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The New Breed of Mexican Music

Forget Mariachis - think electronica and emo. As Mexican-Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we find out what sounds are booming south of the border and why they've sparked controversy. Our guests are Mexican-based journalist Daniel Hernandez and Alejandro Rosso, half of the Monterrey-based electro-rock duo Plastilina Mosh.

Plastilina Mosh web site
Daniel Hernandez's blog, Intersections

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CD Picks of the Week

Paul Bailey, "Retrace Our Steps"
The term oratorio historically refers to a kind of unstaged opera, often sacred in nature. Handel’s Messiah is the best-known example. Paul Bailey and his Ensemble have recorded what they term a secular oratorio in 4 acts, and while it is nothing like Handel’s Messiah, it might be somewhat like Philip Glass’s early operas. The Paul Bailey Ensemble describes itself as an alt-classical garage band, and the first of Bailey’s four elliptical songs of alienation and dislocation is built around a text by Gertrude Stein. --picked by John Schaefer

Rica Amabis, Pupillo and Dengue, "Tres na Massa"(Nublu Records)

Our first pick sounds like a racy confessional soundtrack -- and that’s exactly what it is. Three Sao Paulo-based musicians conceived this album as the score to the erotic comic books of Italian artist Milo Manara. It’s called "Tres na Massa," or three in the dough, and it’s released by Nublu records in New York. Producer Rica Amabis, percussionist Pupillo and bassist Dengue then enlisted popular singers and actress to sing about desire and seduction. --Picked by Gisele Regatao

Michael Gandolfi, "Y2K Compliant" (BMOP/sound)

Classical compositions about technology can often be dry, rather charm-less affairs. But the Boston composer Michael Gandolfi has written a piece about computers that’s full of bright, quirky sonorities and bustling rhythms. It’s called “Y2K Compliant,” and, as the title implies, it’s a satirical response to all the doomsday predictions of the Y2K bug back in 1999. The piece was premiered in 2000 and it’s now just out on a CD by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Picked by Brian Wise

Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown)

Our next CD pick of the week comes from Santogold, the stage name of a well-traveled producer and songwriter named Santi White. At age 32, White has already done time as a Sony A&R rep, fronted a punk band, and worked with artists like Spank Rock and Ashlee Simpson. Her self-titled solo debut generated lots of internet buzz before its release last week, thanks to high-profile outings at South by Southwest and Coachella. The baile funk and dub sounds on the record have drawn comparisons to another Brooklyn-based artist, M.I.A. But White rounds out the record with plenty of ‘80s dance pop and new wave. --picked by Joel Meyer

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Dawn Upshaw

Perhaps more than any other soprano today, Dawn Upshaw is widely admired for her explorations in new and unusual repertoire. As she is honored later this month as "The Composers' Muse" by the organization Meet the Composer, she joins us to talk about bringing to life new works by composers such as Osvaldo Golijov and John Harbison.

Our blog: John Schaefer on Dawn Upshaw's knack for inspiring others.

Tell us: Do singers and musicians have a responsibility to perform, and even inspire, music from living composers?

Dawn Upshaw's bio

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