While English-speaking audiences may recognize Carlos Vives as a contributor to the Disney Encanto soundtrack, he is one of the most recognizable and acclaimed artists in Latin America today, mostly due to the ways in which his music has championed the classic musical styles of Colombia, his country. He happens to also be a personal favorite of mine.

In 2020, Vives released ‘Cumbiana I’ a veritable smorgasbord of music that reached across not only Colombia, but much of Latin America.

This second installment, Cumbiana II is no different, spanning from Bogotá, Colombia to Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

1. Solo
2. Cinerama
3. Baloncito Viejo
4. Montaña Solitaria
5. Currambera
6. Canción Bonita
7. Babel
8. Pagamento
9. Besos en Cualquier Horario
10. Mi Guitarra Enamorada
11. En La Selva
12. Buscando Al Caballo (Homaneje a Johnny Ventura)
13. El Teke Teke
14. Patria

The thing about Carlos Vives’ music is, nearly every word is in Spanish. So of course it goes without saying that the listener who speaks or knows a little Spanish may fair better.

But it even gets a little sticky for folks like us, since the pronunciation of certain words and syllables vary from Spanish-speaking country to Spanish-speaking country; so someone used to listening to Mexican music, for example, may stumble over a few words sung in Vives’ Colombian accent without looking at the lyrics first.

But you get there, and without much difficulty overall. But listeners who don’t speak Spanish at all will still be treated to a disc full of catchy, tropical beats.

As mentioned, Cumbiana II is a journey all over the map, and it begins right where it ought: In Colombia, with “Solo” bringing the accordion-driven vallenato sound that Carlos Vives helped make famous.

For several other tracks, Vives enlists the help of several heavy-hitter guest stars including Ricky Martin, Camilo, Fito Páez, and — surprisingly — the Black-Eyed Peas. The presence of each adds an element to their respective songs, but it’s not enough for the fan of Vives in his own right to feel like he could just as easily do it on his own just as well.

Baloncito Viejo is the first standout track, with reggaeton sensation Camilo joining his countryman on a tune that compares a woman’s love to winning a sports match, with a cute little video featuring old time-y soccer. On the more mellow side of the groove, this song is also the first from the album I’ve seen to get radio airplay, which has to count for something.

The lead single off the record, Canción Bonita steals the position of Favorite Track, thanks to a bright, beachy sound (and video) and cameo by eternal heartthrob Ricky Martin. As far as Spanish lyrics with decent English translations go, this certainly wins, with the song’s narrator pledging fedelity: “Y si tengo escoger/Me quedo me quedo contigo…” In English: “And if I have to choose, I’ll stay, I’ll stay with you.” Isn’t that nice? They weren’t kidding around when they named it Beautiful Song.

Babel touches old-fashioned Argentinian rock with Fito Paez guesting on the track, while Patria serves as a delicate love song to Colombia, with only guitars dishing out complex rhythms that showcase the variation of musical stylings even within the singular country.

El Teke Teke brings the fun, courtesy of Black-Eyed Peas and Play n Skillz, with a silly little video dance that will surely help to make this track the bilingual summer smash it deserves to be.

Carlos Vives’ latest effort is a very solid one - as all of them are - even if it continues the somewhat unfortunate trend of being beset with one too many other musicians on the record, pero al final, me encantó. In the end, I loved it.

Review by: Ashley J. Cicotte

Cumbiana II is now streaming on every major platform.

Official Website

Carlos Vives @ Facebook

Carlos Vives @ Instagram

Carlos Vives @ YouTube