Meaning of Saoco

SoFloW

SoFloW

Son Montuno
Been hearing the word saoco in salsa music and got curious about the meaning.
Saoko or Saoco is a word that cannot be found in the dictionary. It’s a famous slang word used to describe a great Salsa song. Saoko have been used many times by singers in their improvisations. Most of Saoko’s spelling is done with c, but I wanted to use Saoko with a k because of the following. ‘Saoko Orquesta’ was the name of the band my neighborhood friends created back in the early 80’s in Cabimas, Venezuela. Since I have fond memories of the era, I decided to name myself DJ Saoko.


I remember telling my friends, who were members of Saoko Orquestra, “Hey, I will carry the instruments for free, but hook me up for that party so, I can get in.” That’s how I heard for the first time, for example, their version of “ El Pio Pio” by La Sonora Ponceña or “Sedante de Rumba” by Eddie Palmieri.


For the people of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, United States, where the Latin rhythms have been heard, since the 1930’s: Saoko is a known word that can describe flavor in the music, good rhythm, great song, killer tune, and other adjectives intended to describe something good in a Salsa song. Also, used to describe somebody who dances well or the skills a salsa singer has for singing Salsa. In conclusion, it means something good.


I remember back in high school when I started going out to parties. A popular way to request a good Salsa song from the DJ was “Hey DJ please play a Salsa with Saoco…” A chorus of a popular song back then, “Tiene Saoco”, by El Trabuco Venezolano was “ Esa niche tiene Saoco…” got stuck in my head for a long time.


There are other songs whose title contains the word Saoco, such as:


  • “Tiene Saoco” by Orlando Marin
  • “Saoco” by Cortijo y su Combo
  • “Saoco” by La Sonora Ponceña

Also many singers and artist have used the expression “Saoco” in their songs. Some examples:


  • “Dale Saoco “, at the beginning of Rafael Labasta’s version of “La toalla”
  • At the end of “Guaguanco de vida” by Felix Caraballo y la Preferida, they sing “Que yo te traigo el Saoco, Que yo te traigo el Saoco……”
  • “Mulata yo tengo Saoco y quiero bembe” from Ray Barreto’s song “Arrepientete”
  • “Lo que pasa es sin mi Saoco no pueden vivir” by Héctor Lavoe in his song “Vamos a reir un poco”.
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If you speak with salsa musicians out of New York, especially the legends such as Jose Mangual, Jr., they will tell you that they use the word saoco to refer to the "swing" quality in the music. The first person to tell me what it is, was in fact Jose Mangual, Jr.'s girlfriend; who later set up an interview with Mangual during which he also used it in that context.
 
salsero.dance said:
Does swing have a specific definition or does it just mean great or awesome.
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It is very difficult to define, but you know it when you hear it! Bands who have been playing together for a long time, tend to have it. I connotates an effortless flow, that enraptures the listener. "Having saoco," might accurately translate to "being groovy," but there are nuances of meaning.
 
Saoco is a cuban drink of rum and cocount water in a coconut.
But if also is the above term but also apparently Cuban slang for superb. Omelé (if we're talking about the song by Celia Cruz) is a cuban instrument of African Origin.
This is a translation on David Byrne old record label site. He worked with her on 1 or 2 songs so she probably translated it for him.
 
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And a little explanation of Saoco in Spanish

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El Caobo said:
If you speak with salsa musicians out of New York, especially the legends such as Jose Mangual, Jr., they will tell you that they use the word saoco to refer to the "swing" quality in the music. The first person to tell me what it is, was in fact Jose Mangual, Jr.'s girlfriend; who later set up an interview with Mangual during which he also used it in that context.
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Is this interview available online anywhere (audio or transcription)? I would be very interested in hearing/reading what he had to say on any subject.
 
What was edited from my old post? Is the link dead?
1derpalm said:
Saoco is a cuban drink of rum and cocount water in a coconut.
But if also is the above term but also apparently Cuban slang for superb. Omelé (if we're talking about the song by Celia Cruz) is a cuban instrument of African Origin.
This is a translation on David Byrne old record label site. He worked with her on 1 or 2 songs so she probably translated it for him.
Click to expand...
 
1derpalm said:
What was edited from my old post? Is the link dead?
Click to expand...
It's possible. I do sometimes go through and clean up dead links. If there is something I should fix from a previous post, I am happy to make further edits.
 
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