This week, we start off the latest episode of Alt.Latino with a zombie/surfer/'60s garage-rock track from the Spanish band Kokoshca: "Mi Chica Preferida" (My Favorite Girl). Remember Javier Bardem's creepy character in the film No Country for Old Men? I can picture him humming this disturbing song to the woman of his dreams.
All jokes aside, it's a great song, and we chose it because this week in new releases, women are leading the pack: a startling Argentine punk group, an up-and-coming Mexican rapper, a rising Brazilian star remixed, a Dominican duo and much more. It's fantastic to feel the energy of these young musicians, who are challenging musical notions and subverting traditional roles with their art. Case in point: the Argentine group Kumbia Queers, made up of women who celebrate their lesbian identity in a male-dominated genre.
While women rock our world this week, guys also bring the heat: Colombia's Monareta brings us funky electronic cumbia, and we've got a great remix of Panamanian rap duo Los Rakas, brought to us by the Argentine DJ group Frikstailers.
Did I mention that this is a danceable show? We end this week's edition of Alt.Latino on a reverential note: Colombian singer Etelvina Maldonado, a star of bullerengue (an Afro-Caribbean style unique to the Caribbean coast of Colombia) gets remixed by DJs Uproot Andy and Geko Jones. What do you get when you mix the infectious, pulsating beats of the Caribbean with the frantic pace of two New York-based DJs? A song that will have you dancing in your seat.
So put on your dancing shoes, slip on your headphones and turn up the volume. This is Alt.Latino.
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Alt Latino 11.10
Mi Chica Preferida
From 'La Fuerza'
By kokoshca
Coming At You From: Spain
Sounds Like: Garage-rock vocals meet David Lynch-themed lyrics.
Find out more about Kokoshca and purchase their music
Come Baby
From 'Freak'
By Utopians
Coming At You From: Argentina
Sounds Like: Patti Smith en Español.
Celosa
From 'La Gran Estafa'
By Kumbia Queers
Coming At You From: Argentina
Sounds Like: Chopped-and-screwed cumbia soundtrack to a John Waters film.
Find out more about Kumbia Queers
Cumbia Invasiva
From 'Fried Speakers'
By Monareta
Coming At You From: Colombia/New York
Sounds Like: Colombian cumbia, hatched in a Brooklyn basement.
Find out more about Monareta and purchase their music
Chicos, Tenis y Cachucha
From 'El Mixtape II'
By Niña Dioz
Coming At You From: Mexico
Sounds Like: Glitter and celestial hooks make it a celebration; samples of The Knife's "Heartbeats" give it a sharp edge.
Find out more about Niña Dioz
El Reloj de Arena
From 'El Reloj de Arena'
By Las Acevedo
Coming At You From: Dominican Republic
Sounds Like: Sweet, charming and innocent, but with hints of a deeper soulfulness.
Find out more about Las Acevedo
Lero Lero (DJ/rupture Remix)
From 'Lero-Lero'
By Luisa Maita
Coming At You From: Brazil/New York
Sounds Like: Luisa Maita's thin but strong voice floats through the Brazilian skies with the help of DJ/rupture's ethereal beats.
Purchase Luisa Maita music
Sudaka Invasor vs. Soy Raka (Remix)
From 'Sound America Volume 17'
By Los Rakas
Coming To You From: Panama/Argentina/Oakland, Calif.
Sounds Like: The Cool Kids, with Panamanian percussion and an Oakland soul.
Find out more about Los Rakas
Download Sound America Volume 17
Manuelita (Remix)
From 'Manuelita (Geko Jones and Uproot Andy Remix)'
By Etelvina Maldonado
Coming At You From: Colombia/New York
Sounds Like: Afro-Colombian rhythms at a frantic New York pace, and a perfect soundtrack for the Caribbean coast -- or the concrete jungle.
Find out more about Uproot Andy
Find out more about Geko Jones
Download this mix
