Sept. 20

Listening To Latinas
Move over, Jennifer and Shakira. Several new Latin divas are hitting the international stage. This month, U.S.-based Putumayo World Music is releasing "Women of Latin America," which will be launched in conjunction with a 30-city U.S. concert tour kicking off on Sept. 21. The CD features 11 female singers from all across the region. From Mexico's rising star, Lila Downs, to Colombian legend Toto La Momposina, each artist in this soulful compilation evokes the spirit and traditional rhythms of her native country. Newcomer Marta Gomez dazzles on the mellow "La Ronda," based on a traditional Colombian children's song, while Peruvian Grammy-winner Susana Baca cements her international reputation with "Caras Lindas (Beautiful Faces)," an Afro-Latino anthem popular in the 1970s. An Afro-Peruvian song, the vivacious "Anda Mareado (Stumbling Along)," showcases the talents of Tania Libertad, who has sold more than 2 million records worldwide and graced the top 20 on the European world-music chart.

Putumayo's motto guarantees their music will "make you feel good" (as should the fact that a portion of proceeds from CD sales go to the label's nonprofit Putumayo Cross-Cultural Initiative, which uses music and the arts to promote cross-cultural understanding in elementary schools). From samba to salsa, you'll definitely feel like dancing, even if you don't understand a word of Spanish. And if you didn't know already, the Putumayo women will teach you that there's a lot more to Latina music than J. Lo and Co.
--Kathryn Williams