Babylon . By Walter “Gavitt” Ferguson . Walter Ferguson reached mythical proportions in the Costa Rican Caribbean. With Babylon he breaks a thirty-year silence to show he is the most important calypsonian in the
country. (#157)

Before the Tango: Argentina 's Folk Tradition (1905-1936). Compilation. The Tango partially eclipsed a slightly earlier Argentine tradition of popular music, drawn from the gaucho world of the Pampa . This CD captures the rich folk heritage of the Argentine countryside, such as the payadores , dueling vocalists who improvise lengthy verses to their own guitar accompaniment. (#90)

Beleza Tropical . Compilation. (Lyrics in Portuguese and English included) The lightness and easy rhythms of the Brazilian music in this collection have been mistaken for shallowness. However, some of the artists represented on this compilation (Gilberto Gil, Maria Bethania, Caetano Veloso, Nazare Pereira, Chico Buarque, Gal Costa, Lô Borges, Milton Nascimento and Jorge Ben) were in exile from Brazil as a result of sweet sounding songs like these. The combination of lyrics, Afro-Brazilian rhythms and electric guitars inspired a whole generation in Brazil - much to the dismay of the government of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. (#1)

Oscar Benito and his Indian Harp: Folklore de Paraguay. A fascinating fusion of harp, guitar, Spanish and Guaraní. (#33)

Best of Brazil . This CD contains a wide array of diverse Brazilian music. Best of Brazil combines bossa nova , choro and modern ballads to produce an electrifying collection. (#53)

The Best of the Mambo . Compilation. This collection includes the hits that made mambo so popular in the 1950s from artists such as Damáso Pérez Prado, Frank “Machito” Grillo, Tito Puente and Beny Moré. (#81)

Biosfera del Rio Platano. Music from the peoples inhabiting the Rio Platano Biosphere in Honduras . (#135)

Ruben Blades con Son del Solar: Amor y Control. Ruben Blades brings his unique tropical sound to this new album. (#55)

Bossa Nova Brasil . Compilation. This collection features popular bossa nova composers such as João Gilberto and Caetano Veloso. (#93)

Boukan Ginen: Jou a Rive. One of Haiti 's finest groups blends powerful rara rhythms, searing vocals and vodou -inspired chants. (#125)

Pena Branca & Xavantinho: Violas e Canções . (Lyrics in Portuguese) Contemporary Brazilian folk songs with guitar accompaniment. (#28)

Brasil: A Century of Song (Um século de canção) . A set of four CDs (compilations) including a 48-page booklet about Brazilian music. This collection is a broad introduction to the diversity of Brazilian music, featuring folk and traditional music, popular Brazilian music, and music from carnaval and the bossa nova era. (#110)

Brazil Classics: Forró . Compilation. (Lyrics in Portuguese and English included) This CD features northeastern Brazil 's forró , derived from 19 th century country dances: arrasta-pé , a foot dragging square dance; xote , Brazilianized schottische; xaxado , a men's line dance. This music is strongly identified with winter harvest celebrations and June fests. (#26)

Brazil Classics: O Samba . Compilation. (Lyrics translated into English included) Contemporary samba is represented well on this compilation featuring Zeca Pagodinho, Almir Guineto and Clara Nunes, among others. (#25)

Bresil Asurini et Arara . This is a recording of the music and rituals of the Asurini and the Arara, indigenous people from Brazil 's Amazon forests. (#103)

Luis A. Calvo: Obras Para Piano. This CD features the legendary Colombian musician Luis A. Calvo's music recorded live. (#52)

Calypsos: Afro-Limonese Music of Costa Rica . Compilation. Some of the richest and most diverse Afro-Caribbean cultures can be found in the Limon province of Costa Rica . These songs were recorded in Puerto Limon during their carnival festivals, and offer a rare and unvarnished look at the essence of this music. (#61)

Calypsos Season. A compilation featuring the songs of Baron, Bally, David Rudder, Sparrow, Duke and many others. (#97)

Capoeira Angola from Salvador , Brazil . Capoeira is a traditional Afro-Brazilian martial art choreographed to music. This recording commemorates the 300 th anniversary of Zumbi, the king of Palmares, and presents both the beautiful sounds and the complex social and political contexts of capoeira today. (#102)

Pablo Carcamo and Enrique Ugarte: Cumbia Dance Party. Ugarte's accordion and Carcamo's guitar produce cumbia that will make you want to dance. (#35)

Carnaval de la Salsa ‘96: A compilation of great salsa hits. (#56)

Ricardo Cepeda: Suite Gaitera: “Lo Máximo.” Gaita is a popular Venezuelan music genre from the western city of Maracaibo , in the state of Zulia. During the months of November and December, gaita is heard all over Venezuela in concordance with pre-Christmas celebrations, however not all gaitas have Christmas-oriented lyrics. Many gaitas feature very regional or nationalistic lyrics such as the famous “Sentir Zuliano.” (#27)

El Cha cha chá de Cuba . Compilation. The cha cha chá is a musical genre for singing and dancing, derived from the danzón with a distant French influence. (#4)

Chamamé: Musiques rurales d'Argentine. Compilation. Chamamé is a musical genre from northeastern rural Argentina , bordering Brazil , Paraguay and Uruguay . Chamamé , sung in both Spanish and Guaraní, is played on an accordion accompanied by other instruments such as the violin, harp, guitar and mandolin. (#88)

Chants traditionnels des indiens Mapuche . This selection of Mapuche music is a collection of different songs and instrumental themes recorded on location. The Mapuche are an indigenous group of southern Chile . (#99)

La Charanga de Cuba . Compilation. The charanga is not a musical genre but a type of instrumental format that has changed over time by adapting to the new sounds that come into fashion. It is a type of music group also known as Charanga Francesa derived from a typical or wind orchestra. (#5)

Charlie Byrd-Brazilian Byrd. Charlie Byrd graciously share the spotlight with composer Antônio Carlos Jobim and arranger Tom Newsom to create Brazilian Byrd. These recordings contain wonderful Brazilian arrangements and Charlie Byrd's unamplified guitar is perfect for the flow of these Latin American melodies. (#124)

Children's Songs and Games from Ecuador, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. (#147)

Colombia Te Canta II: Pura Salsa . Compilation. Includes such Salsa greats as Oscar D'Leon, Grupo Raices, and Alberto Barros. (#79)

Willie Colon: Hecho en Puerto Rico . Willie Colon is one of Puerto Rico 's most successful contributors to contemporary salsa. (#10)

Willie Colon & Hector LaVoe: Déjà Vu . This is a 1978 recording of two salsa masters, Puerto Rico 's Willie Colon and Hector LaVoe. (#24)

Combinación Perfecta . Compilation. This collection features Latin America 's grandest artists in the tropical (salsa & merengue) contemporary music genre such as Celia Cruz, Ocsar D'León , India , Tito Nieves and Marc Anthony. (#8)

Cri-Cri: Digital 2: Nacho Mendez and Francisco Gabilondo Soler have created this CD for children. (#39)

Cuba Classics 2: Incredible Dance Hits of the ‘60s & ‘70s – Dancing with the Enemy: This album is a collection of newly available recordings from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Much of this album is essentially son or son combined with rumba , two of the most influential popular forms of Afro-Cuban music. (#68)

Cuba Classics 3: Diablo al Infierno. This CD combines the wide arrange of Cuban music: Afro-Cuban, Reggae, Conga and Folk. (#42)

Cuba I am Time. A set of four CDs (compilations) including a 112-page booklet about Cuban music. Cleverly packaged in a faux cigar box, this four-CD compilation of Cuban music is designed with the curious fan in mind.

Each disc is dedicated to a genre: Cuban Invocations (A), Cantar en Cuba (B), Bailar con Cuba (C) and Cubano Jazz (D). (#78 A-D)

Cuba : From Afro-Cuba to Salsa. (#143).A musical history of Cuban music.

¡Cubanísimo! Malembe starring Jesús Alemañy . Malembe is the sequel to Jesús Alemañy's recording debut that climbed to the number ten position in Billboard's list of top tropical/salsa artists for that year. (#60)

Dominican Music and Merengue: Dominican Identity. The “national dance” of the Dominican Republic has a long past intimately linked to politics and culture. This CD explores Dominican history and creativity from the early 20 th Century to the 1950s and includes some recordings of rural merenqgue. (#148)

Gloria Estefan: Exitos de Gloria Estefan . Gloria Estefan opened the door to the U.S. music scene for many Latina women. Estefan, a Cuba-American, started her career in the ‘80s with Miami Sound Machine and made it big in the American market with her contemporary pop music traced with a Latin beat. This collection features many of her pop songs in Spanish and her hit “Here We Are” in Portuguese. (#11)

Etenhiritipá. Cantos Tradição Xavante. This disc of the Etenhiritipá of Brazil forms part of a new era and aptitude in their contact with outsiders. This music is inspired by the dreamers, or sonhadores, of the tribe. (#31)

Evita's Tango . Compilation. This compilation reunites the tangos of the 1940's, which for Argentina were times of social and political change. In 1945 Juan Perón and his first lady, Eva (Evita) Perón attained power. (#21)

O Fantástico do Partido Alto: Pagode do Bixiga – Memória da Música Brasileira . This CD features old traditional samba recordings. (#67)

Feel the Latin Beat . Compilation. This is a recording of Latin American songs, performed by various orchestras that have marked international music history and that stand as representatives of their countries of origin. This collection includes, among others, Alma Llanera, Guantanamera and Besito de Coco. (#13)

Vicente Fernández: Estatua de Marfil . Vicente Fernández is popular in Mexico for his romantic ballads, such as the ones on this powerful CD. (#47)

Festa Baiana . Compilation. This is a compilation of popular, upbeat and nonetheless festive Brazilian rhythms. (#63)

Carlos Gardel: Los Exitos de sus Películas . This collection features Carlos Gardel, whose legendary talent set the standard for tango , and his classic movie orchestrations such as “El día que me quieras,” “Volver,” “Mi Buenos Aires Querido,” and “Cuesta Abajo.” (#19)

Leon Gieco: 7 años. Compilation. Argentine musician Leon Gieco performs a mixture of rock en español de protesta and Argentine folk hits with his rough voice and acoustic guitar, such as the famous “Sólo le pido a Dios.” (#87)

Gipsy Rumba Flamenco . Gipsy rumba flamenco. Includes a Spanish version of “Blowin' in the wind.” (#115).

Roberto Goyeneche: Tangos del Sur. This is the 100 th album of the Polish-bred artist, Roberto Goyeneche. The disc abounds with exceptional virtuosity and the sensitivity and innate intelligence of his interpretations. (#34)

Guatemala : Les célèbres marimbas . Guatemala is the country of the marimba, a sort of xylophone. Many Guatemalan festivities include one or several marimba orchestras, often accompanied by other percussion instruments. The marimbas included on this disc were recorded live during traditional festivities in Guatemala . (#109)

Juan Luis Guerra y su 440: Bachata Rosa. Bachata Rosa features 4 40's most romantic bachatas and light-hearted merengues. In 1991 Juan Luis Guerra won a Grammy for Best Tropical Performance with this album. (#96)

Juan Luis Guerra y su 440: Ni es lo mismo ni es igual. More classic Juan Luis Guerra. (#116)

Juan Luis Guerra y su 440: Ojalá que llueva café. This CD boasts many of 4 40's most popular merengues that clearly launched their career into worldwide stardom. (#95)

Juan Luis Guerra y su 440: El Original 440. Juan Luis Guerra is a renowned songwriter, producer and singer. His legacy to the merengue and bachata genres has made him by far one of the most influential figures in Afro-Caribbean music. (#38)

Ernesto Che Guevara: ¡El Che Vive! . Compilation . ¡El Che Vive! is a collection of songs that commemorate the Bolivian Revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara. (#91)

Gypsy Kings: Love & Liberté The Gypsy Kings are famous all over the world for their flamenco guitar music. This CD features their most passionate songs. (#62)

Habana Secreta . Compilation. In this collection José María Vitier brings together a unique group of seasoned and recognized Cuban musicians such as Miguel Anga, Tata Guines, Lazaro González, Sylvio Rodríguez, Sergio Vitier and Miriam Ramos. (#80)

Haiti : Drums of Vodou. Traditional vodou music from Haiti . While the drumming is the predominant feature, other instruments are heard on this unique production. (#145)

Haiti Chéri. Coupé Cloué, Tabou Combo, Ti-Manno, Dadou Pasquet and the Magnum Band, Boukan Ginen and many other artists perform on this compilation of popular Haitian music. (#146)

Honduras : Songs of the Garifuna . This is music from Lita Arian, a Garifuna music and dance ensemble from Honduras . The Garifuna are a community of African and Amerindian descent, who by a strange twist of fate, never were condemned to slavery. Their independence on the island of St. Vincent , and later on the Caribbean coast of Honduras led them to cultivate their own language and culture. (#106)

Inti-Illimani: Andadas. Andadas is Inti-Illimani's first album made in their home country Chile after years of exile. During Inti-Illimani's expatriate years, they found themselves playing for non-Spanish-speaking audiences and consequently emphasized their unique chamber-folk instrumental work, over their vocals. As a result of their return to Chile , Andadas places a renewed emphasis on lyrics and vocals. (#89)

Inti-Illimani: Arriesgaré la piel. Arriesgaré la piel is a poetic and political set of colorful Chilean music by the legendary Inti-Illimani. (#32)

Inti-Illimani with John Williams & Paco Peña: Leyenda . (Lyrics in Spanish included) This is a group of Chilean musicians who, aside from their musical talent, have deep political convictions and a first commitment to human rights. They were cultural ambassadors for the Popular Unity government of Salvador Allende, however after Allende's government was overturned in 1973, the group was exiled from Chile for 15 years. Leyenda is contemporary world music combing more than sixteen wind, string and percussion instruments, in collaboration with flamenco guitarist Paco Peña and classical guitarist John Williams. (#22)

Kingdom of the Sun, Peru 's Inca Heritage. This is a collection of songs that feature Peruvian traditional melodies that were influenced by the Spaniards but try to preserve the origin by using ancient instruments and ways of playing them. (#159)

Latinas: Music & Songs from Spain and South America . Compilation. This is an assembly of songs from Spain and Latin American, specifically Argentina , Brazil , Cuba and Paraguay . (#17)

Mandingo y su Son: Lo Mejor de la Salsa Venezolana. Mandingo y su Son play mostly dance music (salsa and merengue). (#36)

Mariachi Sol: Cu-curru-cu-cú Paloma: This collection of music contains traditional Mariachi favorites. (#45)

Mariachi Sol: México Lindo. Mariachi Sol has made it their task to present the diversity of Mexican folklore and are dedicated to preserve the Mariachi style that is so typical of Mexico . (#46)

Merengue: Dominican Music and Identity (#144).

Mexican Indian Traditions . The selections on this CD are live recordings of seven indigenous groups from Northwestern and Southern Mexico . (#107)

Mexico: A Magical Tour: Acapulco & The Pacific Region. Compilation. This volume features the most popular songs of Acapulco . (#75)

Mexico: A Magical Tour: Guadalajara & The Mariachi Music. Compilation. This is a sample of traditional and mariachi music from Guadalajara . (#82)

Mexico: A Magical Tour: The Huastecas Region. Compilation. As every region in Mexico , Huastecas has its own music style. Huastecas, a warm, tropical region, includes portions of Veracruz , San Luis Potosí and Tamaulipas. (#72)

Mexico: A Magical Tour: Mexican Towns and Cities. Compilation. This compilation features composers and singers who praise individual Mexican towns and cities. (#74)

Mexico: A Magical Tour: The Revolution & The Mexican Festivities. Compilation. This selection contains songs dedicated to Mexican battles and civil festivities. (#76)

Mexico: A Magical Tour: Trios – Music for Ever and Ever. Compilation. This is a compilation of songs performed by trios (three voices, three guitars) that created a romantic era not completely lost, because these beautiful songs can still be heard on quiet nights in small towns and villages throughout Mexico . (#77)

Mexico: A Magical Tour: Unforgettable Music – Greatest Performers Vol. 1. Compilation. This CD features composers that have made an impact on international forums as ambassadors of Mexican music. (#73)

Mexico: A Magical Tour: Yucatán & The Southeast Region. Compilation. A probable combination of ancient Maya and Spanish melodies gave birth to the lively jaranas , romantic boleros and the Trova Yucateca , native of the Yucatán and featured in this collection. (#84)

Mexico: Fiestas of Chiapas & Oaxaca . Compilation. This collection gives some idea of Mexico 's rich musical heritage, presenting a dozen different kinds of music from just two states, Chiapas and Oaxaca , in southern Mexico . (#2)

Milton Nascimento: Amigo . (Lyrics translated into English included) This is the live recording of Milton Nascimento, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra and the Brazilian Children's Choirs, taped in Palacio das Artes, Belo Horizonte , Brazil in 1994. (#7)

Missa Pastoril para noite de Natal . Compilation. A collection of classical music by a Brazilian composer. (#132)

Music from Guatemala Vol. 1. Compilation. (#134)

Music from Guatemala 2. The Garifuna live along the Caribbean coast from Guatemala to Nicaragua . Garifuna (or Garinagu) music draws its influence from the group's combination of West African and Indian heritage. These recordings reflect various forms of Garifuna music from traditional to modern. (#149)

Music of the Andes . Compilation. This compilation features groups that contributed to the worldwide resurgence in Andean Music in the 1960s and early 1970s, such as Quilapayun, Inti-Illimani, Victor Jarra, Cojunto Kollahuara and Illapu. (#101) (This CD is unavailable as of 01/00)

Music of the Maya-Quiches of Guatemala . Songs and instrumentals recorded in Rabinal and Ixil country. The majority of the recordings are instrumentals of the Baile de las Canastas and the Rabinal Achi performed by the Maya Quiche indigenous communities. (#137).

Music of the Miskito Indians of Honduras and Nicaragua . Music of the Miskito recorded at Ahuas near the Patuca river in Honduras during both religious and secular occasions. Other selections were recorded at Cocobilla beach. Songs are spontaneous narratives with lyrics made up on the spot. (#141)

Music of the Indians of Panama : The Cuna and the Chocoe Tribes. This is a compilation of songs (flute music, lullabies, ritual chants) recorded on the Cuna islands and in the Darien Jungle at two locations: Yaviza and Corazal. It is a collection of the most abundant musical styles and does not represent extensive research or study. (#140)

Música Mexicana . Compilation. This CD features the works of 20 th century composers, Manuel M. Ponce, Carlos Chávez and Silvestre Revueltas. Their works are performed by violinist Henryk Szeryng, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orquesta Filarmónica de la Ciudad de México and Enrique Bátiz. (#30)

Musica Sacra do Brasil Colonial. Compilation. (#133)

Musiques Indiennes du Mexique (Indian Music from Mexico ). Compilation. (#98)

The New York 16th Salsa Festival . Compilation. The New York 16th Salsa Festival is a live recording at Madison Square Garden (August 21, 1991) of contemporary salseros such as Tito Puente, Oscar D'Leon, El Gran Combo, Grupo Niche and Orquesta de la Luz, among others. (#9)

Ruben Rada: Montevideo . Ruben Rada collaborates with his long-time friend Hugo Fattoruso in this recording of the musical styles and rhythms of their native Uruguay . (#83)

Silvio Rodríguez: Canciones Urgentes, Los Grandes Exitos . (Lyrics in Spanish included) Silvio's music is ‘60s and ‘70s pop with sophisticated lyrics and typical Cuban stylings. (#14)

La Rumba de Cuba . Compilation. This Cuban musical genre, the rumba , reflects the cross-cultural phenomena which occurred in the island after the introduction of African labor. (#3)

Rumos Itaú Cultural Música 99 1/3. Compilation. (#129)

Rumos Itaú Cultural Música 99 2/3. Compilation. (#130)

Rumos Itaú Cultural Música 99 3/3. Compilation. (#131)

Los Rupay: Folklore de Bolivia. Los Rupay play traditional Bolivian folk music. Bolivian folk music has its roots in the Aymaras and Quechuas. The wind instruments used by Los Rupay date back to the time of the Incas. (#51)

Samba: Best of Carnival in Rio. Samba, samba, samba. (#114)

Samba de Enredos Inesquecíveis. Compilation. (#70)

Gustavo Santaolalla: Ronrocco . Gustavo Santaolalla, native of Argentina, plays beautiful instrumental music on the ronrocco , a string instrument similar to the guitar. (#108)

Savia Andina – Classics. Pan-pipe music from “the ambassadors of the folkloric music of Bolivia .” (#120)

Savia Andina – Classics 2 – El minero. Pan-pipe music from this well known Andean group. (#121)

Soda Stereo: Chau Soda. This double CD collection contains some of this Argentinian band's greatest hits. Soda Stereo is a pioneer and legend in rock en español . (#40)

El Son de Cuba . Compilation. The son is a vocal and instrumental genre for dancing, characterized by its African (Bantu) and Spanish structure. The son is one of the main forms of Cuban music. (#6)

Songs and Dances of Honduras . A compilation of popular folk and contemporary music of Honduras highlighting the marimba, violin, and guitar. (#138).

Mercedes Sosa: Cantata Sudamericana . This composition, begun in 1964, extends beyond the framework of Argentinian music, encompassing previous works, while collecting rhythms, tunes and themes from different regions of South America . (#23)

Mercedes Sosa: Oro. The legendary Argentine artist sings tangos and Latin American rock with her deep and powerful voice. (#43)

Mercedes Sosa: 30 años . This is a collection of Sosa's most memorable songs, commemorating 30 years of delivering meaningful music to the people of Latin America and the world. (#65)

The Spirit Cries: Music from the Rainforests of South America & the Caribbean . The Spirit Cries is a collection of the unique sounds and rhythms that characterize the music from the rainforests of South America and the Caribbean . Many of the cultural traditions practiced by the people on these recordings are in danger of extinction. (#105)

Sukay: Cumbre. Sukay plays pan pipes, flutes, drums and charangos to produce this beautiful Andean music from Peru and Bolivia . (#54)

Sukay: Encuentros – Meetings. High energy music of the Andes . (#123)

Sukay: Love Songs of the Andes . The Andean group Sukay plays melodious love songs with their pan pipes, flutes, drums, guitars and charangos in this recording. (#66)

Sukay: Navidad Andina. Pan-pipes, flutes and stringed instruments of the Andes in a celebration of the seasons. (#122)

Tangos de Colección . Compilation. This is a compilation of instrumental tangos by classic composers such as Mariano Mores and Astor Piazzolla. (#20)

Tangos for Export . Compilation. These are traditional vocal and instrumental tangos created by famous composers such as Astor Piazzolla, Carlos Gardel, Mariano Mores and Discepolo. (#18)

Ukamau: Music of the Indios of the Andes . The Bolivian group Ukamau's music reflects the historic musical synthesis of the Andes , including string instruments of European descent, such as the guitar and charango, and indigenous woodwind and rhythmic instruments such as the quena, tarka and bombo. (#69)

Los Van Van: Bailando Mojado. Occasionally referred to as the Beatles of Cuba, Los Van Van have exerted a profound pop music influence on the island. (#41)

Caetano Veloso: Fina Estampa . (Lyrics in Spanish included) Famed Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso's first full album of Spanish songs - tangos, boleros and rumbas. (#15)

Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras 1,2,5,9 . No music better illustrates Heitor Villa-Lobos' extraordinary ability to marry seemingly disparate elements of style than the nine bachianas brasileras, written between 1930-1945, homages to the composer Bach for whom he had almost religious respect. Villa-Lobos was a self-taught string musician who studied interior Brazilian folklore and then spent seven years in Paris . (#29)

Viva Quetzal: Ancestros. Viva Quetzal's goal is to remind the North American audiences that America is larger than the United States . The group believes that they can transcend language and political differences by sharing their musical expressions. (#48)

Viva Quetzal: Hijos del Sol . This group combines musicians from Chile , Peru , Puerto Rico and the United States to produce music that transcends the Americas . (#49)

Vodou: Ritual Possession of the Dead. Vodun (Voodoo) has its origins in the Yoruba beliefs brought from West Africa by slaves to the Caribbean . Vodun belief recognizes and original Supreme Being called the Gran Maitre who made the world. However, he is too remote for personal worship. Instead, devotees “serve the loa.” There are two major categories of loa. Petro rites originated in Haiti during slavery days, representing the range violence and delirium that threw off slavery. (#150)