ngp

A couple of weddings that I've been to recently have played some really great Latino (at least that's what I'm guessing it to be) dance music/mixes during the reception. Some of the music was definitely mixes as I recognized some portions.

Of course I should have asked the DJ's at the time what it was that they were playing but didn't think of it until after.

Could you suggest any CDs/compilations/artists that might be worth trying out? I'm looking for club style dance music as well as just very upbeat songs to listen to during cookouts, parties, etc.

Ideally, mainstream would be great as hopefully Amazon carries your suggestions and hopefully they have posted sample tracks that I can listen to before committing to buying a full CD.

Thanks in advance!

The Bus

First of all, you're getting into a HUGE HUGE HUGE realm of music. Examples of genres, which are not always clearly delineated:

• Samba
• Salsa
• Tango
• Cuatro
• Cumbia
• Mariachi
• Norteño
• Ranchera
• Mambo
• Conjunto
• Nueva Trova
• Vallenato
• Tejano
• Bolero
• Son
• Rock en Español
• Afro Peruvian
• Corrido
• Danzon
• Andean Folk
• Onda Grupera
• Merengue
• Latin Jazz
• Afro-Cuban Jazz

I'd have to say that, even as a Latino, it is extremely confusing to me. I usually go by what I like by the sound and try not to pay too much attention to labels.

What I CAN do is at least send you towards some sources of more music. I personally find traditional folk, especially traditional Andean folk, to be absolutely beautiful.

For Andean Folk, you'd do well looking at Ecos de Los Andes.


For a mix of everything, I would recommend Yerba Buena, specifically, President Alien:


There's other places you can go too: Sergent Garcia, Buena Vista Social Club, Ozomatli, Maná, etc. The Amores Perros soundtrack is great because it has a lot of Spanish rock AND it is a 2-discer.

Another way to do it is to buy compilations, which you can usually get for really cheap, and build from there.

I'll think of more in the future.

But definitely get that Yerba Buena CD. It's great to listen to and it's one of my favorite instant-party CDs, even among people that don't know or like that type of music.

LorenzoL

Pretty comprehensive list you made Bus, but you forgot Bachata.

ngp

Bus,
Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I never really thought of just how large of a genre this covered...

I checked out the sample tracks of Yerba Buena and that I think is exactly the kind of music I'm looking for. I'll definitely pick up that CD!

I also checked out a few samples by Sergent Garcia and that sounds cool as well! Thanks for the pointers!!!!

Heat

Andean folk music? Tango? Son? Jazz? The guy wants to dance, not fall asleep, though it was interesting to see everything listed out.

The Amores Perros CD is a great suggestion, several different genres on it. I personally like cumbia, but you may like salsa, or Spanish rock. My personal favorite Spanish language compilation is... the soundtrack to "Tortilla Soup", though the soundtrack to "Amores Perros" is way up there. La Cumbia del Garrote is a great example of the cumbia style:

http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v10207

By the way, all the links in this post are 30 second clips of the songs from Tower Record's website (great place to listen to clips of different people).

From the Tortilla Soup soundtrack (which also covers several different genres), Lagrimas Negras:

http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v10810

and Hoy me Voy:
http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v10810

For a great cd of Spanish (as in from Spain) gypsy music, check out the band Estopa (their first, self titled CD). From that CD...

Tu Calorro: http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v10804
and La Raja de tu Falda: http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v10804

One of my favorite Spanish songs, just has a great beat, though the rest of the album was not nearly as good: Andres Cabas, Mi Bombon:
http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v20628

If you are looking for modern Rock, I've always like Shakira. If you like 70s style music, check out a band called "Jarabe de Palo", I've always liked the album Depende the best. From that album...
Pura Sangre:
http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v10207
Agua:
http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v10207

Another good Spanish rock group, more popish, is "La Oreja de Van Gogh", the CD I like from them is La Viaje de Copperpot:
Cuidate: http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v11127
and La Playa: http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v11127

And there's Thalia, of course: Amor a la Mexicana: http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v50627
and Mujer Latina: http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v50627

There was a time just a few years ago that I could sit down with you and tell you all about the modern pop acts since I watched HTV on Dish Network all the time at night, while doing other stuff. Since I switched to DirecTV and now have MTV in Spanish, it just isn't the same so I'm regrettably two or three years behind now.

Anyway, hope this gets you started.

Oh, almost forgot, Argentia has a style of music that basically puts 10 or 15 people together with a lot of horns. Not sure what it's called, but it can be catchy. Like the band "La Mosca Tse Tse", Te Quiero Comer la Boca:
http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v40416

or "Los Autenticos Decadantes", El Gran Senor: http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v20625

OK, one more pop band, Ferreira, song is Nena: http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v40614

One good way to find the ones you've never heard of is to find a few songs you like, then do searches for compilations that include those songs. Chances are, the other songs on that compilation are similar in nature.

What type of music do you normally listen to?

OK, one more, have to point out the song "Frijolero" by Molotov. Interesting mainly because of the lyrics which include, in English:

"Don't call me gringo you fucking beaners, stay on your side of the Goddamn river..." http://mfile.akamai.com/3171/wm2/muz...asx?obj=v41122
Take a listen to some of their other stuff, maybe you'll like this type of music. Molotov is a Mexican Rock/Rap group, believe it or not I first heard about them on NPR.

The Bus

I did forget bachata. I had in my first list, then redid it and forgot it.

Tango is above all, dance music. If you don't like "old" tango, try Electrotango. Look for track 3 from this CD, "Los Tangueros" by Orquestra de la Plata.



More popish? I'd say more mopish. I personally think Oreja de Van Gogh is supremely overrated. I just don't see what the big deal is about them. I find them annoying, in fact. I have yet to be able to make it through more than two songs of Lo Que Te Conté Mientras Te Hacías la Dormida at any one time.

And Molotov is great! That song is off Dance and Dense Denso although their earlier album (covert art like a Ouija board) is better.

Heat

When I think tango, I'm thinking old-school tango which while technically dance music, isn't your "hey, let's get up and boogie!" type of music. Not saying it's bad, I like some tango just like I like salsa, but I don't get up and dance it.

As for La Oreja de Van Gogh, I just love the lead singer's voice. Very addictive, to me at least. I have two of their CDs and a DVD of their videos, they aren't my favorite Spanish language band (that would be Jarabe de Palo), but I still like them.

I'm thinking that you and I have a similar, yet different, taste in Spanish music. You like the harder stuff, I like the pop. It's got a good beat... and you can dance to it.

atlantamoi

The Mexican band Kinky has some wicked, upbeat electronica-styled tunes with a heavy latin-flair. Very modern. They have two albums, but I'd point you in the direction of their self-titled debut.

Gotan Project is has an interesting album as well. It's basically electronica tango. Nice stuff. Album is titled "La Revancha del Tango".