Various: Latin Club Sessions

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * *)

Latin is the new lounge it would seem as turntablists and compilations by DJs have the inevitable Latin tracks thrown into the mix.

As a measure of hipness it's okay (although referencing Esquivel earns bigger points) and this double disc of contemporary sounds is not only better than most but also a relief from the archival stuff it has seemed fashionable to include.

Why cutting-edge DJs thought obscure 60s sides were making a current statement is a mystery. So this feisty package of (mostly) recent hip-swivelling tracks, remixes, drum'n'bass and nu-jazz Latin comes from name players like Bob Sinclar, Suv, and Flytronix.

And with warm Brazilian confections from German, Japanese and Serbian contributors this proves what a universal sound Latin, like reggae, has become in the past 50 years. Do the hip-shake, baby.

Label: Union Square