
The Revenge of the Latin Oldies
First there was Buena Vista, now there is Ondatrópica, a new Afro-Latin big band embracing the past, present and future of Colombia’s cumbia sound, and bringing to the global fore some of the greatest talents from the seventies…
Things That Matter to...La Mala Rodriguez
La Mala Rodriguez is one of the most successful Hispanic artists today. When Rosalia was still in her nappies, Mala was recording with some of the world's most commercial Latino artists as the only Spanish rapper to gain…
Cuba's New Musical Messiah
Once a decade there emerges a particular talent in Cuba that inspires a generation; and it is no exageration to place Alexander Abreu in that category. Ahead of his imminent debut concert in the UK with Cuba's hottest…
Lenacay: A New Chapter
Ramón Giménez El Brujo talks to Latino Life about the transition from Ojos de Brujo to Lenacay.
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…
Paco Peña's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert Island, which tracks would you absolutely need to have to get you through those times of loneliness and despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway, Flamenco guitar legend…
Gilberto Gil: “I’ve always felt I was in the best place I could be”
Thirty years after first seeing him in concert at the age of eight, Amaranta Wright comes face to face with the Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil on his recent visit to London, and gets an insight into the man that inspired her…
Larry Harlow's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert Island, which tracks would you absolutely need to have to get you through those times of loneliness and despair? Our castaway this week is Fania legend Larry Harlow, known affectionately by his…
The Greatest Sonero Ever?
Well that’s a debate that will never end. In this interview with Oscar D’Leon, we explain why he has proved, atleast, to be the most important singer to salsa music, ever. And at his age, JOSE LUIS SEIJAS found him as we expected…
Tego Calderón's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to have to get you through those times of loneliness and despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway this week is Tego…
Sergio Mendes' Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert Island, which tracks would you absolutely need to have to get you through those times of loneliness and despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway, Brazilian music legend,…
David Bisbal's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert Island, which tracks would you absolutely need to have to get you through those times of loneliness and despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway, Spain's biggest…
The Future of Latin Music?
While Venezuela has always been the land of opportunity for Colombians, one of Venezuela’s most successful new musicians and innovative producers, has gone the other way and is coming back with some sounds that are rocking the…
Things That Matter to...Al Roc
Al Roc (pictured left) is a member of Asilo 38, one of the biggest names on the burgeoning Colombian hip-hop scene, featured in the soundtrack to the film ‘Maria Full of Grace’. They come from "Aguas Blancas", one of…
Things That Matter to...Anderson, lead singer of Afro-Reggae
Anderson, 29, was born and raised in Vigário Geral, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most violent favelas. His mum is a dinner lady and his dad, a tax-driver. Anderson’s first jobs involved doing small favours for criminals like wrapping…
The Kid is Back
Kid Creole & The Coconuts created a generation of Latin music lovers in London in the early 1980s when he jetted in with a string of outstanding live shows and great albums. Now he's back. Due to perform at the Barbican…
Dutchman in da Latin House
We caught up with the Dutch Latin House Super DJ behind tracks such as "Step by Step", "Vem Rebola" & "Canoa."
New York's Ultimate Latin Diva
The muse of Masters at Work's Little Lou Vega and Kenny Dope, India became the dance floor icon of the 90s when House and Garage ruled clubland. Latinolife caught up with the ultimate Latin diva.
The Phenomenon of Latin Music in the US
Back in the late seventies an outstanding documentary was made about Salsa in New York and its social significance. It became a seminal work. Thirty years later its director Jeremy Marre, commissioned by the BBC, went back to…
THE FABULOUS QUINTEROS
In most families, being a world class musician would be the pride of the family, but if you belong to the Quinteros of San Agustín, Caracas, it is merely fulfilling the duty of a long line of stellar musicians. Amaranta Wright…
We say Dance. They Say C-C-C-C-C-Cumbia!
Cumbia meets the Happy Mondays? Candela catches up with the Mexican Institute of Sound's eccentric frontman, Camilo Lara, at his home in Mexico City before he leaps over the Atlantic to play in London's La Linea…
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…
The Demographics of Music
With a name like Che Sudaka, you can't help but be curious. We talk to the band of Latino immigrants in Spain creating a stir in Europe
"I wouldn’t mind dying if there were guitars in heaven"
Tiago Pereira talks about his latest documentary on Portuguese regional music: Chamarita - the country rock of the Azores.
Rule Colombian Britannia!
This year the BBC Proms pays tribute to a new British-Colombian generation by featuring the London born and bred accordionist Jose Hernando who won the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy at only 19. Here the burgeoning star talks…
TEGO CALDERON: Beyond the Genre
In the history of Latin Music there have been a lot of big stars. Yet we can still count on both hands the artists that have gone beyond the genre they were famous for to become true artists, representatives of a time and an era…
Going Back to Move Forward
If anyone knows the secret to moving ahead by looking back it is Juan de Marcos, the man behind the original Buena Vista Social Club Album and all that followed. He talks to Latinolife with frankness about Music, Cuban Identity,…
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. Due to play in London next month, the Brazilian music legend reminisces with…
'The Marvellous Jew' - an interview with Fania legend Larry Harlow
Known affectionately as ‘the marvellous jew’ Larry Harlow was such a talent that the great Latino stars of Fania more than embraced him as one their own; they revered his musical leadership and vision. Jose Luis Seijas talks to…
Things That Matter to…David Bisbal
My earliest memory was music, it's more of a feeling than a particular event, a love for music whenever it was played, my love for singing.
Things That Matter to...CRIOLO
Dubbed as "the most important figure on the Brazilian pop scene" by Caetano Veloso, Criolo is a hard-hitting MC of the people who has had massive cross-over success in Brazil.
“Who would I invite on stage in London?...probably Jessie J!”
Juanes, the world’s most successful all-Spanish artist, talks to Latinolife exclusively about music, idols and ideals.
Gilberto Gil: “I’ve always felt I was in the best place I could be”
Thirty years after first seeing him in concert at the age of eight, Amaranta Wright comes face to face with the Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil on his recent visit to London, and gets an insight into the man that inspired her…