UniversalSounds

Koop (Sweden)

2009-03-23T07:41:00.002-06:00

This group is nothing I would expect from Sweden. Swedes are so versatile. I was checking out a blog, the blog is on the list of blogs I follow, and the song was on the music player. Not to sound to cliche but I felt a bond between the pictures on the blog and the song. I never that way before and I was happy that I had discovered this new group. The blog is about Mexico City life viewed through the images of the creator. From that point on I would haul Koop in my iPod every time I'd walk around Mexico City.

There was a Jazz radio station here in NYC, Smooth Jazz 101.9, which no longer lives but there was always great music being played and I was an avid listener. A group like Koop would have been an ideal group to have on their rotation of music being played but the radio station never lived long enough for me to be able to present them with my thoughts about this.

Of the 3 albums they have recorded I have been able to find via iTunes 2 of their albums, which I own: Waltz for Koop & Koop Islands. A song of Koop's which I will bring with me to he grave is Whenever There Is You. This song is too much to talk about. I do hope you come to listen and preview their albums because they are worth having. Thank you to that blog creator.

Koop on Myspace

Koop on WIKIPEDIA

"I See A Different You" by Koop

"Summer Sun" by Koop

Masters At Work (United States)

2009-03-15T10:19:00.002-06:00

This is essential New York house music. I did not come to hear of Masters At Work until recently, about two years ago. I was watching, it was more like listening, a video on youtube; A song by Jamiroquai, Canned Heat, remixed my Masters At Work. I loved the remix that I wanted to find more remixes by Masters at Work. Another remix was to a song, I Like, by Shanice -have no idea who this was- and compared the original with this mix. The end result was an awesome remix.

The three albums I have of theirs are: Masters At Work: The Album, Nuyorican Soul, and Our Time is Coming. All are essentially New York, in other words the sound is a true New York House sound, I'm not great in describing certain characteristics. I will confess that of all the three albums I have fallen in love with a Single of MAW that you will not find on any of the albums: Pienso En Ti (House Mix) by MAW feat. Luis Salinas -a post of his to come soon. This one Single has been everything to me. If it is not on my iPod it's because that's not my iPod.

If you really are interested in hearing this awesome Single, the best way is to look for it on iTunes and check out the 30-second preview, if it is still available, or search for it on google typing MAW feat. Luis Salinas Pienso en Ti (House Mix). I will guarantee that you will like the mix.

I leave you with an awesome house duo from New York City and with music that was a part of a changing city during the 90's.

MAW on Myspace

MAW on WIKIPEDIA

"Pienso En Ti" by MAW feat. Luis Salinas

"To Be In Love" by MAW feat. La India

Ximena Sarinana (Mexico)

2009-03-13T09:43:00.002-06:00

I was on one of my many week-and-a-half vacations in Mexico when I first heard Vidas Paralelas, a song by a very chill and very relaxing Ximena Sarinana. To me she is someone of Natalia Lafourcade -I will post about Natalia soon as well- other half. Both artist could be in the same category, to me. Vidas Paralelas would be one of those songs that would end up playing one too many times whenever I drove anywhere, of course I would never forget to listen to her in my iPod.

A fellow blogger, Puebla Chic, is someone I have to thank for. If it were not for her I would have left this post for a much later time. To me it was better to post about her because her kind of music is one of the few that can actually help me relax and zone out, something I need the majority of the time.

I was at the house of one of my cousins friend. My cousin, Laura, and her friend were bugging me when they found all the female artist, including Ximena, that I had in my iPod. They asked me how did I know about Ximena Sarinana because they were sure that here in the USA Ximena was not as popular as in Mexico. I tend to not listen to the radio when I find myself on vacation in Mexico because I always carry my laptop and listen to my iPod but I can't help being curious as to how radio programming in Mexico differs from the US. And that is how I came to listen to Ximena. That was my explanation to them.

Although she only has one album, the album I have, Mediocre, I am sure Ximena will record another because I will be one of her many fans waiting to download the album as soon as it is on iTunes. I am sure you will compare Ximena with someone that you may have heard of but Ximena is Ximena and not only is she a good musician she is a good actor... she was in Ninas Mal, aka Charm School.

Ximena Sarinana Official Website

Ximena Sarinana on WIKIPEDIA

"Vidas Paralelas (en vivo)" by Ximena Sarinana

"No Vuelvo Mas (en vivo)" by Ximena Sarinana

Sara Montiel (Spain)

2009-03-06T11:00:00.003-06:00

There is a radio program that I have been dedicated to since I could remember. This radio program, here in NYC, airs only on Sunday mornings from 8am to 12pm. It's called Senor Bolero and the majority of the songs are ballads from way back before I was born and probably during the times when my Mom was still learning how to walk. I can't explain why I became so fascinated with ballads, maybe I was exposed to this kind of music early in my baby years. I have been an avid fan of ballads and have been trying to collect as many songs and albums from the artist that are all over Latin American, the Caribbean and Spain.

I may have heard of Sara Montiels music even before the internet and once I listened to one of her songs on a movie, Bad Education by Pedro Almodovar, "Quizas, Quizas, Quizas", I quickly bought an album of hers on iTunes. Ballads are not for everyone, thats a fact, like is music in general. Ballads however, have lasted forever, as it seems, and I have become one of the many that have fallen in love with this genre.

Sara Montiel is an artist that takes me back into times I never lived in. It's something called helping me use my imagination and it's great. There I times when I start researching Design from the 70's because her music had overloaded my thoughts and I could not bare sitting around and not digging up info on what I had in mind.

Sara Montiel is, was, and will probably be someone to never forget for those in love, in the same way as I am, with this genre. I had to write about Sarita, as she is also known, because I could not bare to watch Bad Education for the millionth time and hear her song.

The two albums I have of hers are: Un Placer and Viva La Diva

Sara Montiel on WIKIPEDIA

"Quizas, Quizas, Quizas" by Sara Montiel

"Maniqui Parisien" by Sara Montiel

Violadores Del Verso (Spain)

2009-03-04T08:53:00.002-06:00

Another Rap group! Let me be honest, after the great rap/ hip-hop of the 80's & 90's everything went down regardless of how much money was made on the garbage that was being produced. I hate to say that I hate certain music but when it comes to hip-hop you cannot call someone rapping about having killed people, art. It's garbage.

The reason I love this group, other than pertaining to a genre I am still fond of, is because they do it better than artist here in the USA. It would be nice if people could understand more than one language. I think in Europe there are many people who know more than 2 or 3. Here all we know how to speak is English and Spanish.

Back to this post, Violadores del Verso were, once again, a discovery. After having been fascinated with La Mala Rodriguez, another rapper from Spain, I found VDV because I wanted to hear more of this genre from Spain.

The only album of theirs that I do have is Vivir Para Contarlo, their last album out. I have listened to a few songs from their previous albums and all I can say is this group is amazing. I'll say it again, it would be nice if some people would be able to understand languages other than their native language because there are some things worth listening to such as Violadores Del Verso. Good Group, Great Music.

VDV Official Website

VDV on WIKIPEDIA

"A Las Cosas Por Su Nombre" by VDV

"Vivir Para Contarlo" by VDV

Luis MIguel (Mexico)

2009-03-02T09:19:00.002-06:00

Luis Miguel is someone who I have been wanting to post about since I started the blog. He was not the first post because a friend of mine, anonymous, said that my obsession with Luis Miguel should not be so obvious, even if the bloggers don't know about this obsession.

I remember hearing Luis Miguel on the radio every vacation in Mexico with my family. Some of my cousins, female cousins, were in love with him and that's all I ever heard if I were in the presence of these fanatical cousins. Cuando Calienta El Sol, a song of Luis Miguel from his early years, is one of the songs I could not help but dance to simply because I had no other choice but to since my cousins would go crazy when hearing that song.

Luis Miguel is someone who has been able to do it all musically. He has been a pop star, a ballad singer and a mariachi. Let's just say that this guy is versatile. In the majority of albums that I have been able to obtain I definitely hear the difference in style but he never loses his magical touch, his voice.

I may be saying this only because I am a huge fan of his but if you do not have an album of his, let alone a song, I would be very disappointed in you. I cannot say much more because instead of posting something simple it would come close to an homage and a very long dedication to Luis Miguel. It does not matter if you like or hate the guy, that is if you already know who Luis Miguel is, but you cannot deny that his songs and his work is beyond phenomenal.

Some albums I highly recommend so as to note the different styles he works with are: Aries, Amarte Es Un Placer, 33, Complices, Mexico En La Piel, Romance.

Luis Miguel Official Website

Luis Miguel on WIKIPEDIA

"Luz Verde (Live)" by Luis Miguel

"Cuando Caliente el Sol" by Luis Miguel

"Inolvidable" by Luis Miguel

Michael Buble (Canada)

2009-02-22T10:27:00.002-06:00

If you have ever heard Frank Sinatra sing and you know who Frank Sinatra is then you may or may not make a similar comparison when you hear Michael Buble. I like to think that Buble is a revival of Sinatra with a certain unique flair. I hate to compare both of them but it was just a small example.

Michael Buble's Kissing a Fool, a song from his self-titled album, Michael Buble, was the first song of his that made me fall in love with his music and his voice. There was one valentines when I played this song for my ex and that was one of many unforgettable nights. The moment seemed so cliche and straight out of a romance novel and/or film. The candles were lit, the roses in their water-filled vases, the smell of the potpourri, etc.

I would normally think of someone like Buble showcasing at a Las Vegas Theatre but I have to say that Michael Buble is an amazing talent. Thank you Canada for having produced Buble. There are a variety of albums of his available but I would recommend his studio albums, overall: Michael Buble, It's Time & Call Me Irresponsible.

Michael Buble Official Website

Michael Buble on WIKIPEDIA

"Kissing A Fool" by Michael Buble

"Moondance" by Michael Buble

Seu Jorge (Brasil)

2009-02-18T09:45:00.002-06:00

If you have ever heard of the song "The Girl from Ipanema" by Astrud Gilberto you can imagine or try to imagine how life was like in those times. Things that come to mind are Jet-Setting, fitted black suits with the white shirts and black ties, plenty of cigarettes, the O'nassis hair-do's, lounging in Copacabana, Brazil, and more. I feel the same way when i listen to Seu Jorge, only in a more modern ambience but maintaining a few classic memories.

Seu Jorge is Brasil. Seu Jorge is magnificent!

I don't remember when I started to listen to Seu Jorge but it was great. I remember listening to Jorge on my MD Player, the infamous MiniDisc, and having my parents wonder why I would listen to something like that at home. I would never talk about music with them and let alone explain why I loved the music I listened to. I never questioned them about their taste in music but I would be grateful of some of their choices.

Seu Jorge has accompanied me on some lonely nights when I would be in Mexico on vacation, in my parents summer home. He's just a great artist to have. I can imagine him being what Astrud Gilberto was to Brasil, a classic.

Carolina and Cru are two of his albums I have. His most recent, being released in 2007, is AmericaBrasil, but I have yet to buy that one. It is another great album but it's a shame iTunes does not have it available on their US online Store.

Seu Jorge Official Website (mostly a Blog)

Seu Jorge on WIKIPEDIA

"Tive Razao" by Seu Jorge

"Carolina" by Seu Jorge

Namie Amuro (Japan)

2009-02-17T13:21:00.002-06:00

I was asked once why I listened to Namie. My response was more of a flashback. During my high school years there was always an asian in my social circle. As the years progressed there were more and more asians in my circle. These guys, and girls, listened to everything and the majority, being chinese, listened to pop music from their country. Occasionally I would grow an appreciation for asian pop.

In San Francisco I lived near Japan Town, a neighborhood where, well, supposedly Japanese, and the usual Koreans, lived and established Japanese stores. This is where I was introduced to Namie Amuro and from the get go I was able to download an album of hers, Sweet 19 Blues, from iTunes. The purchase was worth it and I was happy. It was pretty hard to find certain Japanese Pop artist on iTunes before and I would have to ask some people I knew, Japanese of course, if they had any songs I could upload in my laptop.

Namie Amuro is, not in comparison to, a Japanese Britney Spears only that Namie has done pop, r&b, hip hop, etc. The last album I have of hers is Play. It's a way different album from the other album I have of hers. Very distinct. "I'll Jump", a song from Sweet 19 Blues and "Funky Town" from Play clearly show how each album is connected with the time period. To me they are huge changes but in keeping with technology I guess it's a part of the industry.

All in all, Namie Amuro is beautiful! She's hot. She also sings good enough for me. Check her out.

Namie Amuro Official Avex Website

Namie Amuro on WIKIPEDIA

"Suite Chic" by Namie Amuro

Juanes (Colombia)

2009-02-16T09:51:00.003-06:00

Imagine yourself waking up at 2am every morning, 7 days a week, for almost 2 years. Imagine working a 4 - 5 hour shift and then heading to another 4 to 5 shift, the latter being a 5 day job. It was a nightmare but it gave me the privilege to be able to spend and save freely. I was grateful to Juanes, the Colombian sensation along with Shakira, for the music I listened to while working those midmorning hours.

If it were not for "La Paga", a nice tune by the Colombian guitarist, and, of course, other nice songs rotating on the radio, it would have been a really crappy experience.

Juanes is a great artist, whether he's too commercially recognized and marketed, and has nothing but talent. I love his music. I love his mix of Colombian sounds in some songs. I love guitar play and I love his lyrics. It's pretty monotone to keep saying all artist, in any industry, are unique but I have to say Juanes is unique unique.

During my turbulent times in San Francisco I was able to influence certain acquaintances into listening to Juanes and having them love this guy, the women, of course, were attracted to him! I'm so sure you will love this guy that I'm betting my iPod. I don't have his very first album, Fijate Bien, but from his 2nd album and onward I guarantee love at first listen. Enjoy!

Juanes Official Website

Juanes on WIKIPEDIA

"La Camisa Negra" by Juanes

"Fotografia" by Juanes feat. Nelly Furtado

Art Blakey (USA)

2009-02-12T11:47:00.003-06:00

I hate, truly hate, the term "dressing to the nines." When you live the lifestyle that only the most privileged can, such as your wealthy Upper East and Westsiders, imagine yourself listening to Art Blakey's Jazz magic and getting groomed and spiffy, slipping into your French-fit suit with a, my personal favorite, solid raspberry silk tie, and a black custom tailored CK button down.

I have always been a fan of jazz music without true knowledge as to who was who in the jazz world, past and present. I prefer jazz of the past since its composition and rhythm seems more raw and pure. Nowadays there is so much technological help that music seems less pure.

Art Blakey has a variety of albums, which of course, I have yet to even come close to a quarter of the way of collecting. Of his vast list of albums the ones I do have in my iPod are: Freedom Rider, Paris Jam Session, Moanin' and Jazz in Paris Vol. 69.

Jazz, especially in the U.S., is essential. Historically, there is so much to talk about Jazz and its development. Musically speaking, Jazz is a beautiful genre. Art Blakey is my highly recommended artist for jazz although listening to jazz in general, the jazz from the past, is more than enough.

Art Blakey Official Website

"A Night in Tunisia" by Art Blakey

"Moanin'" by Art Blakey

Paul Van Dyk (Germany)

2009-02-10T10:26:00.002-06:00

I'm driving down to San Diego on the I-5, friends sleeping in the car. It was 2 in the morning, or so. I was feeling like I should be careful of my driving and, more so, hoping that I would not fall asleep at the wheel. I was doing a good 75 mph. I was racing the black night. I was listening to Nothing But You by Paul van Dyk.

It was a breezy, overcast with the sun breaking through, afternoon in Puebla and it was the first day to my month long vacation and all the while I was unpacking, I was listening to Forbidden Fruit, another great Paul van Dyk mix.

It's hard to say when would be an appropriate time to listen to this great DJ but rest assured that having him in my iPod is a gift. I would like to take a few seconds, or minutes, and thank my ex who introduced me to van Dyk during our 5 year relationship. She was the door to great music. Thank you "ex".

Although most of his production contains no lyrics, with the exception of some songs, I would have to say that it is difficult to find the really enjoyable songs –not that there are songs of his that are not good– but, nonetheless, most of his work is quite top-notch.

As a writer, something I hardly do during these harsh economical times, I have to include him in my list of music to listen to to become more inspired...

It was surreal to be riding the train at that time of the morning with hardly any commuters on the "R". It was a quarter past nine and I was in the car accompanied by a gorgeous brunette, whose slender figure and height I could only imagine topped at a reasonable 1 meter 65 centimeters. I felt uneasy knowing that she was glancing my way, here and there. I could only lose myself listening to Come (and get it), Paul van Dyk drawing an unexpected fate. The awkwardness of the situation slowly diminished as the beats driving through my bose headphones began accelerating. I was a shy, timid human being. I was incapable of living the moment and mustering up enough courage to walk over to this exotic brunette, wearing a pair of black, plastic-framed DKNY's, and staring her down for what I would only hope would be a final, blissful, and exhilarating showdown of passion.

Paul van Dyk Official Website

Paul van Dyk on Myspace

"Nothing but you" by Paul van Dyk

"Let go" by Paul van Dyk

When I'm home on a sunny saturday I like to listen to...

2009-02-09T13:10:00.002-06:00

"Porcelain" by Moby

"Pienso en ti" by MAW feat. Luis Salinas

"Who u wit" by Jay-Z

"Finally" by Ce Ce Peniston

"Manana De Carnaval" by Luis Miguel

"No Miramos Nada" by Laura Lopez Castro

And you, what do you listen to on those sunny saturday's?

Kanye West (USA)

2009-02-09T10:30:00.003-06:00

I remember a pretty intense, and very promiscuous party I had thrown in Puebla, Mexico a few years back, maybe like 3 or 4 years ago. It was a coming back home party my cousin, a few years older than me, had improvised. It was a great night. I won't go into disclosing the details, there are some that may feel disgusted and this blog is to discuss the music and not my sporadic adventures.

Back to this party, yes, there was plenty of music. I definitely remember having Kanye West playing on the stereo. I know, for a fact, and because I have been told, that rap is not exactly something that is big in Mexico. But there are some Mexicans that may like rap, who knows. The point is at this party everyone was having a blast even when Kanye was flowing.

Kanye West is a marvel. I read somewhere that he does not have the same talent that lyricist do but his rhymes are adequate enough to have potential. His songs get you ready for the day in front of you. You listen to Stronger while you, for example, work out and you will be hyped up. You listen to Good Life while you get ready to go out and all you can do is think of the good time you want to have. Listening to Jesus Walks could make you go crazy, in a good way I would hope.

I have songs from all his albums and continue to collect songs from his newest album 808s & Heartbreak. All though West is very commercial it does not have to be a negative. He knows how to work the music industry to his favor and he is a worldwide icon. I can't say more that won't turn into a musical review. Next time you fly to Japan, take West in your iPod.

Kanye West Official Website

Kanye West on WIKIPEDIA

"Stronger" by Kanye West

"Diamonds From Sierra Leone" by Kanye West

Kim Hiorthoy (Norway)

2009-02-07T15:05:00.002-06:00

Reading a book associated to graphic design I read an interview in the book where Kim Hiorthoy, a multi-talented –graphic designer, for one– person, revealed that he was also involved in music making. I believed him being a writer, an illustrator but when it came to music I was a little curious. What kind of music can a graphic designer want to create?

Knowing that Hiorthoy was Norwegian I didn't want to assume that the music I would come to hear would be somewhat similar to what I have heard from other artist in the surrounding area's of Norway, the Scandinavian area to be more specific.

As it turned out, Hiorthoy sounded almost similar to Icelandic group, Sigur Ros. Mellow and minimalist, there is no much going on. It's almost like having a banana shake with a dash of chocolate powder, you know what you are getting but sweetened enough to not be so overwhelming.

Whenever I have time to spare while waiting for my flight to depart, I happen to listen to Hiorthoy and walk around looking inside the shops and, not trying to be so geekish, looking for interesting designs. I have in my ipod: Hei and Melke, two of his few albums he has out.

Kim Hiorthoy on MYSPACE

Kim Hiorthoy on WIKIPEDIA

Kim Hiorthoy on Smalltown Supersound

Mala Rodriguez (Spain)

2009-02-07T11:43:00.005-06:00

I was watching a Spanish film, Lucia y el Sexo, when I came across a song during a scene where one of the protagonist was doing a striptease. The song was Yo Marco el Minuto by Spanish female rapper La Mala Rodriguez. It was the first time I had ever heard a female Spanish rapper and after listening to it over and over I was hooked on this artist.

La Mala, for short, is not only somewhat tough, and somewhat real as far as being a true lyricist goes, in her lyrics but she looks to be unbreakable. She is short by stature and she may look incredibly hot, what a body, but she seems like somewhat that would break out of a shell and give you the only beat down when necessary.

Spain is not all about the architecture, the beautiful culture, the flamenco, the bull fighting. There is always a dark side to any and every city! La Mala, on some of her songs, speaks out on that dark side Spain may not be so infamous for.

I have only been able to collect a few of her songs from her albums but those songs that I have managed to have in my iTunes collection are worthy of being there. They are tasteful. Like I had stated before, there is no way one should feel a disgust to music. You either like what you hear or you don't like. Music is not bad if it's not to your liking, it's just not your taste.

There have been a couple of times, some when I was in San Francisco studying at AAU –I won't promote the school–, where I would play a couple of Mala Rodriguez's songs and all I could see is the smoke in front of me. In other specific words, the people in the room were pretty much getting a nice high. It does not mean that hearing La Mala is adequate only for said occasions. I've had pretty great nights of sex listening to her as well. You listen to her songs and you decide when are the right times to hear her rough, real, rhythmic songs.

My fave Mala Rodriguez songs:

Sobresalientes, Fuerza, Jugadores, Jugadoras, Yo Marco el Minuto, Nanai, Especias y Especies, Dejame Entra

Mala Rodriguez Official Website (in Spanish)

Mala Rodriguez on Myspace

Mala Rodriguez on WIKIPEDIA

Marcelo D2 (Brazil)

2009-02-02T08:53:00.008-06:00

As I had written before in the last post, hip-hop is the same in all countries but the difference is in the language, and, in the style. This is a statement that I stand by no matter how you debate it. Marcelo D2 is a phenom, hands down. His style is true to his country, Brasil, and his flow is just outstanding. Once again, like rap from other countries, I wish I could understand the language a little better.

The order of his albums I am not to familiar with but I have some and I will be getting his newest album, A Arte Do Barulho, very soon. I do have Eu Tiro E Onda and A Procura Da Batida Perfeita. I do know there are a few more albums of his that are out but I don't have them and I don't know the titles, being honest.

Listening to D2, for short, is nothing but a calm, fulfilling experience. You feel a part of the Brasilian hip-hop culture whether you know what it is or not. Definitely watch the two youtube links that I have posted because you will see how versatile D2 is. He's amazing, of course props to his crew/band as well who help him produce his music.

If you have ever heard of samba, as in listening to it not as not having heard of it, then samba you will enjoy but with a modern twist. You could definitely enjoy a session of capoeira listening to D2 as you do your spin kicks and what not. You could definitely enjoy watching futbol, a.k.a soccer, listening to D2. You could do everything better!

Check for yourself.

Marcelo D2 Official Website (in Portuguese)

Marcelo D2 on WIKIPEDIA

"A Procura Da Batida Perfeita" by Marcelo D2

"Desabafo" by Marcelo D2

Epik High (South Korea)

2009-02-02T08:22:00.004-06:00

Epik High is a hip hop group from South Korea. The only album of theirs that I have is Swan Songs. It's all basically the same but the reason I like this group is because they rap in Korean, even though they rap in English and Korean on some tracks.

Epik High was introduced to me by my Korean ex-girlfriend. She was not into the group but she knew who to refer me to when I had asked her for hip hop group names.

The tracks on Swan Songs are good enough to have in one's collection of music from around the world simply because it's in Korean. I wish I knew what they were rapping about on the all-Korean and when they simple rap in Korean on the Korean-English tracks also. The few tracks that are on my list of songs to listen to are: "Fly", "Lesson 3", and "Follow the Flow".

I never imagined hip hop could exist to this extent in the Asian countries but I was proven wrong. Try Epik High and listen to the obvious difference when I say that the only difference between American Hip-Hop and Korean Hip-Hop is the language.

Epik High Official Website

Epik High on WIKIPEDIA

"Fly" by Epik High

French Affair (France/Germany)

2009-01-28T09:53:00.003-06:00

Another random discovery. This band, when looking up information about them, was just made up of a group of brothers –I won't, once again, get into the details– and two different singers. One singer before I discovered their album Rendezvous, and another which was more suitable and happened to be on the album mentioned and shown in the images.

This is a pick-me-up album and if you are a Sex and the City fanatic as much as I am –I am not gay– you will find yourself imagining walking up and down the streets of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world rocking to this album.

I am not a huge fan of commercialized music, but I don't have anything against it. If this album were to be very commercialized in Europe then I would be guilty of pleasure. I love this album. The other album, Belle Epoque, produced by the two brothers is a nice addition but I think the previous singer, who goes by he name Barbara Alcindor, is on it. It's also a good album but when there is not a consistency with singers, in other words, when there is not a single, stable vocalist for each and every album, I lose a bit the feel for the group.

Try this album. Listen to it. Work out and feel chic in the end.

French Affair Official Website

French Affair on WIKIPEDIA

Susana Rinaldi (Argentina)

2009-01-27T09:55:00.002-06:00

I may not be an Argentine by birth but that does not mean I can't be an Argentine at heart. I have yet to visit the land that hides the beef –remember that commercial with the old lady that says "where's the beef?"– and brought about the birth of the Tango. The difference between Hugo Sanchez and Diego Maradona is that one has a bigger rep than the other. What they share a passion for, if it isn't that obvious to some, is the passion for futbol, what this stupid country USA calls soccer. That same notion should apply to all Latin Americans, Hispanics, etc. I share a passion for music that not a lot may enjoy.

Susana Rinaldi was a random discovery. I was looking for more albums of Carlos Gardel, a very famed artist of the Tango, and I happened to have stumbled upon Susana Rinaldi. It was En El Undeground, the first album I bought of hers, where I became much more fascinated with el Tango.

When I am able to travel to Mexico and enjoy the solitude of my house in the great city of Puebla, I listen to Susana Rinaldi. I turn up the volume, sit down on the couch looking out to the other houses surrounding mines and smoke a capri slim. I don't like wine but those who find the pleasure of drinking it should never enjoy it without some audio compensation.

My Tia, Aunt in Spanish, asked me why I liked listening to Tango. I questioned her use of the word like and I would also respond that I didn't like Susana Rinaldi, I loved Susana Rinaldi. I started to tell her my reasons but in a more storytelling manner, using fictitious facts. In the end she believed my story and was pretty interested in the details, that is, until I had to disappoint her, and myself, in revealing that all she had heard was a farce but what I had shared with her was all conceived from the simple pleasure of listening to Rinaldi.

Let me be real, if you learn to appreciate music for what it really is, just music with a flair of individual personality, then you should be open to this. Susana Rinaldi is a treasure. Get it!!

Susana Rinaldi on WIKIPEDIA (Spanish version is much more informative)

Susana Rinaldi on TodoTango website (in Spanish)

Brooklyn (Special Track List)

2009-01-26T08:03:00.006-06:00

This is what Brooklyn, my hometown, looks like. These are some images that inspire me, that help me become a little more centered, focused. I am going to list below some tracks that reflect what Brooklyn is to me. Try to find one or two of these tracks and have a listen.

"Electric Relaxation" by A Tribe Called Quest

"I Like it Like That" by Tito Nieves

"Wake Up" by Rage Against the Machine

"Easy (like Sunday morning)" by Lionel Richie

"La Paga" by Juanes

Portishead (UK)

2009-01-26T07:22:00.005-06:00

There are times when you feel so overwhelmed that you don't know what to do. My suggestion, and this may not be suitable for every time you feel overwhelmed, is to sit, lay down and listen to Portishead. If you are into James Bond and ever want to imagine yourself being the super handsome, smart and technologically advanced secret agent, than Portishead can also do the job.

The Group is from England and their music in some sense reflects that background. The music is so laid back. My roommate in San Francisco used to listen to Portishead a lot. He was a reefer man, smoked a lot of pot and I quickly learned, after hearing "Glory Box", why he loved to listen to the group. He was as laid back as I could have ever imagined. After a few joints and bong sessions he was just so lazy –the side effects of pot ofcourse–.

It's also the kind of music you would want to have if you were a creative artist. I was invited to a few live painting sessions before and Portishead was always on the list of music being heard at these sessions. I guess the tempo helps when wanting to be real creative.

All I have of Portishead is their first album Dummy. It's good. It's worth having. It wouldn't be suggested if it were decent. The tracks are there, in other words the tracks help you be cool, be creative, or be lazy, whatever you want to feel.

"Glory Box" by Portishead

Portishead Official Website

Portishead on WIKIPEDIA

Plastilina Mosh (Mexico)

2009-01-25T22:03:00.003-06:00

Plastilina Mosh is a Mexican Electronic Band, if I can call them that. My cousin, a few years older than me, in Mexico was into this band and has always praised their music. He said that listening to anything else was fresa, a term in Spanish referring to the wealthy Mexican teen's or adolescents.

To me, Plastilina Mosh sounds like a revitalized synthesizer band from the 80's, only better. This group was cool, hippie, and was a part of the super nintendo generation. I wasn't too familiar with the lyrics but I was into the head bopping that the beats and the sounds Mosh produced.

If you ever need workout music or music to liven up a really shitty and dead party this band is a must. They got it all. There music video "Mr. P-Mosh" is something you just don't need to understand. When music video directors say that they want to make art, if they say this at all, then don't treat this video of Mosh as art and try to analyze it. The video is just cool and that's that.

"Mr. P-Mosh" by Plastilina Mosh

Plastilina Mosh Official Website

Plastilina Mosh on WIKIPEDIA

Chambao (Spain)

2009-01-24T14:04:00.007-06:00

Imagine a small, industrial-looking, cold but well-lit space. I was working on a school project and I had my laptop with me. Rather than listen to the radio I decided to hear some internet radio and get listen to music from outside the U.S. This is when I came across Chambao, a flamenco-influenced group from Spain. The song: "Pokito a Poko". I wanted to start dancing but that would make me look foolish. In my head I was moving to the guitar and I imagined someone in the background clapping their hands a la Flamenco –watch a true sevillana–.

I was hooked after the first song and started working backwards. I started to buy and collect songs and albums. The albums that are shown are the ones I have and I would recommend all of them. If you love Spain, it's music, it's culture, Chambao is the essential mix of it all with that slight touch of modernism.

Someone said that La Mari, the vocalist of the group, sounds annoying –her voice that is–. It may seem perverted but I get excited listening to her. She is such a great element to the group. Her voice adds that flair to the song. I highly recommend listening to "Los Muchachos De Mi Barrio", "As De Corazones" and "Papeles Mojados". The other songs are also good but these are my 5 star choices.

"Papeles Mojados" by Chambao

"Ahi Estas Tu" by Chambao

Chambao Offical Website

Chambao on WIKIPEDIA

Tiro De Gracia (Chile)

2009-01-24T13:35:00.006-06:00

It was late night, probably in the early millennium, and I was watching a music video channel. Out of nowhere plays this music video, simple, kind of cheesy but simple, and the beats and lyrics were pretty fluent with the rhythm. I was sold to this rap group from Argentina but it turned out that they were from Chile –not such a far-off guess–.

Tiro de Gracia was not as urban as the rappers here in Brooklyn but then again all hip hop and rap had it's edge. The music video that was playing was titled "Sueños", Dreams if translated into english. I remember having a Mini-Disc player at the time and I was so into looking for this song and downloading it for free from Napster, which was free music back then.

I kept looking for more songs and info from this Chilean rap group but they were truly underground that it was a bit hard but I found it. Eventually, and years later, I was able to collect the majority of their songs from three of their albums. Hip hop/Rap does not have to sound the same all around the world and what this group does is integrate musical elements from South America into their music. "America", a song from their album Retorno de Misericorida is a good example but you do the research.

Songs and/or albums from Tiro de Gracia –whatever you find easier since it still is difficult to find songs and albums from this group– are a great addition to any musical collection. Have a look at the couple of links to some of their music videos and decide if they any good. I know they are. I love them!

"Sueños" by Tiro de Gracia

"Melaza" by Tiro de Gracia

Tiro de Gracia Bio (in Spanish)

Tiro de Gracia on WIKIPEDIA (in Spanish)

Sade (UK)

2009-01-22T17:01:00.004-06:00

There are times when it's cheesy to say that there's nothing like making love, or having sex –however you want to call it–, to some good, romantic music. Sade has been playing in my house since I could remember. My parent's were the one's who introduced me to Sade when I was able to conceive music but not truly understand it. I am an 80's baby and those were some great years.

Sade is jazzy, smooth, romantic. Have you ever had a dinner date and danced with that other person listening to some slow, really steamy music? To start describing a scenario as such would condemn you to more time than necessary to read this post on Sade. For the men: it's ok to love, yes love, Sade. She's hot! She's also a great singer. For the women: it's ok to set the mood if he doesn't.

If you ever end up somewhere in the caribbean, you must have The Best of Sade cd around. You never know when you're going to enjoy those cool, breezy, nostalgic nights from the comforts of your hotel room in the arms of a stranger or a loved one. Sure, it may sound ridiculous and corny but he truth is I can't say more about this album, whether as a personal review or associating a moment in time with it, than it's a must have. She has other albums but this album is the cherry on top.

Sade's Official Website

Sade on WIKIPEDIA

Hotel Costes as mixed by Stephane Pompougnac (France)

2009-01-22T15:49:00.007-06:00

You can categorize this amazing collection of albums all mixed by frenchie dj Stephane Pompougnac as house, electronic, dance, whatever, the point is there are some great tracks to listen to. The Hotel Costes collection has 11 albums to its name and all have a variety of good and not so good –bad is an awful term which I try no to use–.

Imagine yourself dressed chic and urban, strolling through boutiques and galleries and swanky bars in the most lively cities throughout the world. Have your ipod, zune, or mp3 handy and the tracks from this collection will help you move about with ease.

Looking through different blogs about dance, house, electronic, etc. music, I stumbled upon one which highly recommended the collection and I decided to buy vol. 1. I was sold, but, sadly, the first one would place the bar to high for Stephane to reach with his following volumes. I am not saying that the collection is horrible but like most albums there are a few songs that are not to our likings.

In my ipod I have Hotel Costes vol. 1 & vol. 8. The tracks I suggest you listen to are "Migration", "Only in New York", "La Neblina del Verano", "Think Twice", and "Heidi Bruhl". If you are a fashionista –I really hate that word– then taking a listen to this collection is worth it.

Stephane Pompougnac on WIKIPEDIA

Stephane Pompougnac on MYSPACE

Stephane Pompougnac (in french)

The real Hotel Costes in France

Mos Def (USA)

2009-01-22T12:46:00.008-06:00

Hip Hop is not hip hop anymore. The flavor's gone. What is considered hip hop now is pretty much filled with "fuck you's", "fat ass bitches", "got money from another country", "rollin on dub tre's (23's)" themes. Exciting. All this commercial bullshit is garbage. I was young and dumb when I started listening to hip hop, circa 1992, but the beats were so damn catchy and the rhythm of it all was on par. There are plenty of artist that come to mind when I think of early 90's hip hop/rap and Mos Def is one of many.

Black On Both Sides, Def's first album, was pretty much a Brooklyn thing. The words were dope, fly and all that terminology I can't think of to describe his album and his style. Back then it was sick to have a style. Now it's just all the same. After maturing a bit I have to say that I would bump this album in any car, windows down, and just feel the urbanite in me come out. I am from Brooklyn so I have to give this album as much props as I can.

Mos Def teamed up with another local rapper, Talib Kweli, and collab'ed on an album, Blackstar, and just, flat out, put Brooklyn out there for the world of hip hop. I posted a link to one of their videos on youtube, Respiration.

I have to say that these two albums with Def, and later with Kweli, put you in the mood for anything. As a graphic designer always in need of some creative influence, I tend to listen to these two albums for that inspiration. I can definitely see myself hearing this at a real hip, not boo-jee, gallery wearing a pair of onitsuka tigers and some triple five soul gear. CHECK THEM OUT.

Youtube Video: Mos Def & Talib Kweli ft. Common "Respiration"

Official Mos Def site

Mos Def on WIKIPEDIA

Los Amigos Invisibles (Venezuela)

2009-01-21T20:15:00.005-06:00

Wow. I remember when I was chatting with a friend from Tijuana and we were talking about all sorts of music. She mentioned Los Amigos Invisibles and sent me a song, "Yo No Se", which had me going nuts over this group. Los Amigos are flat out great! They will rev you up for anything whether their beats are fast-paced or slow-mo. Another obvious thing I forgot to mention is that they are Venezuelan. I think even non-Spanish speakers could still enjoy the music.

I was on vacation in Mexico and at one of the clubs I was at I heard a few other songs of theirs: "Diablo"and "Mujer Policia", which had me going. I have three of their five albums and a few of their songs from the other two albums. Arepa 3000 & The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera are two highly recommended albums.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Amigos_Invisibles

beta.amigosinvisibles.com

www.myspace.com/losamigosinvisibles

Laura Lopez Castro (Germany/Spain)

2009-01-21T19:42:00.006-06:00

If anyone has ever heard of a well-known Mexican photographer by the name of Manuel Alvarez Bravo then at least take a few minutes of your time and look at his early 1900's photo's while listening to Laura Lopez Castro. I was introduced to Lopez Castro when I was looking for a video on youtube with Frida Kahlo's blue house being videotaped. I heard her song "No Miramos Nada" and I was instantly entranced. It was a bit difficult in looking for a respectable, elaborate bio. What I know of her now is that she is from Spain and has been in Germany for some time. Even though she is Spaniard, I found myself associating her music with the tranquility that you can find in small towns in Mexico. I even found myself imaging an empty Puebla, one of many large cities in Mexico, a place I tend to visit so often, and just taking in the quiet and calm of the usual hustle and bustle of any city.

I did download a few songs, and I feel guilty, but I have heard the majority of the songs from both albums and they would be worth buying. Definitely check it out, or hear it out. Just try to envision some place, a park, a country, or something that you've always imagined yourself in but alone. I listed some sites where you can get some info on her:

Surprisingly this site has better bio than her own website

www.myspace.com/lauralopezcastro

www.lauralopezcastro.com

www.nesola.de

A short bio of her here,

www.lastmusic.fm

Nicola Conte (Italy)

2009-01-21T14:09:00.010-06:00

I remember I was searching online for blogs on Mexico City. I found one that was quite nice –I will not go into promoting other websites– and was suddenly struck with Nicola Conte's music. I am not a master of words so it would be difficult to describe the music that I heard. What I can share is that the music was very up-tempo and jazzy. That was just my own words to describe the song "Bossa Per Due". I then found myself searching on Itunes for his albums –yes, it's a man– and brought myself to buy, and download, Jet Sounds. The entire album had me fascinated. I was ready to jump into a nice cotton three-button charcoal suit and fly back into the late 50's early 60's. The album was unbelievable and if you love the Breakfast at Tiffany's type of ambiance than this album is a sure hit.

I did not state it before but I will state it now, I am not a music critic nor am I a master of wordplay. What I care to share with everyone is what everyone has shared with me, and this is the pleasure to discover music. Below are a few links to websites where you can find more info on Nicola Conte:

www.nicolaconte.it

www.myspace.com/nicolaconteofficialspace

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Conte