There's something so familiar and calming about Allá's debut album Es Tiempo that makes it just the right album for the warm summer nights. Pronounced ay-ya, which translates to "over there", the Chicago-based trio blends electronic and jazz music and infused it with their traditional Mexican music backgrounds. Allá took four years to complete their debut album and wrote all the lyrics in Spanish, telling their experience as Mexican-Americans. The unique blend of genres has created an album that at times remind me to the warmth of Stereolab, the eclectic sound of Mosquitos, and the soothing, simplicity vocal of singer, Lupe Martinez, remind me to that of Miho Hatori (Cibo Matto).

Everything about their music sounds diverse, yet they're able to present it in such a simple, and pleasantly laid back package. Here's the kind of music that puts you at ease, even when trying to parallel park your gas-monger vehicle in a hot summer day, after a long drive in traffic.

Check out:
Sigue tu Corazon.mp3
Tu Vida.mp3
Slow Down in Chicago (Remix).mp3