Latino album reviews with analysis and cultural takes

Chabuco

2018/07/30 at 8:38am

Chabuco: A Colombian Innovating Vallenato Music with Latin Jazz

07.30.2018 | By Jack Rico |

Colombia is a country known for its salsa and vallenato. Vallenato is the folkloric, poetic music of its coast which its singer/songwriter Jose Dario Martinez Acosta, aka Chabuco, has been listening to since he was a child due to his father’s influence, the legendary guitarist Hugues Martinez. With his fourth solo album titled Encuentro, he mixes the sounds of vallenato from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, with jazz and bossa nova, resulting in a beautiful and unique sound of Latin Jazz.

By Andrea Huswan

2017/06/02 at 8:14am

Album Reviews Latinos In Hollywood Music

Shakira’s ‘El Dorado’ (Album Review)

06.2.2017 | By Andrea Huswan |

Shakira’s 11^th album El Dorado is a love letter to Colombia. The title itself refers to Colombia’s “lost city,” full of alluring mystery and enchantment. With thirteen tracks, the album is predominantly sung in Spanish, with four tracks in English, and one track in French. While some artists crash and burn while trying to transition into different genres, Shakira proves that she still has it in her and most importantly, her hits don’t lie. Read More

Jennifer Lopez

By Mariana Dussan

2014/06/18 at 10:02am

Album Reviews Music

Album Review: Jennifer Lopez’s “A.K.A.”

06.18.2014 | By Mariana Dussan |

The 1-4-0: Jennifer Lopez’s new album, “A.K.A,” definitely won’t be a hit, but she’ll definitely get support from her die-hard fans, which will keep it from tanking.

Megan Hilty at Café Carlyle

By Jack Rico

2014/05/28 at 3:40pm

Album Reviews Music

Megan Hilty at Café Carlyle (Concert Review)

05.28.2014 | By Jack Rico |

For anyone who has ever had the chance to enter the nostalgic and historic landmark space of Café Carlyle in Manhattan, it feels like you’ve time-traveled back to a different era, one which was always full of familiar friends, intellectual conversations about the theater, cuisine and most importantly – music. It is this latter reason why I donned my best summer jacket and strutted in with my illustrious wife to see opening night of Megan Hilty crooning her way into the musical grooves of my mind and heart. Read More