Let's hear it for historical revisionism.

In 1990 I was working in a big box record store in South Miami. Sound Warehouse. A part of the Rhythm Nation. Three times a day, at least. The original version of this song is dodged and burned into my mind like a black and white Herb Ritts print.

22 years later I write in English about music in Spanish. I don't even remember what the Rhythm Nation was about. I rarely listen to any album three times a day. Still, music continues to knock me out on a regular basis.

Take, for example, Venezuelan atmospherist Algodon Egípcio. The man has taken this sliver of popular song and drenched it in sticky beats, wobbly vibes, and a Twin Peaks haze. The result is dense and intoxicating.

A 2012 version of 1990.

LISTEN:   Algodon Egípcio "Love Will Never Do Without You"   ·   [2012, Venezuela]   ·   [GET IT]

[photo by Cuauhtemoc Suarez]

Time relentlessly rolls forward and the days pass on by. How we mark that passing time makes all the difference. Sometimes it's a ringing bell, the number of truths or lies we've heard, the number of Christmases we've endured, or the friends we've lost along the way.

Sergio Silva -- frontman for scene-leading Mexico City country-folkers Furland and the Silva in Silva de Alegría, his solo project -- has created a eulogy for what's behind us. Time and the moments that have marked it. Beneath the tributes and regrets is music so animated and sensitive that we end the meditation in better spirits than when we started, regardless of the milestones that mark our years.

LISTEN:   Silva de Alegría "La Campana"   ·   [2012, México]   ·   [GET IT]

This song is all enthusiasm and wanderlust. And all talk and second thoughts. That's Fother Muckers and their special way of combining an immense curiosity for the world with a sly sense of amusement and a pinch of sarcasm. The further you go the more subversive they get. Kind of like an explorer who knows it all in a world full of the unknown.

LISTEN:   Fother Muckers "Explorador"   ·   [2008, Chile]   ·   [GET IT]

BLEND is our weekly show/podcast that lovingly blends english and spanish music and culture and airs on Plaza Midwood Community Radio on Wednesdays at 11:00 am (EST). Check it out there as it happens, stream it here, or download it and take it with you. Whichever way you choose, thanks for listening.

Prostistas - Granada [Chile]
Lee Ranaldo - Off the Wall [United States]
Nueva Vulcano - Te debo un baile [Spain]
Nueva Vulcano - Solamente un fuego [Spain]
Feist - The Bad In Each Other [Canada]
Harlem River Drive - Theme Song [United States]
Gepe - Por la ventana [Chile]
Jessy Bulbo - Quiero ser tu destino [Mexico]
Iggy Pop - I'm Bored [United States]
Pamela Rodríguez - Olvidando que te olvidaba [Peru]
Bob Dylan - New Pony [United States]
Jero Romero - Señor Gigante [Spain]
Café Tacuba - Volver a comenzar [Mexico]
Love of Lesbian - El hambre invisible [Spain]

[intro and outro music by Turning Torso]

BLEND is our weekly show/podcast that lovingly blends english and spanish music and culture and airs on Plaza Midwood Community Radio on Wednesdays at 11:00 am (EST). Check it out there as it happens, stream it here, or download it and take it with you. Whichever way you choose, thanks for listening.

David Bowie - Fame [England]
Gustavo Cerati - Cosas imposibles [Argentina]
Natalia Lafourcade - Ella es bonita [Mexico]
Kings of Leon - Ragoo [United States]
Caifanes - Afuera [Mexico]
Napoleon Solo - Tiene que acabar [Spain]
AC Newman - Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer [Canada]
Paul Simon - The Obvious Child [United States]
Quique González (con Iván Ferreiro) - Avería y redención [Spain]
Zoé - Reptilectric [Mexico]
Russian Red - A Hat [Spain]
Tony Rice Unit - Manzanita [United States]
Ali Primera - Vamos gente de mi tierra [Venezuela]
La Vida Boheme - Radio Capital [Venezuela]
The Clash - The Magnificent Seven [England]

[intro and outro music by Turning Torso]

This is one of those records that sneaks into the room, leans back against the wall, and slowly drags on a cigarette while all the other records clamor for attention in the center of the room. No hype, no hurry.

This record was released early last year while Abraham Boba was playing in Nacho Vegas' "La zona sucia" band. Like any top shelf member of another man's band, Boba sat back, that always reliable dude behind the keys that he is, and let Nacho do his thing, the star of the show.

Meanwhile, Boba and his record will be over there in the shadows waiting for you. Come over if you're intrigued, and it's cool if you're not. They're good either way.

LISTEN:   Abraham Boba "Podría haber sido peor"   ·   [2011]   ·   [BUY IT]

BLEND is our weekly show/podcast that lovingly blends english and spanish music and culture and airs on Plaza Midwood Community Radio on Wednesdays at 11:00 am (EST). Check it out there as it happens, stream it here, or download it and take it with you. Whichever way you choose, thanks for listening.

Lou Reed - Sick Of You [United States]
Los Punsetes - Tus amigos [Spain]
Jorge Drexler - Memoria del cuero [Uruguay]
The Smiths - Big Mouth Strikes Again [England]
Francisca Valenzuela - Los que siempre arrancan [United States/Chile]
Protistas - Rosetta [Chile]
Jack Logan - Chloroform [United States]
Ivan Ferreiro - Fahrenheit 451 [Spain]
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps [United States]
Javier Mena - Ahondar en ti [Chile]
Vetusta Morla - El hombre del saco [Spain]
Royal Trux - Sunshine and Grease [United States]
Rita Indiana y Los Misterios - Bajito a selva [Dominican Republic]
Kovacs and The Polar Bear - Lovers On The Run [United States]
Hermanos Tuiran - Lluvia [Colombia]

[intro and outro music by Turning Torso]

Everything about this tune by Sidonie takes you back. Back to that sound that first made you pay closer attention to the music you now love. Back to the centuries-old streets of a European city that within hours of getting lost on them seemed like home. Back to that first sip of liquor, chased by a small wince and a warm feeling settling over you that you knew could only lead to trouble. Back to that person who made every inch of your being howl.

LISTEN:   Sidonie "El aullido"   ·   [2011]   ·   [SPOTIFY]

BLEND is our weekly show/podcast that lovingly blends english and spanish music and culture and airs on Plaza Midwood Community Radio on Wednesdays at 11:00 am (EST). Check it out there as it happens, stream it here, or download it and take it with you. Whichever way you choose, thanks for listening.

Ana Belén - La Mentira [Spain]
Klaus & Kinski - Poderoso caballero [Spain]
Dawes - Coming Back To a Man [United States]
West Nkosi - Zola-Mndeni [South Africa]
Spam Allstars - City of Progress [United States]
Jan Pawel y Algodón Egipcio - El gran pintor [Venezuela]
The Cure - The Love Cats [England]
El Columpio Asesino - Toro [Spain]
Las Robertas - Street Feelings [Costa Rica]
Lee Fields and The Expressions - Moonlight Mile [United States]
Enrique Urquijo y Los Problemas - Historia de Playback [Spain]
Love Tractor - We All Loved Each Other So Much [United States]
Julieta Venegas - Bien o mal [Mexico]
The Band - King Harvest [Canada]
Joe Crepúsculo - Los cazadores [Spain]

[intro and outro music by Turning Torso]

Something is happening. It feels slightly uncomfortable, pushing you to an edge you normally wouldn't go towards on your own. You think you know where things are going, but maybe you've read too many books, glossed over too many status updates, had one too many drinks. Your mind is going one way, your feet another. This is happening, but what is it?

La Vida Bohème's music always instills a sense of urgency to act. Even if it's a sense of urgency full of confusion and uncertainty.

BLEND is our weekly show/podcast that lovingly blends english and spanish music and culture and airs on Plaza Midwood Community Radio on Wednesdays at 11:00 am (EST). Check it out there as it happens, stream it here, or download it and take it with you. Whichever way you choose, thanks for listening.

La Familia - Un rayo del sol [Spain]
Lone Justice - Sweet Sweet Baby [United States]
Torreblanca - Parece Navidad [Mexico]
Damirón - El aji caribe [Dominican Republic]
Talking Heads - Born Under Punches [United States]
No Te Va Gustar - Chau [Uruguay]
Andres Calamaro - Flaca [Argentina]
Wild Flag - Electric Band [United States]
Fother Muckers - Explorador [Chile]
Quantic presenting Flowering Inferno - Te picó el yaibí [England/Colombia]
Lee Perry and The Upsetters - Soul Man [Jamaica]
Charly García - Demoliendo hoteles [Argentina]
Public Image Ltd. - Public Image [England]
Los Planetas - Segundo Premio [Spain]

[intro and outro music by Turning Torso]

Banjos in La Condesa. The Mexican kid in Belleville, Illinois. Southern rocks riffs across the middle of a song like long damn that looked like it was fun skid marks on a back country road. Did that happen in North Carolina or Guanajuato? Does it matter? The same consoling feeling inherent in that old folk rock record. Each and every vibe and hue clicking and popping in a language that everyone understands. Yo quiero ser un color. A light that projects love. Where are we again? Oh yeah, here and now.

LISTEN:   Furland "Yo quiero ser un color"   ·   [2009]   ·   [BUY IT]

BLEND is our weekly show/podcast that lovingly blends english and spanish music and culture and airs on Plaza Midwood Community Radio on Wednesdays at 11:00 am (EST). Check it out there as it happens, stream it here, or download it and take it with you. Whichever way you choose, thanks for listening.

The Radio Dept. - Never Follow Suit [Sweden]
Caravana - Sigue sus ojos [Chile]
El Guincho - Lycra Mistral [Spain]
Arto Lindsay - Prefeelings [United States]
Mos Def - Priority (Acapella) [United States]
Tipica 73 - Rumba Caliente [United States]
Café Tacuba - Ixtepec [Mexico]
La Bien Querida - Ya No [Spain]
Minutemen - D's Car Jam [United States]
The Mgbaba Queens - Akulalwa Esoweto [South Africa]
Liquid Liquid - Cavern [United States]
Odisea - Cabros [Chile]
Broken Social Scene - Chase Scene [Canada]
Bam Bam - Ragatrón [Mexico]
Babasónicos - Paraguayana [Argentina]
Sun Ra - Outer Spaceways Incorporated [Saturn]

[intro and outro music by Turning Torso]

This song is comfort in memories. Some are sour, some as sweet as honey, and each turns to dust as it fades. Her voice is hope, his a streak of melancholy pragmatism. Like any memory worth holding on to.

The video features Caravana leader Rodrigo Santis with a contemporary Chilean supergroup of sorts: Felicia Morales on vocals and cello, Gepe on drums, Fernando Milagros on guitar, and Pedropiedra on bass. The last three, along with Santis, are jewels in the crown of the Santiago-based label Quemasucabeza. "Sigue sus ojos" is on Caravana's 2011 self-titled debut and is highly recommended.

00:00   intro
00:32    Sebadoh  "Skull"   (1994, US)   →
02:47    Davila 666  "Obsesionado"   (2011, Puerto Rico)   →
06:12    Rolling Stones  "Street Fighting Man"   (1968, England)   →
09:14    María y José  "La Tierra Sagrada"   (2010, Mexico)   →
11:43    New Order  "Murder"   (1984, England)   →
15:32    Nadadora  "Una nueva vida"   (2010, Spain)   →
18:45    LCD Soundsystem  "All My Friends"   (2007, US)   →
26:21   break
28:00    Pescado Rabioso  "Cementerio Club"   (1973, Argentina)   →
32:53    Soda Stereo  "Te para tres"   (1996, Argentina)   →
36:50    Jeff Buckley  "Last Goodbye"   (1994, US)   →
41:05    Los Punsetes  "CI (Devil Town)"   (2012, Spain)   →
43:53    Stevie Wonder  "Keep On Running"   (1972, US)   →
50:30    Babasónicos  "Muñeco de Haiti"   (2011, Argentina)   →
54:11    Eleanor Friedberger  "I Won't Fall Apart On You Tonight"   (2011, US)   →
57:48   outro
59:41   end

[intro and outro music by Turning Torso]