HOT HALF DOZEN 9.5.23

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Patrick O'Heffernan, Music Sin Fronteras in Hot Half Dozen, Hot half dozen, New Music, news // 0 Comments

Top six in English and Spanish from the 205 submitted this week, plus a tribute to Jimmy Buffet.

205 songs, albums, videos submitted for review this week

Caribbean All Inclusive Luxury,, album by Jarina De Marco. “What does it mean to see the spoils of one’s own country only enjoyed by those who do not directly inhabit it?” asks De Marco in this musically rich, lyrically satirical album. From the mysterious swoons of “Coca Cola”, to the dance rhythms of “Electrico”, to the underwater stylings of “Pool Bar”, De Marco skewers the tour industry and its customers while entertaining in a superbly performed and produced diverse palette of songs. Stream on major platforms. Video on YouTube.

Mucha Mujer, single/video by Maria Raquel. Classic, seductive, rich with strings that accent her smoky voice. The melodies and familiar – they resonate with your brain cells while her vocals smoothly pour into your ear and warm your insides. Stream on all major platforms. Video on YouTube. Spanish.

Cheater, single/video by Savana Santos. A story teller with a childlike voice, the control of a mature singer, and lyrics that require an advisory. Stunning, beautiful, and thought provoking. Watch the video while you listen. She envelopes you. Stream on Spotify. Video on YouTube.

Writing on the Wall, single by Coco Montoya. Dirty, downlow, satisfying, gut-wrenching guitar riffing blues. Listen and love it. The master strikes again with 13 (of course) songs that grab you and make you remember why the blues will never fade away. Stream on Spotify or get an autographed CD or vinyl at https://www.alligator.com/albums/Writing-On-The-Wall-CD/.

Brenda por Ella, single by Flor de Toloache and Goya. The modern mariachi mujer minstrels team up with Colombian singer and songwriter Yorgelis Delgado to give us a dreamy, quick moving, gem of a earworm. Stream on all major platforms. Spanish.

De Una Vez single by Selena Gómez. The essence of female song power- soft, piercing, gentle, subtle, overwhelming. But then, that is why she is Selena. Stream on all major platforms. Spanish.

BONUS: Jimmy Buffet, Songs You Don’t Know. 2020 album and Songs You Know by Heart. He may have left us this week, but these two albums will keep him alive in your ears and heart.

Patrick O’Heffernan