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”Alma Del Barrio” celebrates 50 years of operation

The United States has a great number of Latin music radio programs that always sought to promote the best of Latin talent through their frequencies and one of them is ”Alma Del Barrio” of the well-known radio station KXLU, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Against all odds, ”Alma Del Barrio” celebrates five decades on the air after all the effort of its hosts and the team involved in such a noble and necessary feat. We say ”against all odds” because it is not common that projects submitted by university students did not used to last long and ended up being replaced by programs of the same style.

In addition to the above, decades-long programs usually have a single host and comfortable time slots each week. However, ”Alma Del Barrio” was the exception to this rule and, today, continues to prove that limits can be overcome.

Founders of Alma Del Barrio — Founders of ”Alma Del Barrio” Steve Lopez, Enrique ”Kiki” Soto, Gustavo Aragon, Eddie Lopez, and Hector ”La Voz” Resendez

Beginnings of ”Alma Del Barrio”

After so long, ”Alma Del Barrio” has remained up to date and continues to keep people’s taste.

Its main founders were Enrique ”Kiki” Soto and the late Raúl Villa, who at the time were two young students with many ideas and eager to achieve interesting things. The program was aired for the first time in 1973. A few years later, Hector Resendez, a freshman in college, contacted Enrique and Raul in order to write an article about this new radio show, but it would not be long before he joined the main founders in the project they were developing.

Three years later, in 1976, student at Loyola Marymount University Eddie Lopez joined the program on the third anniversary of ”Alma Del Barrio”, show in which he would spend the next 46 years bringing the best Afro-Cuban music to the audience every Sunday between 2pm and 6pm.

On a number of occasions, Resendez said that ”Alma Del Barrio” was not created to be hosted by great famous personalities, but by dynamic young people who wanted to be part of a small team that was just starting operations.

At the beginning, the new hosts only had one hour of broadcast time to show what they were made of, but at the same time, they did their best to get more airtime and have more presenters in the program. They wanted to include a not very popular genre on the station at that time, which was salsa, something totally innovative for the station.

In those years, salsa was understood as that set of genres coming from Afro-Cuban music and the novice hosts thought it would be a fine attraction to the Latino communities of Los Angeles. That set of genres came from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. This is when record labels and music promoters renamed these rhythms as ”salsa” in order to make it easier for programs and hosts to identify the music.

Eddie Lopez in Alma Del Barrio — Eddie Lopez working on the radio station

‘’Alma Del Barrio”’ programming

The traditional programming of most of the stations consisted of jazz, rock and classical music, but then salsa was incorporated thanks to the increasing popularity that this genre was gaining.

One thing Resendez said is that one of the most famous rock groups was Santana, so the announcer and the rest of his cabinmates were surprised that the musicians of the band knew so much about Afro-Cuban music in terms of percussion. Let us remember that the popular song ”Oye Como Va” was written by ”El Rey De Los Timbales” Tito Puente a decade and a half before the band recorded it.

This union of rock and salsa was what gave the hosts the confidence to use trendy Anglo-Saxon genres as a means to promote Latin music.

On top of that, the guys were clear that jazz fans would be receptive to Latin jazz, since great jazz musicians like Dizzy Gallespie hired Cuban percussionists in their orchestras. If on other stations, this music was successful, ”Alma Del Barrio” was no exception. Fortunately, they were not wrong.

Current logo of ”Alma Del Barrio”

Last years of “Alma Del Barrio’’

During the last years of ”Alma Del Barrio”, the program team has made great efforts to join and create links with the community, whether it would be through sponsorships, advertisements, public services, donation campaigns, among other things.

Through all this community service they offered, they also made their own work known and many listeners began to enjoy this great team’s talent while listening to good music and varied programming.

The program has also been and is part of great annual and historical festivals such as the Salsa Fest. This day is always reserved for the audience to share with the new and old hosts of ”Alma Del Barrio” and many of the station staff, who always spread their enthusiasm to those present with their good energy.

”Alma Del Barrio” and its hosts have brought joy to their followers, but there have also been some sad moments. One of them was the death of DJ Eddie Lopez in January 2023, leaving a great void in the station and the hearts of those who faithfully followed his career through the KXLU circuits during the last decades.

ISM / February 2024











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Paquito D’Rivera supports the salsa museum

There have been many legends of whom we have spoken in this section of International Salsa Magazine and today it is the turn of the bandleader, composer, clarinetist, and saxophonist born in Havana, Cuba, Paquito D’Rivera.

Today, we want to dedicate the following lines to one of the main references in Cuban music and everything he has contributed to the Latin music scene, which is growing every day in the United States.

Paquito smiling — Paquito D’Rivera smiling for the camera

Paquito’s beginnings in music

Francisco de Jesús Rivera Figueras, who is artistically known as Paquito D’Rivera, was born in the city of Havana, Cuba and is the son of orchestra director and saxophonist Tito D’Rivera, from whom he inherited his great artistic vein and love for music.

At just five years old, Paquito began studying music formally and, two years later, he was already performing on stage in front of large audiences, which prepared him for what he would do as an adult. That same year, Selmer (a musical instrument company) hired him, which was a very important step in the boy’s path to becoming an artist.

A few years later, he performed at the National Theater of La Habana, which was a very important moment for the young man, who shortly after began studying at the Havana Conservatory, where he specialized in areas of music such as clarinet, composition and harmony.

His first media appearance was during his debut in the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, an event that was nationally televised so that the whole country could appreciate the talent of the young choir boys.

A year later, when he was only 18 years old, Paquito and Chucho Valdés founded the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, while working for the Orquesta Nacional and the Banda del Ejército Cubano.

Paquito playing — Paquito D’Rivera playing the saxophone

Some time later, he founded the Orquesta de Música Moderna with some of his colleagues at the time, and then created the group Irakere, which integrated jazz, traditional Cuban music, classical music and rock in ways never seen before. Together with Irakere, he toured Europe and the United States and earned several Grammy Award nominations.

Leaving Cuba

Like so many Cubans, Paquito became tired of the situation experienced by the island and knew he had to make a final decision on the subject. He took advantage of a stop in Spain and sought asylum at the American embassy in the European country. Once in the United States, his process of adaptation to his new country of residence was not easy, but there were artists who gave him a lot of support such as Mario Bauza, Dizzy Gallespie, David Amram, among others.

It did not take him too long before he earned the love and respect of many members of the jazz music community. His place in the Latin music scene was consolidated thanks to his first two solo albums called ”Paquito Blowin” and ”Mariel”. His popularity was also benefited from a Time magazine article that talked about his great work and his appearance on the famous ”Sunday Morning” show.

He also collaborated with artists such as Artur Sandoval, Michel Camilo, Bebo Valdés, Claudio Roditi, among others. He also participated in the founding of the United Nations Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera Big Band, Paquito D’Rivera Quinquet and many other groups.

More recently, in 2027, he was in Europe with the Orquesta de Valencia at the Palau de La Música promoting ”The Elephant and The Clown” of his own.

Paquito and Johnny — President of the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum Johnny Cruz and Paquito D’Rivera

Paquito and the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum

In December 2023, Paquito visited the Spaha Harlem Salsa Museum to see the huge collection of personal items belonging to world-renowned Latin artists and, once there, he expressed his surprise at the large number of items that both stars and their families have donated to the famous museum.

In a post by Johnny Cruz, the museum’s president, on his Facebook account, Paquito said he was very impressed by all the items housed in the institution while supporting the work done by the museum’s staff and expressing his admiration for the effort devoted to the collection.

¡Attack Sergio! Unbreakable: A fun read because of the contradictory content

I placed the order online on October 25, 2023. By return email, I received confirmation of payment and a promise to receive my copy the following week.

However, after several days I received a delay notification from the supplier. It was understandable that an artist of Sergio George’s stature would trigger interest in acquiring the work that promised to tell his story, perspective and opinion on the music industry. Exactly on November 25, 2023, the order arrived.

¡Attack Sergio! Unbreakable: A fun read because of the contradictory content

As a reader, I was deeply disappointed with the content of the “book”. Attack Sergio! Unbreakable falls short of being an autobiography. I would classify it as a self-help book with little depth, no substance.

Writing a book requires literary knowledge, basing the content on rigorous research and stating the data with mathematical precision.

The cover of the text is appropriate for the trajectory of the artist who is the subject of the text. However, the data on the cover that assures that he is the winner of 19 Grammy awards contradicts the text. Specifically, on the third page of the introduction it says that he is the winner of 18 or 19. Evidently, the recently launched book should not be taken as a reference for a subject of such seriousness.

From the legal page it is clear that Sergio George is the author and that Janice Rodriguez was in charge of editing. Sadly, the work lacked editorial care, which detracts from the literary value of what is presented. There are many expressions that seem to be literal translations from English and that do not necessarily maintain the idiomatic integrity of what the author wants to express. Now, if that were the case, you should stop counting the missing and extra accents.

Having said that, I am going to manage my criticism, since space is limited and the idea is not to write another book about the “book”. Certainly, in the world of the versed salsero, of which I am one, the most awarded producer in Latin music has a great story to tell. But his literary delivery fell short. I understand the intention to approach his complaint as a self-help book. But that grand intention also failed.

I read in each of the 128 pages discontent, loathing, complaint, frustration, resentment and wounded self-esteem. Objectively, you have to read carefully to see that what he claims to do is the opposite of what has brought him so much controversy.

In his usual combative style Sergio George launches harsh criticisms of salsa artists. Resentment has won out over objectivity. Each blow takes away the value of his exposition, until it becomes the outlet that we all need to have at given moments.

Of course, emotional maturity is what prevents one from publishing matters that should remain in the privacy of conversations between the affected parties.

With a high sense of arrogance, characteristic of narcissistic personalities, the author accuses the “great salseros” of having murdered salsa because of their ego, pointing them out as the culprits of the death of the “musical genre”.

This becomes another of the great contradictions of the text. At times he claims that salsa is not a genre, but on multiple occasions he refers to salsa as a musical genre. On the other hand, he says that salsa is in danger of extinction shortly before assuring that it is dead. His point of view in that sense is not clear either, although he does state near the end that there is a legacy that does not die.

This is the contradictory nature of the reading, whose common thread is the attack. That may be the origin of the idea of the title, although at first glance one might think that “Attack Sergio!” is the repetition of the battle cry that invites him to attack the piano, while he prolifically produces music.

I believe in the evolution of the species and I see that the adaptations through which salsa has gone through are similar to the genetic modifications necessary so that, within each species, the fittest survive.

The text has several anecdotes. However, due to the lack of details, these do not add value to the construction of the history of salsa. In some of them, the names of certain characters are not mentioned. I guess the author did not want to enter into a request for relays or preferred not to risk dealing with legal controversies.

With so much that Sergio George has contributed to the history of Latin music, it is a mistake that the book has not been given more structure and objectivity.

Sergio George has been a cornerstone in the history of Afro-Latin rhythms and is the owner of a brilliant musical career that has made many shine. But to that exposure, the text does not do justice either.

Also Read: Metamorphosis: from music to photojournalism, a reinvention without limits

Orquesta la Identidad is one of the most nationally and internationally recognized groups in the salsa genre

Winner Identidad Orchestra on several occasions of the Cali fair disc with songs such as MUJERES in 1987, QUIÉREME in 1991 and COMO YO TE AME, the most played song at a historical level in the different Latin FM stereo stations in 2003.

Among other works of recognition such as: LAS COSAS SON COMO SON, TU DESDÉN, GOLPE DE GRACIA, SI ELLA VOLVIERA, DESENGAÑOS, among others.

This group was founded by the Colombian composer and musician Carlos Enrique Navia in 1981 in the capital of salsa in the city of Cali – Colombia, which came to fame in 1987.

Following the release of his first album entitled LA IDENTIDAD, under the Codiscos label, musical production that includes the works, LAS COSAS SON COMO SON, Y ME QUIERES, PARA QUERERTE, CADA CUAL, POR SU LADO, LA FUMA, GENTE CORRIENTE, BRABAJE and MUJERES.

Work that was awarded as the official album of the Cali Fair and gave him the opportunity to make his first international tour of the United States, visiting the states of Florida, New York, California, Texas, Illinois, among others.

This group had a very important boom in Colombia and the whole world for being elected revelation orchestra of the year and gave him the participation in the most important events and fairs throughout the Colombian territory.

Thanks to the success and recognition, the orchestra recorded its second album called LA MÚSICA in 1989, album that expanded its audience in other countries such as: Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador with the works TU DESDÉN, AMOR ETERNO, TE QUIERO TANTO, LA MÚSICA, SON SABORIONDO, SENTIMIENTOS POR TI and BOMBA NAVIDEÑA, work that occupied the first places in the FM radio stations, preselected as Cali’s fair disc and elected the second most important song of the fair.

Orquesta la Identidad is one of the most nationally and internationally recognized groups in the salsa genre

Identidad Orchestra in 1990 the orchestra recorded its third album entitled UN TOQUE DE MISTERIO, album produced by the renowned Venezuelan musician Cesar Monges “Albondiga” who has participated in countless productions of artists and orchestras of international recognition in the salsa genre.

After a long tour in the United States, the orchestra arrives in Colombia to record their fourth album entitled SALSA CON ENERGÍA, a product produced in the studios of Grupo Niche.

This production included songs such as: LA RETIRADA, ESE SOY YO, BOROJO, AGITACIÓN, SI ELLA VOLVIERA, LLEGASTE A MI VIDA, DESENGAÑOS and COMO YO TE AMÉ, one of the hits of preference of our listeners, occupying the first places and beating the record of the most played song in all salsa genre stations in Colombia, United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Italy and many more countries.

ORQUESTA LA IDENTIDAD is an orchestra that has been characterized by its perseverance.

Identidad Orchestra in 1992 they recorded their fifth album titled PROFESIÓN SALSA and ended their relationship with the record label Codiscos to start their independence as a brand under the direction of composer, singer and founder Carlos Enrique Navia to produce their works as an independent record label.

Orquesta la Identidad is one of the most nationally

This album included songs such as: GOLPE DE GRACIA, PECADORA, COCTEL DE AMOR, SI YO PUDIERA, SEÑORA CALI, MUJER AMADA, TE PILLÉ, NO IMPORTA, among others. This product was widely distributed in countries such as Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, United States, among others.

As a record label Identidad Producciones, ORQUESTA LA IDENTIDAD has recorded albums such as A TIEMPO, a production that has captivated the salsa public with songs like: CUANDO EL AMOR SE ACABA, MI NIÑA, LA ESQUINA DEL MOVIMIENTO, LE CANTO AL PACÍFICO, TE QUIERO Y TE AMO, TU DESDÉN, LA FUMA and singles such as: POR SIEMPRE ELLA, FRACASO, DICIEMBRE EN CALI, SON PA EL BAILADOR, COLOMBIA REAL, A MI PADRE, BENDICIÓN DE MADRE, MI GUAGUANCÓ, HOMENAJE A LA SONORA MATANCERA, GUAYAQUIL among others.

Works that are played on Latin radio stations and massively on digital platforms. Orquesta LA IDENTIDAD is a group that has participated in important Latin music events such as: SEBASTIÁN DE BELALCÁZAR awards on two occasions and nominated for best salsa genre orchestra, event organized by FALCON MANAGEMENT BOOKING & ENTERTAINMENT, INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL OF GUAYAQUIL – ECUADOR, INDEPENDENCE FESTIVALS OF COLOMBIA IN THE UNITED STATES, WORLD SALSA FESTIVAL, BILLBOARD LATIN MUSIC, FESTIVAL OF ORCHESTRAS IN COLOMBIA AND FAIRS THROUGHOUT THE COLOMBIAN TERRITORY.

ORQUESTA LA IDENTIDAD is currently preparing the celebration of 40 years of artistic career, an album that will include the greatest hits such as MUJERES, QUIÉREME, GOLPE DE GRACIA, MUJER AMADA, LAS COSAS SON COMO COMO SON, TU DESDÉN, UN TOQUE DE MISTERIO, COMO YO TE AMÉ and DESENGAÑOS, which will have collaborations with national and international artists of recognition in the salsa genre and is preparing to make its next international tour of the United States year 2024.

CONTACT Carlos Enrique Navia General Manager Contact: 310 822 8068 – 317 642 1031 Email: [email protected]

ORQUESTA LA IDENTIDAD

Also Read: Colombia’s legendary Grupo Niche and its founder Jairo Varela