Here are this week's notable new releases.
1. Willy Chirino - Algarabia
Courtesy Sony International
Algarabia is the name of the new Miami-brand Cuban salsa album by Chirino. In the album artwork, it looks like the CD is titled "Pa'Lante" - don't know why, but "Pa'Lante" is the the name of one of the tracks on the album.
2. Milly Quezada - Solo Faltas Tu
Courtesy Universal Latino
Dominican Milly Quezada is often called the 'Queen of Merengue" - although she gets some competition from Puerto Rico's Olga Tanon for the title. This is her first studio album since 2006's MQ.
3. Graciela Beltran - Una Reina En Hollywood
Popular Mexican singer Graciela Beltran can really belt out a ranchera; she was the opening act for Vicente Fernandez last year and she had the crowd on their feet. This album is available as a CD or, if you are interested in seeing Beltran as well as hearing her, there's a DVD available as well.4. Jimmy Flavorr - Flavor of the Year
Jimmy Flavorr is from New York via the Dominican Republic. His name is pronounced 'flavor' as in 'taste' and, if you're trying to find more info about Jimmy, try the single 'r' spelling. Unlike many of his fellow Dominicans, his music is urban, raw hip hop - no romantic bachata for Jimmy. If the number of questions I get about Flavorr are any indication, this young artist is a comer.5. Eljuri - En Paz
Ecuadorian Cecilia Villar Eljuri moved to New York City at an early age and mastered any number of instruments until finally settling on guitar as her specialty. Her roots are in Latin rock, but Eljuri is basically a mellow, pop/rock album fused with some traditional elements and strong guitar instrumentals.6. Jorge Villamizar - Jorge Villamizar
You might remember Colombian singer/composer Jorge Villamizar from the Grammy-winning rock group Bacilos. Bacilos broke up in 2006 and this is Villamizar's debut album as a solo artist.7. Los Angeles de Charly - Sentimiento Tropical
Los Angeles de Chary specialize in romantic Mexican cumbias and that's probably what you'll get in their new album.8. Conrad Herwig - Latin Side of Wayne Shorter
Jazz trombonist Conrad Herwig is pretty eclectic in his selection of material, but he spends a lot of time on Latin jazz. In 1998 he came out with Latin Side of John Coltrane and The Latin Side of Miles Davis in 2004. The Latin Side of Wayne Shorter features Eddie Palmieri and Bryan Lynch.