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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.
128x128hew
ludimagis
128 posts
 
I recognize a couple that you mention. Here is 2 that I very much enjoy, although differing from the style's you mention:

Rosa Passos - folk, jazz
Chiara Civello - 'Last Quarter Moon' ; pop? easy listening?
rioplatense
2 posts
 
Mercedes Sosa. ...SIMPLY THE BEST Musician....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foDhMfp_Pcw

Lidia Borda: (Best current Tango Female voice)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHiqfx-5K9M

Libertad Lamarque (Best Tango Female voice ever)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXBw89C7IvQ

Paula Morelembaum (she is good) (Brazil bosanova)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHEFdWGMW00

Maria Bethania (brazil - bossanova)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDIpm5PW8xY
frogman
7,339 posts
 
Second Celia Cruz and Gal Costa. Many fans of Brazilian female singers would say that Elis Regina was the greatest ever.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nsKWQA4sLZg&feature=relmfu
eslaudio
118 posts
 
Peruvian Susana Baca might be of interest. She has an enchanting voice IMO and has worked extensively with Marc Ribot, David Byrne and John Medeski among others.

Susana Baca in Concert
hew's avatar
hew OP
159 posts
 
For any lover of the female voice, its hard to overlook artists like Eliane and Karrin. What I am really seeking are the more obscure, overlooked singers. Even so, the suggestions are all great - please keep them coming.

I had a chance to listen Gal Costa's Live at the Blue Note and she is definitely among my favorites of those suggested. Also worth mentioning are Sylvia Telles, Tania Maria and Nara Leao discovered through the related artists feature on Spotify (great previewing tool). I just received a Susana Baca disc with a pile of other stuff I haven’t had a chance to listen as yet.

Back in the good ole days, there was one particular used cd store I loved visiting. I’d go at least once per week and spend hours going through isle after isles of cds discovering all the hidden gems. The best part of the store was the locked glass cabinets at the front where they stored audiophile stuff -- namely, MFSL for $14 each. I vividly recall the day, I went to pay for my usual pile and the proprietor suggested I include a compilation by David Byrne titled Adventures in Afropea 3. This was my intro to Cesaria and morna. I have been a fan since. This compilation is really worth searching out btw - wonderful music, especially the first track on the disc.
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