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.