Since this is my last column of the year, I'll look back instead of forward.
For the third year running, the biggest-selling world music CD around the world was the "Buena Vista Social Club" (World Circuit/Nonesuch). With over 2 million copies sold, you can forget Ricky Martin and the rest. This was the real Latin music boom.
Perhaps with the release of the film in Japan next year, a moving tribute to these extraordinary and humble musicians, it's a success that will be repeated here. The film was made around the recording of the second installment, "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer" (World Circuit/Nonesuch), released in May. Although similar to its beautifully recorded predecessor, this CD highlights the voice of 72-year-old Ferrer on romantic-style boleros.