Holding Up Half The Sky: Voices Of Latin Women

The fourth in a series featuring women artists on the Shanachie label, Holding Up Half the Sky focuses on the vital music of Latin America and the Caribbean. It's a whirlwind tour of handpicked tunes that span seven countries and over three decades of great music. La India's voice is fiery over backing by the excellent Eddie Palmieri. La Lupe rages with Mongo Santamaria. The dynamic Paracumbe revel in Puerto Rican roots and Omara Portuondo positively smokes along with Cuba's Son 14. The passionate Tex-Mex border music of Lydia Mendoza, Mexico's immortal Lola Beltran, the legendary Celia Cruz, and the sizzling merengue of Fefita La Grande show off the diversity of this collection. Not all of the artists featured here are well known, but every song on this fine release deserves to be heard. --Jeff Grubb