AllMusic 2016 Year in Review
Favorite Latin and World Albums
2016 also featured plenty of excellent albums from beyond the mainstream framework of Western music, including Gaby Moreno's Ilusión, New Zion Trio's collaboration with Brazilian perussion master Cyro Baptista, and La Santa Cecilia's groundbreaking Buenaventura.
On his second solo date, the poet and his ensemble use the spectrum of Caribbean rhythm and bridge it to jazz-funk, Afro-beat, and soul.
Exuberant collaboration between the long-running Congolese percussion ensemble and Lisbon-based Angolan DJ/producer Pedro Coquenão.
The French nouvelle chanson master songwriter uses a Buenos Aires neighborhood as a muse for experimenting with new rhythms and textures.
The fifth album by the Tuareg guitarist places all of his gifts -- as player, composer, and singer -- up front.
With the Brazilian percussion master in its ranks, this dubwise trio reaches an expansive new creative peak.
The Brazilian singer and songwriter gets cool and nocturnal on this wildly diverse back-to-the-beat dancefloor killer.
Sophomore full-length from an American group adding their own spin to vintage Ethiopian pop sounds.
After a six-year wait, the Spanish electro-pop wizard returns with a new mutilated R&B sound.
After a six-year break, this side project returns with a joyous, sensual set of rootsy reggae, dub, and cumbia.
On its sophomore full-length, the trio makes all genres bleed into an experimental, obsessively listenable whole.
On her finest recording to date, this set showcases the contemporary singer/songwriter's skills in commanding a dazzling array of styles.
The veteran norteño outfit employ their roots genre as they embrace cumbia, reggae, rock, and country with excellent results.
Balvin's fourth studio album includes the phenomenally successful single "Ginza," plus a host of seductive grooves.
Vestido de Etiqueta por Eduardo Magallanes
The imaginative revisioning of songs from the duo's four-plus decades of creative partnership is an exercise in awe-inspiring beauty.
La Orquesta Sinfonietta / Michael Spiro / Wayne Wallace
Led by Wayne Wallace and Michael Spiro, this large group criss-crosses the musical history and traditions of the New World with grooves galore.
Los Angelino quartet evolve their quirky musical blend into a pop genre of their own on this transcendent release.
The sophomore effort by this sophisticated electro cumbia band absorbs many influences and expands musical frontiers.
The third release from this Malawi-based folk and gospel group is humble, rustic, and inspiring.
The great ranchera singer and balladeer successfully branches out into cumbia, rock, pop, and more on this wide-ranging collection.
The Malian singer/songwriter's sixth LP is uncompromising, richly detailed, and utterly compelling.
Two years in the making, this album extends the norteño singer/songwriter's genre-blurring innovative reach over 15 new songs.
This album gives insights into the musical and personal depth of the Silk Road players.
Sinikka Langeland / Trio Mediæval
Enlisting Trio Medieval and her Starflowers quintet, the Finnskogen musicologist, composer, and singer delivers songs about the mythological "world tree."
Revelation, Pt. 2: The Fruit of Life
The reggae singer, songwriter, and producer is joined by Rick Ross, Waka Flocka, Wyclef, Rakim, and many others on this stunning LP.
The Latin cultural icon refuses to rest on her laurels. She seamlessly combines pop invention with various traditions.
Various Artists
Bobo Yéyé: Belle Époque in Upper Volta
Numero's handsome box set is equal parts musical overview of pre-revolutionary Burkina Faso, and poignant historical photo essay.
Various Artists
Venezuela 70: Cosmic Visions of a Latin American Earth: Venezuelan Experimental Rock in the 1970s
Trippy, highly engaging compilation of experimental, psychedelic rock and jazz that emerged out of Venezuela in the '70s.