La Linea: Future Latin Beats [Audio CD] La Linea: Future Latin Beat

La Linea was compiled by DJ Martin Morales who was also responsible for the very fine Discoteca album. Originally a tie-in for the London-based festival of the same name, La Linea is a glimpse at the possibilities of mixing indigenous Latin sounds with Western dancefloor beats. Although Latin fusion music is becoming increasingly common and correspondingly mediocre, Morales has picked musician-producers such as Se&ntilde, Coconut, Cubanismo, Sidestepper and Los Amigos Invisibles, who are all doing something special. These artists don't just adopt modern or Latin musical styles--they make them their own: Orishas' "Mistica" is Cuban hip-hop by turns jaunty and rhapsodic; Colombian band Bloque's "Nena" oozes heavy funk, jazz and Santana-style rock; the late Brazilian producer Suba's "Voce Gosta" steers breakneck rhythms through the languid turns of terrific electronic riffs. Later on the album, Los Angeles-based Ozomatli offer a taste of their eclecticism with the rootsy "cumbia"-flavoured dub soundclash that is "Cumbia de los Muertos", while Scottish producers E&E Sounds give the London jazz-meets-hip-hop sound a distinctly Colombian twist. La Linea's fun level is high and its relentless rhythms are bouncy and invigorating. What's more--there isn't a duff track in sight. --Reuben Dessay