Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Abraham Quintanilla, III (also known as the brother of late Tejano singer Selena) was one of the founding members of Los Kumbia Kings, a band he broke away from in early 2006 to form the Kumbia All-Starz, garnering many hits including "Speedy Gonzalez". The Kumbia All-Starz are from Texas.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
When one of their friends suggested that the band’s name should be Belafunk, just half of a bell rang for them. They wanted something more cosmic, stellar, and looking in the closest encyclopedia they ran into the word Nova. That’s how Belanova — a beautiful star — got its name.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuba
We associate Cuban Music with powerful drums, breathtaking mujeres and a bunch of smiles flying across the dance floor. But every coin has two sides and Gardi, one of the newest voices of Cuban Pop, bring us this sad, soft and smoky song that’s ready to move our feelings instead of our bodies.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Dominican Republic
Angel Villalona, better known as “Andy Andy,” began his career singing merengue, but he is making his mark in bachata. Both are genres from his native Dominican Republic. The governor of New York proclaimed Andy a “stellar example” for young people and the governor of Connecticut declared April 17th “Andy Andy Day.” He’s got our vote too.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Spain
Spanish musician Joaquin Sabina visits Mexico for this video set during the Mexican Revolution. Sabina, himself a former exile from Franco’s Spain, has released 17 albums over a 29 year career, as well as books of lyrics and poetry.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Colombia
The Colombian Pacific coast is a forgotten paradise. Its habitants complain about the lack of attention from the rest of the country, but it might be this bit of isolation that helps them maintain their rich culture. ChocQuibTown comes from the world’s rainiest lowland, and it is there that they learned to mix African drums and Latin beats with hip-hop and funk, creating a totally new sound that’s firmly rooted in their tradition.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Belinda Peregrín Schull, was born in Madrid, but moved with her family at the age of four to Mexico City. At the age of 18 Belinda had already become an international superstar for both her albums and starring roles in various telenovelas as well as a role in the Disney Channel’s Cheetah Girls.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Venezuela
Hector Montaner takes after his father Ricardo Montaner in both good looks and musical ability. After a childhood of studying in Venezuela’s most prestigious conservatories, Montaner relocated in the late ‘90s. "Apariencias" (Appearances) is the title track of his sophomore album release.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Michael Stuart, born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, received his musical education from his uncle Israel Timbalero Stuart, who helped him secure background vocal gigs for Johnny Rivera and Marc Antony. Since 1996, Stuart has released nine records, his latest a salsa album entitled Sentimiento de un Rumbero released on Machete Records in 2007.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuba
Cuban born Gloria Estefan’s album 90 Millas is a collection of songs inspired by her native country and recorded with many Latin American collaborators including Jose Feliciano, Carlos Santana, Arturo Sandoval, Andy Garcia, and a who’s who of prominent Cuban musicians.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Division Minuscula hails from Matamoros, a Mexican border town just to the south of Brownsville, Texas. Despite having disbanded for five years while members finished their degrees and helped out with family businesses, the group is back and not yet forgotten, with this hit song, Sismo (Earthquake), shaking the airwaves.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Spain
Dhira brings a heavy Hindu and Indian influence to the European club scene’s take on American hip-hop and club music. These late night party animals are said to be vegetarians who enjoy cheese sandwiches when they are not busy rapping.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
"Me Puedes" is the first sencillo (single) to be released by the phenomenal La Gusana Ciega in over five years. (And it’s great!) It’s from an album called La Rueda del Diablo (The Devil’s Wheel), which was recorded in Los Angeles under the direction of eight-time grammy winner Benny Faccone, who has worked his magic with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Ricky Martin and Santana.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Puerto Rico
Deep in the heart of Old San Juan you can hear live salsa music playing most any night at the Nuyorican Cafe. We stepped into the alley for a breather and had a little chat with two lovely salseras to get an insider view of what brings them back to the dance floor night after night.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Argentina
Vamos al grano, Babasónicos might just be one of the most popular bands on the planet, as popular in Distrito Federal (Mexico City) as they are in Capital Federal (Buenos Aires). "Risa" is un tema pegajoso, which is to say “a catchy tune,” that for sure te gustará mucho (you’ll like a lot)!
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