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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 >

PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST The next show is the annual wrap-up of my preferred salsa tunes released during the year. The pool from which I chose tracks is a Spotify playlist curated by DJ Rem and me. We have been diligently updating it since January, and it now numbers more than 650 songs. Twenty-five The Encanto Tropical 2024 Songlist  will feature 25 songs. Unlike the 2023 list  -- but like the 2022 list  -- there is no ranking. This avoids the nonsense of announcing what the number one song is. Rather, I will play the 25 tracks in a way suitable for programming a two-hour show. An alphabetically-ordered list will be included in the after-show post . Sparks My search for notable material to spark the dance floor has some method to it. I gravitate towards fresh and unique sounds. They can come in the form of arrangement, solo instrumentation, or in the melody or rhythm sections. I also consider production quality, unique contexts, the composition, and the vocal interpretation of the lyrics. In the end, it's all about how a song simply resonates with me, which sometimes is not very quantifiable. Criteria The selection process cannot escape subjectivity, even when criteria has been set. Naturally, musical taste differs among people. This difference is to be embraced! Every songlist is to be taken with a grain of salt, then -- mine included. It should be fun and informative reading different opinions on the "best songs", so let's just be carefree and raise awareness for everyone's benefit. I look forward to discovering songs I overlooked when I read other lists. Featured albums on Encanto Tropical 47 Programming Several songs caught my attention in 2024 but, on a side note, there were not as many as in the year before. Nonetheless, it was not easy trimming the 2024 shortlist to just twenty-five favourite salsa songs. The fun part is in the programming -- how to place them sequentially in the show, from the opening track to the closing one. Interested in reading more? Check out the Blog Index to see all posts. Browse a list of selected, in-depth writings on the Featured Posts page. Subscribe  to get notified of blog updates. < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Tokyo, one of the world’s most vibrant and musically diverse cities, boasts an impressive record store culture that appeals to music lovers of all kinds. From towering megastores to hidden vinyl sanctuaries, the city has something for every enthusiast.  For DJs and collectors of Latin American music visiting from abroad, Tokyo offers a treasure trove of Latin material, from salsa and tango to cumbia and samba . Whether you’re seeking vintage or mainstream music, here is a basic guide for shopping in Tokyo for Latin records and CDs. Why Tokyo? Tokyo is known for its eclectic mix of music stores, each with its own unique charm. Japanese music aficionados have a deep appreciation for physical media, especially vinyl records, which has led to a resurgence of record stores and collectors' markets. This demand extends beyond Japanese music into global genres, including Latin music. DJs looking to diversify their sets or music lovers hoping to bring home a slice of Latin rhythm can — if they are persistent — find Tokyo to be a goldmine. Read on. But first, a caveat It should be noted that while Tokyo has a vast collection of stores stocked full of music catering to lovers of certain genres, Latin music in general is a niche market, with many stores dumping Latin titles into the broad category of “World Music”, resulting in only a small selection of Latin music per store — this appears to be a universal issue and Tokyo is no different. However, considering the sheer number of music stores in Tokyo, success in finding a few Latin gems (whether on CD or vinyl) can certainly be had — but time and energy may be required to criss-cross the metropolis combing through stores and to dig, dig, dig; however, that in itself is very rewarding with so much else on offer when visiting one of the most exciting cities in the world. And... THere is online shopping I have been buying records in Japan for quite some time, and what I have noticed is that many guides to music-hunting in Tokyo do not reveal an interesting point. Simply put, among the best ways to find music is via online shopping, whether from specific stores or market and auction sites. Unless your stay is very short, there are few reasons why you should not consider this route as well. I will explain in a follow-up post. 10 Great bets for buying Latin music in Tokyo 1. Disk Union (Shinjuku World Music Hall) Location: Shinjuku | Google Maps | Website As one of the largest and most famous record store chains in Japan, Disk Union is notable for its Shinjuku branch as a must-visit spot for anyone interested in world music, including Latin genres. The store has an entire floor dedicated to international sounds, and you can find a variety of Latin albums spanning salsa , bossa nova , tango , and beyond, in both CD and vinyl format, whether used or new. Be forewarned, however. A lot of what is for sale is astronomically priced.    2. El Sur Records Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website El Sur Records is one of the few shops in Tokyo that exclusively specializes in world music, with an emphasis on Latin, African, and Caribbean sounds. Their collection of Latin records and CDs is extensive, covering everything from Afro-Cuban rhythms to contemporary Latin pop. What is more, prices can be reasonable. 3. HMV Record Shop Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website A staple in the Japanese music scene, HMV Shibuya carries a wide range of vinyl records as well as a section for Latin music. You can find classic as well as contemporary Latin artists — either used or new.  4. RecoFan Location: Shibuya | Google Maps  | Website RecoFan  in Shibuya is a haven for vinyl collectors and offers an extensive range of Latin music. Their collection of both new and used records is impressive, and DJs or collectors will appreciate the better-than-average collection of Latin music that is separated from other ‘World’ genres. 5. Other Disk Union branches  Locations: Ikebukuro , Shimokitazawa , Ochanomizu , Jinbocho , Kichijoji While the Shinjuku branch is the flagship for Disk Union 's stock Latin of Latin material, this does not preclude several other branches from carrying small sections for occasional finds in Latin music. (Click on each underlined area above for the Google map and access to the relevant website). 6. Rubbergard Record Location: Jimbocho | Google Maps | Website With a focus on mainly Latin music in soul, jazz, rock, and Central and South America, here is a store to find some exceptionally far out music. Anything Brazilian seems to have the lion’s share of what is on offer. 7. Hi-Fi Record Store Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website A retro-style shop with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Hi-Fi Record Store stocks a wide variety of vinyl, including a collection of Latin records. Their focus on world music makes it a great place to discover hidden gems. 8. JET SET Records Location: Shimokitazawa | Google Maps | Website JET SET Records is well-known for its extensive selection of new and used vinyl. DJs and collectors will love the variety of Latin genres on offer, from samba to salsa and more obscure regional styles. Shimokitazawa’s bohemian atmosphere adds to the experience. 9. Big Love Records Location: Harajuku | Google Maps | Website Big Love Records is a small, hip record shop that carries an eclectic mix of vinyl, including Latin and world music. Though their collection may not be vast, it’s worth visiting for its unique finds and curated vibe, especially with craft beer and coffee available for purchase. 10. Face Record Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website Face Record in Shibuya has a strong focus on jazz and world music, making it an excellent destination for those looking for Latin jazz records. Their vinyl collection includes rare finds from Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean. BONUS: Record Bar Analog  Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website While Record Bar Analog is primarily a vinyl bar, they also sell records on site. DJs can peruse their small Latin music collection while enjoying a unique dining and listening experience. The vibe is unbeatable. Conclusion Tokyo is an unexpected yet rich destination for Latin music collectors and DJs alike — although you will need to invest time and energy to visit the right stores and to dig, dig, dig (but that should go without saying). With its vast array of stores, many of which cater to world music enthusiasts, you can find everything from rare Latin jazz records to contemporary salsa CDs. Whether you're on the hunt for vinyl to elevate your DJ arsenal or looking to grow your personal Latin music collection, Tokyo's music stores offer a dynamic selection that will leave any Latin music lover satisfied. Happy digging! < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Episode 41 was a tribute session to Catalino 'Tite' Curet Alonso, one of the most prolific and important song writers in salsa. Replay at the bottom of this page (1:58:58, 24 tracks). 'Tite' Curet -- as he was commonly known -- reportedly composed more than 2000 songs, many of which are considered salsa anthems although perhaps his recognition is overshadowed by the musicians who made such great interpretations of his work, such as several stars of the Fania label as well as fellow musicians from Puerto Rico. However, there is no doubt about his great talent, interesting nature, and inspiring character. This episode serves as a very basic introduction. While preparing for this episode, I was amazed to learn so much about 'Tite' Curet as well as the details of several of his songs. There is definitely enough material for a Part 2! Stay tuned! Read the pre-broadcast post for more context. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 41 One rule that I stuck to in the song selection was not to include more than one song by any given artist. For this reason, I also included a few cover songs, that is to say, there are compositions by 'Tite' Curet' played by artists other than the ones who did the primary recording. For this reason, I included a cover of 'Anacaona' because I wanted to feature the singer Cheo Feliciano in another work: 'Salí Porque Salí'. There are other examples. Catalino 'Tite' Curet Alonso Source: Discogs.com The objective was to strike a balance between several salsa anthems and lesser-known works by 'Tite' Curet. All around, I believe it is an interesting collection of songs from a range of great artists and their interpretations of this great songwriter. Included are two tracks sung by the composer himself, with instrumentation directed by his friend Jorge Millet who shines on the piano and vibraphone -- check the show to hear all these tunes! Full attribution is provided on the show. Notable sources are listed in the pre-broadcast post and acknowledgements are needed for the relevant topic of salsa consciente , both in a book by Andrés Espinoza Agurto as well as in a podcast by Michigan State University: Andrés Espinoza Agurto (Michigan State University Press, 2021): Salsa Consciente: Politics, Poetics, and Latinidad in the Meta-Barrio MSU Press Podcast: Salsa Consciente: Politics, Poetics, and Latinidad in the Meta-Barrio Replay below. Enjoy! REPLAY EPISODE 41 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Replay Episode 31 using the link at the bottom of this page: Twenty-six songs (2:05:14). In this session I pick up where I left off in the last show, playing more salsa gems released in 2023. It turns out that with so much good material and several lesser-known artists worthy of recognition, a selection of just twenty-five tracks to represent the year is simply not enough. So I revisit my source playlist on Spotify and play outtakes, missed tracks, and even a few newly discovered ones, such as material released late in the year. That means another 25 "best" salsa songs of 2023! See the pre-show post for more context. The choice of tracks is selected from DJ Rem's Spotify playlist Contemporary Salsa (2023 Releases) -- which I also contributed to -- totaling over 600 songs. Once again, 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 31 Full attribution is given on the show. The track list is below in order of play (not ranking). OTHER YEARS Check out other "Best Salsa" lists by Encanto Tropical: Best Salsa of 2024 (coming soon) Best Salsa of 2022 Best Salsa of 2000 REPLAY EPISODE 31 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

AFTER-SHOW POST  | PRE-SHOW POST Available for replay is Episode 18 -- see below for the link (2hrs 5mins, 25 tracks). This is a special edition of Encanto Tropical on World Salsa Radio , with a departure from the usual format of 4 spotlights including a guest showcase. Episode 18 marks the end of 2022 with a selection of 25 "best" salsa songs of the year. Joining me as a co-selector of these tracks is DJ Rem. See the pre-show post for information about the show, including an introduction of DJ Rem. The music of Encanto Tropical 18 - Best Salsa of 2022 Note: there is no song ranking. The 25 tracks are presented in a random order. "Best SALSA of 2022" Encanto Tropical Selected by Dj Angel (Japan) & DJ Rem (France) Track LIST (in order of appearance in the show) Best Salsa of 2022 as featured on Encanto Tropical Encanto Tropical 18 - The Best of 2022 OTHER YEARS Check out other "Best Salsa" lists by Encanto Tropical: Best Salsa of 2024 (coming soon) Best Salsa of 2023 Best Salsa of 2000 Replay Episode 18 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST I will start Episode 31 where I ended in Episode 30 , playing more of my preferred salsa songs released in 2023 -- that means twenty-five more tracks (fifty in total)! It turns out that with so much good material and so many lesser-known artists worthy of recognition, a selection of the "best 25" salsa songs of 2023 was just not enough. Let's go with more salsa faves of 2023 in Episode 31, then. My "9 Fave" salsa songs of 2023 - click the image for more information about Episode 30. Criteria As mentioned in the post about the original show (Part 1) , my choices are not intended to be authoritative. Rather, they are based on personal appreciation using several criteria -- primarily on how a song matches my style of deejaying for dancers. This is admittedly, subjective. Also important are what I consider to be notable arrangements, instrumentation, vocals, and lyrics. I also lean a little more towards artists who are not especially well-known but I feel deserve more recognition. Feedback Simply, I am keen to share my own favourite tracks. However, I certainly respect differences of opinion, so I welcome feedback on my selection and would love to hear recommendations about songs I did not choose. Source The pool of songs for choosing tracks is a Spotify playlist curated by my colleague DJ Rem (France) and myself for salsa songs released in 2023. It contains just more than 600 songs, so naturally it was very difficult to select only twenty-five songs for Part 1 and once again another twenty-five for this upcoming Part 2. While programming for both shows, I began with a shortlist of roughly 45 songs and then trimmed it little by little to reach my final twenty-five songs, which was not easy. Nonetheless, this upcoming episode (Part 2) is an attempt to fix some glaring omissions in the last show (Part 1), which aired on Dec 28. So I revisited the 2023 Spotify playlist  and will play outtakes, passed-over tracks, and newly discovered material, such as songs released late in the year. Why 25? For those wondering why twenty-five and not more or less, the reason is because twenty-five is roughly the number of songs that I can squeeze into a two-hour show. Rankings Below is the ranking of songs from Part 1; however, the tracks appeared in a random order on the show. A replay link follows. REPLAY EPISODE 30 (Part 1) Click below to listen in your browser or on SoundCloud. < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST What are the best salsa songs of 2022? Wow, is it that time of year already…? Yeah! So tune in on Dec 22 for some answers… DJ Rem and I spent the last twelve months curating a Spotify playlist with 2022 releases — to be honest, DJ Rem did most of the work! And last week we chose our favorites to share on my show, Encanto Tropical… It was tough making our choices, and of course our list isn’t authoritative, but we agreed on 25 smoking salsa tracks released in 2022. We hope listeners think like our selection, too! Check out our Spotify playlist (with more than 400 tracks) to get an idea what we had to choose from... Contemporary Salsa (2022 Releases) - DJs Rem & Angel Encanto Tropical 18 www.WorldSalsaRadio.com DJ Angel Figueroa & Guest DJ Rem Dec 22 Thu 22:00 Japan Time 05:00 PT / 08:00 ET / 13:00 GMT / 14:00 CET It was really interesting coming up with the final list of songs! A lot of credit goes to DJ Rem for his work in curating the Spotify playlist, from which we chose the best songs (all but one are from the Spotify playlist). DJ Rem (France) DJ Rem and I met through CoBeatParty on Facebook, and it’s been great fun chatting together about salsa ever since; this collaboration demonstrates our mutual respect and similar tastes, so big cheers and thanks to DJ Rem, who is based in France and whom I consider one of the best salsa DJs out there! Tune into World Salsa Radio for Episode 18 of Encanto Tropical for the best of 2022 on December 22nd! < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Episode 37 of Encanto Tropical is a salsa session with no theme. It has 26 tracks (2:01:45). Replay below. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 37 REPLAY EPISODE 37 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >