Earthy vocals and plenty of percussion – a wonderful set of parranda tracks from Betsayda Machado, who works here with a tight combo that really sends her vocals over the top! On her own, Betsayda would be enough – a singer with the expressive qualities of older giants, such as Omara Portuando – but backed here with lots of percussion and chorus vocals from the other members of the group, the tunes have this raw energy that grabs the listener right away – and keeps burning strong with a very timeless vibe throughout! Titles include "Gaviota", "Alae Alao", "Sentimiento", "Oh Santa Rosa", "La Situacion", "Borracho De Aguardiente", and "Pueblo De Fiesta". (Global Grooves, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album

A very beautiful, very intimate album from Venezuelan singer Isaac Sasson – a set that's got an acoustic, gentle approach throughout – almost recalling some of the more inventive post-bossa experiments from the Brazilian scene, but with flavors that are very much its own! In addition to personal, poetic vocals from Isaac – who has a raspy charm that goes beyond language – the set also features a mix of percussion and wind instruments, and work on bandola llanera, charango, and cuatro – all used in these subtle ways to create a light sonic palette – maybe with the same laidback and spacious vibe as the instrumentation of Fabiano Do Nascimento. Titles include "Manos Largas", "Tu Puente Punteo", "El Credo", "Mare Mare", "Chuma", and "La Cancion De Mi Abuelo". (Global Grooves, Latin) LP, Vinyl record album

A smoking overview of work from the glory days of the Venezuelan scene – that moment when the nation's economy was opening the doors to rich new avenues of expression – including the important Discomoda label, which recorded all the gems on this set! The vibe is great – kind of a sideways take on NYC Latin modes of the years involved, but with some of the rootsier elements you might expect from Colombian work too – all presented with really stark, simple, no-nonsense production that really makes the music burst out loud! The selection of tracks here is great – all killer, no-filler, with a focus on the best Discomoda grooves from this stretch – 21 tracks that include "Mambo Tema" by Genaro Y Sus All Stars, "Disparo Goajira" by Nelson Y Sus Estrellas, "No Salgas De Tu Barrio" by Los Kenya, "Fiesta En Venezuela" by Los Satelites, "Lija" by Rodrigo Mendoza, "Mi Rendencion" by La Renovacion, "Analiza" by Principe Y Su Sexteto, "Juana Guaguanco" by Supercombo Los Tropicales, "Algo Diferente" by Johnny Sedes Y Su Orquesta, "Muneca" by Los Megatones De Lucho, "Pero En Caracas" by Sonora Venezuela, "Maracaibo" by Microbanda Marabina, and "Oye Como Suena"b y Orquesta Sonoramica. LP, Vinyl record album