I like Mana - who else do I like?

May 22, 2007 10:43 AM

Latin Pop Music: I really like Mana. Who else do I like?

I quite like the pop sound of Mana when driving. I also like Manu Chau, Che Guevara Band, Willie Colon and Ibrihim Ferrar, and Bene Morey so any latin music is good.

I would like to expand my horizons, but I really like the melodic components of Mana and would like to find other bands that are similarly "sing-able". (Assuming I understood and spoke spanish, that is.) Manu Chau is good, but less melodic. (Me Gusto for one...)

So, OK Metafilers; What are some similar bands to Mana that I can give a listen to while driving to the lake this summer?

posted by fox_terrier_guy to media & arts (12 comments total)

I like: B-Side Players, Ozomatli, Cafe Tacvba, Lila Downs, Gipsy Kings, Maldita Vecindad y los hijos del quinto patio... among others.

Check them out!
posted by valentinepig at 11:24 AM on May 22, 2007

Try Ozomatli, Los Rabanes, or Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.
posted by Melinika at 12:09 PM on May 22, 2007

I'll third Ozomatli, and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.
I'll second Cafe Tacuba, Gipsy Kings, and Maldita Vecindad.
And I'll raise you Nek, Moenia, Enanitos Verdes, Aterciopelados, Jaguares, Julieta Venegas, and Shakira's first 2 albums.
posted by lilnemo at 12:16 PM on May 22, 2007

Seconding Shakira's first two albums. My wife, who's from Guadalajara, played them non-stop when I first met her and I really like them.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 12:28 PM on May 22, 2007

Few pop songs can infect my brain as thoroughly as Juan Luis Guerra's La Bilirrubina. (amazon link, scroll down for sample)
posted by Greg Nog at 12:30 PM on May 22, 2007

Shakira (she may be a bit of a pop tart - but her lyricism is INSANE), Mana, Ozomatli, Julieta Venegas, Orishas, Jarabe del Palo
posted by heartquake at 1:33 PM on May 22, 2007

Definitely Cadillacs and Jaguares, too!

I was going to suggest Shakira also. She's an amazing talent, oddly enough for someone so popular...

Just to echo.
posted by valentinepig at 3:43 PM on May 22, 2007

Kevin Johansen
posted by dhruva at 6:42 PM on May 22, 2007

n-thing Shakira's first two albums, way back when she wasn't "blonde" and wore clothes.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 7:10 PM on May 22, 2007

Good suggestions so far. I'd especially recommend Shakira, Los Enanitos Verdes, Jaguares, Moenia and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.

You should also look for Sombrero Verde, which is what Mana used to call themselves.
posted by Penks at 7:50 PM on May 22, 2007

I love Juanes and Jarabe de Palo.
Juanes is Colombian, and Jarabe de Palo is Spanish. Juanes has a song called 'A dios le pido', and Jarabe de Palo has a song called 'Yin-Yang', both of which I love to sing along to. Helps that I speak Spanish, but even if you don't the lyrics are really clear and easy to learn.
posted by msali at 8:58 AM on May 23, 2007

If you're still reading this, I've just remembered some more. Azul Violeta was started by two of the original members of Mana and, while not as popular, it's still good.

Another band you should like is Fobia, especially their first two albums.

Two more you should listen to: Plastilina Mosh and Molotov. They're not at all like Mana, but you'll probably like them. They both sing in English and Spanish.
posted by Penks at 3:14 PM on May 23, 2007