Replay Encanto Tropical 32 using the link at the bottom of this page: 26 songs ( 2:01:10 ). Two weeks ago I had the thrill of deejaying at a weekend event in Okinawa marking the 20th Anniversary of MambOki Latin Dance Studio, run by Erik Rodriguez, whose talents as a performer, instructor, and mentor deserve high praise. Congrats to him! ​ Episode 32 is made up of tracks from playlists used for my two sets at the event on Friday and Saturday. Full attribution is given on the show. Featured artists are listed below. Alméstica Antonio Cartagena Benedict & The Magic Band Chuck Velez Coco Garcia Cuba Quartet DDLO Dj Fabrizio Zoro, El Vikingo De La Salsa Dj Maurizio Dona' Dj Ricky Campanelli Eduardo Zayas y Su Ez la Banda El Equipo Del Norte El Tumbao de Ricar Fabio Gianni and LunaMea Quartet Gia Fu Joel Torres El Cata KUARE La Excelencia La Santa Rumba Larry Bass Lucas van Merwijk and His Cu-Bop City Big Band Marco Puma New Swing Sextet Riverita Y Su Orquesta Noche Caliente Ft Danny Rivera Jr REPLAY EPISODE 32 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Here is my "top-10" salsa songs for January 2024. It is a good range of tracks topped by the previously unknown group Ah Hum! and their number 'A Guarchar' [sic] composed by Aidan McDonough and Mario Vasquez. Most songs were released this month but some were released in late December 2023. See the Charts page for more selections. < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

千葉県東金市のレコードイベントでディージェイします。 情報は日本語と英語で続きます。 Coming up is a vinyl event in Togane, Chiba. Information follows in Japanese and English. トロピカル　ビーツ ２月２３日 (祝・金) １１:００−２０:００ イベントコンセプトについて トロピカルミュージックをフューチャーしたオールヴァイナルイベント。DJ アンヘル　フィゲロア (Angel Figueroa) がセレクトした音楽(主にサルサ、レゲエ、ラテンジャズ)。 トロピカルな音楽と共に上質な料理とお酒を楽し んでいただき、夕日の沈むテラスやステンドグラ ス素敵な室内で最高の空間をコンセプトとしております。 チャージは無料です ご予約はスタッフまでお早めに ! お子様連れ歓迎です。 The Terrace Kiminomori インストグラム   | ホームページ   | グーグルマップ   | アクセス DJ アンヘルについて (英語) Tropical Beats Feb 23 (Friday; Public Holiday) 11:00-20:00 Event Concept This is an all-vinyl event featuring tropical music selected by DJ Angel Figueroa (mainly salsa, reggae, Latin jazz). The concept is to create the best space for you to enjoy high-quality food and drinks with tropical music, on a terrace where you can watch the sunset, and in a beautiful interior with stained glass windows. No cover charge. Reservations can be made by phone. The Terrace Kiminomori Instagram  | Homepage  | Google Maps | Access About DJ Angel 場所 The Terrace Kiminomori 千葉県東金市季美の森東１−５９０−５ ０４７５−７１−２８０８ Venue The Terrace Kiminomori 1 Chome-590-5 Kiminomorihigashi, Togane, Chiba Tel. 0475-71-2808 Gallery アクセス： 車 | 電車 ＞ 車をご利用の方 千葉東金道路 山田ICより約２分 東京湾アクアライン・圏央道 東金ICより５分 圏央道『東金I.C』をご利用の方 圏央道をご利用の場合の降り口は【東金I.C】となります。 千葉東金道路【山田I.C】の上り方 面には降り口がございませんのでご注意下さい。 ※ グーグルマップにて住所検索をされる際には「 The Forest Garden KIMINOMORI 」とご入力ください。 ＞ 電車・バスをご利用の方 東京駅より約６０分 JR 京葉線 わかしお 東京駅よりJR特急で大網駅まで４４分。 大網駅より【季美の森行き】バスにて【東千葉メディカルセンター】まで１２分 【東千葉メディカルセンター】バス停前より徒歩２分 Access When using Google Maps to navigate, enter "The Forest Garden KIMINOMORI". ＞ By car 2 minutes from the Yamada IC of Chiba Togane Road 5 minutes from Togane Interchange on Tokyo Bay Aqua-line and Ken-O Expressway For those using the Togane Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway: When using the Ken-O Expressway, the exit is Togane I.C. For those using the Yamada I.C. on the Chiba Togane Expressway: Please note that there is no exit on the east side of the road. ＞ By train/bus/taxi 1. From Oami Station Take the bus bound for Kibi no Mori and get off at Higashi Chiba Medical Center: 14 min. Then walk: 2 min. (Alternatively, a taxi from Oami Station will cost approximately 2000 yen) To access Oami Station by train from Tokyo Station: • JR Keiyo Line (Wakashio Express): 44 min; OR • JR Sobu Line (Rapid) to Chiba Station / JR Sotobo Line to Oami Station: 1hr 13 min. 2. From Chiba Station Take the bus bound for Kibi no Mori and get off at Higashi Chiba Medical Center: 268 min. Then walk: 2 min. To access Chiba Station by train from Tokyo Station: • JR Sobu Line (Rapid): 40 min. < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

日本語 ｜ English 日本のサルサバンド Son D' K.Libre が結成10周年を記念し、2月11日から14日まで浜松、東京、名古屋、大阪の4都市でコンサートツアーを行います。 このツアーは、２０２３年９月にリリースされたカリブレのファーストアルバム「 Lo Que Se Cuenta 」を記念して開催されます。CDに収録された全8曲はバンドリーダーのジャセル ・サガーラ（ギター＆ボーカル）のオリジナルです。 主要なデジタル プラットフォームで入手可能ですが、ライブ会場では CDも販売されます。 ツアースケジュール ２月１１日（日） 浜松: MARGARITA DJ Guitta • チケット＆詳細 ２月１２日（祝 • 月） 東京: CROCODILE DJ Angel • チケット＆詳細 ２月１３日（火） 名古屋: TOKUZO DJ German • チケット＆詳細 ２月１４日（水） 大阪: SOMA DJ Atsushi • チケット＆詳細 各コンサートには地元で活躍している DJ が参加して会場を盛り上げてくれます。 大阪に住んでいた頃からこのバンドのことを結成当初から知っていたので、東京でのコンサートで一緒に参加できることができて光栄に思います。 メンバー Son D' K.Libre は、その優れたレパートリーだけでなく、サンティアゴ・デ・クーバ出身のジャセル ・サガーラ以外は、全て才能豊かな日本人ミュージシャンのメンバーによって構成されています。 Yacel Sagarra (vo, gt, cho) 
 Aya Sagarra (vo, cho) 
 大山りほ (key) 
 石井孝宏 (bs) とくじろう (conga,cho) 
 亀崎ヒロシ (dr, timbales, bongo) 
 松木理三郎 (tp) 
 高田将利 (tp) 
 清瀬勇気 (tb) 
 中平雄大 (sax) 注：大阪公演にはスペシャルゲストとしてフルートの福留 敬氏が出演します。 Son D'K.Libre Website Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Produced by Sagarra Music エキサイティングなサルサのライブ体験を楽しめるこの機会をお見逃しなく！ チケットの入手にサポートが必要な場合は、下記までご連絡ください。 Encanto Tropical ２月８日のエンカント トロピカル のラジオ番組（ エピソード３３ ）でこのコンサート ツアーの記念を飾ることができ、カリブレやジャセル & アヤを含むすべてのキューバ音楽をフィーチャーできることを嬉しく思います。 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

On July 13, World Salsa Radio had its annual fundraising event, marking four years since DJ Felipe Martinez started his internet radio station dedicated to salsa and Latin music enthusiasts. Encanto Tropical is one of the many shows broadcast via World Salsa Radio, so it was a pleasure to take part in the event with a one-hour set. Replay is available below. My set lacks a theme; instead I played a mix of song types to represent the wide range of material I like to cover here at Encanto Tropical, whether vintage salsa or contemporary salsa, salsa brava or salsa romantica, or Cuban salsa or salsa from elsewhere. Twelve tracks, 0:55:37. REPLAY 4th Anniversary - DJ Angel SET < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

A recent pleasure of mine was being interviewed on The Empowered Dancers Podcast . Although I have had many guests myself on my radio show, this was the first time the roles were reversed, and it was a thrill. About the podcast In the words of host Bobbie Miles, The Empowered Dancers Podcast serves to function as a space for different voices in our dance scene to be celebrated and have conversations that matter in order to promote more understanding, accountability and responsibility in our dance scene through the value we share with listeners. On the show For Episode 32, I shared the origins of my love for salsa music, some experiences as a DJ, and some details about my current activities -- beyond just spinning at salsa events -- such as creating content for the radio show Encanto Tropical and researching the role of context in salsa, both in individual songs and in the 'genre' at large involving socio-cultural and historical references. Bobbie Miles is a wonderful, insightful, and bubbly host with a great objective in mind: to encourage salsa/bachata/kizomba dancers to dance "on our own terms, to shine our own light." She provides this empowerment by sharing interviews with people from a range of backgrounds, each of whom has a story to tell -- and in their story she provides some form of empowerment. I feel grateful to have been invited to appear on the show. It was a fun and interesting talk, as the process of verbalizing my experiences and ideas reminded me of my belonging to the exciting and supportive salsa community -- both locally and globally. The 25-minute interview can be accessed through Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and elsewhere. Check the page for TEDP Episode 32 for details. The YouTube version is below. Errata Oops. There are two points I should mention as post-interview edits. I mistakenly said 9am instead of 9pm when referring to my 8-hour DJ sets. I incorrectly described Jimmy Bosch as the singer when I mentioned his song "Otra Oportunidad". Of course, the vocalist is Herman Olivera; I meant to refer to Bosch as the lyricist, as Olivera was singing his words. OTHEr EpiSodes There are engaging interviews in other episodes of The Empowered Dancers Podcast . Below are some examples, but check out the link above for an index of all episodes. Connect Follow/subscribe to the podcast through Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube . A special thanks and best wishes to Bobbie Miles for interviewing me on The Empowered Dancers Podcast . < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Episode 43 is titled “Cuban Roots” and features Cuban music from the 1950s and early 1960s (39 tracks, 2:05:39). See the replay section at the bottom of this page. Cesar Miguel Rondon describes the 1950s as a time when Cuban music was defined by ‘spectacle’ and with ‘safe lyrics’ [1] . This contrasts with the music of the late 1960s and early 1970s when its adapted forms had evolved and found expression in New York neighbourhoods where Hispanic/Latino immigrants resided. The music was no longer extravagant and for carefree parties but rather for expressing the “violence and bitterness of a particular type of life—that of the barrio” [2]. The context of el barrio is thus key to understanding how a pan-Caribbean music rooted in Cuban rhythms developed a particular style and appeal which came to be known as ‘salsa’. Some of the music on Episode 43 This episode of Encanto Tropical is partly an effort to explore some context of that precedent. However, while much of the music of the 1950s and early 1960s certainly show some 'extravagance', there were also songs that reveal a kind of 'punchy attitude', if you will, which may have relevance as an undeniable foundation (at best) or a coincidental trait (at worst) of the musical style which emerged in New York in the 1970s — perhaps we can assume it's somewhere in between. Regardless, the main purpose of the episode is to merely highlight a musical era for appreciation and use it for further discussion. However, underlining both the connection of this era with the 70s as well as exposing the grey zone of the term 'salsa' are the inclusion of several Cuban works used by salsa bands of the late 60s and beyond, a time when the political situation made copyright issues nothing to worry about. Yet it its worth noting that this matancera variant of salsa was unlike the ‘true’ salsa of the barrio because the practice of making cover songs implied that “only the old music made sense” [3]. Notably, the use of original Cuban songs was usually without any attribution other than the initials "D.R." for derechos reservados meaning copyright reserved; this method was a convenient way to avoid crediting a Cuban composer or paying royalties [4]. Episode 43 has a common motif among its 39 musical pieces -- Cuban music played by Cubans (although not always in Cuba) from a period ending with early the years of revolutionary Cuba, when regime change had far-reaching consequences for Cuban music both inside and outside of the country. Things would never be the same, and the stage was set for a chaotic transitional phase from which Cuban-derived music, infused by new instrumental arrangements, pan-Latin flavours, and new visions influenced by the socio-cultural contexts of the 70s, would evolve from. While the song selection is thus presented thematically, there is no special motive or implication in an all-Cuban selection; it is merely an attempt at contributing to the exploration of the history of Afro-Caribbean music but with Cuba in focus. Artists The following is a list of artists/groups appearing in Episode 43. Parentheses indicate the number of songs. Arsenio Rodríguez y su Conjunto (2) Bebo Valdés Belisario López y Su Charanga Beny Moré (2) Carlos Emilio Morales Celina y Reutilio Chappotin y Sus Estrellas Cheo Marquetti y su Conjunto Chorolo y Su Combo Conjunto Casino (3) Estrellas De Chocolate Fernando Alvarez Gilberto Monroig Israel Lopez Cachao La Gloria Matancera (2) La Sonora Matancera feat. Celia Cruz La Sonora Matancera feat. Celio Gonzalez (2) La Sonora Matancera feat. Bienvenido Granda (2) La Sonora Matancera feat. Vicentico Valdés Los Compadres Los Guaracheros de Oriente Luis Santi y Su Conjunto Niño Rivera Orquesta Almendra Orquesta Aragon (2) Pedro Justiz " Peruchin" René Touzet & his Orchestra Roberto Faz y su Orquesta Rolando Laserie Rosendo Ruíz, Jr. and his Orchestra Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Piñeiro Walfredo De Los Reyes Jr. & Su Orquesta Acknowledgements Among several books and publications that were consulted in creating the episode, one book was particularly resourceful: Cesar Miguel Rondon’s the Book of Salsa (University of North Carolina Press, 2008). I also wish to acknowledge the devotion to Latin American musicology by Pablo Yglesias, a.k.a. DJ Bongohead (Instagram) whose curation in the compilations “The Roots of Salsa” (Volumes 1, 2, 3 ) served as an inspiration for this episode and also a source for several songs. These compilations released by Grosso Records are highly recommended for collectors and salsa researchers. Appreciation is also directed towards the Cuban musician Yacel Sagarra, based in Japan, who has always been available to teach me important points about Cuban music. REFERENCES Rondon, Cesar Miguel, 2008. The Book of Salsa (University of North Carolina Press, 2008), p. 21. “ p. 22. “ p. 26. Moore, Robin, 2002. Salsa and Socialism: Dance Music in Cuba, 1959-99. In L. Walker (Ed.), Situating Salsa: Global Markets and Local Meaning in Latin Popular Music (Routledge, 2002) pp. 62-63 . REPLAY Episode 43 - 'Cuban Roots' (Cuban Music of the 1950s and early 1960s) < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Episode 40 highlights salsa songs with a great solo section, whether with the piano or other instrument types, such as strings, brass, percussion, and bass. The replay link is at the bottom of the page (2:05:07, 24 tracks). The solo is where a salsa song reveals its soul. Arrangements can be tight, rhythms locked, vocals sharp — but when a musician is handed that open space and chooses to fill it their own way, that's when you hear who they really are. It's no coincidence that some of the most celebrated recordings in the genre are remembered precisely for what one player did in those few unscripted bars. At times, a solo comes across as the work of a genius. This episode of Encanto TropicaI contains 24 such tracks which especially ring true for me -- I emphasize the selection is highly personal in nature and not meant to be authoritative. Surely, there are hundreds of amazing salsa songs with 'fabulous' solos. While the most common kind of solo in salsa might be with the piano, I also include solos with other instruments, such as the trombone, trumpet, saxophone, congas, bongos, contrabass, violin, cuatro/tres and electric guitar. Featured artists include Larry Harlow, Mongo Santamaria, Alfredo de la Fe, Israel Lopez 'Cachao' and José Mangual Jr, to name only a few well-known salsa musicians. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 40 There is so much material to work with that I can easily imagine a Part 2 on this theme. Stay tuned. In the meantime, I hope listeners can enjoy these 24 tracks -- some of which are commonly known, but others may not be. Full attribution is provided on the show. Replay below. Pa' gozar! REPLAY EPISODE 40 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >

Ready for replay is "Encanto Tropical - Episode 6"... from WorldSalsaRadio with guest G-Ya (see the link at the bottom of this page). Show Highlights: Intro (contemporary Latin set): ~34:35 featuring Orquesta La Potente , Siguarajazz , Kevin Davis & Ban Caribe , and Orquesta La Palabra (and more). Spotlight 1 (new salsa releases): 34:36~ featuring Septeto Acarey , Buena Vibra Sextet , and Orquesta Colon . Spotlight 2 (Latin music by Japanese artists): 51:39~ featuring Chuo Bomba Niconital , Salsa Peanuts, and Yacel Sagarra . Spotlight 3 (Cuban classics): 1:11:51~ featuring cover versions of classics by Sonora Matancera, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Miguel Matamoros. Spotlight 4 (guest showcase): 1:25:58~ featuring guest G-ya sharing his thoughts; then I play 3 songs of his choice. Outro (salsa): 1:46:41~ featuring Willie Gonzalez, and Hugo Blanco. Replay Episode 6 Next EPISODE The next show is July 14th with guest dancer/instructor/choreographer Ryoko Ohara ( Eleggua Dance Company )... Stay tuned for more details. 7 Guest: Ryoko Ohara 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 4 of Encanto Tropical (World Salsa Radio) is available, featuring guest Steve Guasch from Salsaneo Records... Click on the link at the bottom for replay. Included are eleven tracks from the Salsaneo label, covering a range of artists that it has released albums with, such as: Joshuah de Jesus and Buena Vibra Sextet, Alex Rivera y la Sabrosura, Charly Hernandez, Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Cafe, Josean Rivera, Papo Rosario feat. Isidro Infante, and Rico Walker. Several others artists join them across four spotlights described in the section below. Show Highlights: Intro (salsa set): ~20:42 Featuring Steve Guasch & Su Orquesta Nueva Era, Kuare, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Josean Rivera. Spotlight 1 (New salsa releases): 20:43~ Featuring Gabo F, Stephen Giraldo, and Francis Ndoumbe. Spotlight 2 (Latin music by Japanese artists): 52:57 Featuring Alisa Sunaga, Conjunto Mamborama, and Yoshiro. Spotlight 3 (Cuban classics and covers): 1:24:50~ Featuring Bebo Valdes, Papo Ortega & Cubanoson, and Mario Allison Y Su Combo. Spotlight 4 (Guest showcase): 1:45:48~ Featuring guest Steve Guasch, who talks about his baskground, inspirations, current projects and future plans; he also provides three songs for us to listen to. In between the Spolights and in the concluding segment several artists are represented, such as DJ Ricky Campanelli, Orchestra Fuego, DJ Henrix, Herman Olivera, and Soneros All Stars. Thanks for the support! The next show is June 9th with guest bandleader/composer/arranger Giany Despointes of Lengaïa Salsabrava NG... Stay tuned for more details. Replay Episode 4 Next Episode 5 Guest: Giany Despointes (Lengaïa Salsa Brava) 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

This Thursday, April 14th, is the debut of my radio show on WorldSalsaRadio.com. Join me as I broadcast from Chiba, Japan, at 21:00 local time. That is 05:00 Pacific / 08:00 Eastern / 12:00 GMT. “Encanto Tropical” is the name of the show—alluding to the visceral charm of Afro-Cuban/Latin rhythms rooted in the Caribbean. I will deliver 2 hours of mainly salsa music every 2nd and 4th Thursday. In addition to playing tunes spanning different decades and styles, this show features 4 ‘spotlights’, with 3 songs in each of the following themes. Newly-released salsa music Latin music by Japanese artists Cuban classics in memory of my late father Selected songs by an interviewed guest It’s a great pleasure to join the WorldSalsaRadio team! I hope that “Encanto Tropical” can be a fun, bonding, and learning experience for both listeners and myself. Tune into WSR at https://www.worldsalsaradio.com. And definitely check out the other shows from this great team of DJs from around the world! > See the Facebook event page. I hope the broadcast time can suit listeners from across Asia, with the same starting of 21:00 in Korea, and 19:00 or 20:00 in most other areas. For the Americas this means 5:00 am Pacific Time and 8:00 am Eastern Time. It might be too early for San Francisco, but maybe it suits commuters in Toronto and New York or elsewhere on the eastern seaboard. For European listeners, a late lunchtime might be a good opportunity to tune in (starting 13:00 noon in the United Kingdom and 14:00 in central Europe). Thank you in advance for your support. 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

I had a great time doing my very first radio show. 特に日本人リスナーのみなさん、ありがとうございました。 Big thanks to everyone who tuned into "Encanto Tropical" on World Salsa Radio. I am also grateful to everyone who helped me prepare, especially Felipe Martinez. The replay for this debut episode is at the bottom of the page. We listened to some good tunes, I think. I featured four “spotlights”. Check below for details. SHow Highlights Spotlight 1: Newly-Released Salsa Enrique Calderon: “Entre Dos Rios” Papa Orbe & Los Cientificos del Sabor: “Mambo Infierno” Yeziel Lazo and Lazos D’Cuba: “Hablame de Amor” Bonus tracks: Dislocados: “Salsa Con Nieve” feat. Jorge Maldonado Esteban & DJ Lindo: “Baila Mi Montuno” Spotlight 2: Latin Music by Japanese Artists Salsa Swingoza: “Dejemos de Pelear” Banderas: “Banderas Mambo” Ayumi ‘Azúcar’ Suzuki: “櫻 / Cerezo / SAKURA” Spotlight 3: Songs for my Father (Cuban Classics) Orquesta Aragón: “Pare cochero” Beny Moré: “Me gusta mas el son” Enrique Chia: “Siempre en mi corazon" Spotlight 4: Selected by the guest, DJ El Chino (Solar Latin Club) Dawlyn Aldana & Juan Pablo Estrada: “Pensando en ti” (Manolito Simonet Presenta Estrellas del Caonao) Chico Alvarez & The Palomonte Afro-Cuban Big Band: “Eres la mulata” Jerry Ferrao: “Linda” Replay Episode 1 Next EPISODE Encanto Tropical: Episode 2 is next with guest DJ Gia Fu from Hong Kong, featuring an 'artist spotlight' on Dorance Lorza. 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