A musician, poet, filmmaker and activist from New York, Taina Asili has always made art with much substance, and with Resiliencia she takes parts of her punk rock past and meshes it with Afro-latin ideas as well as cumbia, ska and reggae nods while tackling plenty of political and social issues.

“Resiliencia” starts the eclectic listen with rich, expressive vocals before loud guitars and bright horns are brought in, and “Decir Que No” follows with plenty of rhythm on a salsa fusion interpretation of a poem. Elsewhere, hazy ska is present on the cultured “Even if”, while “Gave It All My Love” gets soulful, sensual and extremely graceful.

Asili brings on some guests here, as DJ Johnny Juice (Public Enemy) lends his scratching talents to the spirited “La Alegria”, which could soundtrack a street festival, and later on Veena Chandra offers her inimitable sitar playing on the sophisticated and melodic “Beyond The Stars”. Other late disc highlights include the anthemic “Who I Am”, and the feminist approach of the insightful and inspiring “Beauty Manifested”.

Though Asili was born in America, her family is originally from Puerto Rico, and her work is very much influenced by that heritage. That, combined with her strong convictions and involvement in the ‘90s punk scene make Resiliencia an album that is globally embraceable and full of textured beauty and raw power.