HOT HALF DOZEN 5.7.24

201 songs, albums, and videos submitted this week for review

The Blues is Back, an album by Karen Lawrence.  Wow! Can this girl rock and play the blues! The 10 songs on this album range from classic blues to gut-wrenching blues rock, to something else all her own. There is nothing like her out there and this is a must have album whether or not you are a blues fan. She nails it and she will nail you.  Stream on Spotify and all major platforms.

Encuentro Theme , single and video,  by Reginald Policard & Richard Bona. An enchanting new collaboration between Haitian pianist Reginald Policard and a host of guests, including Richard Bona and Angelique Kidjo. World music is part of what it is, jazz is another, and Cuban and samba and all sorts of things blended into an earworm that will keep you moving. The full album, Boarding Pass, is due out soon, so stream this one and look for the album. Spanish. Stream on Spotify

Real Artificial, single by Elston Torres. Another, moving and grooving hit from the Cuban love song King,  Full orchestration with a singable chorus., and happiness. Dance it. Love it. Stream it. On all major platforms. Spanish.

Dame de Ese Amor, single by Chicochica. Mysterious, Rhythmic, haunting, the duo of Juan  Galeano and Fer Casillas have assembled an inspiring, grab-your-gut, anthem that is powerful and gripping, and wonderful to listen to. Stream on all major platforms. Spanish.

Radical Optimism, an album by Dua Lipa. Pop bliss. Pure and simple pop bliss as only the top streaming female artist on Spotify can do. The 11 songs on this album range from the half-billon streamed Houdini’s driving pop beat, to the complex “Happy for You”, she covers all the bases and hits a home run. Stream on all platforms.

La Llorona, single by Omara Portuonda. I am a sucker for La Llorona, the beloved traditional Mexican heartbreaker song of a mother searching forever for the children she drowned. Hundreds of versions are out there, and every singer in Mexico features at least one rendition in her concerts, This one is by the Cuban grand old lady of music, and she adds a Latin beat/Cuban flavor to it that is captivating. Spanish. Stream on all major platforms.

BONUS

Ruidosa Festival in New York

The first festival of women in music in Latin America will be celebrated with concerts and conversation panels on August 10, 2024. This year, Ruidosa’s collaboration with Lincoln Center brings \artists from across the Latin diaspora, including iLE, Buscabulla, Fran Valenzuela, Mare Advertencia Lirika, Salt Cathedral, Renee Goust alongside Khylie Rylo: CYBER ll be MASHAKA, Riobamba, Tayhana and Mireya Ramos from Flor de Toloache  This will be a day packed with live music, industry panels, and an unforgettable silent dance night, designed to foster social and cultural transformation and highlight the empowerment of women in the creative industries through a Latinx perspective. Information at https://www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city/ruidosa-fest