Nicolá Cruz Prende el Alma (ZZK Records)
French/Ecuadorian producer Nicolá Cruz’ first full-length album is a masterpiece of experimental electronic music fused with folk sounds. No fillers but a great amalgam of folk percussion, Andean flutes with synths, and…
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…
THE SEPTEMBER REGGAETON RECAP
There's a slight chill in the air and the artists are feeling it too. Two Argentinian powerhouses reunite once more for a melancholic tropical pop number while Rauw Alejandro and Alejo try and avoid temptation on their…
“Macondo revisited” Various Artists (Vampisoul)
A rare and unique compilation from one of Latin America's most innovative record labels
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…
FROM HIGHLIFE TO BAILE FUNK: The Rhythmic Bridge Between Accra, Salvador & London
London's club nights are vibrating with something ancient and new. It's a sound where the warm bells and brass of Highlife and Afrobeats collide with the pulsating, heavy bass of Brazilian Baile Funk—an intoxicating…
What Happens When London Gospel goes Latin
The London Community Gospel Choir is a musical force to be reckoned with. With a career spanning over 30 years, and led by the dynamic and charismatic Bazil Meade, LCGC is known for its funky gospel flair, swing-beat, R’n'B…
Michel Camilo & Tomatito ‘Spain Forever’ (Decca)
Dominican pianist Michel Camilo and Spanish guitarist Tomatito, have become one of the great musical pairings of the century. Back in 2000, after being friends for years, the two maestros recorded the seminal album ‘Spain’, which…
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…
Diomedes de Jesús Díaz Maestre (26 May 1957 – 22 December 2013) ‘El Cacique de la Junta’
Colombia mourns the loss of a Vallenato Legend, Diomedes Díaz died aged 56 at home in Valledupar.
Agente Rex ‘La Tregua’
From Venezuela arrives Agente Rex, a new rock band formed by heavyweights of the Caracas music scene. Venezuela has never been short of musical talent and this band showcase how far the rock genre has come since the 60s. A mature…
La Chiva se enganche!
La Chiva Gantiva are a heady mix of Colombian and Belgian musicians. With inspiration from Toto La Momposina and Afro Coloombian music, the six piece have turned into a fiery cultural sound clash full of life and colour. With a…
Rediscovering The Big Apple
Revisiting the 80s from Latin funjk to smooth Cha Cha CHa - Los Charly's best work to date.
‘Venezuela 70: Cosmic Visions of a Latin American Earth’ Various Artists (Soul Jazz Records)
Despite being as rich in music treasures as its neighbours Brazil, Colombia and Cuba, few Venezuelan artists are known outside its borders. The country has a fascinating musical history, and in the 70’s, with loads of petro-…
Various Artists Cuba y Puerto Rico Son…
It’s not the first time that an all-star team from these twin Caribbean islands have collaborated to record songs from each other’s countries, but when you get Havana D' Primera, Cultura Profética, Charlie Aponte, Isaac…
Various Artists ‘The Beat of Brazil’ (Stateside Records)
A compilation that includes Airto Moreira, Gilberto Gil, Elis Regina and Antonio Carlos Jobin is always going to be good. “ The Beat of Brazil” bring together 21 songs from the Warner vaults, this cd compiles some not that known…
A BODY IN THE WORLD
One of the brightest gems of contemporary Brazilian music, Luedji Luna fuses Afro-Brazilian rhythms, jazz and soul with poetry that honours her Bahian roots. Having just picked up two Latin Grammies, one for Best Brazilian…