Paraíso Express is the 8th studio album from Spanish sensation Alejandro Sanz, and, hands down, the best yet. Steadily putting out records every two to three years since 1991, the 40-years-old Sanz’s matured sound signifies a wonderful apex in both his life and career: looking and sounding better than ever before.
Tag Archive for 'Latin'
Sol y Canto could organize their own United Nations of Latin music. They are from New Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Perú and Panamá; a wide range origins that more than likely come into play when writing their beautiful, traditional Latin roots/jazz music. The band has been playing together since 1994 (that’s 15 years!) and has won three Boston Music Awards in their time. They’ve played everywhere from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Rocky made his famous jog up the steps, to the California World Music Festival, Puerto Rico’s Museo de Arte and the White House.
Click here to see Brian and Rosi's photo in People en Español!
Although the band hails from all over Latin America, Sol y Canto is presently Boston-based. After just getting back from playing gigs in New Mexico, for good measure and a little sunshine, they have three upcoming shows in Massachusetts. Not only do their live performances shine bright and “bring audiences to their feet,” Sol y Canto’s studio albums —5 of them since 1994—have drawn high praise. Sancocho, their debut, was chosen as one of the best CDs of 1994 by The Boston Globe’s Scott Alarik.
Sol y Canto’s sound is the kind of traditional Latin that, as their fanclub page says, “makes their music accessible to Spanish- and non-Spanish-speaking audiences of all ages.” The Spanish guitar sound and classically Latin percussion coupled with Rosi’s vocals will make you feel right at home whether you are at an after hours party, drinking margaritas or learning some fresh dance moves. Check out their playlist below:
Home of: The Backstreet Boys, The Allman Brothers, Matchbox 20, Jimmy Buffet, Bo Diddley, Tom Petty, Elvis Presley, Gram Parsons
Fun Facts: State Flower: Orange Blossom, State Bird: MockingBird, State Song: “Suwannee River”
The Venues:
Florida has given birth to many a jam band over the years, hence the reason why so many Jam Band-based festivals have flourished. The most pure of these events is the Wanee Music Festival in Live Oak, FL. Planted on the banks of the Suwannee River halfway between the Eastern coast city of Jacksonville and Western coast city of Tallahassee, this festival allows customers to take full advantage of the natural Floridian paradise, and even instills secret midnight jam sessions to enhance the weekend’s spontaneity. Did I mention that the festival has been hosted and headlined by local treasure The Allman Brothers since 2005?
The St. Petersburg / Tampa region of the state is one of the few cultural hot spots falling between southern Miami and northern Jacksonville, and is thus loaded with venues. The Crowbar is decked out with a state of the art sound system, and stunning interior design. Best of all, it’s Chameleon-esque, hosting bands from famous ska act Big D and the Kids Table to up-and-coming DJ Pretty Lights. The interior atmosphere and staff seems capable of catering to all genres, from garage rock to rave, in turn creating a happy musical environment hybrid of sorts.
The Music:
Florida is the Southern most state in the contiguous USA. That being said, it should be expected to host some pretty legitimate dirty southern blues rock. Quartet John Q. combines nasty slide guitar riffs and effected solos with first hand lyrics everyone can relate to. Check out their bluesy tale of a vengeful backwoods arsonist, “BrushFire.”
Placing in the top of her class, speaking three languages fluently, and holding a masters degree in architecture are a few reasons why Maja Sar is a real life Wonder Woman. Her angelic voice is just icing on the cake. Equipped with a background in Opera, Bosnia-born Maja translated her talents into the Pop/ R&B realm ( it won’t be long before you hear her on the radio). Take a listen to the beautifully minimal “A Cappella” and you’ll understand what I mean.
As a southern paradise, Florida is swamped with tropical influences. Safe to say, Latin mega-star Leon Cheva is adequately representing a multitude of those influences. Originally from Puerto Rico, Leon and his band Anonimo Music Group play every Latin style under the sun including, but not limited to, salsa, rhumba and tropical. Having won the Latin Channel 4 times, Cheva’s smooth grooves will have your hips swinging within minutes. Check out their rich, big band effort “Un Nuevo Comienzo.”
Check out these acts and other great Floridian artists in the playlist below! Who are your favorite OurStage Floridians? Where do you like to see live music in Florida? Let us know in the comments!
Taboo Bambu has got just what you need to keep warm as the temperatures outside start to drop: tropical Latin pop complete with irresistible rhythms catchy melodies and a sound that’s “calidoso.” That is… calido + sabroso (hot and tasty), which also happens to be the name of the duo’s CD. Taboo Bambu released Calidoso this past July on Bayahibe Music, the same company that has produced tracks and remixes for artists like Ricky Martin, Thalía, Cabas, Shakira and Carlos Ponce.
Taboo Bambu: ¡Son calidosos!
Paolo and Josué, Dominican and Venezuelan respectively, have been making music their whole lives. Both come from musical families and grew up singing alongside their friends and relatives (some of whom had industry experience.) Currently based in Miami, their sound is filled with “Afro-Antillean and Caribbean” elements, salsa and, of course, some modern pop sensibility.
The video for their first single, “Todavía,” is guaranteed to make you wish you were hanging out in the tropics. If you happen to already be there, it’s guaranteed to make you wish you were hanging out with Taboo Bambu. While the darkening October skies look a little threatening, this song could keep the rain away any day of the week.
If you’re perfectly happy with your Sunday and don’t think it could get any better, this is where we part ways. However, If you’ve been looking for some seriously sizzling music to get your booty shaking, read on…
A while back we discussed the strategic combination of modern and traditional elements in Latin music. There’s no better example of this than Soulsa, a five-piece New York band who’s been heating up stages everywhere they go. Last year they even traveled as far as Finland to melt a little of that Scandinavian ice at the Frutes Tropicales Latin festival. What better place to add a little spice than the country responsible for salmiakki, the saltiest candy on earth?
Do you like your Soulsa mild, medium, or HOT?
From their fanclub page: “To create a fresh sound, Soulsa replaces traditional salsa instruments like horns and piano with the modern rhythms of the electric guitar resulting in a more ’stripped-down’ sound without ever losing their Caribbean roots.”
Soulsa’s sound is full of old school—well—soul. Apparently that’s been resonating strongly with the fans, as they’ve had fifteen Top 10 finishes on OurStage over three years. (At this moment actually, they’re holding the Number 1 spot in Latin. Maybe this is the month! Share your 2 cents and head on over to judge a few battles.) This soul is joined by beautiful harmonies, exciting electric guitar riffs and enough straight up energy to keep a crowd dancing even after the show’s over. Soulsa isn’t just the rhythm of the week, they’re the rhythm that goes on and on and on…
