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Latin Female Singers - Any suggestions?

I have always wanted to expand my listening repertoire beyond the traditional jazz ballads/balladeers. It seems as I discover new singers in the idiom I keep hearing many of the same traditional ballads being redone in much the same way. This is great to a point but a little spice of the Latin variety sure wouldn’t hurt. In that regards, I've done a little research and discovered Yasmin Levy (Landino, flamenco). Her album, Sentir blows me away. The recording quality is quite good too. I also like Brazilian Ceu (samba, reggae, jazz) on her self-titled album. Ojos de Bruja are also doing interesting stuff. None of these can be called jazz in the traditional sense but good nonetheless.

Concha Buika's collaboration with Chucho Valdes is another great find. Fantastic synergy between Concha and Chucho here, with very good sound quality as well. Others I have manage to sought out so far are Mexican singers Lhasa, Lila Downs,Chavela Vargas and Argentinian Mercedes Souza.

I'd be interested to hear of any others, along these lines, that you might be aware of.
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Showing 2 responses by tubegroover

tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Frogman I agree her delivery is quite special. She can move you in many ways. I would suspect she might be an acquired taste for the average American listener hearing her for the first time but there will be others that fall in love. One thing for sure about this music, at least to me, it can't be separated from the language.

This one really is evocative of my early visits and those early impressions, the sound of Brazil and its initial effect on me and a good example why I love this singer so much, she captures it's soul. Of course Brazil has a other sounds as well but this is Bossa Nova at it's very best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBVhRyAQNhA
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Hew if you like Gal Costa with that breathy shimmer at the end of a phrase, uniquely Gal, I would highly recommend "Gal Costa Canta Jom Jobim" a live 2 cd set with excellent sonics, superb arrangements and Gal in top form. The "Elis and Tom" recommendation is superb as well. Other Brazilian artists I've enjoyed over the years include Mincha, Simone, Marisa Monte, Ana Carolina and Beth Carvalho among others. All quite different but the idea is that Brazilian singers cover a wide range of styles and music.

Frogman I would guess you are probably right, I would say the Elis Regina is probably Brazil's most beloved Brazilian female singer even though she's been gone over 30 years.
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