Today I’m in such great mood after taking some time to listen to salsa music peacefully. It always reminds me on why salsa music, in my opinion, is the most flavorful type of music (pun intended)! While dancing bachata and merengue is still fun every now and then, the music will never triumph the unlimited possible of permutations that salsa composers can create. If you follow me on twitter, I was just talking about “Agúzate” by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz on their LIVE version of the song (link) with the energetic and amazing piano solo. For those who want to start (or end the day) in a great mood, I found a video of them performing it this song live on YouTube! I think it is hard to surpass, in terms of the emotional effect caused when you listen to a LIVE version of a great song.
I should do more articles on music. I forgotten how much I love it. Here are some other great videos!
Here are some more….
El Hijo de Obatala Live (song link)
And, even though Ray Barretto is not in the next video, this LIVE version is still awesome: (Indestructible)
Given those examples, what are your opinions on salsa music?
Bloch is carried here as well,...
I had gotten sick of music in general until I started Salsa dancing. Salsa is all I listen to now; well Latin music in general. But they also need to sing in Spanish as well. Salsa sung in English is just wrong.
Try listening to “Thinking of You” salsa version by Lenny Kravitz. It’s on youtube. You will enjoy it.
i am obsessed with salsa music…
but as i have learn from myself, the minute i start getting to understand too much the shape, the color and the whole math of the item, it looses appeal to me.
so i’m letting myself discover salsa as raw as possible, not by learning it but just feeling it listening, enjoying.
of course there’s some songs i like the most. as a general rule gime me big accents, a cowbell… that pretty much makes me happy.
I agree with your tommrod. I’m so scared that I’ll get so technical about it that I’ll lose interest. So sometimes I need to back off for a little while. But once I’m on the dance floor, the worries all go away.
I definitely think that understanding the mechanics of salsa music is an essential part for any dancer. When you understand how salsa is structured in a song, how the instruments ‘talk’ to each other and the overall composition is arranged, it will take your dancing skills to a much higher level. Knowing the former will allow you to understand the composer and the ‘hidden’ language in every song. Once you achieve this, you will be able to understand which salsa dance style to use for that song, when is the perfect time to do partner work, and when is the right time to break away and do footwork and shines so that you can play with the instruments.
A lot of dancers love feeling the music. This is because the composer of the song is ’speaking’ to you through his musical composition. But this is only as good as listening to an inspiring lecture. When you understand the mechanics of salsa music, not only will you gain better interpretation skills, but you can converse back with the composer through your body movements to his arrangement.
“So, Anthony, are you telling me I will be able to predict rhythm and timing changes before they happen?”
“I’m trying to tell you, that when you’re ready, you won’t have to”
Music was almost non existent for me when afro cuban mixes took me. I had run through the usual teen rap phase followed by classic rock in college. Unbeknown to me, my dad planted a seed while I was in college. He played Buena Vista Social Club’s breakout CD to me. It didn’t hit me till later when I saw a infomercial advertising the same CD 5 years later and I recognized the bass, tres, piano, and udu of the song ‘Chan Chan.’ Ruben Gonzales is still a favorite of mine.
That started my progression in Afro-Cuban licks for the last half decade or so. The jump to Salsa was the softest sell I’ve ever had.
This last year of Salsa-fication has been a breath of fresh air.
I’m not sure if the music makes the dance or the other way around. I suppose it’s one of the more perfect unions. They reinforce each other to the point of religion.
The ritmo, is the hook for me. If you don’t *feel* that beat in your tailbone then there’s nothing on Earth that’s going to make you shake it.
Salsa music , like truth, is self evident. There’s no need to justify, argue, or explain it.
OK, our site host mentioned this song…It’s under my skin right now, thought I would infect other uninitiated folk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGw5qoY4qRI
Your salsa music podcasts are brilliant and I’m looking forward to more – especially the long awaited salsa cover songs part 2. For me there is a difference between music for dancing and music for listening. Its rare for music to be both for me. Its also difficult for English speaking persons like myself with a very rudimentary knowledge of spanish to feel the ’soul’ of the music which comes through lyrics. Hence I find your podcasts so informative and enlightening.
anthony u sounds like that guy on matrix
haha ! but good article mate 
Finally, someone got the quote!