What's on the stereo?

Radio Mundial, La Raiz - from the band's website: All Music Guide's Thom Jurke: "Here the music of the Andes meets the street music of Brooklyn's neighborhoods meets the folk and popular styles of Puerto Rico meet the old trad styles of Havana and the sass of its nightlife as it careens into the Caribbean heat; the result is dance floor music of the highest order where ska, reggae, steaming funk, and a polyrhythmic assault take on rock & roll in a free for all of skittering, joyously raucous, largely acoustic-based music where anything goes. And best of all? It's pop music."

Yerba Buena, President Alien. Based in New York, Yerba Buena “draws upon salsa, Cuban son, jazz, Latin rock, hip-hop, Afro-beat, and club culture to skillfully weave its hip, sexy and infectious dance floor grooves” (from Amazon). The album was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/ Alternative Album. They have a very cool website.

Nelly Furtado, Folklore -  Love this album - lots of lovely Brazilian influences, including Caetano Veloso's voice on one song, plus strains of Cape Verde. Reviews and sound snippets at amazon.com.

Gustavo Cerati, Siempre Es Hoy  -  An infectious CD from Argentine rocker, Gustavo Cerati, formerly of the legendary band Soda Stereo.  Here's a review in English and you can find clips on Amazon.com and TowerRecords.com.  I am dying to see him in concert, although based on this concert review I'll have to remember to bring ear plugs.

Juanes, Un Dia Normal  -  A (deserving) multiple winner at the 2003 Latin Grammy's, this is a gem from the Columbian pop-rocker.  He also won a Grammy for his 2001 first album, Fijate Bien.  That one is a bit darker, with more lyrics about his country's troubles, but both feature great hooks and a mix of rock, cumbia, salsa, Columbian folks rhythms.  Check it out!

La Ley, Libertad  -  The latest from La Ley, "Chile's biggest export since the seedless grape... just as sweet and juicy" (Boston Globe, summer '03). I saw them at a club in Boston last year after their wonderful MTV Unplugged CD, and they put on a great live show. The music is proudly stuck in the '80s, but Beto's voice is delicious, as is he. (See photos and video interviews from their 2003 tour.)

Kinky, Kinky  -  Alternative rock from Monterrey, Mexico. The Amazon review says this CD is "an infectious collision of wah-wah guitars, pounding dance beats, and home-cooked rhythm and brass.

Aterciopelados, Gozo Poderoso  -  Rock alternativo from Columbia, featuring the sultry voice of Andrea Echeverri and a trippy sound that you'll want to sing along with whether you know Spanish or not.

Ely Guerra, Lotofire  -  Mexican singer-songwriter; hard to describe or categorize. Mellow but with an edge.

More mellow stuff

Smokey & Miho, Smokey & Miho and Tempo de Amor (2EPs)  -  Miho Hatori (formerly of Cibo Matto) and Smokey Hormel (session player and grandson of the guy who invented Spam!); Brazilian bossa nova.  Website.
Márcio Faraco, Interior  -  Modern bossa nova, very mellow and lovely
Bebel Gilberto, Tanto Tempo - Instant, fail-safe cure for jangled nerves or a bad-hair day. Bebel is the daughter of legendary Brazilian guitarist Joao Gilberto. Songs are in Portuguese and English.
Habib Koité & Bamada, Baro - The third album from Malian singer-guitarist Koité. Beautiful music.

Some favorite Internet music sites:

cafemusic.com.br  -  From São Paulo , Brazilian instrumental music
batanga.com  -  Latin music in a gazillion channels: jazz, rock, pop, salsa, norteño...
The Jazz Matinee on wicn.org  -  My friend Monica Hatch, jazz singer extraordinaire, hosts M-Th 3-7pm (Eastern)
World Class Jazz on kplu.org  -  "KPLU's award winning jazz 24-hours a day" from Seattle/Tacoma