¡La Música, La Música!

As you may have picked up, I love Colombia and South America. One thing I love in particular out here is the music, which is absolutely everywhere. You can't have a drink, grab something to eat or buy a pair of socks without something blaring out. I thought I’d string together a Top 5 while I was going crazy buying CDs before I leave so here it is. These are in no particular order and obviously five becomes six, becomes more pretty quickly, but here’s a shot.

Incidentally, I’m a seasoned techno warrior and while it may not be immediately obvious, mushy pop love songs only serve to make me tougher… honest.

Julio Miranda – Egoismo
(Ego)
Música Llanero, a style of traditional music where the men wear hats and set the harp alight. Many great nights were spent drinking cold Aguila beer, Aguadiente and embarrassing myself dancing to Música Llanero.

Marc Anthony – Tu Amor Me Hace Bien
(Your Love Does Me Good)
Some things just don’t translate well into English, and I think Marc Anthony is one of them.. I also think the name of the song may not translate well, but that's totally my fault. It’s impossible to go a day without hearing this massive salsa hit a few times, twice as I was writing this, and that’s ok by me. My favourite song of the year.

Julieta Venegas – Me Voy
(I’m Going)
Another ballad to swell though militant techno hearts out there.

Juanes – Para Tu Amor
(For Your Love)
Can’t… Stop… Crying… The biggest thing to come out of Medellin since Pablo Escobar.

Sin Banderas – Suelta Mi Mano
A totally manly ballad to make even the most underground of us cry like a little baby… aren’t all babies little?

Il Divo – Regresa A Mi
(Return To Me)
4 Men, 1 Remake… Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Herat”. It’s like an all nighter in a dirty warehouse with Surgeon, Oliver Ho and James Ruskin in the height of the Burmingham days of the late 90’s.

Reik – Noviembre Sin Ti
(November Without You)
Admittedly all their songs seem to be “ Sin Ti”, but these Mexicans know how to rock an acoustic six string.

Soda Stereo – La Ciudad De La Furia
(The City Of The Fury)
Great Argentinean rock group from the 80’s and 90’s who released. This is a damn fine song from some damn fine musicians. The version from their farewell concert is my favourite.