Gift Ideas for Latin (Music) Lovers

December 11, 2007
Ramiro Burr
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SAN ANTONIO -- Need some gift ideas? Here you go.

First, a lovely gift arrived recently in the form of Rocio Durcal's CD, "Canta a Mexico." (Durcal died in 2006 after a long illness.)

This 16-song CD is beautiful, stunning and intense.

The music is not new -- these are Juan Gabriel's hits -- but this particular collection is. The song list sparkles with timeless cuts: "El Farsante," "Costumbres," "La Diferencia," "Sombras" and "Amor Eterno."

Rarely have lyrics, arrangements, orchestration, fidelity and a gorgeous voice come together so beautifully.

Durcal's take on the Javier Solis-identified "Sombras" alone would be worth the price. As Durcal describes a relationship reduced to shadows, her subtle, unforgettable message is that ultimately, a good life is about intensity, especially when it comes to love.

There are no filler tracks on this solid collection.

Equally gripping are the mournful tunes "Te Sigo Amando," on endless love; "La Diferencia," on the power of forgiveness; and "Amor Eterno," on irreplaceable loss. There also are hopeful songs: Jose Alfredo Jimenez's vivid and giddy "Amaneci en tus Brazos," and the uplifting "Me Gustas Mucho," on the joy of being in love.

A deluxe edition of the CD includes a six-track DVD including the tunes "No Lastimes Mßs," "La Diferencia," "Amor Eterno," and "Te Sigo Amando."

Here are some more fail-safe choices...

In ranchera music, winners include Alejandro Fernandez's "Viento a Favor," where he works again with noted producer Aureo Baquiero on a lovely set of romantic ballads and dance tunes with pop and rock flourishes.

Highlights include his duet with Beyonce on "Amor Gitano," and "Cuando Estamos Juntos," a classic Mexican '70s pop ballad reminiscent of Julio Iglesias or Camilo Sesto.

His father, Vicente, also delivers the goods on his 12-track "Para Siempre," produced by singer-songwriter Joan Sebastian.

Impeccable musicianship and Fernandez's rich tenor again produce sweet magic on "A Quien Vas a Amar Mas Que a Mi," a slow chugging ranchera with you'll-never-find-a-better-love lyrics, and "Amor si Cuenta," a torcher in which Fernandez declares endless devotion.

Top rock choices include Juanes' "La Vida es un Ratico," Mana's "Amar es Combatir," and the just released "SiNo" by Cafe Tacuba. Juanes remains the most interesting rock singer-songwriter, and his CD vibrates with rock guitars and reflective lyrics on "La Mejor Parte de mi," "Me Enamora," and the title track.

Cafe Tacuba shifts gears on their CD, replacing their signature musical eccentricity with simpler, shorter rockers. Repeat-key tunes include the trippy "Tengo Todo" and the brooding ballad "Seguir Siendo."

Mana's "Amar es Combatir," is actually from 2006, but the band launched a world tour for that CD that lasted all this year. Mana leans toward more romantic tunes, but its signature strength is intact -- melodic power hooks, singalong lyrics and vocal harmonies.

Prime cuts include the tropical-flavored "El Rey Tiburon," the rock/metal workout "Relax," and the low-burning ballad "Combatiente."

Reggaeton recommendations include Tego Calderon's muscular "El Abayarde Contra-Ataca!" -- he masterfully blends reggaeton with Caribbean cumbias, big-horn and R&B-flavored salsa. Daddy Yankee's "El Cartel: The Big Boss" finds him expanding his hard-core reggaeton palette to include hip-hop, funk, rap and even pop. His guests include Fergie, Black-Eyed Peas' will.i.am, Akon and Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Tex-Mex and Tejano fans can never go wrong with Ruben Ramos.

Ramos is still one of the most underappreciated Tejano treasures. I try to catch him live at least three to four times a year. On his latest, "35th Anniversary," Ramos prowls like a big cat over 10 tracks with confidence, poise and power, surrounded by gorgeous horns and Rick Fuentes' lively accordion.

Then there's Max Baca and TexManiacs' "Tex-Mex Groove," where the group blends country, conjunto, folk and Tejano on "Cielito Lindo," "Cerca del Mar," "Hey Good Lookin"' and "She's About a Mover."

New faces with interesting CDs include Megan Leyva's "Encontre mi Camino," Liberty Band's "Life is Good," Rebecca Valadez's "Sinceramente," Liza Ybarra's "Anoche Sone" and Roger Velasquez's "Quiero Besarte."