Rolling Afro-Latin Music 2024: Reggaeton, Dembow, Latin Pop, Salsa,Bachata, Bomba, Latin Jazz, Merengue, Urbano and more Latinx

https://hullworks.net/jazzpoll/23/totals-latin.php

X-post- the Latin Jazz poll results.

Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo, El Arte Del Bolero, Vol. 2 (Miel Music) 13
Aruán Ortiz Trio, Serranias: Sketchbook for Piano Trio (Intakt) 9
Harold López-Nussa, Timba a la Americana (Blue Note) 7
Hilario Durán and His Latin Jazz Big Band, Cry Me a River (Alma) 5
Susan Alcorn & Septeto Del Sur, Canto (Relative Pitch) 4
Sammy Figueroa, Something for a Memory (Busco Tu Recuerdo) (Ashé) 4
Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band, Vox Humana (Jazzheads) 4
Edward Simon, Femininas: Songs of Latin American Women (ArtistShare) 4
David Virelles, Carta (Intakt) 4
Roxana Amed & Frank Carlberg, Los Trabajos Y Las Noches (Sony Music Latin) 3

That’s some of em. I think I liked the Zenon & Perdoma one slightly better than I liked prior Zenon releases, but he never has enough non-jazz rhythm for me .

Zenon & Perdomo is very pleasant jazz , but ( maybe it’s me), I don’t really hear the bolero mentioned in the album title

The Sanabria Big Band aren’t doing anything new, but they have that horns and more with vocals and percussive clave sound down

https://www.allmusic.com/year-in-review/2023/favorite-latin-and-global

Allmusic,com list of fave Latin and Global is more pop than the jazz critics list of course

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pete-terrace-mn0000523404

RIP NY Puerto Rican vibraphonist Pete Terrace at age 96. Just heard it mentioned on Jim Byers Metro Mambo show but it’s not on the websites I have looked at yet

Saturday Jan 13
Barbes and Electric Cowbell Present Secret Planet 2024 in NYC
7PM DJ set (Discolocas) (may start earlier..)
7:30PM Shoko Nagai’s Tokala
8.15PM Bombay Rickey
9PM Laberinto del Coco
9.45PM Loboko
10.30PM Combo Daguerre
11.15PM La Perla
12PM Cumbia Heights
12:30AM: DJ set (Discolocas)
Doors 6:30PM
$20
Drom
85 Ave NY, NY 20009

Loboko is a new NY based Congolese band , many others are from the Latin music world. Cumbia Heights is DC based as is Electric Cowbell promoter. Barbes is Brooklyn NY club and promoter

I wrote about how Fela Kuti's song "Shakara" became a hit in Colombia in the early '70s, including three very different cover versions.

Just read that .Nice piece . I had referenced the Fela song in that in the 2023 thread in mentioning the obit of Lisandro Meza, Afro-Colombian accordion player and more

Colombia sure does have lots of great music that is reflective of African styles but with their own twist

OTM. Including some folkloric stuff on the Pacific side.

although maybe that’s slightly different than what you are talking about here.

Yeah, curmudgeon, it was your posting of the Meza version that inspired the piece. I had multiple compilations that included the different versions and somehow the pieces had never clicked together in my head until then.

X-post - I think but am not sure that Meza is from Pacific side of Colombia, and yes his music is Afro-folkloric.

There’s an annual music fest on the west coast of Colombia that I would love to go too. I think author musician Ned Sublette wrote about it and may have even done of those music tours he leads , there

Liking video clips I have seen of El Laberinto del Coco, Puerto Rican group rooted in Bomba but with other elements. A percussionist from Calle 13 is in the group. They were just on a big bill at Drom in NY yesterday, and might be at the Global Fest at Lincoln Center in Ny today

https://ellaberintodelcoco.bandcamp.com/track/todo-va-a-estar-bien

Pepe Flores, musicologist/lower east side NY activist, introduced El Laberinto del Coco @ Drom in NYC

https://wgrl.nyc/puerto-rican-music-with-pepe-flores/

Selena - Ones (a compilation) is #1 Latin Pop album on Billboard. Aventura has the #1 Tropical album on Billboard.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/arts/music/ana-tijoux-vida.html

Chilean born rapper & singer Ana Tijoux out with first new album since 2014. Vida, the new one has her vocalizing over salsa on one song and afrobeats on another according to Jon Pareles who wrote the article. Tijoux lives in Barcelona now the article says. I haven’t heard the album yet , but I have liked her earlier releases

I liked Tijoux album on first listen

Another 2023 best of songs list

https://www.latimes.com/delos/newsletter/2023-12-14/top-latin-music-songs-2023-latinx-files-latinx-files

A worthy #1- 1. Eslabón Armado and Peso Pluma, “Ella Baila Sola”

Pedro Tovar, bandleader of rising “sad sierreño” act Eslabón Armado, gave the tough-talking corrido star Peso Pluma a makeover with this sensual ballad about a mystery girl who dances alone. Peaking at No. 4, “Ella Baila Sola” came to be the highest-charting regional Mexican song on the Hot 100 since the list’s creation in 1958.

There’s a weekly Latin jazz night at a Latino club in DC , and I see that in NY tonight Ben Lapidus and Tony Rosa are at Latin Jazz night at Misto in the Bronx . Gringo
Me might find the sound too rote after all these years, but it’s living on

Marc Anthony w/ bachata song Punta Cana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXvudxMABqM

Was listening to El Laberinto del Coco last night. Led by Bomba percussionist Coco who was once in Calle 13, they meld bomba percussion, salsa horns, occasional Santana-esque guitar & call and response salsa, pop, & rap vocals .

Thankfully they don’t overdo the Santana funk rock guitar solos which are the weakest part of their sound

They did a free Kennedy Center gig some years back billed by Kennedy Center as Hector Coco Barez and El Laberinto del Coco. On Thursday February 1 of this year they will be at the U of Maryland Clarice Smith Center near me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx3mXp61myU

x-post - that new Marc Anthony song Punts Cana is now #1 on Billboard Tropical chart. His 36th Tropical chart top song

https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/marc-anthony-punta-cana-debuts-number-1-tropical-airplay-chart-1235594706/

Punta Cana

Afro-Peruvian singer Susana Baca is intensive care in a hospital in Peru. Apparently she’s also being mocked on twitter x by conservatives who don’t like her politics

Mon Laferte's 2024 North American tour has NY & Boston gigs , but then grrrr skips Washington DC and goes south

Listening to Orquesta Akokan, a retro Mambo & Cuban son group with NYC and Cuban members. I saw them on tour in DC back in 2018 (I think), and now they're touring the US again a bit in the spring. Daptone I think once put something of there's out, so yeah it's going for a throwback approach, but they do it well.

Chano Dominguez about to start.

Orquesta Akokan are so great

This is sounding great, despite the fact that I am downstairs since upstairs is sold out

“Someday, My Prince Will Come”!

And now special guest Mino Cinélu!

Introduced as the triangle player on Decoy.

Now he switched from triangle to cajón

Thanks for the Mon Laferte tip. Maybe I will try to go to the theater at MSG.

Just listened to the last album which I hadn’t been aware of and now watching some of the related videos.

And now some video of a song she did with Fito Páez that’s pretty good.

From several years back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JqyVoqavaU

Nice.

[googles Chano Dominguez and then I am reminded and remember --- Chano Domínguez is one of the most celebrated Spanish Latin jazz, post bop, and flamenco pianists of our time, having released over 20 albums as a bandleader, composer, and producer. Domínguez came to great international exposure in 2000 when he appeared performing his own composition, “Oye Como Viene,” in Spanish director Fernando Trueba’s Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz documentary, Calle 54, which also featured Elaine Elias, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, and Tito Puente.

Lives in Brooklyn and has a Queens based label

Cool. Think he flew to Colombia to do some shows there, which is why there was no second set last night

looks like vocalist Jose “Pepito” Gomez is out of Orquesta Akokan . Jacob Plasse (tres) and Michael Eckroth (piano) who first formed group and brought Pepito Gomez on, are still there but Kiko Ruíz is now their vocalist.

Wait, Mike is in that group?

Ah you met him or know him, Michael or Mike of Orquesta Akokan. Their new singer Kiko Ruiz is Cuban. Was told that current bandmembers live in either NYC, Miami, or Havana now.

He moved to Florida where he has a teaching gig, can't remember what school. He used to live in my neighborhood though. And his in-laws still live nearby so when he is in town he stays with them. Last time I saw him he was at the coffee shop doing some grading. I've seen him play different gigs, thing I particularly like is his Arsenio Rodriguez tribute,

You know that both his sisters also play piano.

Oh, I see he is on a Fulbright now.

a week or so ago I mentioned Mabe Fratti and now I see she has her own thread (but I think I posted here first)

Listening now to Teno El Melodico, Colombian salsa choque vocalist who is going to be at a Colombian Independence Day Fest July 20 in Washington DC. He sings and kinda raps over a tuneful mix of reggaeton and salsa.

https://remezcla.com/lists/music/lets-put-the-shine-where-it-belongs-8-dominican-artists-making-merengue-electronico-to-know/

Dominican merengue electronica aka merengue de Calle

Joe Bataan | Meridian Brothers | Madame Vacile for free July 19 @ Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park Brooklyn

Liking Feid songs I hear on radio . Reggaeton and pop.

Also Luis Figueroa who is more salsa and tropical rooted but also pop friendly

Listening to Plena Libre today. They're coming to do a free show in the DC area . Their bassist leader Gary Nunez died of cancer in 2023. Not sure who has replaced him the group

https://jazzdelapena.com/puerto-rico-project/plena-libre-mourns-the-loss-of-leader-gary-nunez/

The Plena Libre fast-tempoed mix of hand-held percussion, barrel bomba drums, maraca, snare drummer, keyboard and horns and bass , with lead vocals and harmonized back vocals sounds great to me

Is this how you say "talking to myself" in Spanish?

Hablando conmigo mismo

Sounds about right

Have you ever used Linguee?

No, but I will

X-post to myself- Plena Libre is now lead by the late Gary Nunez’ son who has taken over on bass and has been playing music since he was a little kid

Another x-post to myself from upthread- The Reyna Tropical show in DC that I thought was cancelled is back on. Alas, its the same night as Plena Libre is in DC area. But maybe I will live it up and go see Plena Libre the next night in Baltimore.

WHAT:
Premios Juventud will air a special tribute tonight (7/25) celebrating the 60th anniversary of Fania Records, the legendary label that revolutionized music and exported salsa to the world via. Univision. To commemorate this milestone, the tribute will include star-studded performances of timeless hits like “Quimbara” and “Mi Gente.” from Anitta, Ivy Queen, La India, Luis Figueroa, Oscar D’León, Tito Puente Jr., and Tony Succar, under the musical direction of Sergio George

On Univision

That Fania tribute is just one part of the show. Lots of young acts I don’t know. Some I do . Some big names like Prince Royce , who performed with a guest rapper , and some dancers.

Emilia and Lod Ángeles Azules !

Los Esquivel!

Mau y Ricky are a fun Latin power pop indie duo on guitar and drums who were joined by a band

Now Wisin !

Y'all should have watched it

“, Billboard revealed the first round of artists confirmed to take the stage at Billboard Latin Music Week which will take place in Miami October 14-18, 2024. Latin superstars Bad Gyal, DANNA, Danny Ocean, Domelipa, Fat Joe, Gloria Estefan, JOP, Keityn, Lele Pons, Luis Alfonso, María Becerra, Mau y Ricky, Mon LaFerte, N.O.R.E., Paola Jara, Peso Pluma, Pipe Bueno, Sophia Talamas, Yeison Jiménez, Yeri Mua and more are among the first group announced to participate. “

Saw Reyna Tropical in DC last night. Latin pop w/ a bit of Cumbia & Manu Chao & Afro-Mexican influences

August 24 near dc- old school salsa greats show

*Salsa Fest w/ Willie Colon, El Gran Combo, La India, Tito Nieves, Rey Ruiz, Frankie Negron, Los Adolescentes @ Eaglebank Arena *

dug this new one from floyymenor, whose "gata only" is probably the biggest reggaeton hit of the year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke2RPv1rXNw

His voice sounds a bit different on that one compared to “Gata Only “. I like both. His new album is now out

yeah the new album only has two new songs, of which "lorea mami" is one

random songs I heard on radio I like - "Carita de Inocente" remix of Prince Royce song feat Myke Towers. a Jay Wheeler song, Luis Figueroa salsa song, and 10 Muchacho by by Chimbala, DJ Adoni, and El Rubio Acordeón

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRoqYAwQNJM

RIP Johnny Rodriguez

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_%22Dandy%22_Rodr%C3%ADguez

This one hurts.😪 Rest in peace to my uncle and the best bongo player in the world, Mr. John "Dandy" Rodriguez, Jr. He has worked with my father's orchestra for over 35 years and has known me since birth. pic.twitter.com/Qj8Kr2sCos

— Tito Puente, Jr. (@titopuentejr) August 17, 2024

Yeah keep seeing things on social media about this.

Even saw somebody take a call during a performance video and talk to another person who wanted to discuss this

Wow

Latin rock band Mana has pulled from availability their earlier collaboration with reggaeton artist Nicki Jam who recently endorsed Trump. Mana posted in Spanish on their Instagram page that they don’t work with racists .

Another reggaeton rapper Annuel had also endorsed Trump. Most Puerto Ricans do not support Trump and these 2 have gotten flack

Was never a Mana fan but now I respect them

https://afropop.org/audio-programs/the-new-york-sound-of-latin-music?utm_source=main_mail_list&utm_campaign=ebdf918e5a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_09_16_04_47&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-ebdf918e5a-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

Not sure but I think Afropop.org is just re-airing old shows . But I don’t think I ever heard this one

Nicki Jam just pulled his endorsement of Trump but claims it’s not because of what Mana said, but because when Jam was with Trump and was announcing his endorsement, Trump mistakenly introduced him as a woman saying “ Latin Music Superstar Nickey Jam . She’s hot.”

Nicky

https://www.npr.org/2024/08/21/1197958351/venezuelan-protest-music-2024

Venezuela protest music

https://www.npr.org/2024/09/04/1197958422/alt-latino-new-music-la-dona

Alt.Latino's best new music round-up: La Doña, Sinego and Spanish Harlem Orchestra

.@alexoficial & @Anitta's "La Tóxica" hits No. 1 on this week's #RegionalMexicanAirplay chart.

Anitta becomes the first Brazilian artist in history to hit No. 1 on a Regional Mexican chart.

The song also earns Fernandez his 10th No. 1 at the format.

— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) September 17, 2024

Billboard Latin Grammys announced today .

https://www.billboard.com/lists/latin-grammys-2024-nominations-snubs-surprises/

Listening to La Dona , San Francisco Latin Pop

Xpost from the Billboard article

Xavi, who Billboard predicted could score a best new artist nomination, was not nominated…at all.
Maybe he doesn’t qualify for the coveted best new artist because he’s released more than 15 singles, according to the Latin Grammys category definition — but at 20 years old, the artist born Joshua Xavier Gutiérrez is one of the biggest hitmakers today, releasing some of the top-charting songs this year with his signature tumbados románticos sound

Lots of music above to catch up on. As worthy as MJ Lenderman or other US and UK rockers getting lots of press

Rancho Aparte from Quibdo, Colombia on the Pacific side were full of energy tonight playing Chirimia carnival sounds @ the little Marx Cafe in the Mt Pleasant neighborhood of Washington DC. The vocalist sang and rapped. The group have a marching band drum, clarinet, sax , tuba and bass with lots of fast tempos and sing song lyrics. They were in NYC the night before, they are in Philadelphia on Wed. the 25th, then some shows in Virginia and they finish off in Baltimore October 1. Some videos on the link

https://www.womex.com/virtual/borojo_music/rancho_aparte

Rancho Aparte were so fun last night in DC

So much energy and fast tempos