It shouldn’t be a surprise, given South America’s ancient love of rhythm, that dance music would take off south of the Panama Canal. Perhaps the real mystery is how it took so long.

Obviously Brazil has had its link ups with drum & bass with the likes of DJ Marky and Patife, but it feels like something bigger and more eclectic is going on.

Firstly, there’s the plethora of female producers all making unmissable, infectious electo sounds. There’s Marcela Dias Sindaco, whose Cidade Fantasma album was a clear highlight of 2023, with authentic vintage synth work and her own icy but inviting spoken word Portuguese lyrics.

Then there’s Berlin-based Chilean artist Magda Rot, who made her debut a couple of weeks back on Helena Hauff’s Return To Disorder label with the ‘Soft Metallics’ EP, all tight, kinetic rhythms with fierce sound designs and stark futurism. A sound to be treasured for sure.

Argentinean DJ/producer & drummer and resident of the queer collective/label HIEDRAH in Buenos Aires, Manu Calmet, heads for a slightly heavier, more pummelling techno aestehtic, pulling inspiration from Latin rhythms and Argentinian culture. Her four track ‘Pyjama Party’ EP is hard, bulding with attitude, and set to be released on March 1.

Also in Argentina, the Danza Nativa label goes from strength to strength, celebrating its first five years in the business with two great birthday releases already lined up for 2024.

5 Years Of Danza Nativa Pt I

and 5 Years Of Danza Nativa Pt2

They also happen to be the label’s first forays into vinyl – we doubt they’ll be their last.

You can expect to hear more of of Argentinian producer Allpa Puruma this year too, a staple within the Latin American techno scene and one whose ‘Abya Yala’ EP for Fixed Rhythms just before Christmas got many a tongue wagging with its crystal clear production and its hypnotic, heady grooves.

We’ve just touched the tip of the iceberg here, obviously – check the US label Air Texture and their superb series of Place… compilations, with Columbia and Ecuador already featuring and a forthcoming Chile round up also due, if you want to get deeper down this particular rabbithole.