|
| Artist:
Various Artists |
|
| Album:
Amores Perros: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |
| Label:
Surco / Universal Records |
| Country:
Mexico |
| Contact:
vicky.cabildo@unistudios.com |
| Internet:
http://www.amoresperros.com |
| |
|
The most impressive
soundtrack ever to come from Latin America is the one for
the award-winning Mexican film, Amores Perros. This
title roughly translates to "Love is a Bitch." This
film has left people in awe with its incredible story. The
soundtrack will leave people the same way. This is definitely
one of the best Latin Alternative albums ever made. The creator
is none other than Latin-alt producer extraordinaire, Gustavo
Santaolalla. Amores Perros (Love is a Bitch) comes
packaged as a double album. The first CD is the soundtrack
itself containing original music written and composed by Gustavo
Santaolalla. It also contains some great tracks from Control
Machete, Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas, and
salsa queen Celia Cruz. The songs range from Latin
Alternative rock to hip-hop to cumbias to ballads. These tracks
appear throughout the film and give the film its strong edge.
The second CD is the tribute album; all the songs are original
recordings inspired by the movie. For Latin Alt aficionados,
this is the true treasure. Each song is aptly titled "amores
perros" plus the title of the song that each artist did.
Each track represents the universal theme of love and hate.
In essence, they all deal with the topic of love being a bitch.
Julieta Venegas immediately sets the tone with her
song, "amores perros: Me Van a Matar (They're
Going to Kill Me)." The album quickly moves along from
the soft melodies of Café Tacuba's "amores
perros: Aviéntame (Throw Me)" to Spanish band
Dover's totally powerful "amores perros: Love
is a Bitch"; each song takes you through the stages
of being in and out of love. Strong, powerful, provocative,
and mind-blowing is what this tribute disc is. It is a true
masterpiece and worth every penny. Hey you get 2 great CDs
for the price of one. I'm totally glad that it was released
in the U.S. and you will be to. You should definitely check
out this movie that has been totally applauded and awarded
from Cannes to Tokyo. It recently was nominated for
an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Oh and once again,
don't forget to get this companion album!!!
Standout Tracks:
CD 1: Soundtrack
Gustavo Santaolalla - Tema Amores Perros (Original Theme)
Control Machete - Si Señor (Yes Sir)
Nacha Pop - Lucha de Gigantes (Clash of Giants)
Celia Cruz - La Vida es un Carnaval (Life is a Carnival)
The Hollies - Long Cool Woman
Fiebre - Lucha de Gigantes (Clash of Giants)
CD 2: Tributo
(Tribute: Music Inspired by the Film)
Julieta Venegas - amores perros: Me Van a Matar (They're Going
to Kill Me)
Café Tacuba - amores perros: Aviéntame (Throw
Me)
Zurdok - amores perros: Una Vez Más (One More Time)
Control Machete - amores perros: De Perros Amores
Dover - amores perros: Love is a Bitch
Bersuit - amores perros: Perro Amor Explota (Dog Love Explode)
|
| Artist:
Various Artists |
|
| Album:
Escena Alterlatina: The Future Sound in Español |
| Label:
Ark 21 |
| Country:
United States |
| Contact:
radioalterlatina@yahoo.com |
| Internet:
http://www.ark21.com |
| |
|
With a growing
interest in the Latin Alternative genre in the United States
by many including, "open-minded" Anglos, Ark
21 has released an introduction to this music titled,
Escena Alterlatina: The Future Sound in Español.
This is a very good way to start your journey through what
many critics consider will be the "real" Latin wave
of music. Josh Norek of JN Media was the executive
producer for this album. He is the co-founder of the Latin
Alternative Music Conference, a staunch supporter of the
genre who writes for many publications including Alternative
Press, and also has his own promotions company. He was
chosen by Miles Copeland (Sting's manager and
head of Ark 21) to put together this important project.
Josh set about putting a compilation that would have a representative
of alternative scenes from various parts of the Latin world.
There are bands hailing from Argentina, Spain, Panama, Mexico,
Brazil, and most importantly there are 5 bands from the United
States. The biggest name on this album is Mexico's Julieta
Venegas who provides her track "Me Van a Matar
(They're Going to Kill Me)" from the Amores Perros
soundtrack. There are some pleasant surprises like "El
Pato (The Duck)" by Monterrey, Mexico band Kinky
who are currently getting ready to release their first album
under Chris Allison's (The Beta Band) Sombrero
Records. This is a track that will dazzle electronica
fans. Another great track is the edgy and raw "Desaparecedor
(Disappearer)" by Argentine power band Santos Inocentes.
It's also great to see a new song by Miami alt-band Volumen
Cero who recorded "Más (More)"
for this album. They are getting ready to record their follow-up
album to their acclaimed debut, Andromeda. Hip-hop
is also represented with "Return of the Tres"
by California's Delinquent Habits. This compilation
has something for everyone from hip-hop to punk to some Latin
soul by Los Mocosos and some powerful Latin ruckus
by San Francisco's Orixa. The marketing and promotion
for this album is being done at a massive level. Something
unique about Escena Alterlatina is the money-back
guarantee being given on mail-order/online purchases. This
album is being targeted at an English-speaking audience who
loves music and is open to new sounds, from your typical college
kid to non-Spanish speaking or bilingual Hispanics. There
are songs on this compilation that represent a wide variety
of radio formats. Many Anglo stations are already starting
to pick up on this CD and you should too. It's definitely
not your "typical, old school" Rock en Español
compilation. Escena Alterlatina is a nice addition
to anyone's music collection. You have nothing to lose and
like the liner notes say: "this is the tip of the iceberg
of the Future Sound in Español." A can't miss!
Standout Tracks:
Delinquent Habits - Return of the Tres
Orixa - No Importa (It Doesn't Matter)
Julieta Venegas - Me Van a Matar (They're Going To Kill Me)
Santos Inocentes - Desaparecedor (Disappearer)
Kinky - El Pato (The Duck)
Volumen Cero - Más (More)
|
| Artist:
Juanes |
|
| Album:
Fíjate Bien (Look Closely) |
| Label:
Surco / Universal Records |
| País:
Colombia |
| Contact:
fmcmanagement@aol.com |
| Internet:http://www.juanes.net |
| |
Hailing from Medellin, Colombia, is the talented Juan Esteban
Aristizabal. The ex-leader and vocalist of Colombian band,
Ekhymosis, has released his first album Fíjate
Bien (Look Closely) under his soloist name, Juanes.
With the production done by Gustavo Santaolalla and Anibal
Kerpel, Juanes presents us with a jewel of Colombian
rock and frankly, a jewel of alternative rock worldwide. The
talent he possessed before becoming a soloist was already obvious.
It would only be a matter of time before this artist would create
something special on his own. This singer-songwriter has a voice
that is special and smooth as a fine wine. He wrote all the
music and lyrics on this record. The beauty of this album is
the mixture of the traditional vallenato sound of his land and
tropical rhythms with an alternative pop/rock sound based on
his guitar work. The lyrics to Juanes's songs are a clear
reflection of his personal feelings and his opinion on the chaotic
situation that his native Colombia is going through. The first
single "Fíjate Bien (Look Closely)"
is an alert call to the people of his country. In a country
where rebel guerrillas and violence run rampant one has to be
careful like he says: "Fíjate bien donde pisas,
fíjate cuando caminas, No vaya a ser que una mina, te
desbarate los pies. (Look closely where you step, look closely
where you walk, because it might be a landmine that will destroy
your feet)." It's in these lyrics and his creative style
that Juanes shows to the world his social and musical
sensibility. This is definitely an excellent debut with a lot
of potential. Look closely because it might be Colombia who
will be the new voice of rock for the new millennium. Recommended
for fans of Bloque and Aterciopelados.
Standout Tracks:
Ahí Le Va (There It Goes)
Para Ser Eterno (To Be Eternal)
Podemos Hacernos Daño (We Can Hurt Ourselves)
Fíjate Bien (Look Closely)
Soñador (Dreamer) |
| Artist:
Plastilina Mosh |
|
| Album:
Juan Manuel |
| Label:
Tómbola! Recordings / Astralwerks |
| Country:
Mexico |
| Contact:
mopri@data.net.mx |
| Internet:
http://www.astralwerks.com/pmosh |
| |
Astralwerks decided to release one of the most anticipated
sophomore albums. Juan Manuel is the new album
from the experimental and wild south-of-the-border duo known
as Plastilina Mosh. For those who don't know, this is
the same label that has released some amazing artists such as
Fatboy Slim, The Beta Band, Basement Jaxx,
and The Chemical Brothers. After they burst onto the
scene with their debut effort, Aquamosh, the group
has generated a pretty loyal and growing fan base. Their brand
of remixed, funky, stylistic, and electronica fusion has made
them a favorite of many not only among Latin Alternative fans
but those of music in general. Their groovy and sometimes disco-laced
songs are always catchy and have a childlike joy behind them.
On their latest release, Juan Manuel, they show
that they aren't a one-hit wonder. Produced by PMosh
along with Chris Allison of The Beta Band and
Money Mark (plays on 3 tracks), this is the band's triumphant
return. This is an album that is exciting as it is relaxing.
With some incredibly smooth and jazzed out sounds, this is one
of those records that you can just leave on repeat. It is a
true sound experience, from your traditional jazz piano to electronica
to straight out rock; Juan Manuel is a special
ride through sound. Whoever said that PMosh a hip-hop
act obviously has never bothered to listen to them. Drums, pianos,
electric organs, guitars, and a turntable or two make up this
cocktail that is as explosive as one made of gasoline and gun
powder. This is a must for any fan of artists such as Beck
or the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. The first single
is "Human Disco Ball." It is definitely a catchy,
radio and club friendly tune that will get your butt moving.
That is the overall feel to this album. If you feel like dancing
or just sitting in your lounge chair and lighting up, Juan Manuel
is for those happy-go-lucky times. The U.S. version has 2 bonus
tracks along with the enhanced CD feature. It includes some
pretty cool footage of the recording of the album along with
the music video for "Human Disco Ball." The
boys from Monterrey definitely know how to jam and maybe you
will be inspired to do the same.
Standout Tracks:
Nordic Laser
Boombox Baby
Human Disco Ball
Bassass (International Stereo)
Baretta '89
Let the Speaker Speak
Good Bye Happy Farm |
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