Latino rhythms in all their variations are irresistible: sometimes they take the form of engaging pop songs, such as those sung by German-Spanish heartthrob Alvaro Soler from Barcelona. With sing-along songs such as «El Mismo Sol» and «Sofia», he has landed himself two chart-topping hits that put you in the party mood. The virtuoso guitar duels of Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela are no less enthralling. Small wonder, as both used to play in a trash metal band. They skilfully mix this groove with gypsy elements on acoustic instruments – so spectacularly that they have made it to the top of the charts with purely instrumental music.

Zeno van Essel