Bailar en la cueva

Uruguayan singer/songwriter and guitarist Jorge Drexler embraces a number of Latin American styles on his buoyant 2014 release, Bailar en La Cueva. That variety is reflected in the guestlist: Brazilian legend Caetano Veloso, Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Eduardo Cabra Martinez (“Visitante” of Calle 13), Chilean-French MC Ana Tijoux, and members of the Colombian outfits Bomba Estereo and Frente Cumbiero. The album brims with catchy melodies and rippling percussion, and those elements come into play on the opening title cut, where Drexler is backed by Bomba Estereo. The track’s slippery acoustic guitar, pulsing keyboard, and punchy horns are delightful. “Bolivia,” which rides a cumbia rhythm, features Veloso’s wonderfully tremulous vocals. “Data Data” pairs a soul-jazz groove with a sinuous electronic bassline and Latin percussion. A breezy Brazilian vibe animates “Universos Paralelos,” which pairs Drexler’s vocals and Tijoux’s sultry rapping. “Todo Cae” starts with just Drexler and his guitar, but a fine horn arrangement soon comes into play. The clave-driven “Cai creo que cai” adds layer upon layer, creating a tower of musical joy.