The Salsa Group that IS Cali - an interview wth Grupo Niche
It has been said that 'Grupo Niche IS Cali and Cali IS Niche', indeed Niche is the most significant band to come out of the Colombian cIty that is known as the 'Capital of Salsa' more, and arguably out of…
Bolivia Clasica
Making her professional debut aged eight years old, a Gold Record aged eleven, and performing at the White House aged twelve, pianist Ana-Maria Vera has remained devoted to chamber music ever since, performing across the globe…
A Soulful Voice from Brazil
Natacha Andueza Bosch talks to emerging Brazilian vocalist Sarah Roston, who draws on a range of influences from funk, soul, jazz, to reggaeton and traditional Brazilian music
Latin Londoner #33: Natalia Luisbassa, Conductor
Coming up through Venezuela's world famous El Sistema, Natalia became the first person to obtain a degree in Orchestral Conducting in Venezuela. She completed her postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in…
Reggaeton’s Romantic
Jay Wheeler has long been known in his native Puerto Rico as “reggaetón’s favourite voice”, due to his romantic lyrics, folky tone and unashamedly sensitive side. He famously got so emotional at one concert in his hometown Ponce…
Ozuna ‘Odisea’
Make space for the next superstar of reggaetón, Ozuna. This young is already a veteran of the scene, having cut his teeth as hype man of pioneer reggaetonero Guelo Star. after having enjoyed almost two years of immense chart…
The Gentleman with the Bad Ass Voice
Gilberto Santa Rosa shows no sign of slowing down. Jose Luis Seijas caught up with the Puerto Rican icon to discover that the rumours were true: he really is ‘The Gentleman of Salsa,’ as often referred to - the nice guy of Latin…
THE AUGUST REGGAETON RECAP
August is in-your-face with many artists on this list capitalising not only their songs but their names too. This month is also a final opportunity to soak up the sun and digest August’s hottest hits. One song features a well-…
THE NOVEMBER REGGAETON RECAP
As our noses turn red and our cheeks turn rosy, artists are still showing up and showing out to help music lovers find their next music obsession. November has been a month of accolades and celebrations for lots of Latin…
Hustle and Grind in the Mexican Music Scene
Struggle is the name of the game in Mexican music, but the creativity and innovation keep flowing with eclectic genres and fusions blossoming from the land of the Aztecs
Wandering Soul
Caracas born singer-songwriter Laura Guevara was one of Venezuela’s risings stars, winning the Pepsi Awards in 2017, the country's equivalent of the Mercury Prize. Her involvement in the student protests, however, leading…
We haven’t killed Salsa! Part 1
Earlier this year we published a piece 'Did Salsa Dancers Kill Salsa Music?' which generated much controversy. In a passionate response, Kerry Ribchester argues that we haven't killed Salsa, we are more in love…
LATIN LONDONER #6 Camilo Menjura - Musician and ChoIr Master
One of London’s most loved singer-songwriters and choir master, this two-time LUKAS winner for Musician of Year specializes in Afro-Colombian, Afro-Peruvian and Andean Jazz. Camilo is also a renowned choral master, leading the…
Things That Matter to…Omara Portuondo
One of the most inspirational women in music and known for her vibrant live performances, Omara Portuondo rose to fame in the 1950’s in pre-revolutionary Havana in the vocal group Cuarteto D'Aida, before becoming a huge name…
THE JANUARY REGGAETON RECAP
It’s the first Reggaeton Recap of the year and the artists certainly know it as they’re pulling out more stops than ever before! There’s a cross-continental collaboration that shows some very promising prospects and a collision…
Dominican Shades
Lara Morgenstern reflects on the enviable coolness of Vicente Garcia, when she meets the Dominican singer-songwriter, clad in sunglasses on a cloudy London day.
REYKO @ The Waiting Room
REYKO kicked off the new year with an exceptional London concert in The Waiting Room. A concert hall filled with music enthusiasts, fans, and curious Londoners wanting to know more about this mystical Spanish band, making it the…
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…
Santo Domingo Blues: Los Tigueres de la Bachata (2004) by Alex Wolfe.
A genre once ignored and disrespected by the Latin American elite as no more than bawdy ghetto music, bachata has risen to stand beside the best of salsa and merengue, and arguably outstrip both in popularity around the world, to…
Latin Londoners #28: Andria Antoniou and Roman Gomez, musicians
Argentine-born Roman Gomez, is a piano, bandoneon and guitar soloist, as well as composer and arranger. Andria Antoniou is a renowned Jazz and Tango vocalist. Their unique blend of Argentinian tango and Latin American Folk with…
Eliades Ochoa's Fantasy Island Discs
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to get you through those times of despair? Our castaway this month is Eliades Ochoa, known as Mr Chan Chan in his hometown of Santiago de Cuba, from…
All Hail the Vinyl Collectors!
Salsotecas are the mythical vinyl-sharing encounters that began in Cali, Colombia. We explore the legendary phenomenon that helped give the city its reputation as home to the world’s most passionate Salsa lovers.
Pascuala Ilabaca @ Rich Mix
Accordion-wielding Chilean songstress Pascuala Ilabaca wows and woos her East London Audience. By Sarah Quarmby
The Reggaetón Boss
Back in 2005, Daddy Yankee became the only Reggaetón artist ever to chart in the UK, with 'Gasolina' at #4. Now the same artist has again hit the spot and broken another record with his current song ‘Despacito,’…
Trovador Extraordinaire
In an era where bland music and meaningless lyrics pollute the airwaves, singer-songwriters such as Pablo Milanes, the legendary Cuban icon and one of the founders of Nueva Trova, are revered more than ever. His songs about the…
Telajeta Musica de Venezuela in London (White Label)
A daring new take on Venezuelan music by a collective of London-based musicians including Caracas-born Ernesto Marichales on drums and percussion. Re-arranged and ‘jazzified’ by the whole band, Musica de Venezuela brings classics…
LATIN LONDONER #9 Paco Peña - Flamenco Guitarist
The Spanish Flamenco Maestro who has become living example of an artist that has explored the best of London’s diversity and multiculturalism whilst cherishing his Spanish roots to make simply beautiful music.
Classic Album: 'MTO² New Generation' by Don Omar
We revisit Don Omar's Album "Meet the Orphans 2: New Generation", released nine years ago. Full of surprises and without a shadow of a doubt, an album that made history in music.
Convoque Seu Buda Criolo (Sterns)
The Latest album form the increasingly respected Brazilian rapper and soul singer.
Latin Londoner #47 - Esco, Music Producer
Esco is an young up-and-coming sound engineer and producer. Born in Camden to Jamaican and Colombian parents he has absorbed two musical cultures in a very London way. After being heavily involved in gangs as a teenager which…
APRIL REGGAETON RECAP
Latin women are dominating the documentary industry in the past four weeks. Whether it was Anitta's game-changing 'Larissa' dropping at the end of March or Karol G's 'Mañana fue muy bonito' and now…
TAMBOLERO by Totó la Momposina y Sus Tambores (Real World)
A wonderfully ambitious remixing and remastering of her classic album La Candela Viva.
THE LUKAS MUSIC WINNERS 2019
Undoubtedly the best ever year in terms of the range and quality of nominations, we proudly present this year’s LUKAS winners 2019 for Outstanding Contribution to Music
Latin Londoner #20 ..Emeris Solis - Percussionist
Emeris is one of Europe’s best Latin percussionists and the epitome of the Latin immigrant who has earned success in London through his craft. Chilled, good humored, and professional, he is a master in Colombian folklore,…