VA - The Rough Guide to Latin Street Party (2008)

The world of Latin party music is diverse. To some outsiders it may all sound too frenetic and repetitive; the rhythms may be too complicated or too monotonous, the lyrics incomprehensible, the vibe overly emotional. But to those with an open ear, or who grew up loving la musica latina, there is an exciting world of different genres, beats and modalities to enjoy. Indeed, there are many mutant hybrid forms multiplying and subdividing right before our eyes, defying categorization, being heard on street corners, iPods and in clubs. This is one of the many definitions of what it means to be street' - what is going on now on the ground, even underground. But the street is no specific place any more, because it is international and impossible to pinpoint.

One country can no longer claim exclusive rights to a particular kind of music as it's all become global and electronically interconnected, and many musical roots are so intricately intertwined that fixating on what is pure or original can become an exercise in futility. So street' is not pure - but it is also not corporate. It is of the people, for the people. Let the musicologists, media critics and the marketers squabble and scramble to compartmentalize and attempt to catalogue our music; none of this matters to the musician, producer, DJ or the music freak. If it gets your body moving and helps you forget your cares, if it takes you back to the motherland or transports you to the mothership, then todo esta chevere (everything's cool], Forthe dancers, of course, there are different moves and different routines associated with the various popular genres, which often differ regionally, but on the dance floor or en la calle we all have an equal opportunity to shake our collective culito (booty). In bringing this party collection of Latin calle (street) beats to you, we made sure to include tracks from disparate sources that represent both mainstream and alternative visions of musica bailable (dance music). From retro cover versions of classics recorded faithfully in analogue to digital mash-up remixes, it's all here for your Latino sound system: salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, reggaeton, Latin soul and all points in between. So take it to la calle and start dancing!

Tracklist:

01. Jesús Pagan y Su Orquesta - La Rumba Se Pone Buena
02. Los De Abajo - Mi Candela
03. Magic Juan Feat. Puerto Rican Power - Momentos Felizes
04. The Pimps Of Joytime - Bonita
05. Chale Brillante y Su Gam - Prisionero En Tus Brazos
06. Alex Wilson Feat. Lauren Dalrymple - Use Me
07. Quantic & Nickodemus Feat. Candela Allstars - Puerto Rico Pa Gozar
08. Aventura Feat. Anthony Santos - Ciego De Amor
09. Sidestepper - Mas Papaya (Lightning Head Remix)
10. José Alex y Los Trotamundos - La Medallita
11. Chiqui Rodriguez - Lavado Cerebral
12. Los Hermanos Rosario - Te Heché De Menos
13. Ricardo Lemvo - Mentirosa
14. Gilberto Pulpo Colon Jr. - Sonero Mayo
15. Sonora Carruseles - Mosaico 2 (Salsa y ControlFé)

Total time: 01:15:38