The Fifth Case of the Latin Fiesta

This week it's time for fan favorite Latin America theme.

Last time I did the Latin theme, we heard very suave uptown sounds from big bands like Beny More, Celia Cruz (with La Sonora Mantecera), Machito, and Tito Puente.

This time we are turning 180 degrees for a very rural and rustic Latin set. Although some of this music was certainly recorded and enjoyed in big cities, it is all undeniably made by and for people with country roots. No swanky nightclub soundtrack here... this is a good set for riding your burro to the bodega, or for dancing barefoot among chickens in the Plaza de Santo blah-blah-blah.

The first hour today focuses primarily on more music from the Afro-Peruvian scene. This time we go beyond the recently issued compilations for a dive into my personal stock. We will hear roots of the Afro-Peruvian sound in vals and festejo rhythms from the 1970s. There will be just a few rustic guajiras from Cuba thrown into this set.

The second hour this week goes back to a popular theme, cumbia sounds from Colombia (including porro and gaita). I'll keep the vibe moving here by focusing on different sounds:  we'll start with some uptempo numbers by accordion-led small groups, then we'll hear some seductive slower fare from full orchestras. We'll wrap up the set with some more modern cumbia sounds of the 1980s.