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(bartjanvanvugt/flickr)The Buena Vista Social Club tradition continues
Ten years ago, a group of Cuban musicians known as the Buena Vista Social Club made what became the biggest-selling world-music album ever. On today's show, the album's producer, Ry Cooder, shares a new CD release by the ensemble, and talks about where Latin music has gone in the years since. Also: Minneapolis hip-hop duo Atmosphere has been a major figure on the underground rap scene for over a decade. They join us in advance of their show at Irving Plaza this week.
Buena Vista Social Club spawns new CD
Buena Vista Social Club is the biggest-selling world music album ever, with 8 million copies sold. Their 1998 Carnegie Hall debut is just now being released as a double CD. Ry Cooder joins us today. Then, Latin music writer Carolina Gonzalez talks about the impact of the Buena Vista phenomenon in Latin music as a whole.
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on the Buena Vista Social Club Phenomenon
Buena Vista Social Club film is screening tonight at 8 PM at The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theatre.

Atmosphere
Minneapolis-based hip hop duo Atmosphere formed 10 years ago. With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the group became the toast of the hip-hop underground. Now, Atmosphere has turned to classic funk and soul -- and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They join us for a live acoustic performance.
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
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Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
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In Studio: Stephanie McKay
Soundcheck
The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
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In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.