So far, this 2012 has given us great Latin music albums. Now that we are in the middle of the year, it is time to take a look at some of the most popular and best Latin music works that have hit the market in 2012. From the posthumous Selena album Enamorada De Ti to the popular unplugged work by Juanes, the following are some of this year's best Latin music albums.
'Enamorada De Ti' - Selena
Photo Courtesy Emi International
Seventeen years after her tragic death, The Queen of Tejano Music has come back to live with one of the most popular albums of the year. Enamorada De Ti features some of the most famous hits ever recorded by Selena. The album includes duets with well-known artists such as Christian Castro, Don Omar and Selena Gomez. Some of the best tracks on this album include songs like "No Me Queda Mas" and "Como La Flor." Besides all this, Enamorada De Ti is also an album that touches different Latin music genres including Ranchera, Bolero and Merengue.
'Area 52' - Rodrigo y Gabriela
Photo Courtesy Ato Records/Red
Early this year, the talented Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela released the album Area 52, an amazing work that combines the unique guitar playing of the duo with the sounds of the Afro-Cuban band C.U.B.A. As a result of this, every single track on Area 52 is defined by a jamming session of high quality. Some of the best tracks on this album include "Hanuman," "Ixtapa" and "Diablo Rojo."
'Chico & Rita' (Soundtrack) - Bebo Valdes
Photo Courtesy Red General Catalog
The soundtrack of the animated film Chico & Rita is definitely one of the best Latin music albums of the year. This compilation work was mainly produced by the the famous Cuban pianist and musician Bebo Valdes. Throughout the 30 tracks included in this work, you can take a trip to the wonderful sounds of Afro-Cuban music, Latin Jazz and Bolero. Chico & Rita is a fantastic album from beginning to end defined by a prevalent 'Latin big band sound'. Some of the best singles on this album include titles such as "Celia," "Chico's Dream" and "Tin Tin Deo."
'La Bala' - Ana Tijoux
Photo Courtesy Nacional Records
Ana Tijoux delivered one of the best albums of the Latin Alternative scene. Thanks to its meaningful lyrics and the elegant flow of the Chilean rapper, La Bala is one of this year's best Latin music albums in the Urban field. With this work, Ana Tijoux consolidated her position as one of today's most interesting Latin music artists. Some of La Bala's best tracks include songs like "Shock," "Desclasificado" and "Sacar LaVoz."
'Caravana Sereia Bloom' - Ceu
Photo Courtesy Six Degrees
This year, Brazilian singer Ceu shared with us her roadtrip stories. Caravana Sereia Bloom is a very pleasant work defined by its Bohemian and funky appeal. To some extent, this album take us back to the sounds that forged the Tropicalia movement in Brazil during the 1960s. This is definitely, one of my favorite Latin music albums of 2012. Some of the best tracks include "Falta De Ar," "Retrovisor" and "Contravento."
'Phase II' - Prince Royce
Photo Courtesy Atlantic
Last April, Bachata sensation star Prince Royce hit the Latin music market with his second album Phase II. After the popularity and awards he gathered with his debut album, the singer from The Bronx has been able to consolidate his unique 'Bachata Pop' sound with this work. Some of the best tracks on this album include songs such as "Las Cosas Pequenas," "Addicted" and "Dulce."
'JUANES MTV Unplugged' - Juanes
Photo Courtesy Universal Latino
With this work, Juanes has definitely released one of the very best Latin music albums of the year. Besides being a compilation album, JUANES MTV Unplugged introduces a new sound that very likely will shape the musical future of the Colombian superstar. This album offers a sound that is both innovative and mature. Some of the best tracks include songs like "Fijate Bien," "Hoy Me Voy," "Azul Sabina" and "La Señal."
