Search Results for: Salsa music

Stories in the key of salsa come “from the LP to your library”

From the pen of the novel writer Urayoán Enrique comes Relatos en clave de salsa, a collection of eleven stories, all inspired by the same erotic salsa that revolutionized the salsa music scene at least three decades ago.

The eleven songs that inspired the stories contained in the book that Urayoán recently built-in clear homage to salsa erotica are all undisputed hits. The concept of this collection of short stories follows the line that the author calls: from the LP to your library.

Most of the musical themes contained here came in LP (Long Play) format, those vinyl records that compiled ten musical themes in one unit, known as an album. From that concept, Urayoán came up with the idea of making the conversion, deciding that the collection of stories would be one of eleven, including ten tracks -in this case stories- plus the well-remembered bonus track, for a total of eleven.

From the pen of the novel writer Urayoán Enrique from Arroyo comes Relatos en clave de salsa, a collection of eleven stories, all inspired by the same erotic salsa that revolutionized the salsa music scene at least three decades ago. — Stories in the key of salsa From the pen of the novel writer Urayoán Enrique

During the official launch and presentation of the book, which took place at the Teatro Renacimiento in Arroyo, Puerto Rico on September 18, 2021; young actor Bryan (Brayito) Lebrón and Suhey Moraima played the lead roles in an apt theatrical interpretation of the story entitled Esa chica es mía. Broadcaster and DJ Eduardo Huertas Alicea moderated the event.

Puerto Rican writers Bella Martínez and Richard Rivera Cardona, editor of the literary work, were in charge of the question and answer segment, whose answers brought to light details about the construction of this text that, as previously stated, pays homage to erotic salsa.

The titles contained in this collection, whose inspiration came to Urayoán by way of the musical themes with which the stories in reference share the titles, are: Ven, devórame otra vez, Insaciable, Desnúdate mujer, ¿Quién será ese ladrón, Esa chica es mía, Desayuno, Caricias prohibidas, Mi mundo, Quiero morir en tu piel, Lluvia and Tu prenda tendida.

Before reading each story, it is suggested to listen to the musical theme that inspires it. The book is so carefully constructed that each story has the credits associated with the theme song. The credits include the title, the performer, the composer of the lyrics, the arranger responsible for the musical composition, the album that contains it, the record label that published it and the year in which the song was published. As can be seen, the research was exhaustive and the writing comprehensive; which evidences the care and respect with which this work, which has also been called salsa in prose, was treated.

Urayoán contemplates with his usual shyness to follow this literary line in order to continue building stories that keep the salsa alive and in the minds of the readers. There remained on the shelf the restlessness to write about: Me acostumbré (interpretation by “Tártaro de la salsa”: Frankie Ruiz), Sí, te mentií (interpretation by Lalo Rodríguez), Aquel viejo motel (interpretation by David Pabón) and 5 noches (interpretation by Paquito Guzmán).

By popular demand, Urayoán could write stories inspired by boleros. If he is motivated to explore the bolero, I suggested he develop a story inspired by Deseo salvaje (Lalo Rodríguez’s rendition). In addition to the lyrics of that song, the value lies in the fact that it was also composed by Lalo Rodríguez. Lalo wrote Deseo salvaje when he was only fourteen years old, and two years later he recorded the vocal part for Eddie Palmieri’s orchestra when he was sixteen years old. The album that contains the song I suggested here, The Sun of Latin music was the first salsa album to win the Grammy for “Best Latin Recording”. Even more significant is that it was the first salsa album to be nominated for the highest music award given annually by the world’s leading society of music professionals, better known as the Recording Academy.

In short, if the reader dares to dive into a daring read, inspired by salsa erotica, Relatos en clave de salsa is highly recommended.

Facebook: Urayoán Enrique

By: Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de La Salsa”

Puerto Rico

WebSite: Bella Martinez

Article of Interest: Tito Rodríguez, Jr. “The Palladium legacy lives on”

Saúl Delhom “Esta Salsa me gusta” one of the things I like the most is to learn, create and share

Saul Delhom this Salsa I like is one of the things I like the most is to learn, create and share.

Each DJ brings in his own way a vision of salsa and a very interesting sector contributing to the cultural richness.

Musical themes are like some smells, they are capriciously anchored to certain moments of our life and when you experience them again they are able to make you travel in time in an instant, have you experienced it? A salsa, a son, a mambo.

Just by listening to the first bars, for some reason your skin bristles, and memories cascade. That is the basis of this book, a very simple idea: What salsa do you like?

Within the salsa world, there is a group that rarely receives the recognition it deserves.

Each DJ. He brings in his own way a vision of salsa and a very interesting sector contributing to the cultural richness — Saúl Delhom “Esta Salsa me Gusta DJs Edition”

They are those who work with thousands of musical themes before their eyes and hands pass hundreds of albums, who select the ones you like and also the ones you still don’t know you like, for me they are salsa sommeliers, or more popularly: DJs.

I contacted DJs from different parts of the world and asked them variants of the initial question: What salsa do you like? What song do you have a memory associated with? What song attracts you musically? The result of their answers is this condensed book made up of all these wonderful stories and anecdotes from nearly one hundred DJs, whether for sentimental or purely musical reasons.

The format of the book is just right so as not to be distracted by frills, where the person and what he tells is the important thing. For that reason, it has a peculiar orientation, more common in calendars, since it opens from bottom to top, instead of right to left. I wanted to layout it with that orientation because that way, while you are reading the text, you have the photograph at the top, as if it were behind the book talking to you, always present, centered, and not on a displaced side. It is a detail that is perhaps too subtle but that I considered important.

Another feature, already common in many of my music-related books, is that on each page you can find a Spotify app code to scan and listen to the song. In addition to the stories, I have discovered many interesting topics with this book!

I felt really privileged to be the first person to read all the texts that have been sent to me.

Each DJ brings in his own way a very interesting vision of salsa and the industry, providing cultural richness.

I was also delighted to see the diversity in terms of the type of stories, from a song that fondly remembers a mother, to the technical analysis of composition and the reason for its enjoyment. And as for another type of diversity, I have tried to have as many women as possible, although it is true that we are already starting from a lower percentage.

Already at the beginning of the book, I apologize for leaving hundreds of women out of it, either for lack of time or lack of knowledge on my part and for that reason, in addition to the fantastic support from the collective, I have decided to start with another book that will be the continuation of this first volume. Stay tuned because it will soon be published!

“Esta salsa me gusta – DJs Edition”

Saúl Delhom "Esta Salsa me gusta" is one of the things I like the most: learning, creating and sharing — Saúl Delhom “Esta Salsa me gusta” is one of the things I like the most: learning, creating and sharing

Facebook: Saúl Delhom

Website: Bailo Pinto

IG: Bailo Pinto

Article of Interest: Bella Martinez, the irreverent Salsa writer

November 22nd International Musician Day

Music is our messenger from the world

Each November 22nd, music and those who make it have their own celebration called ‘Musician Day’. This is the story of this date that fills the people who reach millions of hearts through this art with pride.

And who does not like music? It is practically impossible to find a human being who does not enjoy music. Another different thing is the style of music.

But in general we all like it. The reason is the fact that it is in our genes. Regardless of its genre, music is able to change our mood by reducing sadness, stress and making us feel better.

November 22nd International Musician Day — Music is our messenger to the world

Why is Musician Day celebrated?

The date of November 22 commemorates the death of Saint Cecilia, patroness of musicians. This Christian martyr was portrayed in the 15th century by artists of the time, always playing the harp or other musical instruments. This is why she has been so associated the art of music.

The first celebrations date back to Edinburgh in 1695. Subsequently, countries such as Germany, Spain and France joined the celebrations. In Latin America, Brazil was the pioneering country in celebrating a party on November 22nd, starting between 1919 and 1920, eventually spread to the rest of the Ibero-American countries.

Finally, next Monday, November 22, 2021, we wish a happy Musician Day to those who make this art. A reality for the millions of people’s benefit.

Music (from the Greek: μουσική [τέχνη] – mousikē [téchnē], “the art of the muses”) is, according to the traditional definition of the term, the art of creating and organizing sounds and silences while respecting the basic principles of melody, harmony and rhythm, through the intervention of complex psychochemical processes.

Another different thing is the style of music. But in general we all like — It is practically impossible to find a human being who does not enjoy music.

The concept of music has been evolving since its origin in Ancient Greece, when poetry, music and dance were united without distinction to a unitary art. For several decades now, the definition of what is and what it is not music has become more complex, since prominent composers in the framework of diverse border artistic experiences have performed works that, while they could be considered musical, expand the boundaries of the definition of this art.

Music, as any artistic manifestation, is a cultural product with various purposes such as, among others, bringing out an aesthetic experience in the listener, expressing feelings, emotions, circumstances, thoughts or ideas, and increasingly, fulfilling an important therapeutic function through music therapy.

Lyrics and Music by Johnny Zamot & Sociedad 76

Music is My Life

Music is my life, my companion and my friend with her I have stayed awake to entertain the world my voice is the messenger of Latin music thank you Santa Cecilia for having given me the gift ob being a Latin music musician and singer that’s why I am telling you just so long you have got it clear. To sing guaguancó, you need a good atmosphere.

Links of Interest:

“Big Band Máquina” la Más Novedosa Producción de Angel Meléndez Lanzada por Gia Fu

22 de Noviembre Día Internacional del Músico

Dinero y Música: El Matrimonio Perfecto

The latest news about salsa in New York in November

What is happening in New York?

Johnny Cruz brings us all the latest news about salsa in New York City. Here are some of the most important developments in Latin music in one of the most important corners of the United States.

Julio Castro Y su Orquesta La Masacre returns with a new project

Julio Castro Y Su Orquesta La Masacre was absent from the music scene for about two decades, but the thought of getting back was always present. Now in 2021, the Puerto Rican and his entire team are back with a new and special project that will undoubtedly fascinate all their fans, who have been longing to see them again. The details are not yet clear, but we will let our readers know once we have more information.

This is not the first time that we have mentioned Maestro Castro in International Salsa Magazine and we sincerely hope that this will not be the last.

Willie Rosario supports the Salsa Museum

Following several conversations with the musician, composer and bandleader of Puerto Rican origin is going to donate some of his most valuable instruments to the Salsa Museum, including timbales, bells and more. The performer is 97 years old, but he is more active than ever on quite a few projects, which is really worthy of admiration. This is how the artist becomes one of the many famous names that remains immortalized in the famous artistic institution.

Johnny Cruz will create a new Salsa Museum in Puerto Rico

The famous producer and timbalero had a long trip to Puerto Rico to carry out certain activities related to music, which led him to grasp the idea of creating a new headquarters for the salsa museum in the island of enchantment. In view of the success of this tour, the musician saw an enormous potential in this place to build and inaugurate a headquarters of the musical institution that will show Puerto Ricans the beauty of being Latinos.

In addition to this, Cruz did not return to New York empty-handed. In the Town of San German, where the museum will be located, the producer got the keys to the city from Mayor Virgilio Olivera. The event took place in a building with great historical value to the town and was a great honor for those present. Undoubtedly, it was a great moment for those who have closely followed the presenter’s career and his efforts to give visibility to Latin music in the United States and the world.

Jonny getting the keys — Johnny Cruz getting the keys of the town of San German from Mayor Virgilio Olivera

Reopening of clubs in New York

2021 has been the year after the beginning of the pandemic, so that was not an easy time for anyone, least of all for those who live from the music scene. However, great efforts have been made towards reopening the bars and discos that had to remain closed due to the public health crisis through which the world was passing. That is why the resumption of activities has been incrementally announced. Some of the clubs that have been active for some time are the following:

SOB
González y González
Birland
Lehman Center for the performing arts

By: Johnny Cruz correspondent of International Salsa Magazine in New York City, New York

El barrio where it all began continues to welcome us with good salsa

Bella Martinez and International Salsa Magazine by the hand of www.SalsaGoogle.com. “Salsa has always been that rainbow that shines immediately at the end of the storm”.

During my most recent visit to the north, after the fury of the flooding associated with storm Ida allowed me to arrive in New York, I made my way to El Barrio’s ArtSpace to enjoy a night of salsa. Salsa has always been that rainbow that shimmers immediately when the storm subsides.

I entered the venue with the artist who is the subject of my upcoming book: Henry Knowles, also known as the “World Salsa DJ”. We identified ourselves to the checkpoint girl at the entrance, not before presenting our COVID 19 vaccination card and after receiving a good amount of hand sanitizer. Henry had to fulfill his artistic commitment for the evening, so I put my belongings away to free myself a little and be able to socialize with the crowd behind my mask.

Once admitted to the venue, I completed the regulatory round of recognition, which I took the opportunity to say hello to several acquaintances I had not seen for a long time. I realized that I am honing my skills to recognize my people just by identifying their eyes. I reflected on this detail while I was making the rounds, at the same time that the music caught my attention because of the tasty repertoire. To my surprise, the song “Mejor Que la medicine” by my beloved Víctor García y su Sonora Sanjuanera was playing, which I never imagined I would hear outside of Puerto Rico, in that environment full of connoisseurs. I registered the DJ in front of the dance floor. I realized it was my first time listening to the musical selection of Joe Gonzalez, better known as DJ Paz. I approached him and let him know that his repertoire was “bravo”.

During my most recent visit to the north, after the fury of the flooding associated with storm Ida allowed me to arrive in New York, I made my way to El Barrio's Art Space to enjoy a night of salsa. Salsa has always been that rainbow that shimmers immediately when the storm subsides. — Bella Martinez and Henry Knowles, also known as the “World Salsa DJ”.

I had gone to listen to Henry Knowles, whom I admire beyond his ability as a DJ, for his musical management and cultural diligence. Henry has been a promoter of our Afro-Antillean culture since 1977. During his artistic career, in addition to DJing, he has been a promoter, producer, and artist manager; successfully working with Ralph Mercado Management (RMM), Sony BMG Music, and Dave Maldonado Entertainment.

The purpose of my visit that night at El Barrio’s Art Space was to set the scene with Henry in the neighborhood, where Knowles himself began the story that I am transforming into my next book. The idea of this next literary proposal is to share it with anyone who wants to read a story of self-improvement and a lot of salsa. It is guaranteed that these lyrics will catch the interest of all Afro-Antillean music lovers.

While I was discovering details, which you will be able to read, later on, I had several surprises. But that’s another story, which I’ll tell you later.

We identified ourselves to the control girl at the entrance, but not before presenting our COVID 19 vaccination card and after receiving a good amount of hand sanitizer. Henry had to fulfill his artistic commitment for the night, so I put my belongings away to free myself a bit and be able to socialize with the crowd behind my mask. — Henry Knowles, also known as the “World Salsa DJ”.

Since 1999, Izzy Rodriguez has focused on the promotion of events where salsa stars, and early on in what was his recently launched event promotion career, Izzy became the most loyal promoter of salsa events on New York soil. As a relevant fact, Izzy had started in salsa long before committing himself to event promotion. Let’s just say that he fell in love with salsa through dancing, becoming one of the most outstanding artists of the great Eddie Torres’ corps de ballet. At the age of 16, Izzy managed to apply his formal training in ballet and jazz to combine it with his love for salsa. While still a teenager, he achieved professional dancer status in the highly competitive Nuyorican salsa scene. That fact, in fact, should not come as a surprise since Izzy is the son of a dancer from the Palladium era: Vivian Saldaña. In his case, one could say that dancing comes to Izzy from the salsa genes he inherited from his progenitor and his maternal grandmother.

Since 1980, when Henry Knowles and Izzy Rodriguez met at Club Epoca, this dynamic duo has been a winning duo. I attribute the success of this duo to the passion they share for the salsa sound, which they both support from their own spaces.

As a bonus, I managed to give a bear hug to my dear Luisito Salgado, better known as DJ Louie Love. As a curious fact, DJ Louie Love was the DJ that several years ago I hired and moved from New York to Puerto Rico to entertain the agape on the occasion of the nuptials of my princess, not only because he is a great DJ. He is also one of my favorite people.

I affirm that the turnout depends on the quality of the artists who share their talent. And this night in reference could be summarized in a meeting of salsa connoisseurs, where DJs had no room to invent; a meeting of DJs in the New York neighborhood where Henry began his successful career as a disseminator of our culture around the world, plus a dance floor adorned with celebrities, among which I managed to highlight Debbie Mercado, daughter of salsa manager and creator of Ralph Mercado Management; Denisse, daughter of the ever-remembered mambo dancer Cuban Pete; Gucci designer Dapper Dan and New York-based Puerto Rican politician Adam Clayton Powel, Jr: Adam Clayton Powel, Jr.

I conclude that we are still in salsa. Fortunately, the alchemy that was given to gestate what is still known today as salsa is still alive and well in the same neighborhood where it all began.

Long live Salsa!

By: Bella Martinez “The Irreverent Salsa Writer”
Puerto Rico

Bella Martinez led a pretty fun life — Bella Martinez,

WebSite: Bella Martinez

Article of Interest: Mel Martinez I come from Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico is Salsero