Italian salsa was the topic for Episode 42. Featured are several great salsa songs by Italian (or Italy-based) artists and DJs, and joining me for an interview was DJ Francisco Rojos of the Latin web magazine www.salsa.it. Replay below (2:10:09, 23 tracks).
This show ended up being among my most highly anticipated, as it took several weeks to prepare and, in fact, the idea for doing this show germinated over a year ago. This is because it had dawned on me that the musical output in Italy, compared with other countries with a niche salsa scene, seemed to be extraordinary. There was so much action --and talent -- among the high number of Italian musicians and DJs who were making music. Read the pre-show blog post for more background information on this brief introduction to Italian salsa music.
In my research to discover these music makers, I showed a list of names I had compiled to Fabrizio Zoro, the Milan-based DJ, songwriter, music producer, and director of La Maxima 79. He approved the list but also named another half-dozen people I had never heard of! Later, he introduced me to DJ Francisco Rojos, saying that if I was going to do a show on Italian salsa, he was the man to talk to.
As one of the pioneering DJs of the Italian salsa scene, Francisco Rojos has also composed more than 70 songs. Chatting with him and learning about his salsa career then inspired me to go to the next level and invite him as a guest to interview and share his reflections with listeners.
The pre-recorded interview was great fun but entirely in Spanish because like most Italians switching to Spanish is easier than to English. Divided into four sections, the interview is preceded by a 35-minute introductory mix of some of my favourite recently-released salsa tunes from Italy. Then Francisco Rojos shares his thoughts on a few points:
a brief background of music production in the Italian salsa scene
an example of four salsa songs which originated in popular Italian music
an overview of his career
three songs he recommends as exemplary of Italian salsa
The show flashed by because it was so informative and fun with Francisco Rojos although it is somewhat long at 2 hours and 10 minutes. There was great insight from my guest on a range of topics, and there were many interesting songs I was happy to share. I am amazed at the large pool of Italian salsa songs I had to choose from and, in fact, it is unfortunate that several artists/bands could not be included due to the time constraint; however, this means that perhaps a Part 2 is doable. I hope so - there is so much great Italian salsa!
IMPORTANT NOTE
I wish to underline that I do not claim to be an expert on Italian salsa. I am just trying to learn more and share my musical discoveries based on the hunch as an experienced DJ (in Japan) that Italian salsa is unique. Furthermore, my focus has been on music production, not on the dancing scene. However, I am open to feedback regarding any omissions, errors, or suggestions, so please contact me; I would love more material for a Part 2.
For Italian visitors, I hope this post rendered correctly in translation and this brief introduction and overview are satisfactory.
Here is a list of artists for the 23 songs played on the Episode 42.
Alexio DJ, Marco Puma, Felix
Croma Latina
DJ Fabrizio & Francisco Rojos
DJ Isaia “El Profeta”
DJ Lindo feat Valerio El Director
DJ Maurizio Doná
Don Ruiz Orquesta
El Timba
Fabio Gianni & Donny Reyes
Fabio Gianni & LunaMea Quartet
Francisco Rojos & Latin Soul Orchestra
Ivan Venot & DJ pepe El Rumbero
Ivan Venot & DJ Pippo Il Maltese
La Canchanchara
La Maxima 79 & DJ Fabrizio Zoro [x 2]
Latin Sound Machine
Mario Crespo Martinez
Massimo Scalici Poderosa Orquesta & Francisco Rojos
Nino Segarra [versión de una canción italiana]
Pietro Mingarelli y Su Generation 73
Urbana 22 feat Tony Velardi
Valter Paiola Orchestra
Full attribution is provided on the show. Note that unlike most of my episodes, commentary was entirely in Spanish -- my apologies for English listeners, but if there are any questions about the song selection or content, please contact me.
Replay below. Enjoy! Ciao!
REPLAY EPISODE 42
Next Episode
43
The Roots of Salsa
October 10, 2024
5am PT / 8am ET / 1pm UK / 14:00 CET / 21:00 Japan
Encanto Tropical
is a part of
with DJ Angel Figueroa
Broadcasting from Chiba, Japan
2nd & 4th Thursdays
Subscribe for email updates
about Encanto Tropical
Visit World Salsa Radio for more programs
Comments