International leisure travel became accessible to the American middle class in the 1930's and helped to create a fascination with the cultures of Central and South America and the Caribbean that continued well into the 50's, and influenced travel, fashion, film, and, most especially, music. The vogue for Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms helped to popularize rumba, tango, salsa, and samba in America and abroad; mainstream music adopted the new sounds, and foreign singers and musicians found success in the US music industry.

Collected here is a sampling of these popular tunes from the 40's and 50's, including the likes of Jimmy Dorsey, Desi Arnaz, Ella Fitzgerald, and Carmen Miranda.

21 tracks