The artists I have included on this "best of 2006" list come from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Spain and right here in the U.S., an international cast for a set of albums that have gained worldwide recognition.
1. Ricky Martin - MTV Unplugged
With this new acoustic album, Ricky Martin goes back to the type of music that brought him international super stardom. Most of the songs are from earlier works, with three new tunes including the breakout hit "Tu Recuerdo".
2. Aterciopelados - Oye
Oye is Aterciopelados' first studio album in 5 years, reuniting Andrea Echeverri and Hector Buitrago, both of whom had spent some time working on respective solo ventures. Combining native Colombian instruments with more contemporary rock, the album is sure to please Aterciopelados fans as well as those new to the group.
3. Fonseca - Corazon
Carlos Vives is the name most music fans associate with Colombian vallenato, but fellow countryman Fonseca combines vallenato with pop in a novel and winning fashion. If you're not already a vallenato fan, listening to Corazon will underline the reason the Latin Recording Academy added cumbia and vallenato as a category to this year's award line-up.
4. Julieta Venegas - Limon Y Sal
Mexican alt-rocker Julieta Venegas found her bright, optimistic side with this new album of wondeful pop songs. Cheery, friendly and hummable, this album is a real winner.
5. Mana - Amar Es Combatir
Mexican rockers Mana hit the jackpot with a pop album that sizzles. Contains the hit single "Labios Compartidos".
6. Obie Bermudez - Lo Que Trajo El barco
In his best album yet, Obie Bermudez tells stories with his songs set to the sound of Puerto Rican beats and New York pop/rock. This album is pure fun with the help of Hector El Father and a slew of wonderful Latin musicians.
7. La Oreja de Van Gogh - Guapa
Spain's La Oreja de Van Gogh (Van Gogh's Ear) is an eclectic rock group that mixes electronica with flamenco stylings and experiments with other types of sound that you've probably never heard before. The result is dynamic excitement which describes their fourth album, Guapa.
8. Los Amigos Invisibles - Venezuela Superpop
Non-stop dancetrack pop tunes modeled on standards that were popular in the 70s and 80s, in Venezuela. Lots of fun and lots of rhythm.
9. Anais - Asi Soy Yo
Anais is the winner of last year's Objetivo Fama competition and her debut album rocks, with the help of producer Sergio George, reggaeton's Voltio and Duranguense's Los Alacranes.
10. Chayanne - Cautivo
Puerto Rico's Chayanne came from Menudo's competing boy band, Los Chicos, and remains a major teenage heartthrob in his native land. He's been performing since 1984, but to my mind, this is one of his best albums. Less sentimental, more hard hitting pop/rock. I loved this album. It actually came out at the end of 2005, but I couldn't find a 2006 album that I really liked to round out this list.
