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

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.

One sister anyway. She's played some pretty big gigs. Thought they had another sister too, but can't find mention.

Puerto Rican Dominican Jazz
Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra plays Puerto Rican Dominican jazz; at Sony Hall in the Times Square Theater District; on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 8pm. From $15.

Saw this on that Latin Things to do in NY email that I get , even though I don’t live up there

Just stumbled across a new Substack newsletter, Marco's Music Radar, covering Latin-American music (the writer's term) in English, from Colombia. I've subscribed — it could be interesting.

Thanks. Just subscribed to free version. His focus on post I looked at seems to be on indie/alternative rock .

To get that Latin Music in NY email I mentioned that lists salsa and latin jazz NY events, with a fair amount in the Bronx , go here -

https://www.newyorklatinculture.com/

Tonight in DC for free

"Fandango at the Wall" film 5 to 7 @ Library of Congress Pickford Theatre (Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra go to Veracruz, Mexico, to jam w/ “son jarocho" players

Arturo O’Farrill & his Afro-Latin Octet 8 to 10 @ Library of Congress Coolidge Aud

You gonna go?

Maybe to the show, but can’t get there early enough for the movie. Gonna try to stream that if available

I saw Arturo’s son play last week. One of these Sunday evenings I will get up to Birdland again.

And he was just playing now with this guy who seems really interesting, although I couldn't really stay too long: https://www.antoniolizanamusic.com/

I did go see Arturo O’Farrill & his Afro-Latin Octet 8 & it was a real good show. Started with some clave heavy dance numbers, then got jazzy, then did a Aster Piazolla tango song, and did a song that he described as whirling dervish music. Band had drummer, a percussionist on congas, another percussionist on cajon & congo; trumpet; sax & flute player; ... Arturo talked a lot in between. He first exclaimed his joy at being there all day and the Library folks showing him Mingus manuscripts and more , and he noted that this inspired him and was his America. The director of Fandango at the Wall was there and he brought him onstage (and the director played acoustic bass on one song) . He said he wasn't going to get into politics but he nonetheless talked a bit positively about immigration. He talked about Fandango @ the Wall and how every Labor Day that musicians get together on both sides of the Us wall w/ Mexico . He also expressed his love for Cubans. He talked about his non-profit that is building a community center in Harlem. He made some goofy Dad jokes. They're not really doing anything new new musically (no hints of reggaeton or Latin pop) but they do is classic and they have it down

Re my nitpicking of Latin jazz, I mean if Mackaya McCraven can play jazz and be influenced by Dilla and other hiphop folks, if some of those recent Shabaka Hutchings groups could also be influenced a bit by hiphop, where are the Latin Jazz groups that are utilizing hiphop and reggaeton. I haven't found 'em. So I enjoy the O'Farrill classic approach, but just would also like to hear some group trying something newer

Just saw an Instagram video clip story of bouncebeat go-go band TOB working on a track with akeyboardist adding salsa rhythmic accents! Yes, I like it.

Today's Google Doodle subject is Lola Beltrán it seems.

https://doodles.google/doodle/lola-beltrans-92nd-birthday/

Mexican ranchera singer and actor

Yes

Like many, I first heard her on an Almodóvar soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukzR6qrI6Xo

Which song title I often use to remember a subtle point of Spanish grammar.

Cool. Someday maybe I will learn Spanish.

The person who did this interview with Rauw Alejandro speaks Spanish and knows Puerto Rican slang.

https://crfashionbook.com/rauw-alejandro-interview/

As he begins to share more about the new album over a Zoom call, his cat—a fluffy, smoke-gray Maine Coon named Kemuri—starts meowing incessantly outside his door. Distracted, Alejandro walks over to let him in. “¡Meraaa!” he says, deploying a classic Puerto Rican exclamation. “Get inside,” he says lovingly in Spanish

I liked Alejandro's last album, but am wondering if I will like new one when it comes out (based on this quote)

It’s too early to tell what the direction of the new record will be, but he knows for a fact that it’ll be nothing like Saturno. He’s been listening to a lot of pop-punk and nu metal, of all things—Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Blink-182—although there’s been some jazz and classical music on rotation too. “I’m still cooking, developing a new persona—the whole look and feel,” he explains. “But I’m not someone who follows a formula. All my big hits are different musical styles,” he continues, citing the raunchy reggaeton heater “Lokera,” the synth pop sparkler “Todo de Ti,” and the kizomba-tinged “2/Catorce.”

I know a little bit of Spanish I should say. But not enough

https://pitchfork.com/news/new-book-switched-on-chronicles-latin-american-women-in-electronic-music/

Switched On book included Latin American women in electronic music

Wow

Rancho Aparte were so fun last night in DC

So much energy and fast tempos

There's a new Rauw Alejandro single "Pasaporte " out. New album coming Nov. 15. He's gonna be at the pricey Global Citizen fest in NYC Saturday in Central Park

Once old man me retires from my day job, I will post detailed posts here with video clips and analysis, that may inspire more folks to come to this thread (or maybe not) .

Saw Colombian brass band and more Rancho Aparte again, at the Richmond Folk Fest. They were again lots of fun.

Back in August we talked about the passing of late NYC based percussionist Johnny Dandy Rodriguez . I missed this Bobby Sanabria written obit

https://www.wbgo.org/music/2024-08-27/johnny-rodriguez-a-pillar-of-percussive-tradition-dies-at-the-age-of-78

Oct. 10: Sofia Rei: Folk and Futurism. NYC based I think Argentinian singer / composer with Guadaloupean co-music director J.C. Maillard and international guest vocalists: Gaby Moreno, Xenia Rubinos, Daymé Arocena, Mireya Ramos, Charo Bogarín, and Juana Luna. @ Le Poisson Rouge

This looks interesting although I don't really know Rei's music. ILXOR James Redd seems to be the only person here who does. Author musician Ned S*blette is a fan too

Ned's also listening to :

Cimafunk: Pa' Tu Cuerpa. Cuban New Orleanian with guests

Andrés Levin: Regreso a Gondwana. Venezuelan producer who divides his time between Havana, New York, and the world with many guests

Mambo Legends : the Music Never Ends doc is available to watch via PBS . I haven’t seen it yet

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qW8bfgxbdRJ5PW8m/?mibextid=K35XfP

Haven’t seen Sofia in a while, but think she’s good. Her friend J.C. is really talented has kind of a way ahead of the pack vibe about him.

Thanks.

Colombian Latin pop & reggaeton ish singer Sebastian Yatra hasn't put out an album since 2022 but I heard him twice in one day on Sirius XM Caliente station. I kinda like him

Ah, Sofia was around on Friday, since her friend J.C. was playing and then she sat in with the next band.

Next Friday the 18th ,Eddie Palmieri and a trio are doing a free show at the Library of Congress, and the Afro-Cuban Allstars are at Strathmore that is not far from DC. Alas, I will be out of town for a niece’s wedding.

Lots of music on this thread for me to catch up on. Am writing a preview of Palmieri for a dc site though, so will be busy with his music

Xpost - nice that Sofia was still around and sat in .

Dominican dembow rapper Chamala has got one of those great cartoonish reggaeton voices on his song "Che Che" that has millions of Youtube views and lots of radio and streaming airplay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_g-RO3E6tE

Chimbala is his name . Ugh typos

It's a fun song but y'all are too busy listening to MJ Lenderman rock music

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Billboard_Tropical_Airplay_number_ones_of_2024

that karol g song is fun, hear it a lot and always enjoy it

Yes, the opening just draws you in and her just tuneful enough voice over the catchy, repetitive Latino line-dance like bottom keeps one listening

Marc Anthony , Bad Bunny, and a few other musicians who fit in this thread have now endorsed Harris . Bad Bunny just did so today apparently after seeing online that guy speaking at Trump rally who said racist nonsense about Puerto Rico

Don Omar now backing Harris too.

Nicky Jam who Orangeman thought was a woman when he endorsed him and was with him in person, has now withdrawn his endorsement !

that was so funny

"do you know nicky? she's hot!"