1. Fidel Nadal - 'Crucial Cuts'
Fidel Nadal was a founding member and frontman of the legendary Argentine rast punk rockers Todos Tus Muertos until he went solo in 2000. Crucial Cuts features select tracks from his solo career so you'll get an album full of the lyrical flow of reggae fused with dancehall beats.
Pricegrabber lists this album as What You Need To Know About but it's the same album - probably listed under an earlier name.
2. 'The Soul of Spanish Harlem'
Originally released in 2008, The Soul of Spanish Harlem focuses on the Latin soul music that exploded from Spanish Harlem in the mid to late 1960s and recorded on labels like Fania and Cotique. Features some great tracks by Monguito Santamaria, Joe Bataan, Tito Ramos, Frankie Nieves and the wonderful Lebron Brothers, among others. If you love the sound of early Latin soul, this one's for you.
3. Victor & Leo - 'Nada Es Normal'
Brazilian duo Victor & Leo sing smooth, lovely pop ballads but they usually sing them in Portuguse. Their new album is in Spanish and, listening to their music, I suspect they're going to easily crossover to the Spanish language market. You can currently hear their single "Todo Es Normal" in the Listening Booth.
4. Patrulla 81 - 'Quiereme Mas'
For Duranguense music fans, Patrulla 81 has been consistently high on the Regional Mexican Music charts and has been nominated as 'Duranguense Artist of the Year' at the upcoming Premio Lo Nuestro Awards. If Patrulla 81 is one of your favorite, the voting closed on Feb. 5th but be sure to catch the show on Mar. 26th. Or better still, try their new album.
5. Alegres de la Sierra - 'De Peda Con La Banda'
The Sinaloan group of Alegres de la Sierra have a lot to be happy about; their traditional Mexican Music called 'campirano' continues to delight fans.
6. Rocio Sandoval - 'Amantes de Ocasion'
Born in Guadalajara and now a resident of Santa Monica, CA, Rocio Sandoval seems to have given up her days as a DJ to spend all her time singing Mexican music that's heavy on the brass.
7. Los Players - 'Vuelve Conmigo'
Los Players de Tuzantla are a group from Michoacan, Mexico that play a fast, Mexican music that's called 'tierra caliente.' The popular group lost their keyboardist last month when 21 year old Humberto Garcia Hernandez was killed in a car accident. It's sad that Garcia won't be around to see the release of the album that he co-produced but hopefully the group (and certainly the album release) will go on.
8. Cola Jet Set - 'Guitarras y Tambores'
Cola Jet Set is from Barcelona, Spain and sing a very simple, breezy brand of bubblegum pop.