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DJ alert! Available are new versions of Ayumi "Azúcar" Suzuki's 2016 hits 'Sakura' and 'Maria Cervantes' -- on 7 inch vinyl (not yet on digital platforms). Now shipping from Japan with limited availability. Included are detailed liner notes with song information and musician bios. Label: Ayumigo Records, 2023 Distribution: 東洋化成 (Toyou Kasei) Previews Sakura: Maria Cervantes: Click here to request information about ordering.

While on a much needed holiday break where I was able to refresh and recharge after some rather difficult final months of 2023, I had the pleasure of hosting on January 2-3 my esteemed colleague and friend, DJ Hong from Philadelphia, USA. Hong is an internationally renown record collector and DJ, well regarded both for his role as a co-admin of CoBeatParty (a salsa DJ cooperative that was active during the pandemic) and his weekly live stream on Facebook and YouTube: Dj Hong's Latin Record Party, which broadcasts every Sunday at 8am Eastern time. I had the pleasure of setting up my sound room for him to broadcast a special show on his initiative: Guaguanco en Japon. I also participated by sharing the deck alongside him. Great times. Replay below.

Replay Episode 30 using the link at the bottom of this page: Twenty-five songs (2:06:08). The last Encanto Tropical of 2023 is a selection of salsa tunes that best represents the year for me, with my choice of tracks selected from DJ Rem's Spotify playlist Contemporary Salsa (2023 Releases), which I also contributed to, and totals over 500 songs. It was not easy selecting 25 tracks from such a colossal number, but I managed to include a range of artists, both well-known and lesser-known ones. These tracks resonate with me and I believe deserve some recognition; however, I emphasize that my selection is merely personal and not intended as authoritative. The 25 songs are played in random order on the show which best suit the programming of tracks. Full attribution for the artist and track title is given before and after each song. Below is my ranking of the tracks, with composers indicated in parentheses. It is from our Spotify playlist that I select my 10 monthly “Picks” for Encanto Tropical. Choices for any given month are limited only to tracks that have been released within four months prior. To see other salsa charts (commencing from January 2023) see the Charts page. REPLAY EPISODE 30 Next Episode 31 Faves of 2023, Part 2 Jan 11 (Thu) 2024 5am PT / 8am ET / 1pm UK / 2pm CET / 22:00 Japan Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio 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

Replay Episode 29 using the link at the bottom of this page - twenty-six songs (1:58:29). Continuing from the last episode, the theme is salsa from Puerto Rico. There were so many tracks that I could not play last time that this show (Part 2) is made up entirely of outtakes from the last show. ​ Like Part 1, my selection of songs is not intended as a "best-of list". Tracks were chosen primarily on a personal basis, but on most occasions I also chose songs that were not among the most famous of a given artist. Importantly, I also focused on songs by artists based in Puerto Rico -- as opposed to those who permanently relocated to the United States (with just a few exceptions). The following artists are featured. Full attribution is given on the show. Carlos García Conjunto Imagen La Dominante La Playa Sextet Eduardo Zayas Y Su Ez La Banda Ft Rodrigo Mendoza El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico Gilberto Santa Rosa Ismael Rivera & Sus Cachimbos Jerry Ferrao Jimmy Urbina Y Su Orquesta Revolucion 70 Jose Torres with Mel Martinez & Jorge Nicolai Mickey Cora y Orquesta Cabala Norbert Papo Cocote Pedro Conga Pete Perignon Puerto Rican Power Rafael Cortijo & Su Bonche Sonora Ponceña Rafú Warner Rene Figueroa y Su Orquesta Son Clave Rico Walker Sonora Ponceña Tito Rodríguez Tommy Olivencia Willie Gonzalez REPLAY EPISODE 29 Next Episode 30 Faves of 2023 Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio 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

Replay Episode 28 using the link at the bottom of this page. 25 songs (2:05:30). This episode features a guest interview for the first time in a while. I managed to have a great talk with DJ BoriQua, one of the co-founders of World Salsa Radio. His show, "Afincando con DJ BoriQua" broadcasts on Saturdays 10:00am - 1200pm (Pacific Time). See the preceding blog post for more details. With DJ BoriQua as my guest, I thought it would be fitting to spotlight Puerto Rican salsa. There are 22 tracks spanning different decades with a range of artists from La Isla del Encanto, with a pre-interview mix (12 tracks) and a post-interview mix (10 tracks). My selection of songs is not intended as a "best-of list". Tracks were chosen primarily on a personal basis, but on most occasions I also chose songs that were not among the most famous of a given artist. Importantly, I also focused on songs by artists based in Puerto Rico -- as opposed to those who permanently relocated to the United States ((with just a few exceptions). The following artists are featured. Full attribution is given on the show. Andy Montañez El Combo del Ayer & Luigi Texidor El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico Frankie Ruiz Ismael Rivera Ivan Cáceres Kako Y Su Combo La Playa Sextet Mario Ortiz Marvin Santiago Moncho Rivera Noro Morales Rafael Cortijo & Su Bonche Raphy Leavitt Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz Sonora Ponceña Tite Curet Alonso Tito Rodriguez Tito Rojas Tony Vega Willie Rosario feat. Frankie Figueroa REPLAY EPISODE 28 Next Episode 29 Focus on Puerto Rican Salsa 2 Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio 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

September’s ten salsa songs for Encanto Tropical are actually DJ Rem’s choices — he kindly accepted my invitation to select them as my special guest. His choices are great, of course. Check them out. DJ Rem, who is based in France, has been tremendous in building up a Spotify playlist for salsa released in 2023, one in which he invited me as a contributor, much in the same way we collaborated on a playlist for 2022 Salsa. They have been fun projects, but I am rather busy (job, family, etc), so I haven’t been able to participate as much as I would like. Occasionally, I have time to search and discover new salsa songs, but when I attempt to add something to our list, I often discover that DJ Rem already chose it. He’s quick! DJ Rem is a busy guy these days. If he's not spinning somewhere, he is likely working on either the Spotify playlist or his YouTube channel, where he features songs from records, sometimes very rare ones. It is a project he started during the pandemic and the channel lists almost 400 videos to date. Clearly, whatever DJ Rem plays -- old or new -- it shows good taste. And it is commendable to find a salsa DJ as committed to finding new releases as to exploring vintage songs. As for that Spotify playlist, most of the credit goes to DJ Rem for the time and effort he has put into compiling it. I wish I was able to contribute more. With two and a half months remaining for material, I will try! It is from our Spotify playlist that I select my 10 monthly “Picks” for Encanto Tropical. Choices for any given month are limited only to tracks that have been released within four months prior. To see other salsa charts (commencing from January 2023) see the Charts page.

The next Encanto Tropical comes with the theme of salsa from Puerto Rico. This serves as a backdrop for an interview with DJ BoriQua, host of “Afincando con DJ BoriQua”, a great program in the World Salsa Radio lineup. Episode 28 resumes the pattern of guest interviews. This time I intend to focus mostly on DJs and especially fellow hosts at World Salsa Radio. We start with a talk with a co-founder of World Salsa Radio, DJ BoriQua who, along with Felipe Martinez, a.k.a EldelaClaveSF (interviewed in Episode 13), initiated their radio station project that is now in its third year and includes more than 40 DJs from across the world. Another feature of Episode 28 is that I will focus on salsa by Puerto Rican artists. I am no expert on Puerto Rican salsa, but I have selected enough tunes for the two-hour program. My choices are not intended as a "best-of list" but rather as a personal selection to cover a range of artists representing 'La Isla del Encanto'. Importantly, my focus is on artists based in Puerto Rico -- as opposed to those who relocated to the US (with a few exceptions). The song-selection spans several decades, from the classics to the present. I chose to interview DJ BoriQua because his radio show is among my favourites to listen to, not just for his selection of tunes but also his role as host -- he projects an upbeat, charismatic personality, with much wit and energy that vitalize "Afincando con DJ BoriQua". Afincando con DJ BoriQua The program's current broadcast schedule at www.worldsalsaradio.com is every Saturday from 10am to 12 pm Pacific Time (1pm Eastern, 18:00 London, and 19:00 in Central Europe). Below are are some recommended shows available for replay. Episode 41 Episode 74 Episode 123 > See the entire playlist for Afincando con DJ BoriQua. GUEST PROFILE: DJ BORIQUA Hailing from Carolina, Puerto Rico, Orlando “DJ BoriQua” Felix’s song selection is a direct influence from the sounds surrounding him while growing up in his native island. He began deejaying in 1999 inside the U.S. Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia for the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program. He made his name in the San Francisco Bay Area and became one of the primary DJs for such events/venues as the SF Salsa Congress, SF Salsa Festival, Sonoma County Salsa Festival, GlasKat Lounge in SF, Hot Salsa Fridays in San Jose, Sh Boom in San Ramon and many others. DJ BoriQua relocated to Dubai in 2009 where he deejayed at the Dubai International Dance Festival, Dubai Tango & Salsa Congress, Abu Dhabi Salsa Festival, and the Oman Salsa Festival making him one of the most popular and on-demand salsa DJs in the Middle East. He returned to the Bay Area in 2014 and co-hosted/deejyed at Hot Salsa Saturdays inside Dance Blvd in San Jose until March of 2020. Today he is the co-founder of World Salsa Radio, with his show Afincando con DJ BoriQua airing every Saturday from 10am to 12pm Pacific Time. Episode 28 broadcasts on October 19th (postponed from Oct 12th). Join me and see you in the chat! Encanto Tropical, E28 www.WorldSalsaRadio.com DJ Angel Figueroa Guest Interview: DJ BoriQua Thu Oct 19, 21:00 Japan Time 05:00 PT / 08:00 ET / 12:00 UTC / 14:00 CET To listen live, first click on the link above. Then create a username in the white box before clicking the play button. Wait a few seconds for the show to load. Don't forget to say "hi" in the chat! (All episodes are also available for replay). Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio 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

Replay Episode 27 using the link at the bottom of this page. 27 songs (2:00:26). This is a "get-well"dedication mix to a longtime friend who just started chemotherapy treatment and, by extension, is a nod to cancer warriors everywhere.The show spotlights salsa songs with notable brass sections (that's what my friend likes) -- so there's a lot of heavy trumpet, trombone, and saxophone. The following artists are featured. Full attribution is given on the show. Brooklyn Sounds Cesar Concepcion & Orquesta Recuerdos Chocolate Chucho Sierra Cuco Valoy Félix Del Rosario Y Los Magos Del Ritmo Ismael Rivera Jesus Gomez Kako Y Su Combo Latin Giants of jazz The Lebron Brothers Little Johnny Rivero Michi Sarmiento Mon Rivera New Generation Orchestra Colon Orchestra Love Orlando Marin Papo Felix And Ray Rodriguez Rene Bloch Rey Davila Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound Saxomania Toño Reyes Y Su Saxo The Tony Rojas Orchestra Tromboranga Vitin Aviles REPLAY EPISODE 27 Next Episode 28 Focus on Puerto Rican Salsa / Interview: DJ Boricua Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio 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

Guests were once a staple feature of my radio show. We had some great guests who added a special touch. Early on, there used to be four spotlights in a show, and the guest appeared in Spotlight 4 with an interview of sorts and their selection of three songs. Guests ranged from musicians to DJs and anyone in between -- just as long as there was a salsa connection. Other examples include dance instructors, record label owners, and festival-goers. I stopped having guests after Episode 20 due to time commitments, but I would like to revisit the show format in the near future. (The other 3 spotlights focused on new releases, Japanese Latin music, and covers of Cuban classics). For the highlight of the show (Spotlight 4), it was always fun connecting with"salsa personalities" from around the world and sharing what they had to say. I was especially interested in the guest's choice of three songs. This format I thought would be unique and a great way to engage listeners, but I was never sure... I will give it another try. I have list of 'salsa personalities' I would like to welcome for a chat. And to listeners I ask: How about you? Who would you like to learn more about -- as a guest on Encanto Tropical? But first, below is a gallery of all the guests so far on Encanto Tropical. The show highlights and replay link are both available -- just click on the image to access the post-show writeup (the replay link will be near the bottom of the page). As always, I am grateful for listeners' support and keen for feedback. Contact me with any comments and your suggestions for a guest. Encanto Tropical Guest Index Click on an image to open the highlights page for more information and a replay link Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio 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

A lavender ribbon is used for promoting cancer awareness. Episode 27 is dedicated to a friend who recently started chemotherapy. When I suggested lifting their spirits by making a mix during this challenging time, my friend replied "let the music make me dream". So I will focus on brass-infused salsa cuts because that is what this person likes. My own cancer journey was a complete success, and I am grateful for that. I can only wish the same for my friend. Join us as this person tunes in on Sept 28th and, if you can, show your support in the chat. Sharing your own cancer story is welcome, too. Encanto Tropical 27 DJ Angel Figueroa www.WorldSalsaRadio.com "For a Cancer Warrior" Thu Sept 28, 21:00 Japan Time 05:00 PT / 08:00 ET / 12:00 UTC / 14:00 CET To listen live, first click on the link above. Then create a username in the white box before clicking the play button. Wait a few seconds for the show to load. Don't forget to say "hi" in the chat! (All episodes are also available for replay). Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio 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

Replay Episode 26 using the link at the bottom of this page. Thirty songs (1:57:02). This is an on-the-fly mix featuring mostly vintage salsa. No specific theme. No guest, either. I had no time to prep, so I just played track to track... Good fun! The following artists are featured. Full attribution is given on the show. Alfredito Linares Y Su Orquesta Arley y su Proyecto Blas Duran Y La Nueva Fuerza Bush Y Sus Magníficos Candido Y Su Movimiento Carlos Pickling Y Su Conjunto Chaparro Charlie Palomares Y Su Orquesta Chivirico Davila Danny Gonzalez Y Su Orquesta El Clan de la Salsa El Combo De Pepe El Klan Fuego '77 Gilberto Sextet H.M.A Salsa/Jazz Orchestra Hot Salsa Ismael Miranda Jesus M. Leal Y Su Salsa Johnny Ventura Y Su Combo Los Armonicos Los Kenya Mambo Loco Mario Allison y Su Combo Nuestra Orquesta La Salsa Mayor Orquesta Cali Charanga Pete Bonet Pijuan Y Su Sexteto Ray Terrace Super Combo Bellamar REPLAY EPISODE 26 Next Episode 27 For a Cancer Warrior Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio 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

Every DJ needs their cave plus more. I just recently moved house and am working on the new studio -- almost finished! It's mostly just the artwork for the walls that is left to do. This studio is a haven. Every early morning when the kids are asleep I find myself! Today I was prepping for my set at Paco’s Social later this afternoon in Nagoya. That's a 4-hour trip including the bullet train, so I must be selective with the vinyl to keep the weight manageable. But there will be crackers for sure! It's been a while since I posted something. There was a lot to prioritize last month. I am also on Instagram and Facebook - have a look and follow me there! As for today's event, I'm looking forward to the reunions and a great time… Come say hi in the DJ booth! Paco’s Social 9/17 (Sun) 17:00~ Club Mago, Nagoya FB Event page