Galletas Calientes France

Review: 2019 marks 50 years since The Beachers formed in their home country of Panama. That they're not only still going strong but also capable of conjuring up magical albums like "Cincuenta" - their 13th in total - is remarkable in anyone's book. Long-term fans will tell you that this isn't actually a brand new set, having first appeared in 2017, but this is the first time it has appeared on vinyl. It remains a humid, vibrant and sun-kissed affair, with the veteran combo serving up ten tracks that gleefully join the dots between soca, calypso, ska, reggae, traditional Panamanian music and the more dancefloor-focused sounds of Cuba, Colombia and Venezuela. In other words, it's business as usual for the acclaimed Panamanian fusionists.

Review: It would be fair to say that "Camaleon" - Spanish for "chameleon", fact fans - is a fitting title for the debut album by Carlos "Caribombo" Guillen. Born to Colombian and Venezuelan parents, but now living in France, the percussionist/DJ/producer makes music that not only draws on his South American roots, but also his love of contemporary music from all four corners of the globe, be it the tropical sounds of Mauritius, Afro-house, Portuguese kuduro, Jamaican dub or British bass music. As a result, the Venezuelan's debut album a tropical, multi-coloured treat that's joyfully hard to describe. Don't take our word for it: give it a listen ASAP!