Fish Taco in Paradise

TravelTracks just got back from a camping trip to the Florida Keys!  The weather was warm and the water was clear and blue.  And what comes out of clear, blue water?  Fish!  Really good fish!  Fish was on the menu everyday, only interspersed with ice cream   The best fish we encountered?  Lunch at Latitudes, located on Sunset Key, just off of Key West and part of the Westin Key West resort.  We dined on fish tacos stuffed with perfectly fried grouper, shredded cabbage, fresh tomato salsa, cilantro, and topped with a chipotle aioli.  Heaven in a heavenly place.

Other treats from the Keys coming soon:  Naked Karate Girls!

Classic R&B is back and Putumayo is bringing a world perspective. Funk up your life a little with this eclectic and foot-tapping Rhythm and Blues collection. 

Three hot highlights:

James Hunter, ” ‘Til Your Fool Comes Home”

This Brit performs his original but classic-sounding material with gusto, both singing and playing guitar. A staple of the London club scene, Hunter has recorded with Van Morrison and Allen Toussaint.

The Quantic Soul Orchestra, “Who Knows”

This bluesy shuffle incorporates elements of Latin jazz and reggae, a hallmark of group founder Will Holland’s open approach to music. The CD features Panamanian vocalist Kabir, but click here for an equally entertaining version featuring Noelle Scaggs.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, “100 Days, 100 Nights”

Amy Winehouse fans will jump right on board with Ms. Jones’ bold vocals. This track is the CD’s best, and The Dap Kings are outstanding support for the gutsy frontwoman. Old school feel and old school look with a bit of new school twist. Check out the slick video here.

Talk about multi-talented. Not many leaders of the world of business and finance can also claim to be Grammy-nominated singers. Chandrika Tandon can.

Born in India, Tandon was trained in classical Indian vocalization as a girl, influenced by her talented mother. Instead of the arts, however, Tandon pursued business, spending years as a partner with McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, and then founding Tandon Capital Associates, Inc. in New York City.

Tandon’s musical gift kept calling to her, however, and Soul Call, her second album, is the remarkable result. The mellow album arranges traditional Sanskrit chants, and Tandon’s clear voice deserves every bit of the praise it’s been receiving.