De Musica Ligera: Tunes of ‘08

2008 is about to come to an end but before that why not enjoy some primo songs from the past year? Juanes, Sergio Mendes, and Julieta Venegas were a few of the great artists who released new and exciting music over the past year. The wide range of tunes released this year by Latin American/Latino musicians can satisfy just about every musical taste as evidenced by some of the exceptional songs below:

• Aterciopelados – 28 (Don’t forget to revisit our interview with Hector Buitrago!)
• Banda de Turistas - Todo mio el otonio (Very poppy, 60s- tinged music from an underrated Argentine band)
• Breeders - Regalame Esta Noche (Kelley Deal may not be fluent in Spanish but her emotion cannot be ignored in this ballad cover)
• Calexico – Absent Afternoon (Calexico’s music has a great Mexican folkloric sound which must be heard)
• Juana Molina - Un Dia (Sweet, slightly eclectic music from an excellent South American chanteuse)
• Nortec Collective - Akai 47 (One of the best representatives of the “latintronica” genre)
• Pistolera – Guerra (Great song with a political message from this New York-based band)
• Plastilina Mosh – Party (Do you remember Summerstage, Maegan?)
• Sonido Del Principe - El Principe (A Dutch DJ puts a modern tinge on tropical cumbia music)
• Yma Sumac - Bo Mambo (This isn’t a single from 2008, but its worth noting that the Peruvian singer died in November)
  

Image- daylife.com (Colombian rockeros Aterciopelados were one of several great musical groups with new albums and music in 2008)
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, yousendit.com

Today’s Video: Julieta “en vivo” (SummerStage edition)

On Saturday, Maegan and yours truly took a trip to Central Park not to attend the overhyped Bon Jovi gig but to see the Julieta Venegas concert. As part of LAMC, the free concert showcased the talents of Venegas along with Plastilina Mosh and DJ Bitman. It was a spectacular concert with great music, warm weather, and a fantastic atmosphere.

Don’t believe me? Then check out her finale where she sings “Me Voy” along with some help from a very thankful audience:

p.s. Thanks for coming out Maegan and letting me hang out with your charming family!

Sources- YouTube

Today’s Video: Julieta “en vivo”!

Back in June we mentioned six free concerts in New York City that feature extraordinary Latin American musicians who are worth checking out. One of them is Mexican songstress Julieta Venegas who will grace the Central Park SummerStage this afternoon. Along with fellow countrymen Plastilina Mosh and Chile’s DJ Bitman the concert should be an unbelievable experience. (Despite the massive hype revolving around tonight’s Bon Jovi gig!)

Here’s Venegas performing live last year at Coachella:

By the way, if you are going to the concert and see Maegan or I don’t hesitate to come over and say “hi!”

Sources- Vivirlatino, The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Huevos Pericos

De Musica Ligera: Big Apple summer concerts, 2008 version

Last year we gave a list of six great free concerts that took place over the summer in New York City. This year promises to be no different as there are dozens of free gigs all over the Big Apple over the next three months and some of them feature Latin American and Spanish artists.

Here are six more free summer concerts that have caught our attention:

* June 15: Victor Manuelle

Award-winning salsero Victor Manuelle will be performing as part of the Central Park Summerstage series and to promote his latest album released last week.

• YouTube: Victor Manuelle – Si La Ves

* June 26: Sofia Tosello, Sabrina Lastman

El Museo del Barrio’s “Women on the Verge” series, will featured two Southern Cone singers representing numerous musical styles.

• YouTube: Sabrina Lastman - Color de Arena

* July 10: Si*Sé, Yerba Buena

Pier 54 along the Hudson River will host several concerts with one of them showcasing the groovy Latintronica of Si*Sé and the funky sounds of Yerba Buena.

• MP3: Si Se – Amiga

* July 15: Julieta Venegas, Plastilina Mosh

Mexican songstress (and personal favorite) Julieta Venegas will be at Summerstage accompanied by the master funkers of Plastilina Mosh.

• MP3: Julieta Venegas – Yo Te Quiero

* July 25: Atlas Sound, El Guincho

The music of Spain’s El Guincho is hard to easily categorize; let’s just say he’s a modern-day Esquivel.

• MP3: El Guincho – Antillas

* August 8: Lila Downs, Villa-Lobos Brothers, Grupo Norteño

A trio of Mexican musicians will be highlighted in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park including the chanteuse Downs and the regional style of the Villa-Lobos Brothers.

• YouTube: Villa-Lobos Brothers – (Unknown Title)

The aforementioned artists and others like Brazilian Girls, Folklore Urbano, and Maria Rita represent the great cornucopia of Latin American music that will be performing soon. So if you’re in la Gran Manzana this summer be sure check out at least one of these great concerts. (Perhaps we’ll see you there)!

Sources- The Latin Americanist, El Museo del Barrio, Central Park Summerstage, Celebrate Brooklyn, YouTube, YouSendIt, River to River, pier54.com

Image- New York Press (Si*Sé performing on Governor’s Island in 2007)

De Musica Ligera: It's almost time for LAMC!

The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) will be held again this July in New York City. Some bloggers like our dear contributor Maegan la Mala will be attending the many activities at LAMC such as panels on blogging and music.

One of the best aspects of LAMC is the numerous concerts to be held around town and that are open to the public. Some of these concerts are free and cannot be missed! Brooklyn Vegan has a helpful list of this year’s LAMC events.

The following are MP3s of a few of the artists performing at this year’s LAMC. We hope you enjoy them and also hope you all have a great weekend!

• Brazilian Girls – Jique
• Forro in the Dark – Limoeiro do Norte
• Julieta Venegas – Flor
• Plastilina Mosh - Bungallo Punta Cometa

Sources- Latin Alternative Music Conference, Brooklyn Vegan, VivirLatino

Image- HispanicMPR.com