Six Degrees Records and Batanga Compile the Ultimate Soundtrack To Hispanic Heritage Month

Six Degrees Records and Batanga.com celebrate Hispanic heritage month with the “Batanga Hispanic Heritage Sampler,” exclusively for free on iTunes (www.itunes.com/batanga) until October 21st. The one month long promotion serves to highlight Latin music in the U.S., featuring ten songs from Six Degrees Records’ Latin/Brazilian roster including the GRAMMY recognized Spanish Harlem Orchestra, CéU, Ojos de Brujo and fast-rising newcomers Pacifika and Beto Villares amongst others. Batanga, Inc., the leading next-generation Hispanic media company reaching U.S. Hispanics across multiple platforms has dedicated an editorial page (www.batanga.com/freesampler) to provide visitors a place to learn more about each artist featured on the sampler including photos, biographies, song previews and more.

Taj Mahal Globalizes The Blues

Bluesmen are born resilient and it's no different with Taj Mahal. What makes him stray off the beaten path is a kind of meandering curiosity that's added refreshing versatility and allowed him to steer clear of musical constraints. One of the most influential American blues artists of the past half-century, the two-time Grammy winner has always had a panoramic approach to music making, over the years drawing on sounds and styles that resulted in a string of adventurous recordings in the 70s, a children's album in the early 90s, and multicultural excursions later that same decade, including a collaboration with Indian classical musicians, a cross-pollination of Hawaiian music and blues, and a meeting of the minds with Malian kora player Toumani Diabate. Taj may be high-minded but his output has always been more soulful than cerebral. The same can be said about Maestro, Taj's first album in the U.S. in five years and his first international debut on Heads Up. The newly released disc showcases the master's all-inclusive philosophy and gift for bringing other genres and artists of diverse styles into the fold of American roots music. Latin rockers Los Lobos back Taj on a few tracks, most notably on the boozy, rollicking "TV Mama," a tune written by Willie Turner and delivered here in a style reminiscent of seminal electric blues axman Elmore James. Ben Harper joins in on vocals on the raw and gritty "Dust Me Down," and surfer turned singer/songwriter Jack Johnson takes a cue from Taj's well-known "Further On Down the Road." Ziggy Marley also gets in on the action accompanied by his six-piece band and infusing some island vibe on "Black Man, Brown Man." Taj and Beninese songstress Angelique Kidjo share writing credits on "Zanzibar," a lilting African ballad on which she sings and which also features the sublime artistry of Diabate on the kora. Taj's global perspective is informed by many currents, but he goes back to basics reviving his roots by paying tribute to the likes of Ottis Redding on "Scratch My Back," Fats Domino on "Hello Josephine," and by doing what he does best with roadhouse swagger on "Diddy Wah Diddy," a Wille Dixon/Bo Diddley classic. It's the blues according to Taj Mahal.

Milton Nascimento and The Jobim Trio Pay Tribute to Bossa Nova

Legendary Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento, one of the world's great voices and an iconic figure since the 60s with roots in the Clube da Esquina scene in Minas Gerais, has joined forces with the Jobim Trio to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bossa nova in Miami. The Jobim Trio is led by Paulo and Daniel Jobim, son and grandson of composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, along with drummer Paulo Braga. Nascimento's divine voice and the Trio's sublime arrangements pay tribute to the rhythm of Brazil and remember the great compositions of the bossa nova master.This is the US debut for this ensemble, touring in support of the beautiful new CD Novas Bossas, (Blue Note Records 2008).

Milton Nascimento + Jobim Trio in concert

Saturday October 4th, 8 pm

Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts

Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami

Tickets through http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ldmkf7mO02fUg14s8XEzjMgBa8agN-YN5dC8gRI4HJ1z8jQReuGhtJkwRJHT1_8_Zt6gwah-9BFvdY3qH1CVSSrxX2Tf7DVdsTOCnL5SXpNYQkvysxIGYb5K-J6MGfp1o924tLWzROttmGKSduJ2tA_2hsVmb_7M3cn43032viB_ciy43rBq8DQl5cEGTl2oglqaK14xhq8= or (305) 949-6722 or the Arsht Center box office.

Rhythm Foundation members, call the office at (305) 672-5202 for direct ticketing.

A Night of Poetry and Music

FUNDarte and The Centro Cultural Español present ALFONSINA: A FLAMENCO FILIN CONCERT

Gema Corredera sings Alfonsina Storni poems. Original Music by Flamenco Master and Guitarist Jose Luis Rodriguez. Alfonsina, La Mujer en el Mar is a flamenco-filin concert based on the work of recognized Argentinean poet, Alfonsina Storni, that grapples with the most basic human emotions of love and loss. Storni was an artist characterized by her constant search for freedom and a preoccupation with following her own path without being burdened by the established norms. As such, the story is told through an innovative blend of musical styles using some of her best known poems set to original compositions by flamenco master and guitarist Jose Luis Rodriguez. The program will feature renowned Cuban singer Gema Corredera, of the duo Gema y Pavel, and cuban musician Carlos Puig-Hatem.

Date & Time September 18, 2008 @ 8:00 p.m.
Tickets Prices:$20 General Admission$15 Students and SeniorsGroups rate available (10 people or more)$5 for Centro Cultural Español members
Location: Manuel Artime Theater900 SW 1st Street, Miami

Visit www.fundarte.us for more information on ticket purchases

Arturo O'Farrill and Claudia Acuña Venture Outside the Expected Margins

Arturo O'Farrill is a renowned cross-pollinator who's constantly blurring the line between jazz and Latin music. Here he teams up with the wonderfully eclectic vocalist Claudia Acuña who is just as adept at navigating multiple streams with masterful fluidity. The project materialized after O'Farrill and Acuña decided to collaborate for the pure fun of it, a simple philosophy that shines through the album's twelve tracks. Together, the arranger/pianist/composer and the Chilean chanteuse interpret an unconventional repertoire and exude the kind of unbridled joy that can only come from a partnership rooted in friendship and mutual admiration. From the coquettish title track opener, "In These Shoes" to the Afro-Cuban closer "La Piye" the only commonality shared is a free-reign insouciance that makes the album whole. Cuts such as Brazilian roots rocker Lenine's "Paciencia," and Van Morrison's "Moondance," are just some of the protean offerings to set a new standard in the continuously expanding and melding jazz universe. Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto's "Vida Sin Miel" has a quirky, impish vibe punctuated by eerie guitar stabs courtesy of Adam Rogers and "Willow Weep for Me," a jazz standard recorded by all the great performers of our time, is given off-center treatment as a funkified Cha Cha Cha with percolating rhythmic changes and exhilarating solos from O'Farrill on piano and Yosvany Terry on sax. Once again O'Farrill and his musical acolytes have carved out a new space outside the boundaries and it sounds like a future unbound by sonic borders.

Maraca Is Back With a New Album and a U.S. Tour

Cuba's ‘MARACA’ is back with Lo Que Quiero Es Fiesta (Ahi-Nama Music). After a few years away from the studio and extensive touring around the world, Cuban flutist and bandleader Orlando Valle ‘Maraca’ delivers his sixth recording, a high energy album of dance music grounded on tradition but influenced by current trends. The release is followed by a U.S. tour which includes two appearances at the Monterey Jazz Festival for a special performance with an all-star band featuring Giovanni Hidalgo (Congas), David Sanchez (Sax), Miguel Zenon (Sax), Ed Simon (Piano), Murray Low (Keyboards), John Benitez (Bass), and Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez (Drums), along with the strings section of the Monterey Orchestra.

Maraca returns with a revitalized sound and a new collective of young musicians. Considered one of the most popular names in Latin and Afro-Cuban Music, from salsa to Latin jazz, Maraca's music is a cocktail of fusion and energy that stems from the most jazziest improvisations to the most danceable elements of Caribbean and popular Cuban music. A CD release party will be held at NYC's S.O.B.'s on October 1st.

Beto Villares Takes The Plunge

Brazilian producer Beto Villares' self-titled debut stands out as the best album I've heard so far this year. Not surprising for someone whose credentials range from composing film scores to producing multi-platinum selling recording artists. Most notably Villares is recognized for his contemporary global stylings on Brazilian chanteuse CéU's Grammy-nominated breakthrough --one of the biggest selling international records of 2007. Stepping out with his own project Villares presents a microcosm of Brazil's rich, musical landscape. Paying homage to the musical legacy of a country such as his is always a grand aspiration, but the Sao Paulo native does so from a unique perspective, infusing a new dynamic that's nothing short of sublime. The 16-track sonic voyage soaks up Brazil’s diversity into the fold of other global influences. The result reflects the magical tapestry of Villares' musical DNA. Delicate bossa novas are subtly embellished with overdubbed voices hovering in the background, eerily meandering synthesizers, and layers of percussion. Rapping in Portuguese collides with percolating rhythms, Latin funk grooves, and crypto-reggae beats. And sambas combine with old-world arrangements within looping beats. Villares' lush musings seamlessly flow in a mapped out universe of his creation and the sounds emanating are close to cosmic.