Many people new to salsa dancing inevitably ask the question “so what salsa music should I listen to and buy?” The question surfaces quickly in the early stages of learning to dance as more emphasis is focused on different types of salsa that are out there. This can be especially confusing when people say they are dancing on different beats of that music like ON1 or ON2 style.
In the hopes of bringing some clarity to the situation I performed some research into the matter and found a number of websites. These websites are listed below with a short description:
Batanga: Latin Music Internet Radio
A source for a wide variety of Latin music genres ranging from popular to Norteño/Banda/Corridos, to Cubanísimo. The site, of course, also has channels for listening to streaming salsa music of different persuasions. Contents include interviews, reviews, videoclips, and links to radio broadcasts. Available in both English and Spanish.
Salsaartists.com
Available in both English and Spanish. "The most current in salsa news and information, …interactive chats and message boards, links to fan clubs, direct music and video downloads."
Salsa & Merengue
Available in both English and Spanish, this site explores the Latin genres salsa and merengue through music and dance. Histories of both genres are included as well as a glossary of terms. The nice thing about this site is that gives an explanation of those terms in understandable language.
As you are using these resources you’ll notice that there are a number of different schools of salsa thought in terms of style of music. Colombian style salsa, for example, will differ from Puerto Rican style salsa music due to the historical and cultural influences of those locales on the music’s development.
Another thing to keep in mind is that salsa, like other genres of music, is still developing as we speak. As more up and coming artist join the scene , the music will take on new directions than what was expected before.
If any of you have any recommendations on good salsa music for beginners please share your comments on this post.
Have fun and keep dancing!!!
There is more to salsa than just the dance. Salsa, of course, is also about the music itself and the salsa recording artists that allow for all of us to continue dancing. Many of these salsa recording artists would never be known without any of the salsa recording labels waiting to discover them. I recently had an opportunity to sit down with salsa recording label Dimelo! Records to discuss this and the efforts they are putting forth to support new salsa recording talent.
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Ritmo Bello : What is the mission and focus of your organization as it pertains to the San Diego Salsa community?
Dimelo! Records : We would like to perform more live gigs in San Diego. We have recently purchased a "Dimelo! Records Van" that will allow all our bands to travel to and from the area more conveniently. We have recently launched a Social networking site www.dimelolife.com which will allow us to interact with more Salseros. We hope to better understand the communities outside of Los Angeles through this medium.
Ritmo Bello: What are the origins of your organization?
Dimelo! Records: Dimelo! Records was founded in 1998 in Los Angeles. It is a subsidiary of Latin Music Entertainment, Inc. a full service music company, which produces, licenses, manufactures, markets and distributes all its own product independently since 1994.
Ritmo Bello : Are there any artists you are currently promoting that you’d like the public to know more about?
Dimelo! Records : Dimelo! Records currently has 3 artists on their roster….Our 1st release was "Salsa De Verda" as performed by Orquesta Tabaco y Ron in 1998, since their first release, "OTR" has released 6 albums on the Dimelo! imprint, including one remix album, and a live recording. Our second addition to the Dimelo! line up, and of Costa Rican decent, was Chino Espinoza y Los Dueńos Del Son. Extremely popular, Chino Espinoza is the most booked band in Los Angeles. His discography includes, "Pura Vida", "Maria", a Salsa Christmas album. Our most recent and third artist is, La Charanga Cubana. Their 2007 freshman release on Dimelo! Records was immediately, nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Traditional Tropical Album of The Year. They are currently, in the studio vigorously wrapping up their follow up recording.
Ritmo Bello: How does an up and coming Salsa artist sign on with your label?
Dimelo! Records: We are a boutique niche label. We seek bands with a heavy commitment to live gigs. We are always looking for a great opportunity to include a fresh and unique piece to our arsenal of artists. We always welcome new material for review. Please send any information to:
Valerie Guzman
valerie@dimelorecords.com
Marketing Department
Dimelo! Records
10835 Chandler Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601 USA
Yahoo Messenger: dimelolife
AIM: dimelolife
Twitter: dimelolife
Ritmo Bello : Anything else you’d like to share with the general public? I heard you mention the launch of a social networking site, right?
Dimelo! Records: dimelolife.com will be a major commitment for us in 2008. Although still in beta, we plan to officially launch the site in a few months. DimeloLife is not about one record label or a handful of recording artists, or select events. DimeloLife will be ALL things Salsa, every recording artist, every dancer, every promoter, every dance-club, every night – an online Salsa Social Community. DimeloLife will be the place to share videos, audio, photos, blogs/stories with unlimited media uploads…all for free – there will never be a cost. This site will also be the home of Dimelo! TV our new video pod-cast network which will include general interest programming, Salsa videos, and Special Event coverage.
Again, our official launch is around two months away. We would like for you and your readers to beta test the site with us. We are slowly opening it up to a few exclusive friends to get their accounts set up and upload some media before we officially launch. Feel free to invite a few other of your own special friends to setup their accounts, add some pics and video, and chat it up. This invitation will guarantee you "Founding Member" status, which will be rewarded in a unique Dimelo! manner before the end of the year.
Use this link for now to take a sneak peak and set up an account:
http://tinyurl.com/4ndfd4
Ritmo Bello: Is there contact information available to reach you for more information?
Dimelo! Records: Yes, please send any enquiries to:
Valerie Guzman
valerie@dimelorecords.com
Marketing Department
Dimelo! Records
10835 Chandler Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601 USA
Yahoo Messenger: dimelolife
AIM: dimelolife
Twitter: dimelolife
