palabras Bianca Laureano

The Putumayo family, infamous for creating socially conscious compilations of music to “make you feel good,” welcomes its newest addition: Latin Reggae. The CD showcases a motley crew of talent from Spain, Chile, Puerto Rico, Argentina, and represents almost every genre of music found in Spanish-speaking cultures. Highlights include: “Charito Và” by Radio Malanga (pictured, top) satisfies your soul with impressive percussion and brass, “Si Hecho Palante” by Ticklah featuring Mayra Vega eloquently shows the complexity of Latin reggae, and “Ven” by Amparanola is seductive, punto! Beware if you are looking for dancehall or reggaeton, as this compilation is appropriately named and will not satisfy those yearnings.

You will feel good knowing that portions of the proceeds from the sale of Latin Reggae go to ACCION International, a non-profit organization in Latin America providing people with financial tools to work their way out of poverty. Effortlessly conveying the history of the African Diaspora in the Caribbean and South America (add to that liner notes in three languages) makes this one of the most unique compilations to date. Cheeky horn playing and classic dub with a splash of everything from flamenco to son makes this the perfect Sunday morning brunch soundtrack.