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The Global Adventures of Paquito D’Rivera
From child prodege in Havana to one of the greatest Latin jazz artists of our times, we pay tribute to the great Cuban musician and all round renaissance man.
LatinoLife - The UK's First Latina-run National Portfolio Organisation
In April 2023 LatinoLife became the UK's first and only Latina-run National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), selected to be part of the UK government's ‘most varied and ambitious’ portfolio of NPOs. In being chosen as one…
The Wonderful World of Tim Maia
Back in the 1970s the deep velvety voice of Tim Maia sparked a revolution in Brazilian mainstream culture that went well beyond music, igniting the rise of the Black Rio movement. His bassy tone, resembling that of his funk and…
THE POWER OF NOW: An Interview with Cultura Profética
Cultura Profética is one of Puerto Rico's most influential bands. Formed in 1996, the group came to encapsulate what it is to be Latin Caribbean with its unique fusion of Caribbean reggae and Latin genres such as bossa nova…
An Aural Mapping of Nostalgia
One of the most critically and commercially successful bands to emerge from Latin America, Café Tacvba have come to define the essence of Mexican rock. Ahead of their European Tour this September, Shyal Bhandari speaks with…
LatinoLife 22 Confirms its Place as 'the UK's Most Inclusive Festival'
The only UK festival to be chosen for 'The Inclusive Festival Guide' compiled by European research project Fest Space, LatinoLife's 7th edition delivered the UK's biggest Latin music Festival. London’s only…
TIMBA’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN
Those who were enjoying Eliane Correa and su Evolución at this weekend's LatinoLife in the Park, are no doubt are fans of Maykel Blanco - today's bonafide guru Cuban Timba. Lucky for them, for the first time in six…
Reclaiming The Streets
Ryan Castro is the latest in a string of Medellin music sensations to reach global fame, with hits such as Jordan, Wasa Wasa, Malory and Mujeriego. Just as Colombia’s ‘City of Eternal Spring’ has come to be known as the new…
Mexican Maverick
Striking gold in 2018 with his diamond-certified hit ‘Fuentes de Ortiz’, Latin Grammy-winning 21-year-old Mexican, Eduardo Hernández Saucedo, also known as Ed Maverick, became one of Latin America’s most in-demand talents…
Remembering João Gilberto
When we think of bossa nova, the revolutionary music that catapulted the evocative sound of Brazil onto the global stage, with think of João Gilberto, who gave voice to the extraordinary songs such as 'Desfinado',…
Britpop's Favourite Timbalero
When Colombian timbal player Roberto Pla arrived the UK in the 1970s, the Latin music scene was practically non-existent. But the boy from Baranquilla soon became the percussionist of choice for UK pop artists such as Joe…
Southern Passion at the Cervantes Theatre
The Flamenco Festival London 2022, based at Sadler’s Wells (dance) and the Cervantes Theatre (music) featured renowned stars and legends like Tomatito, the Compañia Jesús Carmona, El Yoyo and his troupe, Rocío Márquez and…
The Juanes Mash Up
The Colombian music landscape has transformed dramatically over the last 10 years, with reggaetón becoming the new pop, but one Medellín rockero has transcended all trends and remains as relevant today doing the music he loves.…
Remembering Los Panchos
When it comes to Latin music, there aren’t many acts bigger than Los Panchos. Founded in New York by two Mexicans and a Puerto Rican in 1944, the bolero singing guitar trio became a music institution, first all over the Americas…
Típica 73 Tunes That Rock the Dance Floor
When it comes to NY salsa, rare were the bands that could compete with Típica 73 in their heyday. One of the most progressive, experimental but also heartfelt bands from the scene they had some of the most acclaimed singers of…
Odd One Out
Hailed as one of the most promising jazz musicians of her generation, Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana is somewhat of an anomoly. Amaranta Wright meets Blue Note’s latest signing and discovers an incredible journey from a…
The Brit-Latin Underground
Photographer Alicia Colarusso delves into the underground Latin music scene in London to capture the essence of five up-and-coming artists - Fluffy, Luisa Santiago, Guala, A Nahomy and P Man – all born or bred in the capital or…
We Love 'El Tosco'
Amaranta Wright ventures down memory lane and to Miami in the 90s when she first heard the late great José Luis Cortés aka El Tosco, “the Rough One” and his NG La Banda, one of the greatest ever Cuban bands. The accomplished…
Nature’s Children
We can all recognize the low whistle opening To My Love, or the growing drum and guitar rhythm of Fuego. Fans of Colombia’s hippest electro-tropical outfit will be dying to see Bomba Estereo after its 4-year break since Ayo. With…
Rebel Spirit
Ana Tijoux is well known for her strong lyrics that question the status quo, whether social, political, religious, cultural or economic. In the best tradition of Latin American cantaurores, the Chilean-French hip-hop singer…
‘Signo de Fuego' by La Evolución
Inspired by the modern Havana sound of large-format Timba (Cuban salsa) orchestras featuring electric guitars and synths over powerful, distinctively Cuban grooves, La Evolución is the latest creation of the acclaimed London-…
Latin Music 2.0: Meet Candela Records’ Rising Stars
Ever since reggaetón became the world’s most streamed music genre, the major music labels have been on the hunt for the Latin music stars of the future. In a brave move, one global brand decided to look to UK shores for a new and…
Uncovering B.Léza - Cesaria Evora’s songwriter
Few people had heard of Cabo Verde, an arc of islands off the coast of Senegal, until Cesária Évora put them on the map. B. Leza is one of the most important composers in the history of Cabo Verde, and anyone who knows Cesária…
We Love Toña la Negra (1912 –1982)
Mexico has never been short of fantastic singers and to become considered as a singing star in the country, you have to be great and Toña La Negra was one of the greatest singers Mexico has given to the world. An Afro-Mexican of…
The Return of the Venezuelan Funksters
Latin America's most iconic funk band will perform another of their show-stopping gigs on April 2nd at the 26 Leake Street Club, an awesome venue in the London Bridge arches, displaying of some of the best street-art in…
Baroque Cubana: The Extraordinary Story of Gabriela Mulen
Gabriel Mulen is a charismatic young musician from one of Old Havana’s most iconic Afrocuban neighbourhoods who combines a career as one of only two professional organists in Havana - playing organ and harpsichord in two Early…
Bebel Gilberto: Mother of Bossa Electronica
Being daughter to the legendary Joao Gilberto was quite a shadow to step out of. But over a remarkable 40-year career of her own, the multi-Grammy nominated and winning singer Bebel Gilberto became her own star with compositions…
We Love Charlie Palmieri (1927-1988)
Pianist, organist, composer, arranger, bandleader and educator, Charlie Palmieri, Eddie’s older brother was one of the fundamental players in the development of Latin music in NY. His virtuosity and love for his art drove Charlie…
Passage of Time: an Interview with Paco Peña
As guitarist, composer, dramatist, producer and artistic mentor Paco Peña has transformed perceptions of Flamenco since his arrival in the UK in the late 1960s. Fusing his own Andalusian heritage with London influences, there is…
Ismael Miranda Tunes That Rock the Dance Floor
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in NY, Ismael Miranda was part as of the original “Fania All Stars” line up, as well as being the lead voice for Joey Pastrana and Larry Harlow’s band and then leading his very own crew, with a…
A Night Out With Rapzodia
Our man in Havana takes us on a bus journey (literally) into the post-Covid nights of Havana to discover the best Cuban acts coming out of lockdown. First stop, a sizzling evening with Rapzodia, an electrifying blend of hip hop,…
Top 10 New Alternative Albums
Recent years have surprised us with many new and old faces releasing albums in the Latino alternative genre. Modern alternative Latino artists have been on the rise, and every year we have new stars that surprise the charts as we…
Remembering Rafael Escalona, composer (1927 - 2009)
Rafael Escalona was one of Colombia's most important musical lyricists and composers, revolutionising Colombia's vallenato tradition, modernizing the music's rough, accordion-based sound via the addition of vividly…
Susana Baca'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 this month is Susana Baca, the greatest international exponent of Afro-Peruvian music, having…
Willie Rosario Tunes that Rock the Dance Floor
One of the leading lights of Puerto Rican salsa, Willie Rosario aka "Mr. Afinque," this true legend of latin music has been filling dance floors for over 60 years, either by rocking it with his band or via his extensive…
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Quimantú presents Surtierra Touring Project: When Music is Home
The musical group Quimantú, through its Surtierra Touring Project, aims to break the stigmas…
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MAGDALENA, TE AMO (2024) by Andrea Calao
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Power Alley (Levante- 2023) by Brazilian director Lillah Halla
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Globally, Mexico is known as a boxing powerhouse, boasting some of the greatest champions in the…
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LatinoLife's Favourite Mexican Male Singers of all Time
Since the days when Mexico was a serious rival to Hollywood in terms of film production and quality…
