This week, NPR Music reporter Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento is back on the mic, bringing host Anamaria Sayre new music in the vein of her 2010s Tumblr era. Think emo bangs, bright blue skinny jeans and a Warped Tour T-shirt. Sonically, this week’s picks run through bedroom pop, sultry balladry and Bronx-Dominican rap over post-punk basslines. 

Featured artists and songs:

• Titanic (I. la Católica and Mabe Fratti), “Escarbo dimensiones"

• Mon Laferte, “Esto Es Amor"

• Planta Industrial, “Teteo in The Bronx”

• Santi Muk and Zenon Pereyra, “seu carinho,” “CUÁNTO FALTA PARA CONOCERTE?” and “ANA BAILABA”

• Maria Usbeck, “Mar”

• LATIN MAFIA and Omar Apollo, “Hecho para ti”

This episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Otis Hart. Suraya Mohamed is the Executive Producer of NPR Music and the madrina of Alt.Latino.

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On Alt.Latino we often discuss the way that traditions are recognized and expanded upon. Usually it’s when we’re talking about new artists.


But this week we are spending time honoring two legends: Tex Mex accordion player Flaco Jimenez and Latin jazz pianist/composer Eddie Palmieri each died within the last few weeks. They were foundational to their respective musical cultures, products of two distinct Latino cultural and musical traditions who also expanded the idea of tradition with their musical visions.


Tune in this week to see how Felix connects the dots between these two seemingly dissimilar icons — and hear some new music that also blends tradition with modernity. 


Music heard in this episode:


Orquestra Afro-Brasileira, “Saudação ao Rei Nagô” and “Obaluayê”

Doctor Nativo, “Caminantes” feat. Roco Pachukote

Bikôkô, “The Other” feat. Isaiah Hull and “La Mano” feat Crystal Murray

day2k, “OBSSD” and “más q todoooooo”

Flaco Jimenez, “Lucerito”

Eddie Palmieri, “Una Rosa Española”


Audio and production for this episode was done by Noah Caldwell.

Suraya Mohamed is Executive Producer for NPR Music.

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Felix Contreras is on vacation, so Anamaria decided to throw her own kind of summer bash in his absence. With NPR Music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento along for the ride, today’s Alt.Latino sails through tropical bangers from Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and more.

Simon Grossmann, “Copa del Mundo”

A beachy pop-ballad about building a soccer team (as a metaphor for making love), “Copa del Mundo” is the latest single off Grossmann’s upcoming album, Empezar Ganando, out Sept. 21. The Venezuelan-American artist is known for laidback acoustic melodies and sentimental lyrics that transport listeners to romantic sunsets on the coast of Morrocoy (or Puerto Rico, where Grossmann produced the record alongside Fux Beat and Bebo Dumont).

Xavi and Kapo, “Bien Pedos”

A regional Mexican vocalist and Colombian rapper team up for an unexpectedly welcome collab. On “Bien Pedos,” Kapo’s signature afrobeats sound is infused with charcheta horns from Sinaloa, resulting in an infectious pan-Latin pop sound ideal for making moves on a late-night dancefloor. At the center of it all is Xavi, the 21 year old who started covering corridos for his mom and has quickly emerged as one of the most magnetic voices in contemporary musica Mexicana.

Ana Frango Elétrico, “A Sua Diversão”

Traveling down to Rio de Janeiro, the latest single from multi-instrumentalist (and poet) Ana Frango Elétrico mixes elements of jazz, funk and pop for an uncategorizable groove that we wish would never end. A standout voice in the Brazilian new wave (and with a co-sign from bossa legend Marcos Valle), the Latin Grammy winner infuses their nostalgic yet innovative sound with a refreshingly punk attitude.

Letón Pé, “Prendan Un F**** Abanico,” and “Madrugá”

Dominican singer and actress Letón Pé can do it all. An Ibiza-ready club hit that tracks the soaring summer temperature? Check. A sultry, ‘80s retro siren song detailing a late-night fantasy? Check. Whether she’s working with Spanish DJ Piek or Mexico City-based producer Julián Bernal, Letón Pé’s voice draws listeners into a world of Caribbean textures, melodies and dance moves.

Martox, “Si Es Verdad” and Lena Dardelet feat. Martox, “A mi de ti”

Dropping an anchor on the Dominican Republic, we listen to two tracks from underground duo Martox. Their pulled-back approach on electronic and R&B production crafts a subdued merengue vibe on their latest single “Si Es Verdad.” Ana takes the opportunity to resurface their collab with French-Dominican vocalist Lena Dardelet, “A mí de ti,” a dreamy meditation on a missed connection.

stivijoes, “Solo” and “No he nacido rico”

Ana ends the show with a sad-boy mic drop courtesy of Catalan artist stivijoes. “Solo” and “No he nacido rico” use melancholic piano and lush synths to capture the producer and songwriter’s battle with grief, familial pressures and creative ambitions.

The audio for this episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is Executive Producer of NPR Music.

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This week's selections reinforce the idea that trying to identify this music under one heading is impossible. Let's just call it Good Music.

Featured artists and songs:

• Harold Lopez-Nussa, “Niña Con Violin"

• Sofia Kourtesis, "Canela Pura" and "Ballumbrosio"

• Lucrecia Dalt, “caes” and “cosa rara”

• goodtoknow (paula prieto, benjamin walker, sir hope), "Mareas," "October" and "I’ll stay"

• Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet, “Panabe”

• Natanael Cano, “Presidente” and “El Juez”

• Gabito Ballesteros and Carin Leon, “Regalo de Dios”

The audio for this episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the Executive Producer of NPR Music and the madrina of Alt.Latino.

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Global superstar Bad Bunny is hosting an unprecedented 30 concert residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fans are calling it a defining cultural moment for the island. Anamaria Sayre attended two recent shows and shared her reflections.

Music featured in this episode:

• Bad Bunny, "Callaita"
• Bad Bunny, "Baile Inolvidable"
• Los Pleneros de la Cresta, "Los de la Isla"
• Gilberto Santa Rosa,"La Agarro Bajando"
• Bad Bunny, "Lo Que Le Paso A Hawaii"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.

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Before Ana heads off to see Bad Bunny's unprecedented residency in Puerto Rico, we chat a little about why the celebration is significant to the island and Latin music in general.

We also dig deep into new releases that include four different approaches to the guitar and a musician from Peru who defies genre to create his own musical language.

Music heard in this episode:

• Hermanos Gutiérrez, "Elegantly Wasted (ft. Leon Bridges)"
• Bebo Dumont, "Hoy"
• Eljuri, "Karma"
• Yamil Quiere Ser Artista & Oliver Berg, "Bandido," "Gatito Miau Miau Miau"
• Yasser Tejeda, "Una Cascada de Miel"
• Yerai Cortés, "Sonar por Bulerías,"
• Judeline & Yerai Cortés, "Un puente por la Bahía, la Cruz del Campo"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.




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This week Ana and I share some of our long time favorites. While Ana leans into music discovery, I tend to bring more of the classics. In fact, I build playlists on a streaming service to mix music much like I did back in the era of the cassette tape. There is wide swath of music presented in the show this week. —Felix Contreras

• Maestro Espada, "La despedida," "Tres gotas de rocío," and Peretas del Tío Vicente"
• Lido Pimienta, "Ahora"
• X Alfonso, Eme Alfonso & Síntesis "Rezo a Changó"
• Simon Diaz, "Tonada De Luna Llena"
• Raúl Rodríguez, Chano Domínguez & Martirio, "En Esta Tarde Gris"
• Rita Payés & Silvia Pérez Cruz, "El Panadero"
• Maria José Llergo, "Aprendiendo a Volar"
• Amaia Miranda, "Canción para Amama"
• Ataquemos, "Vilo"
• incluso si nunca despiertas, "la lluvia no mata las flores"
• Malo, "Suavecito"
• Tommy James & The Shondells, "Crystal Blue Persuasion"
• Hugh Masekela, "Grazing In The Grass"
• War, "All Day Music"
• El Chicano, "Viva Tirado"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.




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Ana and Felix break down Bad Bunny's latest political video. Hear their failed attempt at a blindfold listening game.

Artists and songs featured in this episode:

• Cheo, "Amor A Primera Vista"
• babas tutsipop, "antonio banderas" and "cursi"
• Pedazo De Carne Con Ojo, "Sirens" and "Tiralo"
• Ryuichi Sakamoto "DOLPHINS"
• Frank Zappa "While You Were Art II"
• Pink Pablo, "ALL I DREAM," "OJOS AZUL" and "HORSES IN HEAVEN"
• Wampi, "La Última" ft. Leoni Torres
• Wampi, "La Diferencia" ft. Orlenis 22K, Ernesto Loso
• Silvana Estrada, "Lila Alelí"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.

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Our selections this week feature a crate diggers' delight from Colombia and the sound of modern rap in Mexico.

Featured artists and songs:

• Óscar Agudelo y El Combo Moderna, "Está Como Mango"

• Isabella Lovestory, "Fresa Metal," "Eurotrash," "Tu Te Vas"

• Grecia Albán, "YO POR TI"

• Vicente García, "Mambo Violento," "El Huracán," "Abusadora"

• BALTHVS, "Flesh and Soul"

• Gera MX, "Ciclo Vital," "1 Millón"

Credits

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Noah Caldwell. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed.

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