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AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Episode 46 looked back at the year 2000 for some of the best salsa songs released as the 20th century came to a close. The replay is available at the bottom. (26 tracks, 2:03:42). The show, titled "Then the Millennium", was inspired by memories of all the concern caused by the Y2K bug exactly 25 years ago this month. Read more in the pre-show post . Artists The 26 songs in the playlist are by the artists below. Listen to the show for full attribution. Africando All Stars Alfredo de la Fé Bobby Valentin Celia Cruz Conjunto Azabache ¡Cubanismo! Don Adolfo and his Orquesta Organizacion Estrellas Caiman José Mangual Jr Mamborama Maraca Orquesta La Palabra Orquesta Tabaco y Ron Puentes Brothers Puerto Rican Power Quinto Mayor Ray Santiago And His Orquesta Rey Ruiz Ricardo Lemvo & La Makina Loca Saxomania Son Boricua Sonora Carruseles Tito Nieves Tito Puento & Eddie Palmieri Tony Vega Wayne Gorbea's Salsa Picante CHOICES The song selection is certainly more of a 'personal favourites'-list rather than an authoritative "best salsa" list. These are mostly songs I found myself playing on repeat as a budding salsa DJ -- most of them are danceable and have not aged. It was a fun, nostalgic trip digging through my old CDs to gather material for this project. Theme-BaseD Encanto Tropical shows are usually based on a given theme rather than a random set of songs pulled together. Making theme-based shows such as Episode 46 fosters my growth as a salsa DJ with a deeper appreciation of the music. I hope listeners can find meaning in this approach as well. Check the Archives for all Encanto Tropical theme-based episodes (with the hashtag "theme-based show"). OTHER YEARS Check out other "Best Salsa" lists by Encanto Tropical: Best Salsa of 2024 Best Salsa of 2023 Best Salsa of 2022 REPLAY Encanto Tropical 46 - Best Salsa Songs from the Year 2000 (Click on the above link if the embedded SoundCloud player does not display) < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST The "2024 Songlist" features 25 tracks (2:00:24). Replay at the bottom of this page. It was great fun compiling and programming the songs for this last episode of 2024, where I looked back on the year to select my favourite twenty-five songs of the year. It was not an easy task trimming my initial shortlist to just 25 items, however. There were several outtakes that I would love to share as well. All 25 songs are pooled from a Spotify playlist co-curated with DJ Rem of France, and most were included in the monthly top-10 charts of the year. The list, Contemporary Salsa (2024 Releases) , contains more than 650 songs. ARTISTS The following artists were featured, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of them for their amazing songs. If you are not familiar with them, do check them out. Boyacá Calle Vapor Carlos Pérez y Su Orquesta DJ Isaia "El Profeta" DJ Mirco, Merlino DJ & DJ Pepe El Rumbero EL Equipo Del Norte El Santos El Vikingo de la Salsa Felipe Debrand Ivan Venot feat. DJ Pepe El Rumbero Johnny Ray Salsa Con Clase La Maxima 79 & DJ Fabrizio Zoro Lios Choko Luis Blasini Y Iroko La Banda Manny Martinez Papo Medina Radio Bembe Orquesta Robertito Hernandez feat. Maximo Rivera Son Con Ron Son Horizonte Spanish Harlem Orchestra Take Two Bros (El Timba y Roberto Sabroso) Willie Panamá Yemaya La Banda The 25 songs are played in a random order on the show to best suit the programming of tracks. I was not interested in ranking them. Full attribution of artist and track is provided on the show and below. Featured on Encanto Tropical 47 Best SALSA Songs of 2024 (The Encanto Tropical Songlist) Below are the songs featured on the show -- my so-called best salsa songs of 2024! See the important note about choices further down. The songs are listed in alphabetical order. CHOICES Let's be clear, the song selection is certainly more of a 'personal favourites'-list rather than an authoritative "best salsa" list. These songs are basically what I found myself playing on repeat either while deejaying or while commuting to work! See the pre-show post for details about criteria. CHARTS To see the monthly salsa charts (commencing from January 2023) see the Charts  page. Click on image to see the 2023-24 Charts OTHER YEARS Check out other "Best Salsa" lists by Encanto Tropical: Best Salsa of 2000 Best Salsa of 2022 Best Salsa of 2023 FINAL NOTES 2024 has been a wild year, with lots of distressing news, and as the new year approaches, there is a some trepidation for how certain events may unfold. Well, at least we have music -- and salsa is where it's at... It was a good year for salsa. REPLAY EPISODE 47 Encanto Tropical 47 - Best Salsa Songs of 2024 (Click on the above link if the embedded SoundCloud player does not display) < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST This salsa session comprises 30 tracks (1:57:41). Replay near the bottom of this page. Long on my to-do list has been a show entirely dedicated to salsa from the 1970s outside of the Fania Records catalog and generally unknown (or at least considered rare) among salsa dancers and listeners: so-called "underground salsa". Certain DJs and collectors really excel in this category of salsa. I am not an expert, and I am limited in resources for collecting much rare material since by default it is a rather expensive pursuit. Context For more discussion on the term "underground salsa" as well as my plans for this episode, please see the pre-show post . Why the theme 'underground salsa'? The development of my branding over many years as a salsa DJ suggests a rather wide scope of salsa material, I think (and hope). My repertoire is not limited to a particular style, with an extensive collection in both vintage and contemporary salsa, whether salsa brava or romantica. It includes music of several origins, whether Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Europe, the USA, and elsewhere. There is also Cuban music, whether of the golden age, contemporary (songo and timba) and traditional (son cubano, etc). I thrive in this diversity, despite the obvious disadvantage of not having an established niche nor being known as an expert in any one style although some dancers have labeled me as a DJ catering to on2 dancers. This is fine; however I am interested in the wide spectrum which makes up salsa, finding both fulfillment and rewarding challenges in switching among the various defining traits that constitute the differing modes of the salsa musical style. Inevitably, my approach -- whether at the club or on the radio -- usually results in a mingling of different material in my DJ sets, for better or for worse. So-called "underground salsa" usually gets some play but it has never served as the common denominator in a set. This got me thinking about dedicating an entire show to it. Episode 48 is the result. Objectives Important to point out is that this project is not an attempt to provide an authoritative selection (or definition) of underground salsa. Rather, I just wanted to explore and provide some simple examples while ideally promoting some discussion with like-minded readers and listeners. Without a doubt, I could learn from DJs who excel in the underground variety! So I advise everyone to take my underground session with a pinch of salt - qnd see my invitation below for feedback and comments. Some albums on Encanto Tropical 48 DJ Nik Worth noting is one particular DJ who has been exemplary and amazingly resourceful, consistent, and talented with great taste in salsa of the underground variety. I am referring to DJ Nik of San Francisco ( Instagram | Facebook ). Be sure to check out any of his fantastic sessions on Facebook, some of which are provided below as personal favourites of mine. (Clicking on an image will open the video on Facebook). I also acknowledge DJ Nik's editing suggestions when he reviewed a draft of my pre-show post. DJ Nik was a guest on Encanto Tropical 10 . Check it out for an interesting interview. An important Note It might go without saying, but to make something clear, deejaying salsa is not an easy-to-define pursuit. Certainly reading the crowd is important and so is playing what dancers of a certain style expect or are familiar with. Then there is the famous adage of playing what dancers didn't know they wanted to hear! Balancing a unique impression of one's DJ style with a practical appeal for the dance floor is the ultimate aim although all people cannot be pleased all of the time. As for rare and vintage salsa, especially the kind unrecognizable by apps such as Shazam, it appears to be an effective tool for providing "uniqueness" to one's DJ image. The merit of playing such songs one after another is up to debate, however. Instead, using it wisely and sparingly is what I imagine the most successful DJs do. Then of course there are the different personas that DJs may have. DJ Nik for example, excels in underground salsa in his online sets; however, as a dancer's DJ, he has been very clear to play other styles in his personal repertoire. He mixes it up, so to speak. This is an important point. In the same vein, the radio format can allow me to focus on underground salsa as a theme*. Therefore, this episode is not meant to imply that underground salsa is my focus as an event DJ. *Note: A thematic show  is the general template for Encanto Tropical -- as opposed to a session of random songs. Feedback Readers' comments are always welcome on this topic -- from whichever perspective, whether a casual or serious listener, dancer, or DJ. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below! Artists Featured in Episode 48 are the following artists/groups, listed in alphabetical order. Full attribution is provided on the show but, to my regret, I failed to point out much information about the artists. Sorry about that. Alfredo Vargas y Su Orquesta La Liberación Carlos Barberia y Su Orquesta Kubavana Cesar Nicolas y Su Orquesta Combo Fascinación Cuadra Latina El Clan Antillano Eugenio Barada Grupo Yakambu Hermanos Lano Jorge Brown y Su Orquesta Creacion La Banda y Su Tremenda Salsa La Banda de los Felinos La Nueva Combinacion Los Demonios del Salado Los Hermanos Armas Los Pankis Los Perfectos Los Watusi Orquesta Expose 1 Orquesta Internacional Orquesta La Ampliacion Orquesta Riverside Panchito Nalmy Ray Pérez y El Grupo Casabe Roberto y Su Nuevo Montuno Rodrifo Mendoza Roy Herrera y orquesta La Monumental The Golden Brass Victot Irizarri y Su Orquesta Win & Macai Prudencia & Su Salsa Antiyana REPLAY EPISODE 48 Encanto Tropical 48 - Underground Salsa Session (Click on the link above if the embedded SoundCloud player does not display) Interested in reading more? Check out the Blog Index  to see all posts. Scan the highlights of other episodes of Encanto Tropical on the Archives  page. Browse a list of selected, in-depth writings on the Featured Posts  page. Follow the Encanto Tropical Facebook Page . Subscribe  to receive the email newsletter (see a sample ). < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

This episode contains 30 tracks (2:04:41). Replay near the bottom of this page . Love them or hate them, salsa songs without a vocal segment have become increasingly popular. This might be partly due to the relative ease of production compared with decades before. Technology nowadays allows a sole producer equipped with a computer and specialized software to make a song with a batch of prerecorded musical sounds. Individually-recorded music from instruments can also be added for a more unique touch. This technology is more accessible than ever, and its growing influence appears across most music genres. Within the salsa world, three talented composers and producers come to mind: Jan Reijnders, DJ Henrix, and DJ Ricky Campanelli. All three have a widely appreciated song repertoire, with the latter well-known for his collaboration with musicians (among them, vocalists). There are other DJs who are also busy making material without vocals, with a significant number in Italy alone -- including Francisco Rojos, Fabrizio Zoro, and Alexio Papo Grossi, to name a few. I imagine such composers and producers find it much easier to forego vocals when producing a song because of the enormous effort required just to add lyrics and a singer. Hence the rise in recent years of this kind of salsa song which has made a huge impact in some dance scenes. Songs lacking vocals were certainly around before the advent of powerful computers and software, but it seems clear that since singers have the primary --if not the most important-- role in delivering the appeal of a given song, any piece of music that relied solely on instrumentation was rather unique. Some exceptions are obvious, such as Afro-Cuban Jazz. DEfinition & Context An "instrumental" is thus defined here as a song that excludes any vocals and where lead instruments assume primary roles in both melody and rhythm. Narrowing down to the Latin music sphere for an example, a descarga , or jam session, typically lacks vocals. This fosters opportunity for each or most of the individual instruments to shine in a solo. Key traits of a descarga are its spontaneity (or lack of much advance planning) and improvisation, adding to the vocalist's irrelevance although it is also true that the best singers, or soneros , could in theory chime in and participate on the spot. Salsa DJs and instrumental songs For salsa DJs, an instrumental song can be a difficult beast. Firstly, salsa is very much about the lyrics. Whether they are deep or superficial in meaning, their sound are core elements of a song. Secondly, dancers thus expect to hear vocals, and when a DJ plays an instrumental song, it can dramatically change the atmosphere of the dance floor. Thirdly, it is for this reason that some dancers (and DJs) are not very fond of instrumental songs. Finally, because of these factors, instrumentals are best played sparingly, and it seems a general rule that they should not be played back to back. I have a certain interest in instrumental songs. As a salsa DJ, I regard them as a way to add flavour within a given set; however, I strive to play them selectively, certainly not one after another. However, at recent gig in Tokyo, I accidentally played two in a row, a mistake that resulted from cueing up a song that I did not intend to and bothering not to pre-listen to it. I cringed when, after pressed the play button, I realized that not only had I selected the wrong song, but it was an instrumental, and the song prior had been an instrumental, too. I had just broken a cardinal rule. Why the theme? Embarrassed by my mistake, I also got to thinking about this concept of rules. Rule-breaking can be fun, no? And how about the adage along the lines that true artistry comes from breaking rules? This is how the thematic show* of Episode 49 came to me: to focus on only instrumental salsa tracks. Risky? Yes! But surely, there was potential? *NOTE: A thematic show  is the template for Encanto Tropical, i.e., where all songs share a common motif. This is in deliberate contrast to a session of just randomly chosen songs. The result is a 2-hour selection of 30 salsa instrumentals -- some familiar and some not well-known -- with a bit of Afro-Cuban Jazz. The episode broadcast on March 13, 2025 via World Salsa Radio . In sum, Episode 49 is an experiment of sorts, and the question posed is whether two hours of salsa that lacks any vocals is remotely bearable. It is a deep dive, but I am satisfied and keen to make a Part 2. Listeners are invited to judge for for themselves. CAUTION I hope it goes without saying that the medium of radio allows for some freedom to explore such a theme as this. Do not -- I repeat, do not -- attempt this as a DJ at a salsa event. Feedback Comments are always welcome -- from whichever perspective, whether a casual or serious listener, dancer, or DJ. Please let me know your thoughts by contacting me . Some albums on Encanto Tropical 49 Artists Featured in Episode 49 are the following artists/groups, listed in alphabetical order. Full attribution is provided on the show. Berna Jam Bobby Matos, John Santos Cafe Mambo, Alexio DJ & DJ OJ Copa Salvo Cuba Quartet DJ Fabrizio, El Vikingo De La Salsa DJ Good Sho DJ Henrix DJ Patrick El Clasico & DJ Luca P Edwin Rivera Facundo Rivero German Nogueira's Cuban Stars Giro Mendez Havana Caliente Jan Reijnders Los Kintos La Cali Salsa Big Band & José Aguirre La Candela La Maxima 79 & DJ Fabrizio Zoro La Plata Sextette Los Barbarians Mambo Instrumental Mark Towns Massimo Salici & La Poderosa Maurice El Médioni Miguel Yamba Real Charanga Tito Puente REPLAY EPISODE 49 Encanto Tropical 49 - Instrumental Salsa Songs (Click on the link above if the embedded SoundCloud player does not display) Interested in reading more? Check out the Blog Index  to see all posts. Scan the highlights of other episodes of Encanto Tropical on the Archives  page. Browse a list of selected, in-depth writings on the Featured Posts  page. Follow the Encanto Tropical Facebook Page . 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This episode contains 29 tracks (2:01:23). Replay it near the bottom of this page . Every song has a background story. Sometimes it may not to be extraordinary; however, sometimes it can offer great insight about the song’s origin, historical link, socio-cultural relevance, or other meaning.    More SALSA Song Context in a Salsa Vinyl session To mark the milestone of 50 episodes, I wanted to do something unique, but while I decided on a salsa vinyl session, I also wanted to add more song context than I usually do. About Episode 50 'Meditations - Salsa Vinyl Session' comprises several carefully selected songs from my record collection, which I admit is not a particularly special one as it pales in comparison to other collectors -- although numbering about 1,000 items, there are few rare items. Nonetheless, there was enough material to provide great fun while researching for Episode 50. As usual, the process of song selection was a learning experience — this alone makes programing any episode worth the effort. And it is certainly evident that the more I learn, the less I know. The salsa universe is vast. More questions come to mind than I can answer. This propels me to research more and foster a growing fascination with "salsa in context", the theme of my debut presentation related to salsa music at the Taiwan Salsa Carnival in November 2024 . Barcelona! The next presentation is in September at the CoBeatParty Salsa Rave event in Barcelona. I need to be fully prepared; there is a growing pile of books to read, numerous journal articles to go over, and many salsa songs to analyze in the next few months. "Salsa in Context" - Workshop/Presentation by DJ Angel Figueroa CoBeatParty Salsa Rave | Sept 11-14, 2025 Barcelona, España Event Information | Tickets SALSA IN CONTEXT As for episode 50 of Encanto Tropical, I provided some introductory context for some songs. Here are examples: Don Lengua - Louie Colon y Su Tripulacion (1971) This song was written by the great Cuban composer and bandleader Ignacio Piñeiro, who recorded it in Havana the late 1950s. Many versions have been made since and I especially like this one by Louie Colon. > Label: UA Latino (Original US pressing) | Album: El Almirante La Toalla - Junior Gonzalez (1983) A great standard meaning “The Towel” in Spanish, it is used in reference to the expression “throw in the towel” or to quit, because the lyrics state "I can’t take it anymore". The song’s popularity comes from Tito Rodriguez, with his timeless classic from 1965 but was re-explored in this great version by Junior Gonzalez.  > Label: 7th Galaxy Recordings (Original US pressing) | Album: Gracias Trumpeta en Montuno - Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros (1976) The master Cuban trumpet player Chocolate moved to New York after the Cuban revolution and often played the key trumpet role in many recordings during the salsa boom (listen for a lead singer’s cry "Sopla Chocolate!" before his solo). This particular song was released on his first solo album and is a demonstration of his musical sense and skill. I had the pleasure of meeting Chocolate himself in New York in 2002 when he shared some stories with me over rum. > Label: Salsoul (Original US Pressing) | Album: Chocolate... En El Rincon Sancocho Caliente - Federico y Su Combo Latino (1966) The band director and salsa pioneer Federico Betancourt is highly regarded in any study of the history of salsa, especially in his native Venezuela. This song is remarkable because it appeared on his debut album titled Llegó la Salsa , at a time well before the term ‘salsa' was popularized in New York referring to a certain musical style. It is among the very few instances, in fact, where an album title includes the term, although it cannot claim to be the first one. Also, the song does not strike me as entirely original; rather it is a cover, or a modified copy as some might suggest, of an Eddie Palmieri hit from 1964, called Ajiaco Caliente. I look forward to investigating this in more detail in a recently acquired book about Federico Betancourt. > Label: Palacio (Original Venezuelan Pressing) | Album: Llegó la Salsa Other examples of context are on the Episode 50 replay (link at the bottom of this page ). ARTISTS Here is the full list of artists and bands appearing in Episode 50, in alphabetical order. Full attribution is given on the show. Al Ramos y su Orquesta Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros Alvaro del Castillo y Su Orquesta La Calentura Angel Canales Carlos Muñoz y Su Orquesta Chu Linares y Su Orquesta El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico El Combo de Siempre Federico y Su Combo Latino Franco et l'orchestre O.K. Jazz ‎ Frankie Morales y Su Banda Gilberto Sextet Guarare Hector Rivera Junior Gonzalez La Super Banda de Don Filemon Los Kenya Louie Colon Louie Ramírez & Ray de La Paz Mario Ortiz & His All Stars Orchestra Harlow Orquesta del Sol Pabonny y Su Grupo Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno Raul Marrero The Latin Brothers Tito Chicoma y Su Orquesta Tromboranga Willie Rosario Acknowledgements In a way, reaching the 50-episode milestone is no big deal. However, it's also no joke —  it certainly seems now like it was a huge effort over the past few years for me. A lot of time went into producing each and every show up to and including Episode 50.  It has been a good experience, so I am grateful for the opportunity to explore this and other topics on my own radio show, with support from the World Salsa Radio CEO, Felipe Martinez and co-founder Orlando Felix; by extension, my full respect and thanks to the other DJs on the WSR team, each with a unique show ( check the WSR schedule for details). And warm thanks to all listeners, especially a few dedicated ones — you know who you are!  But special gratitude goes to my wife who put up with a lot of distraction on my part as I prepared shows! This episode is timely, in fact, as it coincides with our wedding anniversary and included in the show is a song dedicated to her. Estamos en salsa. All the best! REPLAY EPISODE 50 Encanto Tropical 50 - 'Meditations' Salsa Vinyl Session with Context (Click on the link above if the embedded SoundCloud player does not display) < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST Encanto Tropical Episode 46 features salsa songs only from the year 2000.       Remember the Y2K bug? It was supposedly a computer coding flaw which would cause worldwide problems with networking systems using files dated after 1999. As the end of the century approached, there was palpable concern that at the stroke of midnight heading into 2000 this bug would start wreaking havoc. However, nothing of the sort happened.  The Y2K scare seems rather quaint upon reflection. Fast forward 25 years and as another new year approaches, there are far more serious concerns in mind. Several issues foretell a dire year ahead. Whether it’s the climate crisis, disintegrating societies, political landscapes in turmoil, debilitating repercussions of advanced capitalism, regional and proxy wars which risk nuclear escalation, or the scary consequences of rapidly expanding artificial intelligence, civilization as we know it seems on the verge of going south one way or another. How will everything work out? I don’t know, but at the risk of playing the proverbial fiddle while Rome burns, there is refuge in music. Anything similar to a post-Y2K collective sigh of relief seems improbable, but let's stay tuned for tidbits of optimism like the recent news of a breakthrough in desalination technology that could benefit billions of people . For now, we carry on with Y2K as a theme. Playing salsa songs that were fresh at the beginning of the century -- shortly after I started deejaying -- will be a nostalgic trip. < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

This episode contains 28 tracks (2:00:22). Replay it near the bottom of this page . If you browse through DJ mixes online labeled "salsa brava," you might wonder what exactly makes them "brava." As someone who's been spinning salsa music for over two decades, I've noticed this term gets used quite liberally, sometimes without a clear understanding of its origins or meaning. What is Salsa Brava? Salsa brava  literally means "brave" or "rough" salsa and can be aligned with the music of the so-called salsa scene from the late 1960s through the late-1970s as a harder-edged, more aggressive variety when compared with other styles in what now constitutes the salsa universe after several decades of evolution. Distinguished by its faster tempos, powerful brass sections, and often socially conscious lyrics, salsa brava  represented the raw energy of barrio life and the struggles in Latino communities. About Episode 51: Salsa brava from my perspective as a DJ This episode of Encanto Tropical is the result of a rabbit hole I dove into while attempting to solidify my understanding of salsa brava , with a session comprising 28 songs of this musical style. A musical assertion of Latino identity and resistance. According to musicologist César Miguel Rondón (University of North Carolina Press, 2008), salsa   in its prime   was characterized by "a powerful and aggressive sound with prominent brass sections and percussion, and lyrics that often reflected the harsh realities of urban life." This style contrasted with the more romantic and softer salsa that would emerge later in the 1980s. When considering the origin or relevance of the term salsa brava , the Oxford Spanish Dictionary defines  brava  as "fierce" or "rough" (Oxford University Press, 2013). This perfectly captures the bold, uncompromising nature of this musical expression . As ethnomusicologist Frances R. Aparicio (Wesleyan University Press, 1998) notes, salsa brava  represented "a musical assertion of Latino identity and resistance." Manny Orquendo Y Libre: a pivotal group with a repertoire of more than 30 years of exemplary salsa brava.  The Golden Age of salsa brava Salsa brava  flourished primarily in the early to late 1970s, a period often referred to as salsa's "golden age." New York-based musicians channeled the spirit of Spanish Harlem and the South Bronx during a time of social upheaval and cultural awakening. This is not to say that the salsa brava  expression did not include musical activity elsewhere. What salsa brava  is not is the sweet-sounding  salsa romántica that dominated the 1980s with its softer arrangements and love-focused lyrics. It is also distinct from the more polished commercial salsa of later decades or the fusion styles that exploited elements of pop and other genres. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 51 - "Salsa Brava" EXAMPLES OF Salsa Brava Below are six tracks included in the playlist of Episode 51, each with explanatory notes. I believe they exemplify rather well the power and essence of salsa brava . 1. "Aquellos Rumberos" - Orchestra Dicupé This nostalgic tribute to the old-school rumberos (rumba dancers/musicians) connects salsa to its Afro-Cuban roots. Orchestra Dicupé creates a powerful brass arrangement that punctuates the percussion-heavy track. The lyrics pay homage to the street-corner musicians whose innovations formed the backbone of what would become salsa music. The song references specific neighborhoods in Havana where these traditions flourished (Moore, 2010, p. 89). 2. "El Rey de la Conga" - Joe Madrid   Joe Madrid's commanding tribute to the conga drum exemplifies salsa brava's percussive core. The lyrics declare, "Soy el rey de la conga" ("I am the king of the conga"), celebrating Afro-Caribbean identity through its most iconic instrument. Madrid's lesser-known status among mainstream salsa fans makes this track a perfect DJ gem – recognizable enough to dance to but fresh enough to surprise the crowd (Morales, 2003, p. 187). 3. "Tremenda Bronca" - Danny Gonzalez Y Su Orquesta Sensacional "Tremenda Bronca" (roughly "Huge Fight" or "Big Trouble") captures the social tension present in much of salsa brava . The lyrics describe neighbourhood conflicts and hardships, reflecting the challenging urban realities faced by Latino communities in the 1970s. The arrangement includes call-and-response vocals ( soneos ) that build intensity throughout the track (Glasser, 1995, p. 206). 4. "La Cazuela" - Kako   Kako's masterpiece demonstrates the intricate percussion arrangements that define salsa brava . "La Cazuela" (The Cooking Pot) uses cooking as a metaphor for creating the perfect musical "sabor." The complex rhythmic patterns showcase Kako's innovative approach to percussion, featuring impressive timbale solos. The song shifts through multiple dynamic changes while maintaining its fierce energy (Washburne, 2008, p. 72). 5. "Mi Ritmo Está Bueno" - Javier Vazquez Y Su Salsa This self-referential celebration of salsa's power translates to "My Rhythm Is Good," and its confident brass section proves the point. Pianist Vazquez, who worked with several Fania artists, creates a powerful arrangement that exemplifies the big-band salsa sound. The song features particularly impressive montuno  sections where the piano, bass, and percussion lock into hypnotic patterns (Berríos-Miranda & Dudley, 2008, p. 121-143). 6. "Ha Llegado El Momento" - Brooklyn Sounds Brooklyn Sounds captures the New York diaspora experience in this track announcing that "The moment has arrived." The lyrics speak to awakening consciousness and cultural pride, themes central to salsa brava 's social commentary. The group represented the grassroots neighborhood orchestras that kept salsa authentic during its commercial expansion (Quintero Rivera, 2009, p. 167). These are just six examples of salsa brava in context. Check out Episode 51 in its entirety through the replay link at the bottom of this page . FEATURED Artists Listed below are the artists and bands selected for Episode 51. Full attribution is provided on the show. Babo Jimenez Y Su Banda Brooklyn Sounds Cesar Nicolas Y Su Orquesta Chaparro Y Orquesta (x2) Chino Rodriguez Y La Consegración Conjunto Candela Danny Gonzalez Y Su Orquesta Sensacional El Negrito Truman Gilberto Cruz Ismael Miranda Y Su Orquesta Revelación Javier Vazquez Y Su Salsa Jimmy Urbina Y Su Orquesta Revolucion 70 Joe Acosta Orquesta Joe Madrid Johnny Ventura Y Su Combo Kako Kiki Rosa & Orquesta La Renovación Los Megatones de Lucho Luis Santi Monguito Santamaria Orchestra Dicupé Orchestra Harlow Primitivo Santos Y Su Orquesta Ralphy Santi Sexteto Juventud The Tony Rojas Ochestra N.B.: Missing from the list is Manny Oquendo Y Libre, a stalwart example of the salsa brava style. I originally passed them over due to their songs being too long; however; if I could redo the show, I would definitely consider a good example in spite of song length. Conclusion This theme-based episode of Encanto Tropical focuses on salsa brava in a continuous two-hour set. While the radio format can allow for this sort of structure, when I am spinning salsa at an event, I prefer to mix salsa brava  with other styles rather than playing a purist set. My reason is because the raw energy of these tracks can be too much or even lost if not tempered by contrasting styles. In fact, salsa brava  serves as great juxtaposition to smoother styles, creating dynamic tension on the dance floor, which can emphasize different styles and veer away from monotony. This can be very important for a successful salsa set (assuming that one's tastes line up somewhat with the dancers). It is this dynamic of contrast and juxtaposition which fittingly suggests how salsa music thrives on evolution and dialogue among its different styles.   Thank you for supporting Encanto Tropical through World Salsa Radio . References Aparicio, F. R. (1998). Listening to Salsa: Gender, Latin Popular Music, and Puerto Rican Cultures.  Wesleyan University Press. Berríos-Miranda, M., & Dudley, S. (2008). El Gran Combo, Cortijo, and the Musical Geography of Cangrejos/Santurce, Puerto Rico. Caribbean Studies, 36(2), 121-143. Glasser, R. (1995). My Music Is My Flag: Puerto Rican Musicians and Their New York Communities, 1917-1940 . University of California Press. Hagedorn, K. J. (2001). Divine Utterances: The Performance of Afro-Cuban Santería . Smithsonian Institution Press. Moore, R. (2010). Music in the Hispanic Caribbean.  Oxford University Press. Morales, E. (2003). The Latin Beat: The Rhythms and Roots of Latin Music from Bossa Nova to Salsa and Beyond.  Da Capo Press. Oxford University Press (2013). Brava . In  Compact   Oxford Spanish-English dictionary . (1st Edition). Pacini Hernandez, D. (2010). Oye Como Va!: Hybridity and Identity in Latino Popular Music . Temple University Press. Quintero Rivera, A. G. (2009). Cuerpo y cultura: las músicas 'mulatas' y la subversión del baile. Editorial Iberoamericana. Rondón, C. M. (2008). The Book of Salsa: A Chronicle of Urban Music from the Caribbean to New York City.  University of North Carolina Press. Washburne, C. (2008). Sounding Salsa: Performing Latin Music in New York City. Temple University Press. Disclosure Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process. During the preparation of this work the author used Claude Sonet 3.7 in order to search for academic references to several songs included in the session playlist. After using this tool, the author reviewed and edited the content as needed and takes full responsibility for the content of the published article. REPLAY EPISODE 51 Encanto Tropical 51 - Salsa Brava from a DJ's Perspective (Click on the link above if the embedded player does not display) PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Replay Encanto Tropical 33 using the link at the bottom of this page: 24 songs ( 2:06:11 ). Next week on Monday February 12th I have the pleasure being the supporting DJ at the album-release concert and 10th anniversary of the Japanese salsa band Son D' K.Libre. They are based in Osaka, where I was living when they formed ten years ago. The director is the multi-talented guitarist, composer, and singer Yacel Sagarra. In a previous post, I included details of the Son D' K.Libre 2024 Tour . ​ Episode 33 of Encanto Tropical is a Cuban music session featuring songs from both Son D' K.Libre and the duo of Yacel and his partner -- together they perform independently as Yacel and Aya . Some of the artists included in Episode 33 ARTISTS Full attribution is given on the show. Featured artists are listed below. Bamboleo  Berna Jam Charangon Del Norte, Wilver Pedrozo Cubanicho Cuban`S TRes Los Djs Timberos & Los Pollos Timberos & Leidy Garcia Gonzalez El Equipo Del Norte El Rubio Loco & Dj Fabrizio Zoro Fabio Gianni & Ivan Venot Formell y Los Van Van El Hijo de Teresa y la Llegada Leo Wilber (feat. DJ Andrea Tresdò) Mixael Cabrera Mercadonegro Orishas Passion Timba Renesito Avich  Son D' K.Libre Yacel and Aya Yacel Sagarra Yasser Ramos Y El Tumbao Mayombe Yuma Takeuchi ( 竹内悠馬 ) REPLAY EPISODE 33 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST There is a fine line between easy and difficult when making a session with only Fania Records material — this was a tribute session marking its 60th anniversary — but I aimed for balance between popular anthems and personal faves. See the pre-broadcast post  for context. Episode 35 can be replayed at the bottom of this page (25 tracks, 2:03:31). Artists included are listed below. Full attribution is given on the show.   Adalberto Santiago Alfredito & His Orchestra Bobby Valentin Bronco  Celia Cruz & Ray Barretto Cheo Feliciano Fania All-Stars (x2) Hector Lavoe Jimmy Sabater Johnny Colon Latin Tempo Lebron Brothers Louie Ramirez Monguito Santamaria Orchestra Harlow Orquesta La Conspiracion Johnny Pacheco Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez Ralph Robles Ray Barretto Ricardo “Richie” Ray & Bobby Cruz Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound Típica 73 Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe The list of artists spans several labels in the Fania universe, as it was a parent company with sub-labels it either established or acquired, such as Alegre, Cotique, International, and Vaya. Note that several of the artists featured here were not exclusively on Fania, but the songs selected for the show are from the Fania discography. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 35 This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series. See Part 2 . Fania Records is owned by Concord .  REPLAY EPISODE 35 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST This summer marks sixty years since Fania Records was founded by Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci. In the years which followed, Fania ballooned in size and power, with varying degrees of success but not without criticism, both in the way it treated its artists and in its business conduct with other record labels and independent artists. Regardless, Fania merits the undeniable role as an institution which helped put salsa on the music map. Domestically, Fania served as a flagship for affirming identity and celebration among Latin American migrants in United States. At the international level, it gained a following for a standard sound while contributing to the popularization of salsa -- along with other labels in the industry -- across the Caribbean and South America. Several Fania artists became household names, and much of their album cover art and many of their songs now serve as icons and anthems, as it were, of a bygone era that some refer to as a "golden age" of salsa. Fania would cease operations well before the millennium, but its catalog of songs numbering in the thousands is still in operation with full rights owned and protected by its present owner. Credit: fania.com (Click on image to visit the Fania Records website) Personally, I developed mixed feelings about Fania . On one hand, as both a general listener and a budding DJ, many of its artists and songs influenced me greatly. On the other hand, it would later dawn on me that the market for salsa was dominated by this one label, and an unfortunate result was that talented bands or musicians unassociated with Fania (for whatever reason) did not receive the recognition they deserved. In addition, one could say there was a uniformity of sorts in the Fania sound although it was still fresh, revolutionary, and important in the development of the genre. This would end with the advent of so-called salsa romantica , but during its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s -- and even several decades later, when there was a revival for appreciating 'older' salsa -- Fania was unrivaled. One had to go to great lengths to discover anything that was not part of the Fania universe. (This includes important sub-labels or other labels that Fania acquired, such as Alegre, Tico, Cotique, and Vaya). Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 35 My point is that during my formative years as a DJ while diving deep into salsa, I realized there was a lot of non-Fania material which was not only very different in sound but also very good in quality (technological limitations notwithstanding); however it meant many salsa players had been ignored, overlooked, or simply unfindable because, in simple terms, Fania was just so immense. Perhaps Fania is not a sole culprit; rather that it was the nature of the record industry, which is very different from today, where technical and networking advancements benefit independent artists and limit the influence of a label. Nonetheless, there was a disconnect between the music being made and its distribution or promotion among target audiences, and it was so pronounced that even today there is a reactionary taste when it comes to vintage salsa. By example, many seasoned DJs are likely to avoid Fania when playing music from the 70s and 80s -- leaning instead towards rare and very different sounds of other vintage productions. I say this from anecdotal experience. With these caveats in mind, marking the occasion of sixty years of Fania still has relevance, and Episode 35 acknowledges this with a selection of iconic Fania material. However, choices will be pared down by avoiding big anthems because there's no point in a predictable track list that listeners can easily find on Spotify or elsewhere. Instead, I will attempt an original approach by striking a balance between personal favourites and lesser-known material in the Fania universe -- spotlighting individual artists with one emblematic song of my choice. In this way, song choices will be contextualized, following the approach as in othet theme-based shows on Encanto Tropical. However, it goes without saying that a show limited to two hours cannot serve as a comprehensive salsa tribute to Fania on its 60th anniversary. It can only be just a small dedication. Update Part 2 of a salsa tribute to Fania Records was broadcast on Nov. 7. Details here . < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Replay Encanto Tropical 34 using the link at the bottom of this page: 27 songs ( 1:59:24 ). Episode 34 of Encanto Tropical is a live recording of a gig at Mambongo Social in Tokyo on April 6 2024, but with all the bachata and kizomba removed -- a salsa replay! I could not provide track commentary due to voice issues (from asthma), so it’s effectively a two salsa hour mix, with an eclectic range of vintage bangers and contemporary material. Some of the artists in Episode 34 REPLAY EPISODE 34 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Ready for replay is 'Versions' (25 tracks, 2:04:20). See the link at the bottom of the page. The topic is salsa cover songs. See the pre-broadcast post for details. ARTISTS Artists included are listed below. Full attribution is provided on the show.   Africando All Stars Calle Vapor Carlos D'Castro Eddie Torres And His Mambo Kings Orchestra Franco et l'orchestre O.K. Jazz German Villareal & Mambo Big Band Irving Manuel Joe Quijano & His Orchestra Kevin Davis & Ban Caribe King Bongo La Cali Salsa Big Band & José Aguirre La-33 Mambo Legends Orchestra Manny Mendez Melcochita Mikata New Swing Sextet Orquesta Magia Caribeña Federico Junior Saxomania Sonora Matancera Tributo & Issac Delgado Soneros de Fe VibraSÓN Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra Zoe Tiganouria Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 36 This was an interesting project. It was fun doing the research, and I plan to follow up with a Part 2. REPLAY EPISODE 36 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >