Adding musicality to my salsa dancing

[JC_Denton]

Guys, again thanks for the numerous advice. I am setting out confidently in this journey to be able to predict and personify music at my will.

@sweavo (timescale for learning to be musical): Instant results would be nice, but I am patient. If I know I am making progress, I will be just fine. My issue currently with salsa is that although I like the dance, I don’t quite know how much I like the music. Some parts of it seem relatively alien to my ears. There are some salsa songs I really like: for instance:

Daddy Yankee - Coraza Divina
Lenny Kravitz – Thinking of you (Emilio Estefan Version)
Marc Anthony – Valio La Pena

I have a bunch of other salsa songs I got from various sources: so poorly documented that I can’t tell the artists or names. Heh.

@ azzey,borikenSalsero,musicistheanswe (on self-expression and musicality): Certainly self-expression and embracing music to reflect something within your own is core to true musicality. I however believe that at this point,all I have done, on some level,is learn some salsa moves and practice the mechanics of leading, on simply the 8-count beat. Ie, my performance on every song is comparable to every other song, changing only in speed and size of footsteps (to accomodate speed).

My problems currently is that:

1. Even if I see something coming. I can't categorize what it is before hand. Generally, any phrase that's a multiple of 4 (ie 4th phrase,8th phrase,12,16,20...) can end with something that I can play around with. Its hard to tell if it's going to be a break or not. If its the start of like the 1st, 5th, 9th, phrases (all spaced by 4). There may be a chorus, or a lead vocal, or a solo, etc and I can't quite tell what it is. What am I going to do? I dont know.

2. If I can categorize the musical change (ie break, or a chorus, or a new vocal, or a solo), say I can tell that the current phrase will end with a break, I have no idea how I can modify my salsa *routine* at the time to accommodate it. I figure I can do something fancy with my footwork (if i am in frame with my partner), or If I am in a shine, I can probably do something with my body as a whole. But *what* I am going to do with my body is a whole different question.

@ musicistheanswe (on dancing to music in general): That makes a lot of sense to me . I am unable to do that yet.

@ borikenSalsero (connecting with the music): Yeah, I know what you mean, only because I do connect with several types of music (some rock, some trance, some hip-hop and rap),but have not been able to do that to the more traditional salsa music.The more hip-hop, pop flavored salsa, I fare a little better at.

@ azzey (on technique of musicality):

Also, as Boriken says, it's natural and within us, so doesn't require technical learning, just the bravery to let go and let it out. This can be learned at any level, which is why some beginners have it (show it) from the get go. Others are discouraged from this by so called teachers.

This is where having relatively free-expression based dance experience would have helped me, If I had some. Coming from a 1.5 years of relatively involved International and Standard Ballroom competitive training, I know *little*about freestyle dancing. But I was told, at the time, my technique was solid, for whatever that is worth, but my expression sucked. Its hard to let go and let it out if you don’t quite know what you are doing .

Pursuit of technique in musicality often leads to how complex you can make something, whereas feelings and self-expression are often about simplicity while also being rich in emotional content and texture.

This is *very* comforting: if you mean that whatever I choose to express through my dance, should be simple: ie in the way I move my body, the choice of facial expression, strength of lead.

Last question: Do you guys find yourself being able to express musicality through partner work as well? This seems harder than just expressing it through shines only.

 

[borikenSalsero]

JC_Denton, you sure sound like you know where you want to go. I haven't read that line of questions coming from a newbie in quite some time. Might not mean much at this point but, it sounds to me that you really don't need to worry about "what to do" just yet. Don't focus your search on "what to do", let it come with experience. When you are ready, you'll find yourself doing it without explanation.

Do you guys find yourself being able to express musicality through partner work as well? This seems harder than just expressing it through shines only.

I prefer to express musicality with someone.

musicality in partner work is like sensual interactions. it's a conversation where her actions, and your actions consummate to tell a story. Listen to her, and react to her actions to the best of your abilities. Normally, if there is chemistry, the musicality takes care of itself, perhaps because we aren't worried about the music or dance, but how our feelings are carrying the dance. Attention is payed to relationship, rather than to the song...

when feelings are aroused by the music, we'll fall into the "musicality" of it all. It's a beautiful when shared with a partner.

 

[timberamayor]

My problems currently is that:

1. Even if I see something coming. I can't categorize what it is before hand. Generally, any phrase that's a multiple of 4 (ie 4th phrase,8th phrase,12,16,20...) can end with something that I can play around with. Its hard to tell if it's going to be a break or not. If its the start of like the 1st, 5th, 9th, phrases (all spaced by 4). There may be a chorus, or a lead vocal, or a solo, etc and I can't quite tell what it is. What am I going to do? I dont know.

I really think the only way to get better in this area is to just keep listening to the music. Eventually you will honestly just be able to "feel" what is coming. Not that the music is 100% predictable, that would be boring, but it does have patterns and after a while you will unconsciously internalize them.

When I started dancing I remembers saying to my non-salsa friends that the music was dance music, i.e. it was fine a a salsa club but not something you listen to at home or on the radio. But I bought a couple of CDs, Victor Manuelle and Marc Anthony and listened to them day and night tapping out 1,2,3 5,6,7 with my feet so that the steps would just wear themselves into my brain out pf pure habit.

But the something strange happened. I found that the music was just fine for listening to at home and wondered why they don't play it on the radio. Now to be honest I almost never listen to anything except salsa every single day. So keep plugging away at it and you may find the same thing happening to you.

As for finding the music style that you really like...well just keep trying a little of this and that. Maybe you have already answered this question but do you speak Spanish? I didn't when started dancing but I am obsessive about lyrics so I learned Spanish. I think it gives an added dimension of enjoyment to the music, but I'm not trying to say that you should also start studying Spanish if you don't speak it. I'm just curious.

And now comes my timba plug. If you like songs that are more pop and hiphop you should try out some timba. There is actually a wide variety of sounds within timba but in general, in addition to the base of son and jazz, there is a strong element of funk and the harmonic progressions are often more similar to pop. There is also a heavier afro-cuban emphasis than in most salsa (IMO). and as several people have mentioned afro-cuban dancing is a great way to add flavour to your dance style (note style not styling). I've also said before that IMO too many styling classes teach feminine-looking movement to men. Guanguancó and columbia (a style of rumba danced solo by men) are great ways to learn body movement that is masculine, not feminine. And they also are good for teaching improvisation in dancing and in steps.

Here is a recommendation that just came to mind. Calle Real is a Swedish timba band. They play timba but it doesn't exactly sound cuban. Swedes are good at pop and jazz and I think their music has a very definite and well done mix of pop with timba. Also one thing that is fun with timba in terms of musicality is that here are (also IMO) a lot of things happening from the beginning to the end of the song, a lot of changes going on in the rhythm section that give you many opportunities for different musical expression in your dancing. It's good music for people with Attention Deficit Disorder because things are always happening.

Here is a little video of Calle Real's first big international hit "Princesa" with a couple dancing to it in France. I love this video because the dance is so fun and has great musicality. But I expect it's quite different form the salsa you are learning. Still it is food for thought. They mix in afro-cuban stuff along with the casino. Obviously they know this song well because they know where all the efectos come. Actually this song is not one of the more pop-sounding ones but oh well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RicnxZ0u3OQ

 

[azzey]

My issue currently with salsa is that although I like the dance, I don’t quite know how much I like the music. Some parts of it seem relatively alien to my ears. There are some salsa songs I really like.

You know what, you're normal. Over time you will probably graduate more towards the hardcore music as you become used to hearing and perceiving the rhythms (that's what happened to me). You will find your preferences and you will become bored and move on to new tracks.

Just listen to lots of different Salsa music and dance to what you enjoy the most.

@ azzey,borikenSalsero,musicistheanswe (on self-expression and musicality):

Certainly self-expression and embracing music to reflect something within your own is core to true musicality. I however believe that at this point,all I have done, on some level,is learn some salsa moves and practice the mechanics of leading, on simply the 8-count beat.

Ie, my performance on every song is comparable to every other song, changing only in speed and size of footsteps (to accomodate speed).

Well you're ahead of most dancers if you already realise this.

My problems currently is that:

There may be a chorus, or a lead vocal, or a solo, etc and I can't quite tell what it is. What am I going to do? I dont know.

I often don't really know what I'm going to do before the solo/vocal/chorus kicks in (even if I know it's coming) except change. Once it kicks in I go with my feeling and change how I dance.

2. If I can categorize the musical change (ie break, or a chorus, or a new vocal, or a solo), say I can tell that the current phrase will end with a break, I have no idea how I can modify my salsa *routine* at the time to accommodate it.

Do whatever you feel you want to. Experiment! Play!

To give you a clue, a 'break' is a change. Sometimes breaks are silent ; would you dance when the music is not playing? Sometimes the break leads directly into a new phrase with a different style of music, Rumba, montuno, mambo etc. Wait and see what happens and go with the flow.

I personally don't dance a routine, everything I do is made up on the fly to the music on how I feel in the moment. Tell a story as long as it's not "this is a move, now this is another move, here's a move I learnt today, here's a fancy one I learned from someone last week." Boring!

(Moves are obviously based on what I have learned/seen/experimented with before, but often I'll just try something new that I don't know if it will work out or not for the fun of it. Once you know the basics, including basic moves when in partnerwork, modify or select them slightly to fit the music depending on your feeling).

Emotional content and focus on your partner/connection/the story is what's important. Not the moves.

Focus on the feeling first and be true to your nature.

I figure I can do something fancy with my footwork (if i am in frame with my partner), or If I am in a shine, I can probably do something with my body as a whole.

But *what* I am going to do with my body is a whole different question.

It wouldn't be your self expression if I told you what to do. Watch video of good musical dancers you like and you will be influenced by them subtly the more you watch them. Gradually becoming the dancer you desire (for good or bad).

@ azzey (on technique of musicality):

Its hard to let go and let it out if you don’t quite know what you are doing .

Yeah, that is the risk and the buzz of it!

This is *very* comforting: if you mean that whatever I choose to express through my dance, should be simple: ie in the way I move my body, the choice of facial expression, strength of lead.

Choice of facial expression? Surely if you're expressing yourself honestly you're not choosing, you're being. Showing your true emotion.

But yes simple choices like we live everyday and that whatever you choose to express is YOURS, it's you being you, honestly expressing yourself and while someone may disagree with your choices or method of expression they can't argue it's not you! It's all part of your personality, as long as you let it come out and don't be a clone.

Last question: Do you guys find yourself being able to express musicality through partner work as well? This seems harder than just expressing it through shines only.

Yes, I started that way in partnerwork and gradually became more comfortable with expressing myself on my own, or should I say seperate from my partner because if you're dancing with someone you're not alone in the dance. Not being having any dance experience before I started Salsa I relied more on martial arts technique of connection and feeling and sensing my partners emotions, emulating and eventually expressing myself.

Note: Some of this may or may not make sense (haven't had a chance to read it back properly) as I've been writing it while talking to a friend in my flat and watching TV (IPT Poker tour etc).

 

[azzey]

By the way JC, did anyone tell you yet that there are different styles of Salsa music as well as Salsa dancing?

So you may not like some Salsa music but there is so much different stuff out there to try (simplified breakdown):
- Colombian salsa.
- Puerto Rican salsa.
- New York salsa.
- Cuban Timba.
- RnB Salsa.
- African Salsa.
- and stuff that falls between countries.

Each is a different genre and has it's own history, instruments and sound.

You can listen to free Salsa internet radio stations to try out stuff and look up the names of stuff you like. Watching bands play on YouTube can also be a really useful way to associate the instruments to sounds.

 

[Smejmoon]

I would not worry about excezzive skillz too much. If one goes that far, they've spent a lot of time and hopefully will dance better anyway. Technique is there as an enabler, it's a more ergonomic way to get from point A to point B. Where do you want to go? That's up to you, music, partner other circumstances. I believe one can be taught how to improvise, develop inner capabilities. One have to learn emotions, humans are inherently bad at understanding, recognizing, labeling them. Easily cheated.
It makes sense to ask question, why are you dancing? Depending on the answer, there probably are people who have gone that path before on this board. If not, just do it!

 

[JC_Denton]

It makes sense to ask question, why are you dancing? Depending on the answer, there probably are people who have gone that path before on this board. If not, just do it!

That's a very good question. I don't really know why I dance. Sometimes its because I have a lot of energy that I want to let out, constructively.

Sometimes the music really makes me want to move.

However, from the little that I have seen with my social dancing, with one exception, its rarely ever because of something I see in my dance partner.

 

[sonrisa]

JC: I suggest learning to appreciate better salsa music, your favorites you listed suggest to me you need to expand your borders.. In the beginning it will be like the way someone who is used to cheap bourbon would react if they tasted a single-malt scotch. They wouldn't appreciate it at first, probably ruin it by mixing it with soda. There are some salsa tracks that I have heard dozens of times and just recently began appreciating in depth. Once that happened, my dancing started opening up as well.

 

[musicistheanswe]

well the last thing i would do is get involved in snobbery, enjoy what you like and enjoy it honestly.

listening more sounds like your plate is not quite big enough yet. if you can't put on a song that makes you want to move, and then move, then you need vocabulary. you need more vocabulary and to do that vocabulary a lot (albeit doing it slightly differently every time, so that you can bend and shape each particular use of the word to the situation), and then eventually, like boriko says, you won't even think about it and the right word will magically appear. much like normal speaking.

the bad thing is that that'll take time - the good thing is in that time you'll naturally discover you like a lot of the other songs that are being played as well, assuming that your dj is playing them. you really are so super dependent on your djs!! bad or unthoughtful djs can kill a night stone dead.

along with more vocabulary you might want to consider different dialects in the different timings. for the three of the songs you posted, for one i might break on 5 or maybe on clave, the other on 3, and the other one I would probably throw the timing to the wolves and just go mental - life's not about rules sometimes. but first one would definitely need to have rock iron timing in your current preferred style, so that one would understand where and when things happen. then when it's possible to start doing an ok job of dancing to the music in one timing then you can explore the possibilities of other timings. and then if your partner is good then you'll just forget about all that stuff and do whatever fits the music.

lastly, how can you not see things in your partners?! i don't know what your scene is like, but that's quite a bold thing to say! there's something wonderful in everyone, sometimes it takes a little while to find or realise what it is.

 

[sonrisa]

I'm only encouraging education, in my mind. I'm sorry if that's snobbery but I feel at a certain point improvement in anything artistic requires it. When it comes to this one thing, I never wanted to be mainstream or average at it. I can keep looking at it the same way and not get any different results... or I can try to fine tune certain things... and unfortunately get labelled a snob.

 

[crazygirl]

JC_Denton, you sure sound like you know where you want to go. I haven't read that line of questions coming from a newbie in quite some time. Might not mean much at this point but, it sounds to me that you really don't need to worry about "what to do" just yet. Don't focus your search on "what to do", let it come with experience. When you are ready, you'll find yourself doing it without explanation.

I prefer to express musicality with someone.

musicality in partner work is like sensual interactions. it's a conversation where her actions, and your actions consummate to tell a story. Listen to her, and react to her actions to the best of your abilities. Normally, if there is chemistry, the musicality takes care of itself, perhaps because we aren't worried about the music or dance, but how our feelings are carrying the dance. Attention is payed to relationship, rather than to the song...

when feelings are aroused by the music, we'll fall into the "musicality" of it all. It's a beautiful when shared with a partner.

Well said and I'm with you completely.

At the beginning I found the whole learned shines thing a bit alien and stressful. Mostly, I later recognised this was because I wasn't completely confident with the whole timing and still staying connected to my partner whilst apart thing.

Later still, I realised that I just don't see it as 'shines'. I always have and still am left feeling cold when I watch dancers wrapped up in their own routines and quite separate from their partners. For me it's simply playtime but very much played off each other. So yes I think it's something that comes when you're ready as opposed to forced and unnatural.

Regarding the music discussion, I really didn't like the music at first so you shouldn't worry about that yet either. I think I was too busy following the music at first to allow myself any real enjoyment in its richness. In fact I think I hated it because it was my master and I was a frustrated student! Now I rarely listen to anything but latin genre. Listening to lots of music definitely helps and you just get used to it's structures. Put on some music and just dance on your own. Pretend you've broken contact with your partner, have fun, and then pretend you're making contact again.

Whilst we're on this whole musicality thing. I also disliked the whole taught styling too. Apart from the functional arm stuff I found the rest very anti-dance and forced. Later I find myself just doing my own thing that's natural to me.

I've had people compliment me on something I apparently do with my hands/arms and and I seriously end up saying 'do I do that?' - it's just not a conscious thing! At a congress a teacher once asked me to show the class the way I just did something again I was totally confused.

Having just read back my own post - yes I guess I'm a rebellious sort of dancer and always will be. It's only dancing

 

[azzey]

That's a very good question. I don't really know why I dance. Sometimes its because I have a lot of energy that I want to let out, constructively.

Sometimes the music really makes me want to move.

I dance to the music that makes me want to move. I try new stuff of course and am always looking to expand my repertoire of music but I don't dance to the music I don't like. That way I found I don't lose the enjoyable feelings and groove/zone of the night with a bad dance. I keep true to expressing enjoyment and emotion in my dances.

However, from the little that I have seen with my social dancing, with one exception, its rarely ever because of something I see in my dance partner.

You need to get new dance partners! Or at least foster a similar attitude to the music and how you like to dance with your current partners. Don't be afraid to communicate how you like it to your partners. I look for partners who are open to being playful and enjoying the music with me. Of course if someone asks me I dance with them, regardless if they are a beginner or not. I don't make my night out of dances I don't want though. Balance is important.

Had two rocking nights on Wednesday and Thursday where I enjoyed every dance and danced almost the whole night long. We have very good Timba DJs here. Sometimes though I really want some Colombian Salsa, NY/PR salsa, or Salsa Dura, or even the odd Salsa romantica. It's great to have so much choice as leads... choice of music you dance to, choice of partners to dance with, choice of Salsa nights/locations to go to.

You need to get comfortable to make your partner comfortable as well and if you don't know what you want/like in your music/partner that's a key area to work on. Once you are comfortable it will come across to your partner in how you dance/groove and they will like that.

 

[timberamayor]

Guys, again thanks for the numerous advice. I am setting out confidently in this journey to be able to predict and personify music at my will.

There are some salsa songs I really like: for instance:
Daddy Yankee - Coraza Divina
Lenny Kravitz – Thinking of you (Emilio Estefan Version)
Marc Anthony – Valio La Pena

The main thing to think out in developing musicality is muisc. It goes faster the more you submerge yourself in the muisc. People's musical taste generally chan ges and develops the longer they are involve din salsa, as some of us have stated from out personal experiences. It would be interesting for you to revist this thread in 1 year to see how you are feeling about your progess and also to see what music you are liostening to.

Whenever you hear a song you like, if it be in class or at a club, as your teacher of the DJ for the title and artist and you can start building up a collection that way.

Since you say you like that song by Daddy Yankee, who really is a reggaeton artist, you might try listening to a little Orishas. They have some songs that work well for dancing salsa. Also they have good lyrics IMO and nice melodies.

Here are a few of their songs that I think are good for dancing salsa or chachacha. They have lots of other good songs as well, but less suitable for salsa. I recommend their CDs in general.
1.9.9.9. (not at all related to Prince's song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGyBET-Y9RE

Revé did a fantastic cover of this song and I am a person who loathes and despises covers. I mean I am militantly anti-cover. Never underestimate how much I dislike covers...that said...I love Revé's cover of this song.
This is from an anniversary concert and the singer is Lele (back in his slimmer days) who sings with Van van now. Too much information?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Au5Dzh0YI

Guajiro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rRABY99Vlk

Mirame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27SFgBaMPwk

Mistica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nICLfVg9J0

537 Cuba
537 refers to the international dialing code for Cuba and the prefix for Havana. People who don't speak Spanish or just don't pay attention to lyrics think that this is just a hiphop cover of Compay Segundo, but actually it's a brilliant use of the music and melody from the song that became one of the biggest modern international symbols of Cuba. The lyrics are completely different including the coro. They are about the pain that Cuban exiles feel, how much they miss their country. Really great lyrics even in the rap parts. Even people who've only been to Cuba as tourists get a sense of nostalgia when they hear this song. Maybe not great for salsa but and great reworking of Chan Chan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA7reCd-FNY

 

[JC_Denton]

@timberamayor: THANKS! Very good and dance-able numbers. The melody was easily identifiable, catchy. This makes it very good for musicality. I will certainly explore more of these guys (Orishas):

...
Here are a few of their songs that I think are good for dancing salsa or chachacha. They have lots of other good songs as well, but less suitable for salsa. I recommend their CDs in general.
1.9.9.9. (not at all related to Prince's song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGyBET-Y9RE

Revé did a fantastic cover of this song and I am a person who loathes and despises covers. I mean I am militantly anti-cover. Never underestimate how much I dislike covers...that said...I love Revé's cover of this song.
This is from an anniversary concert and the singer is Lele (back in his slimmer days) who sings with Van van now. Too much information?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Au5Dzh0YI

Guajiro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rRABY99Vlk

Mirame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27SFgBaMPwk

Mistica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nICLfVg9J0

537 Cuba
537 refers to the international dialing code for Cuba and the prefix for Havana. People who don't speak Spanish or just don't pay attention to lyrics think that this is just a hiphop cover of Compay Segundo, but actually it's a brilliant use of the music and melody from the song that became one of the biggest modern international symbols of Cuba. The lyrics are completely different including the coro. They are about the pain that Cuban exiles feel, how much they miss their country. Really great lyrics even in the rap parts. Even people who've only been to Cuba as tourists get a sense of nostalgia when they hear this song. Maybe not great for salsa but and great reworking of Chan Chan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA7reCd-FNY

Curiously, are there other artists similar to these guys? Id have a field day if the local nightclub played songs similar to these.

 

[azzey]

@timberamayor: THANKS! Very good and dance-able numbers. The melody was easily identifiable, catchy. This makes it very good for musicality. I will certainly explore more of these guys (Orishas):

Curiously, are there other artists similar to these guys? Id have a field day if the local nightclub played songs similar to these.

Yes, Clan 537 is classed as Cubaton/Reggaeton, here's some other examples:

Insurrecto - Cerro Cerrao - Que Estas Formando Tu
youtube.com/watch?v=tuc_tQWk2mM&feature=related

Gente de Zona - Mi mama me lo conto
youtube.com/watch?v=tNkC-nWq9vk&feature=related

Yulien Oviedo y Blad MC - La Niña Se Fue Por El Dos
youtube.com/watch?v=h0vdyB1G-bU&feature=related

You can find more by looking at the related videos on the right hand side.

There's also a channel dedicated to Cubaton music:
youtube.com/user/Cubatonmusic


The track you like, Valio La Pena, is more latin pop, so I'm thinking you might like Saoco, a fusion of Reggaeton, Spanish Hip-hop and Timba.
latinpulsemusic.com/artists/show/5



Also any Cuban Timba that has Reggaeton mixed into it, and there's a LOT of good tracks that do. You'd probably like Los Van Van as well, since although they're not big on Reggaeton, they're pop influenced and you'd probably get the melody.

Go to timba.com and put 'reggaeton' in the search box. It'll search the music list as well as the articles, so you'll get lots of names of groups and tracks.

Some good general Timba examples:

Mamborama - Puro Y Temba
youtube.com/watch?v=7kaOXpsiU-Y&feature=related

Timba Live - From Miami A La Habana
youtube.com/watch?v=quxhKun_iTg

MANOLITO SIMONET y su TRABUCO - La Habana Me Llama
youtube.com/watch?v=3r2SRLojlbE&feature=related

Los Van Van - Me Mantengo
youtube.com/watch?v=5EWq7ABVlrY&feature=related

Timba Live - Chirrin Chirran
youtube.com/watch?v=s7BdXmVAt24&feature=related

Elito Revé y su Charangón - Agua para Yemayá
youtube.com/watch?v=H_HIJmI1J-Q&feature=related

Los Van Van - si una mamita
youtube.com/watch?v=qeRLHe-U_cU

Try also searching for Bamboleo, Pupy y Los Que Son Son.

 

[Big10]

537 Cuba
537 refers to the international dialing code for Cuba and the prefix for Havana. People who don't speak Spanish or just don't pay attention to lyrics think that this is just a hiphop cover of Compay Segundo, but actually it's a brilliant use of the music and melody from the song that became one of the biggest modern international symbols of Cuba. The lyrics are completely different including the coro. They are about the pain that Cuban exiles feel, how much they miss their country. Really great lyrics even in the rap parts. Even people who've only been to Cuba as tourists get a sense of nostalgia when they hear this song. Maybe not great for salsa but and great reworking of Chan Chan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA7reCd-FNY

Thanks so much for sharing that with us, timberamayor!!!

Sorry for the brief hijacking of this thread, but if anybody's interested in another terrific reworking of Chan Chan, I accidentally discovered a version by a group called "The Mammals." (Can't really dance Salsa to it, but awesome to listen to.) I couldn't find the group performing the song by itself on Youtube, but the song is used as background music for this totally unrelated cave exploration video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d-0GgjFza0

 

[musicistheanswe]

Apologies Sonrisa, it wasn't about calling anyone a snob, but wanting to get rid of the "I know/am better than you" attitude that can creep unpleasantly in to a dance scene. There's just so much superiority complex and ego flying around when all someone is doing is saying I want some ideas about how I can make or do this or that better. But that's not what you were doing (banging your own drum, I mean). I'm sure you in particular were all about helping. But at the same time I think everyone is making their own journey and discoveries and with subjective things like dance especially music it's really about personal taste and preference. Mahler might bore one person senseless but it might make another go dizzy with pleasure. Same with Britney. Or Miles Davis. Saying "I love this music!" is less soul-destroying than saying "you have cheap (bourbon) taste".

So I'm sorry if it came across personal - it wasn't!

 

[JC_Denton]

Thanks azzey,as always.

I liked most of the stuff I heard.

Yes, Clan 537 is classed as Cubaton/Reggaeton, here's some other examples:

Insurrecto - Cerro Cerrao - Que Estas Formando Tu
youtube.com/watch?v=tuc_tQWk2mM&feature=related

Gente de Zona - Mi mama me lo conto
youtube.com/watch?v=tNkC-nWq9vk&feature=related

Yulien Oviedo y Blad MC - La Niña Se Fue Por El Dos
youtube.com/watch?v=h0vdyB1G-bU&feature=related

You can find more by looking at the related videos on the right hand side.

There's also a channel dedicated to Cubaton music:
youtube.com/user/Cubatonmusic


The track you like, Valio La Pena, is more latin pop, so I'm thinking you might like Saoco, a fusion of Reggaeton, Spanish Hip-hop and Timba.
latinpulsemusic.com/artists/show/5



Also any Cuban Timba that has Reggaeton mixed into it, and there's a LOT of good tracks that do. You'd probably like Los Van Van as well, since although they're not big on Reggaeton, they're pop influenced and you'd probably get the melody.

Go to timba.com and put 'reggaeton' in the search box. It'll search the music list as well as the articles, so you'll get lots of names of groups and tracks.

Some good general Timba examples:

Mamborama - Puro Y Temba
youtube.com/watch?v=7kaOXpsiU-Y&feature=related

Timba Live - From Miami A La Habana
youtube.com/watch?v=quxhKun_iTg

MANOLITO SIMONET y su TRABUCO - La Habana Me Llama
youtube.com/watch?v=3r2SRLojlbE&feature=related

Los Van Van - Me Mantengo
youtube.com/watch?v=5EWq7ABVlrY&feature=related

Timba Live - Chirrin Chirran
youtube.com/watch?v=s7BdXmVAt24&feature=related

Elito Revé y su Charangón - Agua para Yemayá
youtube.com/watch?v=H_HIJmI1J-Q&feature=related

Los Van Van - si una mamita
youtube.com/watch?v=qeRLHe-U_cU

Try also searching for Bamboleo, Pupy y Los Que Son Son.