By far one of the most dynamic Latin styles, Salsa (literally meaning ‘sauce’) may not directly translate to hot and pulsating, but the music certainly is. This just-released volume from the Putumayo label brings together salsa music from various parts around the globe. Perhaps the most significant aspect of this collection is the fact that most of the featured countries are hardly what you’d call Latin by nature. For example, the opening track, El Sol De La Noche is a classic slice of salsa, all the way from…Scotland! Similarly, there are equally vibrant cuts from India, Senegal, Finland and even Japan!

The beauty of this worldwide inflection of salsa lies in the subtle undertones that seep into the music, giving each track a separate flavour over and above the common salsa factor. All in all, Salsa is an adequate representation of the global popularity of the Latin swing, not to mention its conveniently packaged instant party appeal!