AllMusic 2014 Year in Review
Favorite Latin and World Albums
2014 in Latin and World Music featured Pepe Aguiltar breaking barriers with his MTV Unplugged session, father and son duo Sidiki and Toumani Diabaté teaming up for a mesmerizing collection of duets, and Angélique Kidjo's most ambitous album to date.
The tribal guarachero DJ collective make an exciting return with Far East Movement, Becky G, and Cowboy Troy on the guest list.
An enchanting collaborative album that mixes West African sounds with blues, folk, and jazz.
Debut solo album from the septuagenarian guitarist and singer, rich with the sound of the old Cuba.
This flawless, wildly ambitious offering is not only mature, but sets a new bar for creativity in Latin music.
The Beninese singer and songwriter returns after nearly four years with her most ambitious recording to date.
This album is, above all, a great deal of fun, and it's a must for anyone with a love of Mexican popular song.
Second solo album from the exiled singer bears witness to the loss and tragedy of the refugee struggle, while also expressing defiance and hope.
A big, brassy banda album that's evocative of Mexico's past while projecting its regional traditions into the future.
The Brazilian artist reunites with producer Mario Caldato, Jr. in a subtle, imaginative, emotionally resonant collection of originals and covers.
Blending bossa nova with electronica once again after nine years off, the trio sounds renewed on this comfortable and clever comeback.
The soca singer's 2014 effort is a Carnival party monster, led by the epic title track.
Sinaloan norteño band returns with its sixth album in five years, adding a new dimension of range and depth.
One of Colombia's greatest living singers gives listeners the heart of vallenato and other Colombian traditions.
Two of the leading forces in contemporary flamenco combine for a set of unexpected material.
Pérez explores the folkloric traditions of his homeland with a mix of jazz, classical, and Latin American sounds.
Bisbal's fifth studio album reveals plenty of crossover appeal, from bolero to soul to dubstep.
The ECM debut by this up-and-coming pianist offers a bold jazzman's take on Afro-Cuban ritual music that is at once striking and deeply moving.
Eblis Álvarez / Meridian Brothers
The sophomore Soundway outing from this group ecstatically explores a range of Caribbean rhythms through rock, electro, and psychedelia.
This haunting, beautiful score for Euripides' tragedy is performed by an expert folk ensemble, choir, and soloists.
The mad, twisted debut by this international project dishes up head-on collisions between garage psych, funk, samba, and tropicalia.
On his Sony Masterworks debut, the Oscar and Grammy-winning Argentine composer offers a spare, intimate, yet emotionally resonant instrumental set.
This auspicious debut by a London-based international ensemble sets a new bar for the fusion of African and electronic music.
On his first record in four years, the Uruguayan songwriter delivers one of his most beguiling and adventurous offerings in years.
Juan Luis Guerra / Juan Luis Guerra y 440
The Dominican legend delivers a stellar collection of bachatas, merengues, sons, and salsas, all done with a sense of musical adventure.
On his first studio recording in four years, the Colombian songwriter adds organic and modern sounds to his provocative mix.
Lengthy sophomore effort from this Congolese collective spans over 100 minutes of dense, joyous music.
Nine months after their breakout album, this Grammy-winning Angelino quartet delivers a hot set of new tunes and covers.
Narcocorridos, tender love songs, and party anthems that together form a near-perfect mix of the sweet, sinister, and celebratory.
A lively, melodic, and warmly eclectic collection of rootsy adult alternative pop from the Texan trio.
On their first offering of brand-new material in five years, the living legends of norteño deliver power and poignancy.
Corridos Time, Temporada 1: Soy Parrandero
A 15-track set of narcocorridos and conjuntos that finds the band at their rootsy, gritty best.
Latin and American jazz standards from this rich, evocative vocal and flamenco guitar duo.
The L.A. singer travels to Brazil and delivers a heartfelt collection of its songs, aided by a stellar cast of younger musicians.
On his first record in 13 years, the Brazilian songwriter delivers an intimate, spacious, nearly perfect collection of simple yet elegant songs.
The great ranchera singer not only makes history on the popular MTV program, but delivers a performance for the ages.
Tego Calderón and Yandel join the reggaeton duo for a near-perfect balance of street-worthy and radio-worthy music.
The debut full-length from Valenzuela reveals the talent of his soaring and earthy voice as well as his fleet, dexterous accordion playing.
Wistful yet full of hope, the singer's second album for his own Metamorfosis label is accordingly intimate.
Brazilian songwriter and member of Los Hermanos, Orquestra Imperial, and Little Joy turns in a wonderfully understated debut.
With their first new material in five years, the acoustic duo deliver fierce, beautifully articulated tunes melding their musical roots with expansive creativity.
![Formula, Vol. 2 [Deluxe Edition]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=FPfv-qqJaID3xpmFEx1pixyhM-OFI8zG4l-qVpXXB1I=&f=4)
Formula, Vol. 2 [Deluxe Edition]
On his second studio album, the bachata star not only delivers on the promise of his debut, he surpasses it in ambition and craft.
Fourth album from the young Sinaloan delivers an ambitious range of modern banda, norteño, and cumbia.
A completely solo sound collage, full of subversive cultural and musical juxtapositions, which serves as a love song to Egypt.
Seun Kuti / Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
With Robert Glasper as co-producer, the youngest son of Fela Kuti delivers an incendiary, angry, innovative new phase in Afrobeat.
Sidiki Diabaté / Toumani Diabaté
The kora's modern master and his eldest son team up to deliver a mesmerizing set of unadorned duets on their debut together.
Forced to flee Mali, the band recorded this in the American southwest. Here they evolve musically, yet keep their root sound intact.
The great African drummer teams with the Jazzbastards for his first recording in seven years, and it's a stone killer.
Second solo album from the Puerto Rican urban music legend, rife with collaborations from 50 Cent, Chris Brown, Pitbull, and more.