29 octubre 2026

La canción de la semana #1036

This year's 'El Tiny' Desk Concert (15 September — 15 October 2026), once again, brought us the best of Latin music. From jazz of Melissa Aldana and Gonzalo Rubalcaba to psychedelic cumbia of Los Mirlos to ska of Panteón Rococó to Tejano of Los Texmaniacs to genre-defying fusions of YEИDRY and Mon Laferte. But a true discovery for me was Draco Rosa. All four songs of his Tiny Desk set are great, culminating with Vagabundo, a slower version of the title track of his 1996 album.

    Robi Draco Rosa: vocals
    Josh Sonntag: guitar
    Jebin Bruni: keyboards
    Jorgen Carlsson: bass
    Toss Panos: drums
    Charlie Sepulveda: trumpet
    Hector Espinosa: congas

23 octubre 2026

La canción de la semana #1035

...is Cuídame by Sílvia Merchán Bustos aka Affra, a singer-songwriter from Badalona. This song appears on her forthcoming album Al Trenzar Mis Penas. Video by Adriano Vannini.

    Sílvia Merchán Bustos (Affra): vocals
    Frederico Vannini: flamenco guitar, arrangements
    Daniel Felices: jarana, bass
    Angelo Manhenzane: percussion
    Angel Ramos: percussion
    Jordi Gaspar: double bass

09 octubre 2026

La canción de la semana #1033

Tarde ventura, the 16th album by Puerto Candelaria introducing their newest member, Geraldine Flórez aka "Zafra" (lead vocals and trumpet) is so improbably good that I had a real problem selecting the song for this week. I just couldn't choose between the covers — Aunque me cueste la vida by Luis Kalaff Pérez, Cariñito by Ángel Aníbal Rosado and especially ¿Qué pasará mañana? by José Luis Perales — or the originals like Le falta la firma, Nunca me faltes or Sin razón, all of them wonderful. After relistening the album n times, I finally picked Cordillera, the original penned by Juancho Valencia and Eduardo González. And what is your favourite track?

    "Zafra" Geraldine Flórez: vocals, trumpet
    "Sargento Remolacha" Juancho Valencia: accordion, vocals
    "El Caballero" Eduardo González: bass, vocals
    "Diggy pajarito" Didier Martínez: percussion
    "Luka" Lucas Tobón: alto sax
    "Rux" Juan Esteban Rúa: trombone
    Abril Vásquez: flute