5. Dayme Arocena- Nueva Era
Nueva Era was a perfect title for the debut album from Cuban singer Daymé Arocena. 2015 was the dawn of a new era for her homeland, as Cuba’s diplomatic thaw with the US brought greater interest to the island, and naturally it’s already globally-treasured music. Nueva Era arrived in a timely fashion, bringing forth a fresh fusion of Afro-Cuban and classic American jazz and R&B. Havana, with a bit of ’90s Philly neo-soul. “Madres” sounds like it could have been recorded during a break from D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar sessions, while “Don’t Unplug My Body” has echoes of Jill Scott, but with some bata drums. — Jesse Serwer