The next Encanto Tropical features Felipe Martinez as our guest. Tune in for Episode 13 on October 13 to hear his talk! Also known as EldelaClaveSF, the California-based DJ and dance instructor is the founder and CEO of World Salsa Radio, the same internet radio project that this show belongs to. Felipe Martinez stays busy as he teaches regular dance lessons while deejaying both locally and internationally in addition to running the internet radio station, which came about during the pandemic and currently schedules more than two dozen shows hosted by DJs from around the world -- broadcasting on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. It’s exciting to have Felipe Martinez as a guest on my own show after he invited me several months ago to join the team of DJs at World Salsa Radio! He will share with us some information on his background, inspirations, and goals, as well as other thoughts. In addition -- as is the custom for the guest on Encanto Tropical -- he selects three special tracks for us to listen to. 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 short salsa sets where I play a range of material inspired by our guest for Encanto Tropical, Episode 13. Check out some shows hosted by guest Felipe Martinez (EldelaClaveSF): Join us on October 13 with Felipe Martinez 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

Encanto Tropical's next guest is the lead singer, arranger, and songwriter Nora from Orquesta de La Luz! Tune in for Episode 15 on November 10 to hear Nora give a talk and share a selection of songs from her latest solo album, 'Salud a la Vida'! Only at World Salsa Radio. Nora is the lead vocalist of Japan's most celebrated salsa band, Orquesta de La Luz, which received special acclaim in the 1990s when it debuted on the world stage. Orquesta de La Luz released several albums and Nora remains their lead singer, having attained 'salsa diva' status for her many accomplishments with the band and recognition around the world for her musical talents. I was thrilled when she acepted my invitation to join Encanto Tropical, which coincides with the release of her latest album on all digital albums. In fact, the release was timed to celebrate a landmark birthday of hers after forty year of singing salsa. The album title 'Salud a la Vida' says it all -- a celebration of life with a collection of touching songs, mostly covers, in her signature style. It was great fun preparing for the show as I went through the entire repertoire of Orquesta de La Luz to choose songs for the playlist. My aim was to select tracks that were representative of Nora's talents as a vocalist, songwriter, and arranger. My wish is that whether or not listeners are familiar with Nora, they like the selection. As a long-time resident of Japan, it's a thrill to have Nora on Encanto Tropical. She can be considered an ambassador of Japan in the salsa world since, during her worldwide tours, she received such critical acclaim. In recent years, NORA regularly appears at the Tokyo jazz club Ginza Swing as a solo artist. In addition, she accompanies Orquesta de La Luz when they occasionally go on tour, perform at local jazz festivals, and play at schools for children. She is actively involved in the band's collaboration with artists of various genres, not just salsa. On the Episode 15 she talks about several topics; most interesting for me are her start in salsa as well as her current projects, which include the recent release of her fourth solo album. In addition -- as is the custom for the guest on Encanto Tropical -- she selects three special tracks for us to listen to. 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 See the Program Description for more information about the structure of the show, especially the spotlights. The spotlights are preceded and followed by short salsa sets where I play a range of material inspired by our guest for Encanto Tropical, Episode 15. With Nora in mind, I mix in several female vocalists for the first half hour of the show. Tune into World Salsa Radio for Episode 15 of Encanto Tropical with Nora on November 10th! ***** New Broadcast time Due to the switch from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time, Encanto Tropical will now broadcast an hour later than previously in Japan (at 22:00). This corresponds with 13:00 GMT and 14:00 Central Europe, but the starting time remains unchanged in the Americas (05:00 Pacific / 08:00 Eastern). 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

Fun memories of my all-vinyl after-party set at the Taiwan Salsa Carnival. Three years ago this coming weekend! (Video by XiaoYing).

I am having a little go at seeing how these four photos will print out as canvas pieces for wall decor in my home studio. All were taken in Kyoto, 2019.

We had some good fun today with a test run for next weekend's killer event, "Habanebros Hot Sauce Launch Party" at S'wich, in Kyoto, where I will be streaming tunes from Chiba on Saturday, Oct 16... There will be food by Osaka's "y tacos", cocktails by Tom Östgard (Playhouse), with support from Dictador Rum Japan, and of course the amazing hot sauce by Los Habanebros. The artist Mike Dinsmore, whose artwork is currently being featured, will also be in attendance. For more information, check out the Facebook event page.

This is the first chart in a four-chart series covering what I feel are notable songs in the year 2021. (The other charts are Spring, Summer, and Late 2021). The focus is on salsa and Latin, but other genres are included, too. The total number of songs in this chart is 140. For each chart, songs are organized into 18 lists (see the project description in the previous post). Lists 1-8 are on salsa and have 10 songs each. The other lists have 5 each. Artwork & DJ Mixes Some album artwork is included with an anecdote explaining a particular selection. A bonus feature is a list of five inspiring DJ mixes, each with an embedded audio player. About Song Selection Information about song selection is explained under Notes near the bottom of this page. Most importantly... This is a curation of songs based on personal relevance in 2021--regardless of release year. Only List #1 (New Salsa) features 2021 releases. There is no ranking system; tracks are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to check out the forthcoming Spring, Summer, and Late 2021 posts. Listen online All 18 lists are on Spotify and Apple Music--just click on the button at the end of a list. To see all playlists, click on either of the images below. Note: A playlist will update with 5 or 10 new songs once the next chart gets posted, and when you 'like' a playlist, it gets saved to your profile for easy access. Let's go! Salsa | Other Latin | Other Genres | Mixes Salsa 1. CONTEMPORARY SALSA - New Released in early 2021 (Tracks 1-10) Still Hot from 2020 Special Pick: "Son Nocturno" Cuba Quartet is made up of three (not four) musicians: Andreas Unge, Gunnar Thullberg, and Thomas de Paula Eby, all members of the Swedish timba band Calle Real. This album just oozes fresh appeal, with a vibe inspired by TheBuena Vista Social Club. The guitar work is especially noteworthy. Released in late 2020, I discovered the album in January 2021, using "Son Nocturno" for a live stream. It is not a typical dance floor filler, but it's deep and could work well with the right songs before and after. 2. CONTEMPORARY SALSA - Recent (Still Hot from 2020) (Tracks 1-10) Winners from the 2010s Special Pick: "Cuba No Se Fue de Mi" ​There are several interesting "Salsa Anthems" -- what I call the best tunes from the 2010s. They all made a huge impression on me at first listen, but "Cuba No Se Fue De Mi" (2019) by Orishas gets special recognition not only for its outstanding lyrics and raw emotion, but also because the Cuban hip-hop trio, who are not really known for danceable tracks among salseros, delivers here for those with imagination and an open mind. Released in 2019, it still has an edge in early 2021. 3. CONTEMPORARY SALSA - Anthems (Winners From the 2010s) (Tracks 1-10) The Millenial Era Special Pick: "Pepita" ​The next list is for songs from around the time of the millennium. It takes me back to when I started deejaying regularly and when I was discovering a lot of great material. They are all important songs,, but a standout is "Pepita" by Africando, featuring Boncaba Maïga and Hector Casanova on vocals. An atmospheric start morphs into an uptempo swing with a catchy melody. Africando was the name of a project to bring together musicians from Senegal --and later other African musicians -- with New York musicians. 4. Contemporary SALSA - nostalgic (The Millennial Era) (Tracks 1-10) The Golden Era Special Pick: "Flores para Tu Altar" ​I was once asked if I knew a certain punchy track which referred to Santeria gods. There were no other clues, and I had no idea what it could be. Some time later I heard something by French DJ Jeremy Castex on a CoBeatParty live stream that fit the description. “Flores para tu altar” has great lyrics, an intriguing introduction, riveting instrumentation, and catchy syncopation. It's by the Venezuelan band Dimension Latina 77. I was thrilled when I managed to get the vinyl at a store in Kyoto. 5. CLASSIC SALSA (The Golden Era) (Tracks 1-10) Songs for my Father - Special Pick: "Me Voy a Pinar Del Rio" ​Next is a list of songs in tribute to my father, who passed away in January. He laid the foundation for my love of Latin music. Childhood memories involve Sundays with him playing Cuban records. Many songs were on high rotation, and I came to learn from my father’s tastes, which are essentially the roots of salsa. One particular song that I came to like is “Me Voy a Pinar Del Rio” by Celia Cruz and La Sonora Matancera (1950s). It sits here alongside other great classics which have special meaning for me. 6. THE ROOTS OF SALSA Songs for my Father (Tracks 1-10) Missed Gems Discovered in 2021 Special Pick: "Unidos en una Sola Voz" Being part of a record pool allows DJs to receive promotional tracks before the official launch date and discover new artists they otherwise would not know. In the case of TheLatin Heartbeat Orchestra, there is a twist. I did not know this band (nor their 2018 track "Unidos en una Sola Voz") until they came to my attention in February 2021. Assuming it was a recent release, I was surprised to notice that Spotify indicated that it was actually from 2018! The next list is all about late discoveries. 7. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER (Missed Gems Discovered in 2021) (Tracks 1-10) Exclusively Cuban Artists Special Pick: "Soy" List 8 focuses on Cuban artists, but it is not limited to musicians who live on the island. Take Ex corde, a duo comprising Cuban-born Yacel Sagarra and his Japanese wife. They both reside in Kobe, Japan. From their 2018 album comes a wonderful track with soulful vocals and guitar work by Sagarra. I've always wondered why "Soy" never really became well-known. Consider it a hidden gem and perhaps a potent sign of things to come from this talented singer, songwriter, and bandleader. 8. SPOTLIGHT: Cuba Exclusively Cuban Artists (Tracks 1-10) > Back to top Other Latin Music Spotlight: Japan Special Pick: "DRACULA" 9. SPOTLIGHT: Japan Exclusively Japanese Artists (Tracks 1-5) Full Circle Special Pick: "La Musica en Verité" 10. SPOTLIGHT: Africa Full Circle (Tracks 1-5) New & Recent Bachata Special Pick: "Las Puertas del Cielo" 11. Spotlight: Bachata New & Recent (Tracks 1-5) Contemporary Easy Listening Special Pick: "Mariage D'Amour" 12. LATIN LOUNGE Contemporary Easy Listening (Tracks 1-5) Deep Latin Vibes Special Pick: "Brujeria" 13. DEEP LATIN VIBES Classic Boogaloo / Cha cha cha / Son / Guajira (Tracks 1-5) Reggaeton & More Special Pick: "Honey Boo" 14. SABROSURA SIN CLAVE Reggaeton & More (Tracks 1-5) > Back to top Other Genres Old & New Jamaican Music Special Pick: "War Zone" 15. SPOTLIGHT ON JAMAICA Old & New (Tracks 1-5) Old & New African Music Special Pick: "Boula niit tognié" 16. SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA Old & New (Tracks 1-5) Club Jazz Special Pick: "Mango (Club des Belugas Bossa Remix)" 17. SPOTLIGHT: Club Jazz Acid-/Nu-/Funk-Jazz & Broken Beat (Tracks 1-5) Upbeat Vibes Special Pick: "Just in A Moment to Find a Way to Sun Day" 18. MISCELLaNEA Upbeat Vibes (Tracks 1-5) > Back to top Bonus: Inspiring Mixes of Early 2021 Max Pela – LIVE from Home (Afrobeta Bodega) Traditional Salsa Grooves Vol. 9 (DJ Eddie UK Salsa) Salsa y Boogaloo Episode 4 - The Art of Salsa Bass (DJ Jason Ortiz) I Didn't Know You Could Dance! Feb 2021 (DJ Mr. Thomas) UnShazammable Digital Salsa Attack (DJ Nik) > Back to Top Notes Although the charts mention 2021, only one list is exclusively for 2021 releases (List #1). Songs in the other lists have been chosen because they were somehow relevant to me in 2021. For example, lists 2 to 5 have salsa tracks from other years, but they were used in DJ sets this year. List 6 is a selection prepared for a tribute to my late father, who passed away in 2021. List 7 features salsa discovered in 2021 but from earlier years, et cetera. The basic criteria is that songs were chosen for some personal relevance in 2021. It goes without saying that song selection for any list is subjective. My intention is just to share songs which had meaning for me in 2021, regardless of release date. In order to give value, cohesion, and relevance, I carefully organized these lists. However, this project was for fun, so in no way are the lists intended to be authoritative. Besides, I cannot conceivably know the full range of possible songs relevant to a certain category. Finally, a top-10 (or top-5) ranking style has been avoided. Instead, songs are listed in alphabetical order by title. Let me know what you think about these lists. Any recommendations for early 2021? Are there any songs that were personally significant for you regardless of release year? If you enjoyed this project and wish to support future projects, please consider buying me a coffee. Just click on the icon below. Thanks! > Back to Top

I’ve been wondering who are the sidemen on Tommy Olivencia’s 1966 album 'Jala-Jala Guaguanco' — there is no information on the album jacket (at least not on the original Tioly #2, which I own). The vocals by Paquito Guzman and Chamico Ramirez and stellar throughout, giving all 11 tracks a unique sound. But also worth mentioning is the instrumenation in some of the tracks. A good example is “El Titere”, written by Louie Ramirez. The build-up and subsequent layering of the brass section, the percussion, piano, and timbals are impressive. This episode is part of a series of videos highlighting an interesting portion of a track from my vinyl collection--the focus is on Latin music. As a rule, videos are kept brief (approximately 1 minute). More can be found with the hashtag #VinylHighlights. Original content is first posted on Instagram and then on YouTube in the playlist Vinyl Highlights by DJ Angel.

From Benin comes this pachanga by Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou, with amazing guitarwork and chilling vocals in “Vi E Lo”, a lamenting love song composed by Lohento Eskill (on vocals) featuring band leader Melome Clement (on saxophone and rhythm guitar), accompanied by Bernard Zoundegnon (lead guitar) and Bentho Gustavo (bass) among others. It is from another great compilation by the Analog Africa label. This episode is part of a series of videos highlighting an interesting portion of a track from my vinyl collection--the focus is on Latin music. As a rule, videos are kept brief (approximately 1 minute). More can be found with the hashtag #VinylHighlights. Original content is first posted on Instagram and then on YouTube in the playlist Vinyl Highlights by DJ Angel.

Looking back at spring 2021, this post presents my picks for notable music in the second chart of a four-part series. (The other charts are Early, Summer, and Late 2021). Salsa is my focus, but other genres are included. The total number of songs here is 140, and you can listen to them--combined with the songs from Early 2021--on Spotify or Apple Music. There are 18 lists in a chart. Lists 1 to 8 are about salsa, with ten songs each. The other lists have five songs. For details on how lists were organized, see the project description. Artwork & DJ Mixes Some album artwork is included with an anecdote explaining a particular selection. A bonus feature is a list of five inspiring DJ mixes, each with an embedded audio player. About Song Selection Information about song selection is explained under Notes near the bottom of this page. Most importantly... This is a curation of songs based on personal relevance in 2021--regardless of release year. Only List #1 (New Salsa) features 2021 releases. There is no ranking system; tracks are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to check out the forthcoming Summer and Late 2021 charts. Listen online All 18 lists are on Spotify and Apple Music--just click on the button at the end of a list. To see all the playlists, click on either of the images below. Important Note A playlist updates with 5 or 10 new songs once a chart gets posted. In other words, since "Spring 2021" is the current chart, the playlists now include songs from both Early and Spring 2021. Also, when you 'like' a playlist, it gets saved to your profile for easy access. Let's go! Categories Salsa | Other Latin | Other Genres | Mixes Salsa 1. CONTEMPORARY SALSA - New Released in spring 2021 (Tracks 11-20) Still Hot from 2020 Special Pick: "Guaguanco psicodelico" Appearing in every chart this year is the Italian artist El Timba, and his work brings several words to mind: prolific, incredible, infectious. Fresh from his 2020 album Ecleptic is a fantastic array of tracks, each with his trademark flair on the keyboard, in a modern Cuban style yet universal in appeal for dancers of all schools. A standout on this album is the guitar-infused "Guaguanco psicodelico", which was an instant hit for me, and it is certainly 'still hot' this year. Also included in this list are several exemplary tracks by Tromboranga, Jan Reijnders, Shekere Latin Band, and Henry Benavides. Evidently, 2020 was a very good year—many songs are aging well. 2. CONTEMPORARY SALSA - Recent (Still Hot from 2020) (Tracks 11-20) Winners from the 2010s Special Pick: "Insha'allah" I refer to tracks from the 2010s that are still on my playlists these days as 'anthems'. They have stood the test of time. Listed are some fabulous tunes by La Maxima 79, El Timba, Orquesta Akokán, Santy Montega y Mañambo, and others. But among these are a special few which still give me goosebumps even after all these years. One such track is Jimmy Saa’s "Insha’allah" from his 2016 album El Embajador. Grab some good headphones and lose yourself in the multi-layered percussive play which intertwines so masterfully under Saa’s vocals. 3. CONTEMPORARY SALSA - Anthems (Winners From the 2010s) (Tracks 11-20) The Millenial Era Special Pick: "Planté Bandera" Songs from around the turn of the century have special meaning, as this was when I started deejaying seriously, exploring and acquiring lots of music. Mentioned here are some great tracks by incredible artists and bands, such as Jimmy Bosch, Raulin Rosendo, La-33, and Johnny Polanco Y su Conjunto Amistad. Particularly nostalgic for me is Tego Calderon’s 2003 cover version of "Planté Bandera", a song already well established in the pantheon of classics, with Tommy Olivencia’s hit from 1975 featuring Chamaco Ramirez as a gold standard. Of course some people do not share my opinion because the gruff sounding vocals by Calderon which set apart his signature reggaeton style are not for everyone, but I think this is in fact a great example of breaking the rules and getting away with it—a mark of genius. 4. Contemporary SALSA - nostalgic (The Millennial Era) (Tracks 11-20) The Golden Era Special Pick: "Perico Macona" It is always a meaningful treat to replay the classics, which serve as the foundation for where salsa is today. With so much amazing material to go over it is difficult to be selective, but for this chart I give special mention to "Perico Macona" by Angel Canales. This tune is spell-binding. I love the choppy percussion and how his vocal tone matches it so well. He is such a talented singer, and this one is among his most recognized -- a truly unique song. While I chose to highlight Canales, I could easily have gone with Hector Rivera, The Brooklyn Sounds, or Cortijo — all their tracks here are signature classics which I hold in high regard. 5. CLASSIC SALSA (The Golden Era) (Tracks 11-20) Songs for my Father Special Pick: "Tres Lindas Cubanas" We come to a special list next, one that highlights songs from my childhood and played by my father, a lover of Cuban music, especially from the 50s and 60s—evidently my basic foundation for what would become a love for salsa and Latin music in general. When I played a tribute set shortly after my father passed away in January 2021, I compiled songs which I recalled as his favourites. The playlist pool grew very long, and I present a few of them here. Without question, included are some absolute essentials: Beny Moré, Trio Matamoros, and Orquesta Aragon. For this chart, I will spotlight the latter, with their rendition of "Tres Lindas Cubanas", a Cuban standard composed by guitarist and singer Guillermo Castillo García, and featuring the master flautist Richard Egües. 6. THE ROOTS OF SALSA Songs for my Father (Tracks 11-20) Missed Gems Discovered in 2021 Special Pick: "Al Cubano" Among several amazing tunes I came across in 2021 which were way past their release date is a son in the new style by the Colombian band Cuba Libre. You could be forgiven for assuming this group was comprised solely of Cuban musicians, not just because of the band name but also because their style of sound could easily pass as Cuban — but one could argue that it’s not so simple as that; certainly Cuba Libre has its unique sound, too. Regardless, several layers of instrumentation in "Al Cubano" make this song both atmospheric yet explosive. It qualifies as a "missed gem" because it blew right past me in 2017, and I failed to discover it until much later--which is basically criminal. The same can be said for the incredible compilation of Frankie Vazquez’s work — also released in 2017 — which "Alabanciosa" serves to represent here. 7. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER (Missed Gems Discovered in 2021) (Tracks 11-20) Exclusively Cuban Artists Special Pick: "La Chica de 20" List #8 focuses on modern Cuban songs. I include this exclusive list not out of a certain bias, but simply because I claim some familiarity with the signature sound of Cuban music since I grew up listening to it and therefore it deserves a list on its own. (To clarify, I cannot claim enough knowledge about the salsa output from other salsa regions, such as Peru, Colombia and Venezuela — with apologies to music fans of those wonderful gold mines of salsa). Among the ten Cuban songs I have selected for this chart are several killers, namely those by Pupy y Los Que Son Son, Manolito Simonet, Maykel Blanco, and Elito Revé y su Charangón (with whom I had the pleasure of deejaying at their live concert in Kyoto). But I will spotlight "La Chica de 20" (2019) by Dairo Todd and La Existencia. This is a very catchy tune with entertaining lyrics about a capricious 20 year-old woman having caught the attention of the singer. The music video is a joy to watch, too. Of particular note is both the work on trombone and the vocals by Todd. Based in Milan, Italy, he is supported by some incredible piano and percussion. Credits for composition go to both Todd and the prolific Italian artist Fabrizio Lozo. 8. SPOTLIGHT: Cuba Exclusively Cuban Artists (Tracks 11-20) > Back to top Other Latin Music Spotlight: Japan Special Pick: "Turn Your Lights Down Low" 9. SPOTLIGHT: Japan Exclusively Japanese Artists (Tracks 6-10) Full Circle Special Pick: "Tata Masamba" 10. SPOTLIGHT: Africa Full Circle (Tracks 6-10) New & Recent Bachata Special Pick: "Perfecto" 11. Spotlight: Bachata New & Recent (Tracks 6-10) Contemporary Easy Listening Special Pick: "Bella Cubana" 12. LATIN LOUNGE Contemporary Easy Listening (Tracks 6-10) Deep Latin Vibes Special Pick: "Pan con Bacalao" 13. DEEP LATIN VIBES Classic Boogaloo / Cha cha cha / Son / Guajira (Tracks 6-10) Reggaeton & More Special Pick: "Patria y Vida" 14. SABROSURA SIN CLAVE Reggaeton & More (Tracks 6-10) > Back to top Other Genres Old & New Jamaican Music Special Pick: "Need Your Love" 15. SPOTLIGHT ON JAMAICA Old & New (Tracks 6-10) Old & New African Music Special Pick: "Unité Africaine" 16. SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA Old & New (Tracks 6-10) Club Jazz Special Pick: "That's What We Need" 17. SPOTLIGHT: Club Jazz Acid-/Nu-/Funk-Jazz & Broken Beat (Tracks 6-10) Upbeat Vibes Special Pick: "BAILA feat. Eri Konishi" 18. MISCELLaNEA Upbeat Vibes (Tracks 6-10) > Back to top Bonus: Inspiring Mixes of Spring 2021 Phantom Existence (Soul Button) Latin Music from Benin (Mikael El Rojo) Reggaeton Sensual (DJ Matt) Salsa Vinyl Delights (DJ Takeuchi) Crouching Spider, Hidden Panda 14 (DJ Hong Kwon & DJ Mike Arana) > Back to Top Notes Although the charts mention 2021, only one list is exclusively for 2021 releases (List #1). Songs in the other lists have been chosen because they were somehow relevant to me in 2021. For example, lists 2 to 5 have salsa tracks from other years, but they were used in DJ sets this year. List 6 is a selection prepared for a tribute to my late father, who passed away in 2021. List 7 features salsa discovered in 2021 but from earlier years, et cetera. The basic criteria is that songs were chosen for some personal relevance in 2021. It goes without saying that song selection for any list is subjective. My intention is just to share songs which had meaning for me in 2021, regardless of release date. In order to give value, cohesion, and relevance, I carefully organized these lists. However, this project was for fun, so in no way are the lists intended to be authoritative. Besides, I cannot conceivably know the full range of possible songs relevant to a certain category. Finally, a top-10 (or top-5) ranking style has been avoided. Instead, songs are listed in alphabetical order by title. Let me know what you think about these lists. Any recommendations for spring 2021? Are there any songs that were personally significant for you regardless of release year? If you enjoyed this project and wish to support future projects, please consider buying me a coffee. Just click on the icon below. Thanks! > Back to Top

Check out this Spotify playlist with your best headphones or monitors -- good for relaxing, studying, or an intriguing bgm: 60 tracks (5 hours) and growing. AUDIO CANDY "Light phonic crackers for higher end audio components" Ambient | Downtempo | New Age

New mix... This one features contemporary afro-Cuban jazz. Twenty tracks. I did this in one session while convalescing after surgery in a sprawling hospital complex in the Azusawa area of Tokyo, hence the choice of title for the mix. All instrumental tracks. Mostly low-key vibes, the mix covers a spectrum of instrumentation, with some highlight on the piano. It could work well as background music on hi-fi devices, as it streams in WAV format.

Next on Encanto Tropical is Fabrizio Zoro as the guest. Tune in for Episode 14 on October 27 to hear his talk and song selection! Only at World Salsa Radio. Fabrizio Zoro is a celebrated salsa DJ based in Milan, Italy, but he assumes two other important roles: first, as musician, composer, arranger, and director of one of Europe's premier salsa bands, La Maxima 79; second, as co-founder and artistic director of iLatin Music, a music publishing company. Active for more than a decade in all three roles, Fabrizio Zoro has been influential in salsa not only across Europe but also the world. As a long-time fan of La Maxima 79, I'm excited to have Fabrizio Zoro as a guest on Encanto Tropical. He talks about his background, experience, goals, and shares other thoughts, too. In addition -- as is the custom for the guest on Encanto Tropical -- he selects three special tracks for us to listen to. 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 short salsa sets where I play a range of material inspired by our guest for Encanto Tropical, Episode 14. With Fabrizio Zoro in mind, I will mix in several songs attributed to him and La Maxima 79. Fabrizio Zoro on YouTube Rey del Corta y Pega Fabrizio Zoro: composition (with M. Puma) by La Maxima 79 Cienfuegos Fabrizio Zoro: percussion, mixing, mastering (& Dany de Santis) Mucho Guaguanco Fabrizio Zoro: arrangement (Composer: by A. Daly) by La Maxima 79 feat. Dairo Todd (trombone/vocals) Nothing Else Matters Fabrizio Zoro: arrangement, piano, percussion (Composer: J. Hetfield L. Ulrich) Pobrecita Fabrizio Zoro: composition (with Massimo Scalici) by La Maxima 79 Nunca Muere El Guaguanco Fabrizio Zoro: direction, lyrics, campana, bongo, guiro, mixing (& A. Velardi) by La Maxima 79 Un Dia Mas Fabrizio Zoro: composition (with M. Puma) by La Maxima 79 Tune into World Salsa Radio for Episode 14 of Encanto Tropical on October 27! 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 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