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Roberto Carlos
John Armstrong attempts to synthesise the enduring appeal of Latin America’s most successful artist.
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…
Cuba's Real Royalty
When Charles and Camilla visited Cuba in March this year they were probably unaware that Cuba has its own royalty in the shape of popular female Cuban Rap duo “La Reyna y La Real” (“Reyna” being a popular Cuban name which is…
The Sunday X-Perience Bank Holiday Top Ten
The Sunday Xperience has become THE party to go on Sundays due to its vibe and dancing crowd, but it is all down to the music played there, a mix of Reggaeton with doses of Dancehall, Afrobeats, Baile Funk and Salsa. Ahead of a…
Anarchy’s Enduring Appeal
Santiago Oyarzabal talks to Los Auténticos Decadentes, one of the best, most enduring and probably the most fun, rock bands to ever come out of Argentina. Known for its distinctive anarchic energy, unique mix of rhythms, and…
Rebel with an Accordion
Self-taught Mexican singer and accordionist, Celso Piña, acquired the name ‘the rebel of the accordian’ in his native Mexico and is now considered a pioneer in his unique fusion of musica norteña, sonidero, cumbia ska, hip-hop…
‘Duologue’ by Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez
What happens when two titans of contemporary Cuban music collide? A rare work of art that sends shivers down the body to its very soul...
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…
Nando Reis' 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? Our castaway this month is iconic rock star, Nando Reis, the bass player of one of Brazil's most…
'Loop Explorations’ by Camilo Menjura
What started as a one-off experiment for a choral music festival became the latest album by the much-loved London-based Colombian singer-songwriter and choral master Camilo Menjura. Loop Exploration is the result of Menjura'…
Real People Hurt
The female voice of self-assured sensitivity, angst, frustration, betrayal, love, yearning and truth was once a staple of music. But somewhere along the line the frank and authentic female vocalist has been lost. Cue 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…
Louie Vega’s E.O.L. Soulfrito @ Royal Festival Hall
Little Louie Vega's Nuyorican soul turns the South bank concert hall into a club night. Latinolife's review with special video reportage
LATIN LONDONER #23 Mike Kalle - Urban Latin Artist
Born in London to Colombian parents, Mike Kalle is the leading light of the young, creative Latino community. Referred to as the godfather of UK Latin Hip Hop, Mike won a LUKAS two years running as Urban Latin Act of the Year.…
House of Sounds
Little Louie Vega has Latin music running through his veins. Nephew of the late great salsa icon, Hector Lavoe, this New York-based DJ and producer extraordinaire, has influenced the sound of House music worldwide, notleast as…
When Fado met Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Beyond
Ana Moura first burst onto the international scene in 2011, when she was hailed by the media as a ‘prodegée’ of Prince and Mick Jagger. But beyond this rather colonialist view (the Portuguese singer was a fully-fledged artist…
Latin Londoners of 2018
As Latin artists are making the mark ever more indelibly in the UK, we celebrate those who stood out this year, earning the support from both the public and the discerning LUKAS judges to win awards for their artistic excellence…
LatinoLife's Christmas Bangers 2018
After a year of reggaetón smashers, the ladies show they rule with hits that are sending the year off with a bang
My 10 Favourite Samba Songs for Dancing
In the last piece in our series on Brazilian music, samba dancer, academic and enthusiast, Foteini Foteinaki, reveals her favourite Sambas for dancing.
Latinolife's Baile Funk Playlist
With what has become known simply as Funk (or Funke as they pronounce it in Brazil). the rich tapestry of Brazilian music is nowhere more evident in the world of dance floor bangers Forget James Brown and Sly and the Family…
Maluma
Recently making he big London splash at London's SSE Wembley arena, Maluma has joined an elite band of Latin artists such as Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, who can fill London arenas. He is the…
Top 10 Great Brazilian musicians (you might not've heard)
Brazilians love superlatives. The biggest rainforest, the widest river, the richest bio-diversity. Yup, we have a lot to boast about (ignore the one about biggest gap between rich and poor!) and music is no different where our…
Omar Sosa'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? Our castaway, composer-pianist-bandleader Omar Sosa, one of Cuba’s most celebrated Jazz musicians, grew up…
LINA TUR BONET & MUSICA ALCHEMICA bring new shine to ‘Il Grosso Mogul’ of Vivaldi
LINA TUR BONET & MUSICA ALCHEMICA have recently released a superb new recording of ‘Il Grosso Mogul’. The CD “Antonio Vivaldi Il Grosso Mogul, Violin Concertos & Sonatas” includes some of the lesser known music of Vivaldi…
Mariza, Interpreter of Life
Born in Mozambique to a Portuguese father and Mozambican mother and brought up in Mouraria, one of the traditional Fado neighbourhoods of Lisbon, Mariza has become one of Portugal’s most charismatic performers and eloquent…
Mon Laferte Live in London
Mon Laferte warmed the EartH in Hackney at her London debut where the Chilean diva played, whilst launching her sixth Album launch 'Norma'
Arturo O'Farril's Fantasy Island Tracks
As son of the late Cuban composer, arranger, conductor, Chico O’Farril, and growing up among the greats of New York’s Jazz scene, we reckoned ARTURO O’FARRIL pianist, composer, and educator extraordinaire, must have had some…
Things That Matter to...Mon Laferte
Mon Laferte is one of Latin America's most dynamic artists, unstoppable since releasing her album Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015. Last year's Latin Grammy winner for Best Alternative Song for 'Amárrame', the young…
Enrique Iglesias @ The 02
After a four-year absence from UK stages, Enrique Iglesias made an impressive return to Britain for his 'All the Hits Live' tour. In a packed o2 arena the Spanish pop icon proved this was more than the comeback of an…
Things That Matter to...Yilian Cañizares
With two acclaimed albums, 2013's self-produced 'Ochumare' and 2015's 'Invocación', Yilian Cañizares is considered one of the most exciting and innovative jazz musicians of her generation. This young…
Favourite Sambas
My father lead and played in a carnival band for more than 30 years and most of the time, this band rehearsed at our home. They played in clubs for the four nights of carnival parties and the weeks that preceded them. Outside…
Being Samba
In his love letter to Samba, Vinicius Mariano de Carvalho , declares its importance to Brazilian identity and explores what it means to embrace this art form in all its simplicity and complexity.
The Sum of Tribes
What happens when three friends get together in a hut on a beach to jam? A best-selling album of course. Well, perhaps only if you are already best-selling superstars. Felipe Botelho Correa talks to Marisa Monte, Arnaldo Antunes…
The Heart of Brazil
Brazil’s definitive fiesta front man, Zeca Pagodinho, is one of the country’s most loved artists. Embodying the free, easy-going Carioca spirit and representing the tradition of sambas de raiz (grassroot sambas), Zeca…
Maluma @ Wembley Arena
London's Latinas got their fix of Latin America's hottest pop property at Wembley on September 24th
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