The sounds of South America on vinyl

South American music is incredibly diverse, reflecting a rich blend of indigenous, European, and African influences. Common characteristics include strong rhythms and a mix of indigenous instruments alongside Spanish guitar and brass arrangements. Brazilian music since the 1960s has been especially fertile after the Tropicália movement pointed the way ahead for a Brazilian music (and greater arts scene) that retained its essential national identity while also being liberated from the confines of tradition via explicitly Western influences. These days, the music of South America continues to reflect the complex tapestry of ethnicities and ideas.