Escena Alterlatina: The Future Sound In Español (Ark21), a compilation of Latin alternative rock and hip-hop seeking to build upon the music's recent momentum in the United States, will hit stores in March.
The album features tracks from such rising Mexican stars as art-rockera Julieta Venegas and hard-rock trio Rabanes, as well as alternative Latin acts born up north.
Venegas, who has recorded such tracks as "Enero y Abril" (RealAudio excerpt), contributes "Amores Perros," which she wrote for the award-winning Mexican film of that name.
Producers hope the 14-track, 13-artist album will appeal to a U.S. rock and hip-hop audience seeking a reprieve from the mainstream of Latin pop stars e.g., Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Carlos Santana who dominate the country's airwaves.
Latin alternative music in the United States has gained significant popularity during the past two years through such so-called rock-en-español artists as Ozomatli and via the Latin Alternative Music Conference, which debuted last summer in New York.
Venegas will also headline three U.S. concerts to celebrate the compilation's release: March 28 at the Key Club in Los Angeles, April 3 at Mercury Lounge in New York and March 30 at a San Francisco venue to be announced.
Joining Venegas on the compilation, and opening for her in San Francisco, are Bay area underground funksters Orixa and seven-piece rock/hip-hop hybrid Los Mocosos.
Other Escena contributors include Los Angeles hip-hop newcomers Delinquent Habits, Miami alternative pop quartet Volumen Cero, Argentina's Santos Inocentes and Spain's political ska band Hechos Contra El Decoro.