Encanto Tropical 40 - Fabulous Solos in Salsa Songs
Episode 40 highlights salsa songs with a great solo section, whether with the piano or other instrument types, such as strings, brass, percussion, and bass.
The replay link is at the bottom of the page (2:05:07, 24 tracks).
The solo is where a salsa song reveals its soul. Arrangements can be tight, rhythms locked, vocals sharp — but when a musician is handed that open space and chooses to fill it their own way, that's when you hear who they really are. It's no coincidence that some of the most celebrated recordings in the genre are remembered precisely for what one player did in those few unscripted bars.
At times, a solo comes across as the work of a genius. This episode of Encanto TropicaI contains 24 such tracks which especially ring true for me -- I emphasize the selection is highly personal in nature and not meant to be authoritative. Surely, there are hundreds of amazing salsa songs with 'fabulous' solos.
While the most common kind of solo in salsa might be with the piano, I also include solos with other instruments, such as the trombone, trumpet, saxophone, congas, bongos, contrabass, violin, cuatro/tres and electric guitar.
Featured artists include Larry Harlow, Mongo Santamaria, Alfredo de la Fe, Israel Lopez 'Cachao' and José Mangual Jr, to name only a few well-known salsa musicians.
There is so much material to work with that I can easily imagine a Part 2 on this theme. Stay tuned. In the meantime, I hope listeners can enjoy these 24 tracks -- some of which are commonly known, but others may not be. Full attribution is provided on the show. Replay below. Pa' gozar!
