Achy Obejas

Thaione Davis Situation Renaissance (Birthwrite Records) "We're just doin' a little somethin' different for ya," remarks Thaione Davis, midway through his latest release on discerning local hip-hop label Birthwrite Records....

The soundtrack to John Sayles' last film, a story about (among other things) disillusioned Lefties, is a delightful, eclectic treasure trove. There are big guns here, including Rita Moreno and...

Polo Montanez, a.k.a. Fernando Borregos Linares, was poised to become a huge international roots music superstar when he was killed in a car crash last year near his home in...

Celia Cruz Regalo de Alma (Sony) After Cruz's death last summer, "Regalo de Alma" is a measured finale. It was recorded as the music legend was dying, but it cements...

Jorge Moreno Moreno (Maverick Musica) Cursi is the word in Spanish to describe "Reloj," the first track on this CD -- kitschy to the max in any other language. But...

Orishas Emigrante (Universal Latino) "Emigrante" is the first hip-hop album to land on the Billboard Latin charts, not surprising at all upon more careful inspection: Bubbling just below the spins,...

Susana Baca Espiritu Vivo (Luaka Bop) This Peruvian singer's third U.S. effort brings with it a somber, reflective tone, a product no doubt of being recorded in the immediate aftermath...

Art imitates life in a surreal sort of way, or vice versa? Sucking up to American interests behind the president's back? You be the judge. According to media sources in...

Lo'Jo Mojo Radio (World Village) France has long been both crossroads and cauldron for world musicians. Here musicians from the former French colonies confront and cook up dark, saucy rhythms,...