I need some more new music en español... any recommendations?

Question

I need some suggestions for some new music in Spanish. I like a different mix of styles, and I don't really know how to describe what I like, so I'll just list some artists I like and don't like.

What I like: Bebe (the artist from Spain who sings "Malo", there are apparently a bunch of "Bebe"s in the music world), Ojos de Brujo, Ska-P, some Cafe Tacuba, some Molotov, Ozomatli, Si*Se, Federico Aubele, Los Aterciopelados

What I don't like: La Oreja de Van Gogh, Shakira (I like a couple of her songs, but not many, really), Juanes, reggaeton (though I do like some hip hop in Spanish), Marc Antony (and the millions of other artists that sound like him)

I asked this question in the Music section also, but I wanted to get a wide range of responses, including from people who might not frequent the Music section... if you answered it over there, go ahead and aswer this one, too, and get 2 extra points! :)

Any suggestions will help, gracias!

Oh, goodness... how do I choose between all this great music?? I'll leave the question open for a couple more days while I decide.

Thanks, everyone, these are some great suggestions!

Answer 1

have you try "la lupita" is a very nice group panteon rococo, rata blanca, heroes del silencio, los fabulosos cadilacs,maldita vecindad,todos tus muertos,la gusana siega, julieta venegas, inspector, resorte son de los q me acuerdo hasta ahora i hope they like you. see u

Answer 2

I recommend Paulina Rubio. Her songs are good for both the music/rhythm as well as the lyrics, which I find quite empowering for women. Also try Laura Pausini, who is actually Italian but puts out Spanish albums (I like "Volveré Junto a Ti").

Answer 3

Draco Cornelius Rosa (a.ok.a Robi Draco Rosa). the guy is an suggestions-blowing singer/songwriter/producer. His music is amazingly eclectic, very poetic. now and back its kinda dark based on the music and now and back its like Rock En Espanol. Have enjoyed this guy continuously!

Answer 4

If you like music that's interesting for what it says (apart from a high musical quality) I'll recomend Joan Manuel Serrat and Joaquín Sabina. You might not like their voices, but their lyrics are outstanding.

From Argentina, my country, I'll recomend Mercedes Sosa (I agree with DrShorty on this, too) and also Víctor Heredia, León Gieco, Cacho Castaña, Jairo (who has a very beautiful voice) and the late Eladia Blázquez. For you to have an idea of what you might get there, here's a few lines:

- "y me duele la gente, su dolor, sus heridas. Porque así solamente interpreto la vida" ("Con las alas del alma", E. Blázquez.

- "Sólo le pido a Dios que la guerra no me sea indiferente. Es un monstruo grande, y pisa fuerte toda la pobre inocencia de la gente. ("Sólo le pido a Dios", L. Gieco)

- "Tengo cierta memoria que me lastima. Y no puedo olvidarme lo de Hiroshima." ("Sobreviviendo", V. Heredia)

- "Cuéntale a tu corazón que existe siempre una razón escondida en cada gesto". ("Sinceramente tuyo", J. M. Serrat)

- "De vez en cuando la vida toma conmigo café, y está tan bonita que da gusto verla. Se suelta el pelo y me invita a salir con ella a escena" ("De vez en cuando, la vida" J. M. Serrat)

- "“¿Qué adelantas sabiendo mi nombre?
Cada noche tengo uno distinto
y siguiendo la voz del instinto
me lanzo a buscar”.
“Imagino, preciosa, que un hombre”.
“Algo más, un amante discreto
que se atreva a perderme el respeto,
¿no quieres probar?""

("Peor para el sol", J. Sabina)

"Buenos Aires sigue
llena de gorriones,
hay nuevos poetas
que escriben sus tangos
y hay nuevos cantores.
Y sigue teniendo la vieja locura
que al doblar la esquina
haya una aventura.
Ya ves: sigue viva
y, a pesar de todo,
llena de ternura."

("Septiembre del '88", C. Castaña)

Enjoy it.

ADDED LATER:

Shame on me!!! How could I possibly have forgotten "La Trova Cubana"!? I mean, basically Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milanés! And along with them the Spanish Luis Eduardo Aute...

Answer 5

Ricky Martin, Selena, Paulina Rubio, and Alacran are the best spanish singers ever.

Answer 6

Try "Alex Ubago" he Has wonderful songs, especially "a Gritos de Esperanza"

Answer 7

Try google!
It might have some great music in espanol!

Good luck

Answer 8

Jerry Rivera the old cds you'll love it

Answer 9

try Carlos Santana

Answer 10

I am so with you. Shakira and Marc Antony are okay to dance to, but I couldn't sit down and listen to an album.

It occurs to me that you would probably like Maná. You haven't listed them, but you've probably already heard of them.

I am really into Afro-Peruvian music. Have you ever heard of it? It's a pretty narrow, but fantastic, genre. Susana Baca is a very famous current singer from that genre, although I think that her first two albums (Susana Baca and Eco de Sombras) are your best bet. I don't like her newer ones quite as much. Very sultry and interesting interpretation, and there's plenty of grammar there to keep you happy.

Another famous famous writer of Afro-Peruvian music is Chabuca Granda. The "Epoca de Oro" album is packed with great songs if you can stand the weird Hammond organ accompaniment that they put on that album. I think it's just that album, though. Try another one.

Eva Ayllón is super-famous in South America as well. I don't have any individual albums of hers but I have heard her music on compilations. Excellent interpretations of Afro-Peruvian forms, and the music is really exciting! You'd have a good time with her, I think.

If you just want a sampler of Afro-Peruvian music with a bunch of different artists, I recommend this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007XT84Y/sr=8-4/qid=1153437587/ref=sr_1_4/104-2128806-2805522?ie=UTF8
Whatever you do, don't listen to the last track! David Byrne, the producer of this album and singer of the Talking Heads, thought he would try his hand at Afro-Peruvian music, I guess. I really hope he was kidding or something when he did his job on Maria Landó, especially in comparison to the version that Susana Baca sings at the beginning of the album. As long as you don't listen to that track, you'll be fine.

Mercedes Sosa is an Argentinian singer who has been famous for a long time. She interprets many important folk, protest, and pop songs. Think of an Argentinian Judy Collins. Mercedes Sosa's raspy voice somehow works with a lot of different types of songs. Check her out.

Lilia Vera is a Venezuelan singer who sings Venezuelan folk forms. I first listened to her on the World Music compilation at this link
http://www.cduniverse.com/sresult.asp?style=music&HT_SEARCH=XARTIST&HT_SEARCH_INFO=Guyanesa%2C+Serenata+%2F+Llanero%2C+Trio+%2F+Renya%2C+Fredy+%2F+Vera%2C+Lilia&cart=366647586&altsearch=yes
When I tried to find more of her music, I found it quite difficult to do so. However, after an Internet search, I finally did find some e-store in Florida that was selling an import album called "32 Grandes Exitos" or something like that. It's one of my favorite albums now. Everyone I lend this album to can't stop listening to it. She is a fantastic singer, compared to anyone who sings in any language. The Internet search was definitely worth it.

As you can tell, I like folk musics better than pop music in Spanish. If you want to get really into the deep folk/protest music, you can listen to Soledad Bravo and/or Violetta Parra. Their music and songwriting (or in Bravo's case, interpretation) is interesting, but as far as singers they're not that special.

Pablo Milanés' name comes up a lot. I have never really listened to him, though, but he's an option.

The Buena Vista Social Club album is a good sampler of Cuban music, I believe, if you're interested in that.

I actually really enjoy Gloria Estefan's "Mi Tierra" album. I know, it's mass-produced for the American pop market, but I think she really does a quality job at that kind of thing. I don't have any other of her albums, but you know what she's like anyway, I guess.

Los Lobos' first album is really fun:
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1026574&style=music&cart=366647586&BAB=E

Lila Downs is popular with the Mexico-folk crowd. And there's always Linda Ronstadt.

Okay, there are some random music suggestions, presented in no particular order. Have a great time! I think I'll be watching your questions to get some ideas myself...