ARGENTINA- ACIDA ‘LA VIDA REAL’ (SONIC 360 records)
Apart from tango (traditional, progressive and electronic versions), the non-Hispanic world has largely ignored Argentina’s bourgeoning music scene, especially its rock, rap, reggae (best reggae in Latin America, no contest) and electro scenes. So UK-based label Sonic 360 (who brought us the excellent Kinky) is to be commended for putting out porteña Alina Gandini and husband Tweety Gonzales’ varied dance album. Produced by Chris Allison (Beta Band, Coldplay), the set boasts a variety of rock-tinged dance styles and features several of Argentina’s rock and electro illuminati – Gustavo Cerati and Capri, among others.

MEXICO – JOSÉ FELICIANO ‘A MEXICO CON AMOR’ (Wrasse Records)
Many latino stars known for other kinds of music have made mariachi tribute albums over the years, some more successfully than others. The problem is that of all latino music, the strings/brass combination of mariachi is probably the most ‘foreign’ to non –Hispanic listeners – and has been sent up once too often by Hollywood. But once you get over the funny-men-in-big-hats stereotype, the canon is truly beautiful, rivaling only Brazil’s samba-canção and Cuba’s bolero when it comes to wrist-slashing ballads. And if the might José Feliciano can’t make the genre work for an international market, then very few artists can. The songs are a mixture of covers and originals – many by one of the acknowledged masters, José Alfredo Jimenez – and the arrangements are characterized by restraint; careful attention to the initially-strange, skipping tempo of mariachi; and a sensible highlighting of Feliciano’s wonderfully emotive, ‘cracked’ singing and his undeniably superb acoustic guitar.

BRAZIL-JOÃO DONATO ‘A BLUE DONATO’ (Whatmusic.com Records)
Whatmusic adds to its unrivalled rare Brazilian vinyl reissue series with a never-before-released CD set from one of Rio’s most venerable jazz/fusion pianists. This 1973 session was the fruit of a series of jams at the studio of Leblon-based Bill Holmes and features legends such as the late Edson Machado (drums) and Barnabé Ferreira (bass). As proud owners of his rare Atlantic outing ‘Quem É Quem’ will confirm, Donato is one of comparatively few Brazilian trio pianists who plays with a hint of Cuban clavé, adding a unique swing to the standard bossa-balanço conventions. Cool listening for warm and breezy summer barbecues. And label boss Charlie Leach reveals a considerable artistic talent with his original jacket portrait of the star!

CUBA- ANGÁ DÍAZ –‘ECHU MINGUA’ (World Circuit Records)
One more in World Circuit’s marvellous series of solo opportunities for former members of the Buena Vista project. Miguel ‘Angá’ Díaz is the conguero’s conguero, playing with an unusual five congas (one more than the conventional pattern) which allows for a unique ‘talking’ style. Here, he’s joined by bassist Cachaíto (and if you don’t know Cachaíto’s solo album on World Circuit, you need that one, too), Malian griot Baba Sissoko, French DJ/remixer Dee Nasty (whose work I hold in much greater regard than certain other, better-known French DJ/remixers in this field), the wonderful flute of North African Magic Malik and the unmmistakeable piano of Irakere co-founder Chucho Valdés, as well as old-time ivories wizard Rubén González. As usual with W.C. productions, the packaging and presentation are impeccable, featuring the haunting artwork of Miguel Mendive.