HOT HALF DOZEN 7.2.24

160 songs and albums submitted for review

Know Me Too Well a single by Luigi Guillin and Luis Sanchez. A collaboration made in heaven. Two strong voices and great songwriting. Sanchez brings a special touch to the song with his experience as the lead singer of Mariachi Real Ajijic and knock-out performance in a Chapala production of Jesus Christ Superstar. The song has hooks, emotion, and a stick-in-your-mind melody. Spanish and English. Stream on Spotify and major platforms.

Borders, single by BINX. A soft, deeply emotional departure for the pop singer, and a good one all around. Her voice talks to you and tells you her story, backed by muted beats, with breakdowns that let you catch your breath.  The instrumentation is big, but it never intrudes on the love, and the nostalgia and intimacy of her vocals. Whew!  Borders is hypnotic, mesmerizing, and beautiful. Possibly her best song ever. Stream on Spotify and major platforms.

 “11:11″, single, video, by BUSCABULLA. The married duo of  Raquel Berrios and Luis Del Valle releases their first original new song in 4 years, full of quirky vocals, sophisticated production, irresistible rhythms, and a heavenly vibe that matches is angelic inspiration. Spanish, Available on major platforms.

Orquídeas, album by Kali Uchis. Fourteen songs, each with a different take on Uchis’ remarkable voice. Some are toe-tappers, some are dreamy (with a background beat), some are pure voice and some are heavily produced, but all are candy for your ears. Available on Spotify and all major platforms. Spanish

La Semilla, single by Superfonicos. These guys know how to rock Columbian funk but with complex Afro-Caribe rhythms, a flute, and a lead guitar that practically sings Indigenous vocals, precise percussion, and haunting vocals that deliver emotion as well as body movement. They are totally unique, totally hypnotic, totally …total.  No one does it like they do. Pure pleasure. Spanish. Stream on all major platforms.

Que Descaro de Tuyo, a single by Jenny and the Mexicats. Led by British-born Jenny Ball’s trumpet, this Spanish-Mexican combo mixes Mexican regional, flamenco, and Caribe into a gestalt – music that is way more than the sum of its parts.  An adventure in instrumental phrasing, seductive emotional lyrics, and just plain fun.  Spanish (but they sing in English too). Available on all major platforms.