Latin America, Africa & Caribbean

Samba's heartbeat turned down low, like someone whispering to you by the sea.

Horns, piano montuno and clave rhythm set the whole dance floor spinning.

The bandoneón's sighs and staccato writing a dangerous love story in a dim dance hall.

Accordion and guacharaca's two-step shuffle, the riverside town dance that's slow yet impossible to stop.

The rolling rhythm of a full percussion corps, the heartbeat of the carnival parade.

Street parties in Rio's hillside communities: bouncing drum-machine beats, a wall of speakers and an MC's chants.

Guitar, accordion and two-part harmony singing about heartbreak: Brazil's most-played national pop music.

Bright, trembling guitars and romantic voices, the Dominican love song danced close.

One dembow rhythm, and the whole city sways together.

Accordion, brass and twelve-string guitar: from norteño and banda to today's corridos tumbados, Mexico's most local sound.

Traditional corrido guitars with trap attitude and a young voice: new Mexican music sweeping Latin America and the US.

Guitar chops on the offbeat and a cheerful horn section: dance music faster than reggae and sweeter than punk.

A light stroke on the offbeat, giving both protest and love a sunny ease.

Reggae taken apart: drums and bass up front, voices and instruments drifting in and out of echo, the mixing desk itself as an instrument.

Digital reggae: faster, more electronic, made for the dance floor, DJs toasting over riddims.

Light percussion and warm melodies turn a party into an easy, rolling groove.

Log-drum bass, jazzy piano and laid-back house groove, a sunset rooftop party in Johannesburg.

House's four-on-the-floor with South African rhythms, melodies and vocals in African languages: dance music with a spiritual feel.