Latin  •  Latin America

Latin Soul

Strikingly similar to boogaloo music, Latin Soul is a blend of mambo and pop tinged with R&B and Latin jazz, emphasizing short, ultra-catchy tunes and infectious rhythms. The style took shape in New York City and was primarily associated with young musicians, who were seeking to make Latin music accessible to broader audiences -- hence, many Latin soul tunes were performed in English. While Latin soul was fairly short-lived, its fingerprints were all over the fertile New York salsa movement of the '70s, when many former Latin soul artists became more interested in their musical heritage and made their own music jazzier and more complex.

Latin Soul Album Highlights

Chilled Moods [Smart]
Various Artists Chilled Moods [Smart]
Broasted or Fried
Various Artists Broasted or Fried
60's Gold [Fania]
Various Artists 60's Gold [Fania]
Big Bad Boogaloo
Various Artists Big Bad Boogaloo
Salsa Greats, Vol. 2
Various Artists Salsa Greats, Vol. 2
Boleros de Oro 2002
Various Artists Boleros de Oro 2002
Bravos de Fania, Vol. 4
Various Artists Bravos de Fania, Vol. 4
The Rough Guide to Boogaloo
Various Artists The Rough Guide to Boogaloo