Names You Can Trust US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Delve beyond cumbia's usual bounds and explore psychedelic dimensions in modern tropical music courtesy of this, La Banda Chuska's debut single on Names You Can Trust. It offers a window into this evolving sonic landscape, blending as it does rip-roaring guitar riffs with contemporary flair. Picture the B-52s navigating a twisted Pacific-Peruvian time warp, bongos in hand, and this will give you a good idea of what to expect. This vibrant adventure encapsulates La Banda Chuska's colourful fusion of sounds and will have you surfing through a wave of tropical vibes in no time.

Review: The Cuban boleros of the 1950s and Nuyorican street soul of the 1960s always embodied a timeless Caribbean romanticism in the midst of New York City's urban landscape. La Triunfadora's debut album captures this sense of revival with experimental, psychedelic arrangements that revitalise classic tunes with fresh interpretations. Their debut 7-inch on Names You Can Trust honours Cuban bolero maestro Cesar Portillo De La Luz with lush orchestration and vocals by Candace Camacho and Benjamin R. Julia. The B-side reimagines Ralfi Pagan's 1969 Latin soul gem 'Hijo De Mama' by blending analogue warmth with a modern twist.

Review: In 2019, Resistencia Sonora was born as a collaborative project uniting urban and rural ethnic-peasant resistances in Montes de Maria, Colombia's western Caribbean. Rooted in a musical epicentre renowned for gaita, cumbia, bullerengue, son palenque, son de negro and accordion styles like porros and pajaritos, the initiative celebrates and preserves the region's rich folkloric life. This album documents festive gatherings, knowledge exchange and co-creation inspired by composer Andres Narvaez, a social leader and land-rights activist. His vision brought musicians together to uphold traditions and honour regional elders and this limited edition vinyl includes a 12-page bilingual booklet with extra background.

Review: Tanya Morgan's 'Move It Or Lose It' brings a fresh yet nostalgic vibe to the hip-hop scene, delivering a track that's rich in both rhythm and style. Released on limited edition purple vinyl, this 7" captures the essence of early 90s rap, with a catchy beat and a memorable guitar riff that echoes the East Coast's golden era. Side-1 features 'Move It Or Lose It' (feat. Mathien), a smooth blend of funk and rhythm and blues, all wrapped up in a b-boy/fly girl flavour that feels effortlessly cool. The track's excellent rap flow and infectious melody make it an instant favourite. This physical edition brings the much-anticipated vinyl release, which has been in high demand since its digital drop late last year.

Review: A shining example of soundtrack reggae, 'Sally's Song' was first incarnated in an unlikely spectacle: Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas. Originally composed by the film's scorer Danny Elfman, reggae reinterpreters Aanant Pradhan and Larry McDonald (of Skatalites fame) here lay down a dour dub cover version. Wistful, moody and clean. The B-side, meanwhile, shows off the pair's knowledge of film music even further - Henry Mancini's 'It Had Better Be Tonight' from the 1963 version of The Pink Panther makes similar waves as a kettle-drum heavy dub version.

Review: Caito Sanchez lives in New York but was born in Panama and is a dedicated drummer who has spent years as a sideman. He's been honing his craft since the early 2000s and has played with the likes of Charles Bradley, Lee Fields and Brian Jackson. Now he finally makes the big step of going it alone and this debut single shows what he is capable of. He takes care of drums, but also bass, guitar and lead voice on a pair of nuggets that are heavy and psychedelic Spanish rock tunes full of fresh new wave sounds.

Review: Ricardo Suntaxi's wonderful 'Baile De San Juan' perfectly encapsulates the vibrant spirit of traditional Latin rhythms. With plenty of pulsing drum machine beats and dazzlingly infectious melodies, Suntaxi blends elements of salsa, merengue, and cumbia to create a truly dynamite dancefloor anthem. The track cannot fail to transport you to the lively streets of San Juan where the music fills the air during festive celebrations. 'Que Siga La Farra' on the flip has more of a dub feel but is still pack with vivid and vibrant melody that is a testament to Suntaxi's talent for infusing contemporary flair into classic Latin sounds and will ensure a lively atmosphere wherever it's played.

Review: With their third EP and second for the label, this duo continues to carve out a distinct space in the Balearic downtempo universe. The release radiates a sun-baked, cross-cultural charm that is worldly and intimate. Side-A opens with 'La Pantera', a smoky instrumental driven by a dubby pulse and layered Latin percussion. The track’s hazy atmosphere and subtle melodic touches hint at everything from tropical lounge to low-slung sound system culture. It’s a slow burner with plenty of depth and groove. On the second side, 'Descalzo' is more of a downtempo cumbia laced gem with light funk and breezy French-Island textures. The rhythm sways with a casual elegance, evoking barefoot dances at golden hour and lazy days under a beachside canopy. Effortlessly blending influences, this EP feels like a postcard from an imagined coastline that is somewhere between Colombia, Guadeloupe and the Balearics. This label continues to broaden everyones tastes in instrumental music.