This coming Tuesday (April 5) is my birthday and I am celebrating with a FB live stream with 4 invited DJs: DJ Dmitri (Jordan/Germany) DJ Rem (France) DJ Takeuchi081 (Japan) DJ Tojo (Japan) We will be fundraising for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)... Everyone is welcome to join the party. Donations are welcome via my donation page. SCHEDULE (Tuesday, April 5 2022) 03:00-08:00 - Pacific 06:00-11:00 - Eastern 11:00-16:00 - United Kingdom 12:00-17:00 - Central Europe 19:00-00:00 - Japan For more details, please see the Facebook event page.

New salsa mix! This one features selected tracks from Episodes 1 and 2 of my radio show Encanto Tropical, reprogrammed and without commentary in high quality audio. To listen, click on the player at the bottom of this page. Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio w/ DJ Angel Figueroa Broadcasting from Chiba, Japan 2nd & 4th Thursdays Click 'subscribe' (below) to get email updates about Encanto Tropical! Visit World Salsa Radio for more shows

The latest mix features selected tracks from Episodes 3 and 4 of my radio show Encanto Tropical, reprogrammed and without commentary in high quality audio. To listen, click on the player at the bottom of this page. Encanto Tropical is a part of World Salsa Radio w/ DJ Angel Figueroa Broadcasting from Chiba, Japan 2nd & 4th Thursdays Click 'subscribe' (below) to get email updates about Encanto Tropical! Visit World Salsa Radio for more shows

I am in Okinawa for a short visit… And I brought some 7” salsa records. Come say "hi" on 6.25 (Sat) at the record shop "Good Music Records”, where I will spin for 2 hours in the late afternoon (16:00-18:00). The event is called “Manteca” — it is just BGM (no dancing), but it will be a fun set while you can relax, enjoy some tunes, and look through the shop! There is no cover charge. 'Manteca' 6.25 (Sat) 16:00-18:00 No Charge Good Music Records 388, 1-2, Naha City, Okinawa Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/LJtbPmUgX8xTbLxJ6 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/good_music_records/

In case you missed it on Sept. 8th, Episode 11 of Encanto Tropical is available for replay (2hr18mins, 26 tracks). See the link at the bottom of this page to replay. This was a special edition with two guests: dancers Frankie Martinez and Lia Robertson, who both gave very intesting talks! It was so great to have them on the show. Show Highlights: Intro (old school salsa set): ~50:05 featuring a range of artists, such as Pepe Moreno y Su All-Star Band, Pijuan y Su Sexteto, Frankie Figueroa and Orquesta Cábala. Spotlight 1 (New salsa releases): 50:06~ featuring Fresto Music, El Nene Leon, and Steven Brezet. Spotlight 2 (Latin music by Japanese artists) 1:04:41~ featuring Ayumi Suzuki, Orquesta del Sol, and Corona. Spotlight 3 (Covers of Cuban music): 1:21:43~ featuring Orquesta Tabaco y Ron, Calle Vapor, and Jimmy Sabater. Spotlight 4 (Guest talk):1:35:15~ featuring our guests, Frankie Martinez (dance choreographer & educator) and Lia Robertson (dancer and dance coach), who talk about their backgrounds, inspirations and goals -- with key messages for the audience; they also choose 3 songs for us to hear. Closing tracks are by CSAN-II and Agustin Nava & Shekere Latin Band. REPLAY EPISODE 11 Next EPISODE 12 Guest: Sr Ortegon 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

Episode 12 of Encanto Tropical is ready for replay (2hr06mins, 25 tracks). See the link at the bottom of this page to replay. The show's guest is Sr Ortegon, a DJ, musician, composer, and producer based in Cali, Colombia. The Latin Grammy Award-nominee provides Latin-themed sound and music for film, TV, and commercials. For examples of his work, see the pre-show post. ​ Inspired by our Colombian guest, I feature Colombian salsa in addition to salsa fusion and boogaloo -- two sub-genres Sr Ortegon has been focusing on recently. Show Highlights: Intro (mostly Colombian salsa set): ~49:06 featuring a range of artists, such as Grupo Galé, Cali Aleman, Contento, La Misma Gente, and La Maxima 79. Spotlight 1 (New salsa releases): 49:27~ featuring DJ Fabrizio Zoro & Dani De Santis, Edwin Perez, and Alexander Guerra & D'Nuevo Son. Spotlight 2 (Latin music by Japanese artists) 1:05:14~ featuring Hisayo Yamada, Yoshiro, and Salsa Swingoza. Spotlight 3 (Covers of Cuban music): 1:38:50~ featuring Nacho Sanabria, Estrellas Cobo, and Santiago Ceron. Spotlight 4 (Guest talk): 1:49:04~ featuring our guest, Sr Ortegon, who talks about his background, work, and inspiration -- with a key message for the audience; he also chooses 3 songs for us to listwn to. Throughout the show are tracks by Sr Ortegon from his recent albums 'Tropical Fusion' and 'Latin Boogaloo'. Replay Episode 12 Next Episode 13 Guest: Felipe Martinez 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

Episode 13 is ready for replay -- see below for the link (2hrs 13mins, 26 tracks). After six months of adventures in entry-level radio broadcasting, Episode 13 was a special experience because my guest was the CEO and founder of World Salsa Radio -- Felipe Martinez (also known as EldelaClaveSF), a DJ and dance instructor based in the San Francisco area. It was through his invitation to join the WSR team of DJs that I found a little part to play in his internet radio project. And it has been good fun, even with all the bloopers, and I look forward to another six months (plus more?) at World Salsa Radio. See the pre-show post for more information about Felipe Martinez. Show Highlights: Introductory salsa mix: ~32:30 featuring 6 artists: Cheo Feliciano, José Mangual Jr, Andy Montañez, Javier Vazquéz, Ray Pérez, Moncho Rivera. Spotlight 1 (New salsa releases): 32:31~ featuring Fernandito Rentas, Rico Walker, and Manyoma Brothers. Spotlight 2 (Latin music by Japanese artists) 46:20~ featuring Alisa Sunaga, Aya Nakano, and Yoshi Yamada y su Japonismo. Spotlight 3 (Covers of Cuban music): 1:02:57~ featuring Richard Bona & Mandekan Cubano, Lo Nuestro, and DJ Ricky Campanelli. Spotlight 4 (Guest talk): 1:20:39~ featuring our guest, Felipe Martinez, who talks about his inspiratinon, projects, and future goals; he also chooses 3 songs for us to listen to (by Maité Hontelé & Oscar d'Leon, Polo Montañez, and Grupo Niche. Concluding salsa mix: 1:51:15~ featuring 5 artists/bands: Jesús Pagán y su Orquesta, Sonido 70, Cesar Concepcion, Orquesta Cali Charanga, Rene Figueroa y su Orquesta Son Clave. Replay Episode 13 NExt episode 14 Guest: Fabrizio Zoro 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

Ready for replay is Episode 14 -- see below for the link (2hrs 24mins, 27 tracks). October 27 was another fun show for World Salsa Radio. Our guest this time was the multi-talented Fabrizio Zoro of Milan, Italy, where he fulfils the roles of salsa DJ, composer, arranger, musician, band leader, and artistic director of a music label. Perhaps he is best known as the director of one of Europe's best salsa bands, La Maxima 79. It was great having him on the show, where he gave an interesting talk*. See the pre-show post for more information about Fabrizio Zoro. *Although both English and Spanish were used on the show, the guest showcase was solely in Spanish. There is an English transcript of the interview towards the bottom of this page. Show Highlights: Introductory salsa mix: ~35:19 featuring 7 tracks by La Maxima 79, Mundito Y Su Orquesta Celestial, Sr Ortegon, Bailatino, Echo Park Project, and DJ Fabrizio Zoro. Spotlight 1 (New salsa releases): 35:20~ featuring Lazarito Valdes y Bamboleo, Son Con Ron, and Orquesta Yambao. Spotlight 2 (Latin music by Japanese artists) 49:21~ featuring Rie Akagi, Orquesta Copa Salvo, and Obrigarrd. Spotlight 3 (Covers of Cuban music): 1:06:41~ featuring Cheo Navarro, Orquesta La Criolla, and Alfredito Linares. Spotlight 4 (Guest showcase): 1:22:13~ featuring our guest, Fabrizio Zoro, who talks about his inspiratinon, projects, and future goals; he also chooses 3 songs for us to listen to (by La Maxima 79, Los Dementes, and Orquesta Elio Revé). Concluding salsa mix: 1:56:19~ featuring 5 tracks by La Maxima 79, Joel Uriola y su Orquesta, Orquesta Magia Caribeña Federico Junior, and Fabio Gianni. Replay Episode 14 Guest Showcase English transcript Feat. Fabrizio Zoro (by Angel Figueroa) And now, it’s the highlight of the show, with the guest showcase. With us today is Fabrizio Zoro -- Italian DJ, composer, arranger, musician, and director of La Maxima 79 based in Milan, Italy. Hello everyone, I am Fabrizio Zoro, director of the orchestra La Maxima 79, from Italy. I live in Milan, in the north of Italy, and I started deejaying in February of 2002, so it's been 20 years, and these days I mostly deejay at European events, but I have also been to several festivals in Asia, Africa, and South America. In addition to directing La Maxima 79, and working as a producer, I also have a music label called iLatin Music, based in Milan. I started playing salsa and bachata and fell in love with the music and began dancing different styles. ...It was a lot of fun. And I am very grateful to the many people who started before me who helped me learn the basics of deejaying, not just about pressing "play" and "pause", but also everything needed for deejaying salsa. From the year 2009 I started the project of La Maxima 79, a project that continues to be one of the best salsa orchestras in Europe and exports salsa around the world. In the 2000s there was a lot of salsa already but it was all very "clean". I preferred the salsa of the 1970s -- Bobby Valentin, Ismael Rivera, and Los Dementes. So I decided to do something modern but in the old style... and I continue working as a DJ, director, and producer. You can find me on both Instagram (@fabriziozoro / @LaMaxima79) and Facebook (Fabrizio Zoro / La Maxima 79 / iLatin Music Distribution). How exactly did you start your salsa career? I started in 2002 thanks to a woman who was an instructor of Latin American dance. Actually, I preferred house music at the time, but in the end I found myself doing a little dancing here and there, and then it started getting into my blood; it was like a drug because every day after work I would go salsa dancing. And I started deejaying because in the normal clubs I always admired the DJs who appeared like God looking down from their console... and I wanted to be the same in salsa. What are your inspirations? For sure the big names in salsa, like Ismael Rivera, Los Dementes, Tito Rodriguez Jr, Orquesta Revé, Oscar d'Leon. But I always believe that when you have an idea, you should follow it to the day you die and do everything you can to realize it as best you can. What was a memorable experience you had with your band, La Maxima 79? What comes to mind at the moment is the time when we went to Mexico to play for the first time, and the song "Iglesia Rumbera" had been released only about ten days before, but when we appeared, the crowd of about 6,000 people sang out loud all of the words to "Iglesia Rumbera", even though it had been out for little more than a week. I'll never forget it -- the dancing and the singing. It was just incredible. What are some current projects and future goals? We are doing our fifth album; we are just about ready to start recording and I also have a lot of songs to do under my name, DJ Fabrizio Zoro. I did a salsa cover of "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica. And I just released a song called "Cienfuegos" dedicated to the Cuban city. It's a very romantic, moving song, with a great vibe, and it is available on all digital platforms. What are you looking forward to in the future? Here in Italy, TV and and radio do not currently pay any attention to salsa and bachata, so I look forward to the time when they can become more mainstream and bring people closer to Latin music because, honestly speaking, once you discover Latin music, you will never be able to forget it. At the moment it is happening with reggaeton. I hope some day it can happen with salsa and bachata, too. What message do you have for DJs, dancers and other salsa enthusiasts? That they enjoy doing what they love and that they hang on to their own ideas and styles, whether its for deejaying or for dancing. This is fundamental, and they need to do it with passion, to never stop listening and to continue educating themselves about musicians, salseros, bachateros... and to never stop learning and studying because latin music is universal. NExt episode 15 Guest Nora Suzuki 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

Episode 15 is available for replay -- see below for the link (2hrs 13mins, 24 tracks). The guest is Nora, lead vocalist of Orquesta de La Luz, which received much critical acclaim in the 1990s. She spoke about her projects, her inspirations, and how she started in salsa. See the pre-show post for Nora's introduction on Encanto Tropical. Show Highlights: Introductory salsa session: ~34:01 featuring 7 tracks by Orquesta de La Luz, Celiz Cruz, Yolanda Rivera, and Sol. Spotlight 1 (New salsa releases): 34:02~ featuring El Barbaro, Irving Manuel, and DJ Henrix. Spotlight 2 (Latin music by Japanese artists) 49:25~ featuring Wave Con Salsa, Yoko, and Latin Yaro. Spotlight 3 (Covers of Cuban music): 1:06:58~ featuring Rey Ruiz, Johnny Cruz (feat. Yolanda Rivera), and Gambino Pampini. Spotlight 4 (Guest showcase): 1:23:41~ featuring a talk by Nora (Orquesta de La Luz) with a selection of 3 songs from her new album Salud a la Vida. Concluding salsa session: 2:03:39~ featuring 2 tracks by Oscar d'Leon and Celia Cruz. Replay Episode 15 NExt episode 16 Latin Music in 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

Ready for replay is Episode 10 of Encanto Tropical from World Salsa Radio, comprising 25 tracks (2hrs7min). See the bottom of the page for the link. It was a lot of fun having as our guest DJ Nik of "unshazammable/UFO-salsa" fame -- from San Francisco. He gave a great talk and provided 6 songs for us to check out. Show Highlights: Intro (random unshazammable salsa set): ~43:22 Spotlight 1 (New salsa releases): 43:23~ featuring Descargas de la Onda (DDLO), Son de Kafe, and La Paris All Stars Orchestra feat Marc Wilkins. Spotlight 2 (Latin music by Japanese artists): 58:19~ featuring Chica Boom, Aya Nakano & Ken Yokoyama, and two shamisen players. with the band La Excelencia (Yutaka Oyama and Masahiro Nitta) Spotlight 3 (Covers of Classic Cuban Music): 1:13:43~ featuring Orchestra Baobab, La Sonora de Lucho Macedo, and Oscar D'Leon. Spotlight 4 (Guest talk): 1:28:30~ featuring DJ Nikolai Caswell, who talks about his background, memorable experiences, and future plans; he also chooses 6 rare, unshazammable songs for us to listen to. REPLAY EPISODE 10 Next EPISODE 11 Guests: Frankie Martinez & Lia Robertson 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

Coming up on Encanto Tropical (Episode 11) on World Salsa Radio: two special guests! One is a dance teacher/choreographer and the other a dance coach. Together they form an inspiring duo who work and perform both in New York -- where they are based -- and internationally. I’m speaking of Frankie Martinez and Lia Robertson. I’m very pleased they accepted my invitation to appear on the show. Although they were busy with preparations for the New York International Salsa Congress, they found time to provide interesting answers to the questions I sent them. Of course, as part of the spotlight, they select three special songs to share with us on Encanto Tropical. As usual, there are 4 spotlights in total, after my introductory mix in the first half of the show. New salsa releases Latin music by Japanese artists Cover versions of Cuban music Guest Showcase Join us! Encanto Tropical 11 www.WorldSalsaRadio.com 21:00 Sept 8 (Thu) - Japan Time 05:00 PT | 08:00 ET | 12:00 GMT | 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

The next Encanto Tropical (Episode 12 on Sept 22) features Sr Ortegon as my guest. He is a DJ, musician, composer, and producer based in Cali, Colombia. Prolific with musical output, Sr Ortegon is a Latin Grammy Award-nominee and a popular resource for Latin-themed sounds for film, television, and advertising. He also has experience as a resident house DJ. I'm very happy to have him on the show! Our guest will talk briefly about his background, projects, and inspiration. And, as usual for the guest showcase, he will share three special tracks for us to listen to. Another show not to miss! Encanto Tropical comprises four spotlights which form the main part of the show: New salsa releases Latin music by Japanese artists Covers of classic Cuban songs Guest Showcase The spotlights are preceded and followed by salsa sets where I play a range of material. Inspired by our Colombian guest for Encanto Tropical 12, I intend to feature Colombian salsa and some salsa fusion -- a sub-genre Sr Ortegon has especially engaged in recently. Check out Sr Ortegon on Spotify, YouTube, and MixCloud: SPOTIFY SR ORTEGON YouTube SR ORTEGON MIXCLOUD SR ORTEGON Join us on Sept 22 on World Salsa Radio! 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