CD Review: Leticia Rodriguez Garza's 'Saguita Al Bate'

Leticia Rodriguez Garza
Saguita Al Bate
Self-Release

Growing up in Texas, one is never too far away from the energetic, pulsating, and danceable sounds of Latin America. Saguita Al Bate is a rollicking, four-track album of cumbia, salsa, Latin, jazz, Caribbean, and Afro-Latin elements with some tunes coming from a previous release, La Americana. The lively percussion, driving horns, punchy bass, and rootsy accordion on a few tracks makes the music come alive with a classic vein running throughout the album. The music of Latin America is timeless when jazzy piano, heavy percussion, and soulful vocals are involved. This is especially true on Saguita Al Bate. The music is seemingly out of the 1950's, but it is equally at home in today's era. Anyone with an interest in classic Latin American music will love Leticia Rodriguez Garza. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Monica Giraldo's 'Que Venga La Vida'

Monica Giraldo
Que Venga La Vida
Polen Records

Colombia's Monica Giraldo is a Latin-Grammy-nominated musician that brings us alt-pop and roots music with a lot less percussion than one would expect from vibrant areas of Central America. Monica's vocal and instrumental set-up is not too unlike New York's Leona Naess. However, the music still contains some Latin American character with a little alt-folk and roots comparisons that shine very well amid the mix. The ten tracks are poignant, delicate, and heartfelt. This is easy listening and contemporary pop constructions that are quite mature and pleasant. This may be based on contemporary Colombian pop, but Monica seems to take it one step further: into a world of roots, alt-folk, and a magical third genre. The music is perfect for anyone into Colombian pop, folk, and roots. Traditionalists into heavy percussion should look elsewhere to satisfied your needs. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Peru Maravilloso: Vintage Latin, Tropical & Cumbia'

Various Artists
Peru Maravilloso: Vintage Latin, Tropical & Cumbia
Tiger's Milk Records

With a focus on the tropical music of Peru in the 1960s and 70s, Peru Maravilloso... attempts to resurrect a long-forgotten medley of music. The music combines cumbia, tropical, and Latin beats with organic vocals and instrumentation rarely heard outside Peru. Compiled by Martin Morales, Duncan Ballantyne, and Andres Tapia, Peru Maravilloso... encapsulates the sounds of a bygone era. While not particularly rock, psych, or dance, the music does include big band sounds and folksy melodies steeped in Peruvian history and culture. However, there are instances where garage rock or psych shines through. There is a bit of classical, jazz, experimental, and funk elements in most of the songs. At any rate, there are fifteen delectable tracks that should not be ignored. Fans of vintage cumbia, rare Peruvian sounds, and tropical music everywhere should heck out Peru Maravilloso... ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Atropolis' 'Transitions'

Atropolis
Transitions
Cumba Mela

The urban, electronic, and cumbia-type beats of DJ, arranger, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Atropolis, creates edgy and danceable instrumental and vocal tunes. The new album contains twelve tracks with lush electronic embellishments, horn-like sounds, and tropical or carnival-like noises with a dancehall and party-type atmosphere. The Latin-tinged compositions are not folk music; but a type of global fusion incorporating dubstep, cumbia, kuduro, new age, and dance elements that seem to pull influences from the Caribbean, Balkans, West Africa, and South America. A few guest musicians, including Boogat, Carol C, Darwin Escorcia, Lido Pimienta, and Brent Arnold lend their talents to the mix. Transitions is for the dance fan, DJ aficionado, and global traveler. Nothing is wrong here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Putumayo's 'Brazilian Beat'

Various Artists
Brazilian Beat
Putumayo

The Afro-Brazilian rhythms, samba soul, and steamy, South American sensibilities makes Brazilian Beat a sure-fire hit for a holiday season gift. The funky grooves and fluid vocals are percussion-heavy and psychedelic with loads of hip-swaying melodies and lounge elements. The smooth sounds of the 1970's are certainly evident on most of the tracks. A host of not-so-well-known musicians, including Fino Coletivo, Brazuka Fina, Marcello, Roge, Tamy, Bruna Caram, and others, produce infectious sounds with Latin bossa nova and jazzy horns. The result is astounding, pleasing, and ear-friendly. The mix of sounds and artists are diverse enough to keep the seasoned Brazilian music listener very pre-occupied with plenty of music. ~ Matthew Forss