Tortilla Soup
This eminently enjoyable soundtrack album gathers together a multigenerational collection of artists whose roots span South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa, underscoring the rich, dizzying variety of music that all too often simply gets labeled "Latin." The culture's telling sense of history is present throughout, from the Cubansonpreservationism of Buena Vista Social Club singer-guitaristEliades Ochoa("Si en un Final") to the compelling reggae/rap/salsa cocktails ofSergent García("Hoy Me Voy").Bebel Gilbertoupdates traditional Brazilian jazz with contemporary production touches, yet never loses the music's cool sheen on "Sem Contenção," whileLila Downsputs an equally chic, smoky spin on the standard "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps." Venezuela's standout pop comboLos Amigos Invisibleswax loopy and lounge-suave on "Cuchi-Cuchi" and "Si Estuvieras Aquí," respectively, and even veteranRockyscorerBill Conticaptures the tropical fever on his title track.--Jerry McCulley