#latin-grammy

#latin-grammy

When Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Tomas Cookman founded Nacional Records 20 years ago, the label immediately established itself as the defining voice of Latin alternative in the U.S. Cookman's inaugural release was the luminous, self-titled solo debut by Andrea Echeverri, lead singer of Colombia's pioneering Rock en Español act Aterciopelados. He followed it up with "Tijuana Sessions Vol. 3," the much anticipated sophomore effort from Latintronica outfit Nortec Collective. (As it turns out, the band never recorded a Vol. 2.)

Her first album Preguntas a las 11:11 (Questions at 11:11) doesn't appear to be part of a marketing strategy. Rather, it feels like a confession. It sounds like the kind of album you put on in the wee hours of the morning, when you're not looking to distract yourself, but to understand yourself. There's something almost therapeutic about her lyrics, where self-love, pain and sweetness embrace each other, without conflict.

Caloncho has been making reggae- and tropicalia-infused dream pop underpinned by the mantra that being alive is a blessing, as showcased in his new album 'Tofu.'