Latin Lounge

There's always been a Latin tinge to that slinky thing called "lounge," and we've taken a wide view of the world to serve up these delights: from the breezy big band pieces of Esquivel (who recorded "Mucha Muchacha" with two bands playing simultaneously in separate studios) to the cocktail kitsch of Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass: "Green Peppers" is given a spicy electronic remix here. Ah, bliss . . . and you'll discover more joys of "mambo exotico" in Next Steps.

Esquivel and Martin Denny may be "los reyes del lounge," but don't forget the happy organ of Walter Wanderly ("Baia" and "Beach Samba" carry the scent of coconut water), the bossa-pop of Sergio Mendes ("Bim Bom" glides like Ronaldinho), and the lighter side of Cal Tjader's vibes ("Soné," "Vai Querer"). Brazilian Girls and Ry Cooder explore the outskirts, on their way to other destinations. Latin lounge goes digital, in Deep Cuts.

Ursula 1000's "Samba 1000" — the brainchild of Brooklyn-born DJ Alex Gimeno — is remixed by Nicola Conte to replicate exactly the rhythm of tanned hips sashaying along Copacabana Beach. Meanwhile, Barcelona's the Pinker Tones base the tempo of "Beyond Nostalgia" on the art of the cocktail barista. Both acts have carved an impressive niche in the realms of lounge electronica. Meanwhile, Jackie Davis sweeps us away to a candy-coloured ice rink in "Manana (Is Soon Enough For Me)".

Welcome to iTunes Essentials' Latin Lounge, a place so exotic it makes Havana's Tropicana club look like a clip-joint in darkest Siberia. Movement any faster than an languid shuffle is expressly forbidden . . . and practically impossible, as you sink into the warm waters of "Desafinado (Off Key)" by Charlie Byrd & Stan Getz (the two gentlemen responsible for guiding bossa nova into the North American mainstream), the shimmering lagoons of Arthur Lyman's vibraphone (notably on "Taboo"), or the tinkling cascades of Martin Denny's "Exotica." No, you're not dreaming — you have just discovered paradise.