Yes, another “Best of 2007″ list. These 12 cds, are my favorites from artists primarily of Latin American origin and with lyrics in Spanish and Portuguese. Some were released in Brasil, Mexico, or elsewhere in 2006 but found their way to the United States in 2007.
The First Six In Alphabetical Order:
Bebel Gilberto-Momento
Doesn’t break any new ground, really. Just another beautiful bossa nova album with techno touches upholding her family legacy(Joao Gilberto is her father). Like her self-titled previous album, misses the fission brought to her debut Tanto Tempo by the late producer Suba. Still lovely and worthy of repeat listening. The video for Momento is combination of Rio travelogue and family home movies.
Combining Electronic, Metal, and Baile Funk this is hipster party music from Rio de Janeiro. Best songs are the most metal, Bondallica and Dança do Zumbi. Death To Your Speakers! Enjoy the amusing video for the song Solta o Frango.
The Brazilian legendary singer-songwriter, founding member of the Tropicalia movement in the 1960s, now decided to make a heavy alternative rock album with his son Moreno. The same lovely voice backed backed by edgy guitars and heavy drums, rather than the mellow folk-bossa of his recent albums. Apparently the lyrics are quite risque, it’s probably for the better that I can’t understand them.
Café Tacvba - Sino
After a long wait, Café Tacuba, Mexico and Latin America’s most experimental and acclaimed rock band, returned in 2007. Gone from this album are the traditional folkloric touches that marked their earliest albums and the previous Cuatro Caminos already moved away. Sino (translates as Yes-No, If Not, However, or Except) is a tribute of sorts to their eighties New Wave and seventies Hard Rock heroes, with the unique warped and humorous lyrics and twists expected by fans. My full review is at Café Tacvba – Sino.
CéU
Yet another young Brazilian woman with a beautiful voice, CéU’s self-titled album features gentle ballads with a light samba beat. Unlikely though is the influences on her vocal styles take as much from contemporary R&B and neo-soul as from bossa nova and MPB(Musica Popular Brasileiro). Here is her performing the song Malemolencia.
Chetes – Blanco Fácil 
Performing as Chetes, singer-songwriter Luis Gerardo Garza recently released his first solo album Blanco Fácil. This album is a major change from the edgy modern rock of his first band Zurdok or the 60s mod pop(and English lyrics) of Vaquero his second. Recorded with members and associates of the alt-country band Wilco, he created with Blanco Fácil a perfect summer afternoon soundtrack. Read the rest of my review at Chetes – Blanco Fácil
