Here are this week's notable new releases.
1. Arsenio Rodriguez - El Alma De Cuba
Courtesy Tumbao Cuban Classix
Cuban bandleader and composer Arsenio Rodriguez is credited as the creator of 'son montuno', a musical form I love so much that I would buy this collection just as a 'thank you'. But there are better reasons. The collection is a little pricey but should be worth the pesos to Afro-Cuban music lovers since it includes 6 discs - his complete recordings for RCA Victor (1940-1956) as well as 2 booklets with photos, history, discography and anecdotes.
2. Babasonicos - Mucho
Argentine Babasonicos started their career as part of the '90s underground rock movement. For awhile their music was new-agey with titles like Trance Zomba, but in recent years they've become more mainstream. This is their 9th album.3. Sie7e - Para Mi
Puerto Rican Sie7e mixes rock, pop, reggae, flamenco, blues - well, lot osf things into a confection that is all his own. For a preview , you can hear him at his Sie7e Website.4. Melendi - Caminando Por La Vida
Ramon Melendi Espinosa is from Spain; his music is a pop/flamenco fusion. You can hear him at his Melendi Website.5. Leny Pimentel - One
The Dominican Republic seems to be sending music lovers more and more good artists. Leny Pimentel used to belong to the merengue band Los Ilegales and has now branched out on his own.6. Jerry Rivera - Amores Como El Nuestro: Los Exitos
2007's Caribe Gardel brought Jerry Rivera fame as an innovator as well as a singer of salsa romantica. Amores Como El Nuestro is a 'best of' compilation disc.If you're a big fan, you can opt for the DVD and watch as well as listen to Rivera perform.
