Singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer, Raul Malo has become a venerable force in both Latin and country music. Malo's career first took off while leading Grammy-winning group The Mavericks. Many of the band's country-influenced singles hit the charts, and when the group disbanded in the early 2000s, it had won a Grammy and two Country Music Awards. Malo had been doing some solo work on the side, and since then it has become his primary focus. Over time, his Cuban roots have pushed their way to the surface, making for an interesting mix of country, pop and salsa.
His latest release, Sinners and Saints, was self-produced and features an even broader array of styles. The album is deeply personal for Malo — it addresses his youth in the Cuban neighborhoods of Florida, his time with The Mavericks, and his place in Americana. Of course, there is a deep Latin undercurrent throughout, but there are also hints of Malo's love for country, blues, jazz and rock.
This World Cafe segment originally aired Nov. 26, 2010.
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