ward.
Lizandro Meza “Salsita Mami” (Disco Fuentes)
Colombia's iconic king of Cumbia, LIzandro Meza, delves into the world of salsa with flavour and passion