Puerto Rico’s iLe Transforms From Rappers’ Kid Sister to Bolero Warrior
Formerly the sole female vocalist in rap group Calle 13, iLe has turned into a Latin alternative firebrand, pushing her art and her politics in exciting ways.
Marty Lipp
Marty Lipp has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsday, Details and The Star-Ledger. He focuses mostly on soulful world and regional music, both traditional and contemporary.
Natalia Lafourcade Finds the Heart in Darkness
Mexican pop-rock and folk singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade releases her first album of original songs in seven years and tells PopMatters all about it.
Putumayo Revisits Afro-Cuban Rhythms
Putumayo’s Afro-Cubano continues the breezy, tropical tour of the world, pouring new ingredients into their familiar aural elixir.
‘Talking Heads: 77’ Pointed to the Future 45 Years Ago
Talking Heads: 77‘s power-pop short song format sounded familiar, but those herky-jerky rhythms, eccentric melodies, and strained yelping vocals led to New Wave.
Paris Combo Have Happy Ending with ‘Quesaco?’
Slipping on a Paris Combo album is like sliding into the ease of a Sunday afternoon. The rhythms’ soft sway and Belle du Berry’s charming vocals don’t urge; they invite.
Jorge Drexler on Love in The Time of Coronavirus
An otolaryngologist by training, Oscar-winning, Madrid-based Jorge Drexler uses his new album to examine love through a variety of lenses.
Marisa Monte on Her Elegant New Dawn
Brazil’s queen of song Marisa Monte has launched a year-long international tour and talks with PopMatters about that and her latest album, Portas.
Orquesta Akokán Recreate the Golden Era of Mambo
Cuban big band Orquesta Akokán revisit the jazz-inflected Latin music that preceded salsa as they celebrate mambo’s golden era.
Justin Adams and Mauro Durante Create the Bluesy ‘Still Moving’ and Recast Folk Music
Justin Adams and Mauro Durante create a mesmerizing blend of folk and blues to find common ground for a world locked down by Covid.
T. Rex Launched Glam Rock with ‘Electric Warrior’ 50 Years Ago
Fifty years ago, T. Rex released their most successful album, Electric Warrior, helping kick off the glam rock movement. Marc Bolan leaped from playing rock to being a rock star.
Revisiting Buena Vista Social Club’s Magical Time 25 Years Ago in Havana
The new 25th Anniversary Edition of Buena Vista Social Club sheds light on the sessions that created an international phenomenon.
Elvis Costello Remakes His Classic ‘This Year’s Model’ in Spanish
Elvis Costello re-imagines his second album This Year’s Model by having Latinx rockers sing his classic songs on Spanish Model.
