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The AllMusic 2021

Year In Review

Our editors celebrated sounds from Latin America and around the world in 2021, including jazz-funk fusion from Brazil's Alex Malheiros, African desert blues from Mdou Moctar, a Spanish-language EP from Selena Gomez (pictured) and a collection of unreleased dub from the late Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Alex Malheiros

Tempos Futuros

The Azymuth bassist careens across jazz-funk, fusion, disco, soul, and samba in this orgy of rhythm, harmony, and deep grooves.

Altin Gün

Yol

The group's third album lends some synth pop and gentle gloom to their formerly joyous update on Turkish psych of the '60s and '70s.

Amaro Freitas

Sankofa

On his third long-player, the Brazilian pianist's trio interrogate Brazil's musical history to fashion a cornerstone for a bracing new sound.

Angélique Kidjo

Mother Nature

With a transcontinental cast of younger collaborators, the Beninese singer and songwriter makes a case for Africa as the engine of global pop.

Bob Marley / Bob Marley & the Wailers

The Capitol Session '73

Previously unreleased live-in-the-studio set that documents the Wailers as a group and not just Bob Marley's backing band.

Bola Sete

Samba in Seattle [Live at the Penthouse 1966-1968]

Three previously unissued concerts at the Seattle jazz club showcase the great Brazilian guitarist at the peak of his powers solo and with his trio.

Bomba Estéreo

Deja

On album number six the Colombians invite a host of international guest artists to deliver their lushest, most elegantly detailed set to date.

C. Tangana

El Madrileño

Shaped through travel and collaboration, the vocalist's sixth set weaves traditional Hispanic and Latin styles into his complex, forward-thinking material.

Camilo

Mis Manos

The Colombian vocalist's sophomore set turns his bright vocals to a set of effortless, organic summer compositions.

Chico Mann

Double Life

The bandleader of Here Lies Man reworks a cross-section of his group's Afro-metal rockers as funky, cinematic instrumentals.

Embryo

Auf Auf

The eclectic German band's first album following the death of founder Christian Burchard is a rich, celebratory outing.

Innov Gnawa

Lila

A rugged and soulful set of rhythmic Moroccan chants from the New York-based ensemble.

J Balvin

JOSE

In contrast to 2020's concise and isolated Colores, the Colombian superstar's sixth LP embraces a bright smattering of styles across a lengthy, collaborative track list.

Jaubi

Nafs at Peace

Debut long-player by this Lahore, Pakistan quartet revels in exploring the intersections of raga, jazz, dub, hip-hop, and funk.

Juçara Marçal

Delta Estácio Blues

The iconic Brazilian singer's overtly political second solo album is a sumptuous rhythm collision with lyric contributions from many collaborators.

Karol G

KG0516

On her third long-player, the visionary artist blends urbano's margins into the pop multiverse, making them heel under her authority.

Lee "Scratch" Perry

Black Art From the Black Ark

Strong collection of rare and unreleased roots ballads, dub versions, and weirdo rockers from the vaults of the reggae legend.

Marinero

Hella Love

A bewitching mix of soft Latin pop ballads, singer/songwriter tenderness, and sonic adventurism played and sung with understated beauty.

Marisa Monte

Portas

On her first studio outing in a decade, the Brazilian singer/songwriter confronts disease, death, disaster, and loneliness with militant hope.

Mdou Moctar

Afrique Victime

The Tuareg guitar hero's sixth album is a diverse and deeply satisfying amalgam of desert blues and Western flair.

Mon Laferte

1940 Carmen

The Chilean singer/songwriter delivers her second album in five months; it was entirely written and recorded in a Los Angeles Airbnb.

Mon Laferte

Seis

Across her sixth album, the Chilean expatriate delves deeply into Mexican folk forms and emerges with a visionary work.

Orquesta Akokán

16 Rayos

On their sophomore long-player for Daptone, the Cuban big band reaches deep into the spiritual heart of the mambo.

Phương Tâm

Magical Nights: Saigon Surf, Twist & Soul 1964-1966

Stunning archival collection of rousing rockers and sultry ballads from Saigon sung by the leading practitioner of the so-called Action Music scene.

Rodrigo Amarante

Drama

A captivating journey of modern-day Tropicália from the supremely talented Brazilian singer/songwriter.

Roxana Amed

Ontology

A vibrant, globally cross-pollinated album from the Miami-based Argentine jazz vocalist.

Selena Gomez

Revelación

The singer's first Spanish-language EP is a hypnotic, stylish production.

Teke::Teke

Shirushi

Beginning with Japanese instrumental rock and folding in a wealth of other influences, this is an eclectic and ambitious delight.

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Still Dreaming

Debut Japanese album collecting the K-pop boy band's hits from their Dream series.

U-Roy

Solid Gold U-Roy

Completed shortly before his death, the final album from this dancehall legend revisits multiple reggae classics with assistance from an all-star cast of guests.

Various Artists

Changüí: The Sound of Guantánamo

A handsome three-disc, field-recorded overview of under- documented, infectiously danceable party music from southeast Cuba.

Vasconcelos Sentimento

Furto

Debut long-player by self-taught multi-instrumentalist and composer is a heady brew of lo-fi breaks, atmospheric jazz, and chromatic funk.

ÌFÉ

0000 + 0000

After immigrating to New Orleans from Puerto Rico, ÌFÉ explores social justice and Yoruban spirituality with a beat-conscious international cast.

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J Balvin