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PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST Episode 36 will be about salsa cover versions. It broadcasts on June 13th. Cover songs are common in the salsa world. Much of what you hear is not an original composition but rather an adaption or rearrangement of an another song, whether an earlier salsa song or one of an older style, such as a son , guaracha , or mambo . It could be a cover of a Spanish-language song of a different genre or a salsa version made from popular music in English. Even material from classical music has inspired a few salsa covers. Instrumental covers certainly exist, too. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 36 'Versions' Cover songs can vary in the way they adapt the original. Areas to consider are vocals, key instruments, lyrics (if translated or changed), tempo, pitch, and other arrangements. Knowing the original allows you to identify both the similarities and the differences in the newer version. More importantly, learning about cover versions can expand horizons and shed light on the art of interpretation, which is a rewarding part of music appreciation, whether or not it is salsa music. Especially interesting can be the background story or context of a cover version. Since salsa includes many songs that can be identified as covers in one way or another, it would not be difficult to make a two-hour session of such songs. However, the curation in Episode 36 is an attempt to find particularly rewarding examples of context in cover versions. One such song is “Volare” by the Puerto Rican band Rafael Cortijo y Su Combo (feat. Ismael Rivera) released in the late 1950s (or 1960). Also notable is the 2000 tribute song of the same title by Son Boricua , with Jimmy Sabater on vocals. Compare these with the popular jazz ballad of “Volare” by Dean Martin , who sang in both English and Italian while Cortijo's and Son Boricua's are in Spanish. Notably, the Spanish lyrics do not appear to be the same as the original Italian although they are similar enough to say that -- along with an identical music score but at a higher tempo -- the song keeps the spirit of the original. However, the title of the song somewhat hides the original tune by Italian singer and songwriter Domenico Modugno, who jointly shares credit for the Italian lyrics with Franco Migliacci. The title is "Nel blu, dipinto di blu”, which translates as “In the blue [sky]”, and the word volare  is the main chorus. It was released in early 1958. A timeless hit both in its native Italy and around the world, numerous versions in different languages came into being over the years. A French instrumental version by Ben sa tumba et son Orchestre (labeled as a mambo) uses a direct translation for its title: “Dans le bleu du ciel bleu” (see video below). Among other transformations is the foray into the Spanish Americas by Cortijo, under the same title as Dean Martin’s version in the US which was released in August, 1958. "Volare" is not in the playlist for Episode 36 "Versions", but the song selection includes brief contextual information that is hopefully as enlightening as the story behind "Volare". Some tracks are remakes of an earlier salsa song, some are adapted from classic styles, and others are cross-genre covers, which are especially interesting to note. One song in particular is a rare gem: a salsa version of a bolero originally sung by Hector Lavoe. Tune in to find out what it is! While listeners may be familiar with most songs, it may come as an interesting surprise to understand their origins. Share the journey of discovery with me on June 13 on World Salsa Radio . Feedback and commentary are always welcome. Sources: Wikipedia / Discogs / YouTube < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Up next for Episode 24 is a session on salsa from the 2000s. I am sure it will provoke some nostalgic and be a lot of fun for me (and anyone else who was active in salsa in the first decade of the millennium)... It was shortly before the start of that 'millennial decade' that I began deejaying and organizing events, so by the year year 2000 I was fully hooked as a salsa DJ. During this time I discovered so much material -- both old and new -- to play at my gigs, but it is the music released in the 2000s that has become especially nostalgic to listen to recently, as it reminds me of my golden era of deejaying. Some great memories... Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 24 In Episode 24 of Encanto Tropical, I mix about 25 songs from the years 2000-2009. These are personal favourites that became signature dance floor tunes at my social event "Shine" in Osaka and at other gigs. For salsa lovers who started their musical journey during the 2000s, it might be especially interesting to find songs on the show that rekindle memories! For those who started salsa much later, this session could be interesting from a historical point of view. Either way, I hope it will be a fun show of 'deep Latin vibes' in this special throwback session -- rekindling the millennial era of salsa! < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Yesterday's Episode 24 was great fun (2:07:14 / 25 tracks). The replay link is below. This session follows my recent style of building a theme-based show , with little speaking and more flow, while providing attribution using voiceovers in short, looped segments of a song. The session is a throwback mix to salsa of the 2000s, when I was active as a club DJ and event organizer while building my collection of tunes, both newly released and older material. Now, two decades later, the new music from that time feels nostalgic. It brings back great memories, so I thought it would be interesting to highlight my favourite tracks from that time, specifically the dance floor tunes I played at my main social event,"Shine", in Osaka, Japan. This episode is a trip down memory lane!For more information about the preparation for this show, see the pre-show post . Full attribution is provided in the show. The artists are as follows. Africando All Stars Angel Francisco Augusto Enríquez y Su Mambo Band Black Sugar Sextet Caché Conjunto Azabache Direct Latin Influence El Gran Combo El Timba Grupo Caribe Jesus Diaz Y Su Qba Jimmy Sabater Kimbawe La Excelencia Las Estrellas Caiman Latin Giants of Jazz Los Afro-Salseros De Senegal Manolito Simonet y Su Trabuco Mario Ortiz All Star Band Moncho Rivera Orquesta La Palabra Papo Ortega Presents Cubanoson The Spanish Harlem Orchestra Wayne Gorbea Yuri Buenaventura Some of the music on Episode 24 REPLAY EPISODE 24 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

PRE-SHOW POST |. AFTER-SHOW POST In recent years, the term 'underground salsa' has been used to refer to salsa music that was (or is) not well-known to the general public. The wording can also imply in some cases difficult-to-find vintage material.  Among salsa insiders such as DJs and collectors, there is a pantheon of artists, musical groups, and individual songs which exist as 'underground' and are highly prized even when audio fidelity is sometimes far from ideal. Compare this with the popular and better audio quality of the same period, such as those from Fania Records, as well as the range of contemporary releases from the 1990s onwards. What explains the huge appeal of underground salsa? What is the context? Here is an idea. Evidently, commercial success escaped many salsa bands in their prime. But while it is easy to assume that unsatisfactory music quality, poor marketing, or failure to garner special appeal might explain a band’s downfall or lack of popularity, there is one critical point to take note of. Record labels had enormous influence for disseminating their music via radio stations. This was as true in New York as in major Latin American salsa cities such as San Juan, Santo Domingo, Caracas, and Cali, among others. Simply put, not being affiliated with the dominant record labels of the mid-1960s and early 1970s -- such as Tico/Alegre and Fania -- meant little chance of recognition during the salsa boom, at least on a large scale.  The limits of technology, media distribution, and the constraints of the radio-station business model did not help. But soon this would change, as all three of these factors would be radically transformed. For Episode 48, we tap into some reserves of marginalized and rediscovered salsa bands from the 1960s and 1970s for a loosely defined 'underground 'session. One idea is that both the influence of the internet and the desire to discover new sounds and lyrics led to a recognition of many of the marginalized orchestras of the 1960s and 1970s. [1] Mingled with these two points was perhaps even a conscious rejection of the Fania Records universe — a term applied to its immense catalog which, by the 1980s, included most other US salsa labels through a process of acquisition. This catalog was already well-known (and in many cases deservedly acclaimed) in the popular psyche of salsa aficionados. However, it was then promoted anew when the era of salsa romantica started losing its appeal. Although the time seemed opportune for a commercial push to revive interest in the so-called golden age of salsa, commercial expectations were not met. Quasi-bootleg CDs from the early 2000s sparked a discovery of marginalized salsa produced decades before. The revival around the late 1990s and early 2000s was short-lived at best, due to some reluctance among consumers in blindly embracing the old standard. Instead, an emerging interest in alternative sounds from the 1960s and 1970s seems to have emerged. Crucially, the internet would soon grow in use and accessibility, and horizons broadened in tandem with the diminishing influence of record labels, physical media, and radio. The end result was a popular (re)discovery of the sound of those once-marginalized salsa bands. Critical to this push was the rise of salsa dancing and the resulting pressure (or incentive) on DJs to be unique. Rarity became a key variable in DJs' song selection and hence their appeal.  However, this is a general perspective probably limited to the salsa aficionado from outside Colombia, Venezuela, and their neighbouring countries, where a strong awareness of salsa culture and history was in place, meaning that artists would not need to be 'rediscovered'. Rather, there was a seemingly sharp and consistent knowledge of the local salsa music scene among local enthusiasts and collectors alike. In fact, this point is worth mentioning as perhaps playing a key role in the awareness-raising among fellow enthusiasts from outside the region who began making their 'discoveries'. What kicked off the wave of discovery were at least three influential trends. First, the relative ease in making bootleg CD compilations which were then distributed internationally. Second, the growth of the internet and social media (for example, Facebook and YouTube) in facilitating connections and knowledge sharing. Third, a growing interest among serious DJs and salsa collectors in records, especially ones that were never officially issued in CD format. One can argue that the interest in discovering vintage salsa as an alternative sound was a positive leap forward in the global salsa community. Suddenly there was a massive amount of salsa songs that many people had not been aware of, and this afforded a great diversity of sound -- not to mention sparks of exclusivity -- in the deejaying or dancing experience, from North America to Europe and to Asia.  Some albums on Encanto Tropical 48 Underground salsa is a rabbit hole, for certain, and I have only touched the surface. No doubt there are different levels in this underground, but I maintain a simple approach. This means that the criteria for inclusion in the playlist for Episode 48 are simply the following. not within the Fania universe or distributed on other major labels not easily found on digital platforms (at least until recently) highly coveted as physical media (records) among DJs and collectors I welcome salsa lovers of all backgrounds and experience to listen to the show (live or on replay) and certainly share their thoughts on the topic or the song selection -- whether in the live chat, the comments below this post, or via email . To be clear, I am not attempting to be an authority. Rather, I am keen to spark some discussion for interest's sake and awareness-raising. See the broadcast information at the bottom of this page. Tune in on February 13th! References Mendevil, Ricardo (n.d.), Underground Salsa . Retrieved January 1, 2025: https://ricardomendivil.com/underground-salsa/ < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Cheo Feliciano’s 1971 album titled Cheo  marked his much-welcomed return from drug rehabilitation.  The album's opening track soon became a classic in the salsa pantheon of standards: 'Anacaona'. The song has been described as the first major hit of the “salsa explosion” [1]. To this day, it remains a much-loved tune for dancers and listeners alike, with its appealing instrumentation, song structure, and alluring atmosphere — but all this is topped by the sublime sound of Cheo Feliciano’s vocals himself.  Cheo (Inca, 1971) - see jacket details at bottom However, the merits of 'Anacaona' are not limited to purely musical aspects. Also important are the lyrics composed by Puerto Rican songwriter Tite Curet Alonso that make the song exemplary as salsa consciente , or "conscientious salsa" [2], a style which defined several salsa songs of the 1970s. Some reflection at the present time on the story of 'Anacaona' might suggest that it is now more relevant with popular awareness than ever before — even after 50+ years.  The lyrics speak of a noble woman who was a music composer and would become chief of the Taínos , inhabitants of the island of Hispaniola, where the Dominican Republic is located today. She repudiated the newly arrived Spanish colonizers, was captured, enslaved, and killed. Her name was Anacaona.  The song remarks on her fight to protect her people and their culture. It also laments at her demise. In a show of conscious inclusivity, national or romantic sentiments are downplayed since the song composer, a Puerto Rican, chose as his subject an indigenous inhabitant of a Caribbean island other than his own [3]; thus, Anacaona is portrayed not only as a noble symbol of her peoples’ resistance and tragedy, but also the story and plight of indigenous peoples across the Caribbean. To point, her confrontation with the Spanish was a form repeated time and again between indigenous peoples and European colonizers across the Americas for the next few centuries.  The execution of Anacaona by Jodocus van Winghen, 1558. Image source: argia.eus It seems that for ages popular awareness was never broad enough to include much historical injustice,  especially the kind experienced by First Nations peoples. However, the topics of settler colonialism and related injustices are now on the rise within a swirling, global consciousness although they are downplayed or ignored by mainstream media; yet, the story of Anacaona is profoundly relevant today. This tribute by composer Tite Curet Alonso, who wrote several songs touching on socio-cultural issues (including one about Anacaona’s husband, Caonabó), is an invitation for more awareness-raising on the injustices of the past and present.  Such is the understanding one can gain from learning the context of certain musical pieces. Salsa songs are no exception; in fact, many are rich in context. References 1. Cesar Miguel Rondon. The Book of Salsa  (Chapel Hill: UNC Press, 2008), 202. 2. Andrés Espinoza Agurto. Salsa Consciente  (East Lansing: MSU Press, 2022), 149. 3. Agurto, Salsa Consciente , 150. Salsa In Context This blog post has been an exploration of Salsa in Context: the example of 'Anacaona', the first segment in a series which examines the background story of salsa songs. The aim is to raise awareness of the music that salsa dancers might be familiar with on the dance floor but in fact know little about due to language barriers. See all posts tagged "salsa in context" . PRESENTATION Salsa in Context  will be presented at 2024 Taiwan Salsa Carnival  in Taipei, Nov 22-24. “Salsa in Context - An introduction to develop your appreciation of salsa music as a dancer and listener ”   by Angel Figueroa (Josai International University)  Location: NuZone Exhibition Center , 2F (Salsa Room) Date & Time: Sunday, Nov 24, 11:30-12:20 The 2024 Taiwan Salsa Carnival  is an international salsa event organized by Calvin Wang and hosted at a spacious venue in Taipei with several invited international instructors, performers, and DJs. Social dancing is provided for both salsa and bachata dancers. Get tickets here . FURTHER LISTENING The song “Anacaona” was included in Episode 41 of Encanto Tropical: Tite Curet Alonso Tribute , which featured many great songs by the Puerto Rican composer. Click on the image below to open the episode webpage for more information and to replay the show. — JACKET DETAILS First released in 1971 by Inca Records, the 1972 pressing by Vaya Records is the version pictured in this post. It is a gatefold edition with interesting details including a note by Curet Alonso. < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

The monthly chart for September 2024 recognizes another selection of ten new additions to the growing universe of contemporary salsa songs. This is, of course, a subjective selection. As usual, narrowing it down to just ten songs was not an easy task. As in past charts for the radio show Encanto Tropical (on World Salsa Radio ), there were several outtakes which made it a gut wrenching process! Here are my choices for the best salsa songs for September 2024 on Encanto Tropical. The chart is especially packed with great tunes when compared to previous months. Notably, it's a balance between European artists and those from the Americas. Italy's La Maxima 79 takes the pole position with its banging track "Yo Traigo Salsa" from their latest album, X. The second and third positions are nods to fantastic dance tunes by new material from Spanish Harlem Orchestra , directed by Oscar Hernandez with "Bailador" and Manny Martinez from the San Francisco Bay Area with "Los Buenos Son Más". His latest album, In the Zone, is a masterpiece -- three of its tracks have appeared on my charts. Boyacá is a new band for me, but their entry on the list, "Dame de Eso", is certainly noteworthy. Roniel Alfonso and Willy Garcia team up for a fantastic production in "Esa Mujer A Mi Me Gusta" to finish the top five. Then comes prolific Swedish songwriter and musician, Thomas de Paula Eby , with yet another fantastic tune marking this year, with "Son Lindas". The final four tunes I regard as essential DJ material to diversify a set. These are Maylo Martinez 's well-produced romantica, "Primera Cita"; Havana Caliente 's "Otro" with great Cuban vibes; another lively and punchy Cuban tune by Mario Crespo Martinez , "Baby Llamame", and another superb instrumental, "Ida y Vuelta", by trombonist and songwriter El Vikingo de la Salsa with pianist Marco Puma . For other "Top-10" lists, see the Charts page in the Radio section . Source Songs are chosen from the Contemporary Salsa - 2024 playlist that I curate with my colleague, DJ Rem in France, on Spotify. Hats off to him for his work in finding great new music, some of which end up on my charts. The Selection Process The criteria for selection includes danceability, originality, instrumental aspects, lyrical meaning, whether there is a certain 'punch' and, of course, personal appeal. Charts are not intended to be authoritative -- this is definitely a subjective area. Three other important points deserve explaining. First, an emission of a track can be due simply to my lack of awareness -- while I try to keep up-to-date with new releases, my schedule is busy, and my day job leaves me with limited time to dedicate myself to this labour of love; so naturally, I can easily miss a song that -- all things being equal -- should have got on a list. Second, I make my selections for myself; I am not one to copy what others are choosing. Third, among my criteria for selecting tracks is that a track must have been released within the last four months. Having said all that, I am welcome to feedback and suggestions, so contact me and let's discuss! Encanto Tropical on Spotify Just recently I made a new playlist comprising only of Encanto Tropical chart selections in 2024 -- that is ten songs a month, so with September 2024, the total now comes to ninety songs. Check it out by clicking on the image below! For Encanto Tropical's top salsa picks of the year see the 2024 Songlist blog post . < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST 日本語は下記に続く Ready for replay is Episode 16 -- see the link at bottom of this page (23 tracks, 2hr 1min). Episode 16 deviates from the usual program structure (with four spotlights) and instead focuses on the theme of Latin music in Japan -- on the playlist are several songs by Japanese artists from past episodes of Encanto Tropical as well as a few I have not played before. This includes songs by foreign artists based in Japan. As a resident of Japan for more than twenty years, it has been interesting to follow the local Latin music scene and collect music, both rare and popular, which I am happy to share with listeners. The aim of this special feature is to give exposure to Japanese artists who are generally unknown internationally. There is certainly a lot of material to choose from, and my selection in no way is intended to be authoritative. In fact, I think it is important to attempt at least one more feature (Part 2) to cover several artists and bands not included in this episode (due to the time restriction). Stay tuned. Encanto Tropical 16: Focus on Japan Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 16 リプレイのリンクはこのページの下部にあります (23 曲、2 時間 1 分) 第16話は、いつもの番組構成（4つのスポットライト）とは一味違った番組をお届けしました。日本人アーティストによるラテン音楽をテーマにしています。 プレイリストには、過去のエンカント・トロピカルのエピソードから、日本のアーティストの曲や、私が今まで聴いたことのない曲が 数曲 導入されています。また、日本を拠点に活躍する海外アーティストの楽曲も含まれています。 20年以上日本に住んでいる私は、現地のラテン音楽シーンを追いかけ、レアなものからポピュラーなものまで、リスナーに喜んで聴いてもらえるような音楽を集めることができたのは、とても興味深いことでした。 この特集は、国際的に知られるのは これからという、隠れた才能を持つ日本のアーティストに触れてもらうことを目的としています。 確かに他にも選択できる資料はたくさんありますが、今回、私の選んだものは、決して権威付けを意図したものではありません。むしろ、今回取り上げられなかったアーティストやバンドを、少なくとももう1回（part 2）で 取り上げることが重要だと考えています（時間的制約のため）ご期待くださいね。 Featured ARTiSTs & BANDS (in alphabetical order) Links included where available Aya Nakano y Central Ayumi "Azucar" Suzuki Alisa Sunaga Banderas Central Chica Boom Chuo Bomba Niconital Conjunto Mamborama Ex Corde Eto Karamushi & Orquesta Copa Salvo Ken Morimura Luis Valle & QBAmigos Orquesta Copa Salvo Orquesta de La Luz Orquesta del Sol Manny Mendez Salsa Swingoza Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Yoshiro Hiroishi Replay Episode 16 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST Coming up on Encanto Tropical (Episode 16)... Latin Japan in focus! Every episode of Encanto Tropical features 3 samples of Latin music by Japanese artists. Their inclusion in the program is due to my desire to give exposure to Japanese artists who are generally unknown internationally. As a resident of Japan, it has been interesting to follow the Latin music scene and collect music that I am happy to share with listeners. In Episode 16, we will deviate from the usual structure of the program and review several songs by Japanese artists that have been covered so far on Encanto Tropical, plus some new ones. This includes foreign artists based in Japan. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 16 Note The episode featuring Bongohead as guest, which was originally scheduled for Episode 16, has been rescheduled for Episode 17. Tune into World Salsa Radio for Episode 16 of Encanto Tropical with Japanese Latin music on November 24th! < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

I recently posted about music which caught my attention in 2021 -- regardless of release year -- featuring 570 songs across several genres in 18 lists, and among them I featured new releases in salsa. ​Details regarding selection are explained in the project description . The results were divided into four charts corresponding to Early , Spring , Summer , and Late 2021 . The focus was certainly salsa, with 8 dedicated playlists. Each image below links to a playlist on my Spotify profile . Since posting about those charts (well into 2022), I have continued to add tracks to some of the playlists. What especially interests me is expanding the list of 2021 new releases. As a result, this playlist has grown from 50 to 80 tracks. More will be added as I discover songs that I initially missed. A preview of this playlist is available below. Enjoy!

Replay Episode 30 using the link at the bottom of this page (25 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. Some of the artists included in Episode 30 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. Click on image to see the 2023 Charts UPDATE With so many good songs in 2023, I decided to do a Part 2 of my favourites of the year. It features several outtakes from the playlist of Episode 30. Check out Best Salsa of 2023 - Part 2 (Episode 31) . OTHER YEARS Check out other "Best Salsa" lists by Encanto Tropical: Best Salsa of 2024 Best Salsa of 2022 Best Salsa of 2000 REPLAY EPISODE 30 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

And now the monthly spotlight of 10 salsa songs on Encanto Tropical. Here is February 2024. In the top position is a salsa version of 'Entre dos aguas' from Paco de Lucía, interpreted by Son Con Ron , a Germany-based band formed around the brothers Anichi and Pablo Perez. Naturally, strings serve as the key motif and are played by Anichi Perez, who can deliver on both the acoustic guitar and Cuban tres . Their album"Flor", released two weeks ago, includes several previously-released material -- among them the title track from 2022 that quickly became popular among listeners and DJs alike. A simply great album, my hunch is that 'Entre dos aguas' becomes yet another anthem of theirs. Click to listen to the album on Spotify The other tracks in the top five include two with Cuban flavour: 'Pero Tu' by the Italy-based trio of El Timba/Roberto Sabroso/El Bandera as well as 'Son de Verdad' by Juan Karlos and Sangre Nueva , from California USA. Colombian salsa dura make up the other two songs, with strong brass sections and notable piano in 'No Juega Mas' by Benedict & The Magic Band and 'Malalo' by Orquesta 220 . Among the remaining tracks are two romantica by Jose Ricardo Salsa ('Y Amarte Mas'), from Colombia and Hector Olmo ('Si a veces hablo de ti') from Puerto Rico. Also representing Puerto Rico are two other bands: Julio Albino y su Orq. Secreto a Voces , with the upbeat 'Paila de Guarachero' and Don Perignon & La Puertorriqueña 's mid-tempo 'La Clave Me Lleva'. Closing the list is a nod to the slightly poppy but catchy tune 'Bochinchero' by Motiff and Tito Nieves . All monthly charts are sourced from the Spotify playlist below (curated by DJ Rem and me). Click on image to open Spotify This page highlights Encanto Tropical's picks for the best salsa of February 2024. For other salsa charts (commencing from January 2023), see the Charts page. For Encanto Tropical's top salsa picks of the year see the 2024 Songlist blog post . Videos Subscribe to get notified of future charts < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Encanto Tropical’s salsa picks for November 2024 were recently posted on the charts page . Topping the November 2024 selection is a track from Gilberto Santa Rosa ’s latest album, Debut Y Segunda Tanta Vol 2 , which is further proof of his prolific artistry as vocalist and musical director. There are several great tracks in the album, but my choice is “Como si fuera nuestra” composed by Jose Orlando Mosqueda and Luis Marin.  The second spot goes to Willie Panamá from the Bibomusic label with a powerful interpretation of “Afinque Pa Los Rumblers” composed by Juan Antonio Ruiz Aguilar. A singer and actor, Willie Panamá was born in Panama but has lived in both New York and Florida. This track is part of a larger project to highlight some of the best composers from Panama under the direction of arranger Raul Gillmore in album called Los Cantantes del Solar – Reunión de Gigantes . In third comes Thorben Christian Schütt, known as ' El Vikingo de la Salsa ', with his song “Ven a Gozar”. The German trombone player and songwriter has been releasing a new song on a monthly basis recently, and almost all have been included in Encanto Tropical’s top-10 list. There is serious talent going on here. Ten 'best' salsa songs for November 2024 have been added to Encanto Tropical “Monthly Picks - Salsa 2024” on Spotify. They correlate to track numbers 101 to 110. (Songs from previous months are listed as 1 to 100). Click on the image below to listen and like for easy access! Rounding up the top five are songs by Gia Fu (“Lotus”) and Manny Martinez (“Ol’ Skull/Vieja Escuela”). Both have very original touches. The Hong Kong native DJ and producer Gia Fu includes an unmistakeable Chinese musical element in her song, while Manny Martinez includes some rap and clever wordplay from his stellar album In the Zone . (Note: mentioned in the list is the 'DJ Angel remix' of the song by Gia Fu, but this is so far unavailable in the public domain). Songs ranked 6 to 10 are noteworthy for different reasons, but they share in common great danceability and catchy appeal. Johnny Vega and La Orquesta Muralla ’s “Mujer Puertoriqueña” is a punchy release from the Canadian label Hyperopia Records . Kim De Los Santos ’ “De Pesos a Carisias”, a romantica , has great melody with a certain edge to it. La Maxima 79 reappears on this monthly list with another fine salsa brava “in Papa el Guaguanco” from their latest album X. The single “Llámala” by Carlos Garcia is a fine choppy tune co-sung with Charlie Aponte, former lead singer of El Gran Combo making it a wonderful duo. Colombian singer Maía finishes off the list with “La Vida” and her trademark voice rendering beautiful lyrics in an infectious catchy tune backed by great instrumentation. Follow on Spotify to listen to all the songs which have been compiled for Encanto Tropical’s picks in 2024. For other monthly charts in 2023-2024, see the Encanto Tropical - Charts  page. For Encanto Tropical's top salsa picks of 2024 see the 2024 Songlist blog post . As a rule, songs are pulled from the Spotify playlist Contemporary Salsa: 2024 Releases jointly curated by DJs Rem and Angel Figueroa. Disclaimer The Encanto Tropical monthly picks are not meant to be authoritative lists. They are, by nature, subjective selections based on personal appeal, with exposure to recently released songs come from both promotional material as well as researching digital platforms. Choices are limited to songs released in the last four months. Omissions may be due to a lack of awareness simply because it is near impossible to know about all recently released songs. Feedback is therefore welcome; if you think a noteworthy song was missed, please let me know . < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >