One Blood: Una Sangre
There’s no doubt that singer Lila Downs' profile is on the rise after her appearance in the filmFridaand on the accompanying soundtrack, which led to a performance at the 2003 Academy Awards. The dividing lines between cultures and classes are major themes throughout the Mexican-American singer's decade-long career; but whereas 2001’sBorderis more angry about the disparities,One Blood: Una Sangreis more inclusive, if only for the hopeful note of unity sounded in the English-language version of the title cut (the album has two distinctly different readings of the song sung, respectively, in English and Spanish). While much of the cumbia-based, genre-breaking material here is original, Downs and her band completely revamp two covers: Ritchie Valens classic "La Bamba" features techno beats and African drumming; the folk song "La Cucaracha" opens with wailing guitar before settling into a gentle reggae groove. Stylistically restless and lyrically didactic,One Blood: Una Sangreis as ambitious as it is beautiful. –-Tad Hendrickson