Latin Dance, Acoustics & Vocals
As a member of the Latino community, here’s a treat for the summer and a cheers to Cinco de Mayo from a wonderful Colombian composer. It’s a simple and slow song that speaks of a house in the sky. It reminds me to look up now and then.
La Casa En El Aire
Listen to Sophie Ellen’s new album, moon, as an alternative to cheesy holiday music. You can still sit by the fire and watch the snow fall to this lovely album. Similar to Little Joy, her music plays with folk and latin characteristics that mix beautifully to create a sensuous and comforting sound. As a singer/songwriter, Sophie Ellen does a great job at creating a captivating and yet modest debut. She flirts with notes, swerving through whimsical phrases that keep the listener intrigued and at ease. If you like voices like the soft Madeleine Peyroux and the powerful Daughter, then you will definitely like Good Company, the first track off the album. This is true authenticity at its best, no need for excessive whistles and bells.
Good Company
Because I love Little Joy, I should also mention that Rodrigo Amarante just released his first solo album, Cavalo (Horse), and it is everything heartwarming, sensual, and lively in this world. Here is Maná, a more lively track from the album. Also, his portuguese is so beautiful it gives me goosebumps.
Little Joy is my favorite band of all time. After seeing them in concert at Webster Hall in NYC, my heart belonged to them and their work. The members of this lovely trio include Brazilian gents, Fabrizio Moretti from the Strokes, and Rodrigo Amarante from Los Hermanos, and the beautiful Californian, Binki Shapiro (now in performing with Adam Green from The Moldy Peaches). Together they formed a little side project that brought me more joy than I expected from any band. I am a huge music fiend- as this mere blog shows- but this band is truly special.
After discovering Little Joy, an indie-alternative rock band with Brazilian flair, I became obsessed with them. I was taught classical piano by a Brazilian teacher for many years, and being Latina, I felt some sort of kinship to Brazilian or Brazilian inspired music. Some of my favorite Brazilian classical composers include Nazareth, Villa-Lobos, and Mignone. Little Joy flawlessly created a new little genre in my mind, one that had hit all the right spots when it came to my music interests: a combination of rock, folk, and Brazilian textures. And so, when I found out that they had disbanded after their debut album release in 2008, I was crushed. Still, I haven’t lost hope that they will one day come back together and create more joy.
I love their entire album, but here are two of my favorites:
The Next Time Around
Evaporar
Not many people know that Devendra Banhart sounds more luring when singing in Spanish. Listen to Mi Negrita and you’ll get my point.
El Baile del Suavecito by Oscar de Leon is a light splash of Latin flavor. If you feel like moving those twinkle toes in an easy going but lively manner, I recommend starting with this slow dance. Besides, the title of the song does translate to “The Soft/Slow Dance.”
Perez Prado is famous for The Mambo and all its derivatives in music; they call him “El Rey Del Mambo.” My favorite is Cherry PInk and Apple Blossom White, especially because of the slide that replays throughout this sensual dance piece. Music like this makes me dream of Cuba.
One of my favorite songs by Jaramillo is Poquita Fe, translated in English is “Little Faith.” The guitar is beautiful the whole way through, reminding me of some spanish lullaby.
Plastilina Mosh is one of my favorite pop/funk, alternative, Spanish (Mexican) bands . Words sung in Spanish sound ten times better than those in English. My two favorites are Pervert Pop Song and Millionare.
Pervert Pop Song
Millionare
The beauty of old spanish music is too often overlooked.
YUM 