“When that April with its sweet showers…,” as waxed the poet Chaucer, with lyrical words to that effect. Indeed, when April cometh and music bubbles forth from all corners of the Latin world to add its sweet chimes to the harmonious sounds of spring… Forget it man, and get on with the music! Claudia Meyer: La Negra – Tribute to Mercedes Sosa, The Voice of Latin America (Kobbiprod Productions) Quite right. Much to discuss. Let’s start with this delectable tribute to the late, great diva from Argentina. Despite the fact that Spanish is not her native tongue and apart from some technological tri ..read more

Good grief! This job doesn’t get any easier. There’s so much to choose from and only one pair of ears to listen and two hands to bang out words on the keyboard. But I’m not complaining. I could be mining cobalt in the Congo. Antidoping: “Road to Zion” It’s appropriate, I’m persuaded, to start with the letter “A” in the form of this Mexican reggae band. They’re a new name for me, but this is the second single from their promised eighth album, so clearly they’ve been skanking and such like for some time. It’s fairly standard stuff in so far as the lyrics speak of the Rastafarian road to the pro ..read more

MNTH is musician and producer Luciano Valério, co-founder of underground São Paulo record label Desmonta, home to riveting releases by Kiko Dinucci, Metá-Metá, Psilosamples, and M. Takara, amongst others.  Sounds and Colours are pleased as punch to premiere his new single “Inclinação ao Silêncio” (Inclination to Silence) which will be followed by the new album Lume Púrpuro, released by Desmonta on April 5th, 2024. The album features collaborations with Mauricio Takara (drums and percussion), Lello Bezerra (guitar), Marco Nalesso (viola), Carla Boregas (organ), Rogério Martins (percussion ..read more

As the month of March unfolds, the countdown to Estéreo Picnic 2024 intensifies, promising an unprecedented celebration of music and entertainment in Bogotá’s Parque Simón Bolívar. Since its inception in 2010, this festival has evolved from humble beginnings to a colossal four day showcase of international and local talent, spanning the genres of rock, electronic, pop, folk and many more. While headlining acts like the Kings of Leon and Blink-182 command the spotlight in most outlets, it’s the hidden treasures that truly illuminate this event for us, epitomizing the essence of Bogotá’s cultur ..read more

Avid readers of this magazine will have noted that I’ve included two new singles from a young Brazilian singer-songwriter – the first of which was recorded with the late, great João Donato (pictured). I’m greedily awaiting his new EP later this month. Haroldo has kindly sent us a message all the way from the sunny climes of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Select the image to open it ..read more

Welcome back. This month I offer two helpings of Afro-futurist world funk from the amazing QTV label, some Lynch-like lounge jazz, heavy metal pagode and as much alternative samba as you can manage. Juçara Marçal – DEBRMX (QTV Selo) These 15 tracks from Marçal’s recent stellar work in Delta Estácio Blues (2021) and EPDEB (2022) have been remixed by cutting edge electronic music artists from all over Brazil and further afield. Normally when I see a remix album I imagine that it’s recycling old material or pushing recent material back into streaming playlists, but here the original idea of Delt ..read more

Not as many as usual for you this month, which isn’t to suggest a paucity of good new music, but more perhaps that I am getting on top of things – for once in my life. Or… maybe I should be making this a bi-monthly column. Answers please on a postcard. Grupo Irakere: Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recital (Mr. Bongo) Last month, I flagged up Grupo Irakere’s eponymous 1976 album. Following hard on its heels, Mr. Bongo have now reissued the group’s debut album from two years previously as the third instalment of their new Cuban Classics series. It’s raw, rambunctious and a little rough around the edges ..read more

The leap year has leapt, the daffodils are in bloom and spring is in the air. It’s time once more to catch up on some singles from the wonderful world of Latin music. So shake off your winter blues, agree to all your YouTube cookies and have a listen to this latest sample of leaping beauties. Luisito Muñoz & Alzate: “Unas Copas de Mas” We’ll start with a generous slice of Colombian popular music that clearly goes to show that some ladies in red find the prospect of two drinking buddies singing of how they were scorned by the fairer sex quite irresistible. Composed by singer-songwriter Her ..read more

Sounding at times a little like an updated Jorge Ben, the man with the copious moustache and a way with a melody will be bringing his seductive brand of contemporary MPB to London’s Jazz Café on Sunday 24th March. There are standing room tickets left at a reasonable £17 to see the São Paulo artist whose debut album has won considerable critical acclaim and whose singles have been streamed in their millions. And there, ladies and gentlemen, I rest my case ..read more

Amidst Los Angeles’ immense blend of cultures and sounds, resides Pachy Garcia, better known as Pachyman, a visionary whose creativity resonates around the soulful beat of Puerto Rican reggae. As if magnetically drawn to his keyboard right before our brief but weighty conference call, Pachy was rehearsing Roy Ayers’ timeless “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”, a prelude which nicely depicts his eclectic taste, and skill in the interpretation of the instrument. Considered one of the finest ambassadors of Latin-America’s current reggae scene, Pachyman’s journey from the vibrant streets of Puer ..read more