Smooth Latin Jazz

Sure, most of Latin Jazz is by definition smoother than an "extra anejo" tequila, but here we've concentrated on the tracks that dial down the spicy heat, in favour of stirring in some melodic cream. Some of the genre's classics include Tito Puente's cha cha cha masterpiece "Oye Como Va," which sets dance-floor passions to an easy simmer, Antonio Carlos Jobim's shimmering "Corcovado," and Mongo Santamaria's swanky mega-hit "Watermelon Man." Sultry Brazilian diva Bebel Gilberto shines on a sweet version of the Cole Porter standard "Night and Day." Artists from the full gamut of Latin countries keep it smooth, in Next Steps.

There's plenty of room for croon here among our next batch of Smooth Latin Jazz Essentials, but who knew that Mexican star José José and a Spanish version of "New York, "New York" would make such a good match? Bordering on New Age wistfulness, Gato Barbieri's "She Is Michelle" pays tribute to the Argentine tenor sax legend's late wife, while technically brilliant pianist Michel Camilo (from the Dominican Republic) raises the tempo with "Manteca." Culled from a live performance in New York, the Buena Vista Social Club's "Almendra" underscores the gentlemanly artistry of Ruben Gonzalez. Our Latin/Jazz fusion experiment continues to amaze, in Deep Cuts.

Here the Latin ivories continue to tinkle, as veteran Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés pays tribute to Bill Evans through an elegant live cover of the timeless "Waltz for Debby," and Sonora Ponceña's "Suena el Piano" combines smooth Puerto Rican salsa with the jazzy piano of bandleader Papo Luuca. The Caribbean Jazz Project Latinizes Coltrane on "Naima," vibraphone maestro Cal Tjader puts Burt Bacharach in a cocktail shaker (with a dash of Latin sugar) on "You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)," and Lito Vitale delivers "La Senda Infinita" with peerless elegance.

This velvety list of swinging new favourites and old-fashioned gems focuses on the lighter side of Latin jazz — a soothing world where the instrumental prowess of jazz meets such varied genres as bossa nova, flamenco, cha cha cha and Latin rock. Your guides on this exotic journey include seasoned bandleaders Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, and Xavier Cugat, as well as cool newcomers like Pink Martini (a self-styled "little orchestra" formed in Portland, Oregon, 1994, by pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale) and Afro-Spanish songstress Concha Buika (who grew up on the island of Mallorca in a gypsy neighbourhood, with roots in Equatorial Guinea). So go on, treat yourself to an extra helping of smooth.