Salsa music you do not like! Aka true confessions

[matty]

i had to google these two, is that "la india - turn off the lights" ?

and what came up under "so sick" was some song called "ne-yo so sick, salsa remix" is that the one you are talking about?

 

[DJ Yuca]

Honestly DJ Yuca I don't entirely recognise your vision of the UK Salsa scene (as a whole,) if you're on Facebook have you not seen the Certified over 85% Salsa events group started by Jambo a little back?

I've seen it yes, and I admire the ethos behind it. Without wishing to denigrate what they're doing, the fact is all the 'Brit salsa classics' I've cited could technically be described as salsa (by the ignorant), in that people dance 'salsa' to them, so the existence of that group does not dispute my reality. (Even the pioneer of 'salsa to r'n'b' is in that group.)

What do you want me to do, pretend that I haven't heard these tunes a million times, year after year after year? I'm not going to lie just to make you feel good.

I agree re. Jambo, though: I've heard her and she certainly doesn't play (m)any of the Brit salsa staples. As I said earlier: there are honourable exceptions.

 

[DJ Yuca]

It is a staple of a couple of promoters in Belfast.

(The same promoters who also use "Yo No Se Manana", "So Sick", and "Turn out the Lights" as weekly staples).

Hey at least they're rinsing one Spanish language tune.

 

[tallpaul]

i had to google these two, is that "la india - turn off the lights" ?

and what came up under "so sick" was some song called "ne-yo so sick, salsa remix" is that the one you are talking about?

Yes and yes...

 

[DJ Yuca]

It is a staple of a couple of promoters in Belfast.

(The same promoters who also use "Yo No Se Manana", "So Sick", and "Turn out the Lights" as weekly staples).

At least one of those tunes has been around for at least 5 years. That's a hell of a long time to play a tune every week, even if it were good (ha). This is exactly what I'm ranting about.

I'll add more later, as right now I need to wipe some foam from my mouth.

 

[El Caobo]

Honestly DJ Yuca I don't entirely recognise your vision of the UK Salsa scene (as a whole,) if you're on Facebook have you not seen the Certified over 85% Salsa events group started by Jambo a little back? You must be aware that Jambo is one of the highest profile DJ's in the UK scene and well known for her incredible knowledge and dedication to good, hard salsa (And she even throws some timba into her sets at Salsafix etc) There's a strong movement, and strong attendance at the events associated with this group.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have no doubt there is a wider culture where nonsense is being played left, right and centre, but the heart of salsa is alive in the uk, very well attended and doing pretty well.

I've been missing this very interesting conversation!

I known Jambo very well and I know that she champions the "real thing!" It's good to hear that "salsa is alive in the UK, very well attended and doing pretty well." It takes the effort of people like Jambo to keep it that way. It could not happen without people who are dedicated to "keeping it real." As seen in this very thread, there are always people who rationalize their acceptance and promotion of "other" types of salsa. To each his or her own, but those of us who want to keep it real, have to unapologetically champion it, as does Jambo.

 

[El Minotauro]

Here things are different. The 'advanced' dancers (a term I regard as ludicrous incidentally) have no more concern over the quality of the music than the beginners. Less in fact, as they've heard such tunes a million times without being offended, whereas at least the beginners have the excuse that it's all new.

In that case, I can understand why regard the term 'advanced dancers' as ludicrous. In my area, the 'advanced dancers' do care very much about the quality of the music.

Imo it is music like this that puts off beginners. Non-dancers think of salsa as something exotic and Latin. Then they take lessons and go to salsa events, to discover salsa is Europeans dancing to music that is not radically different to what you would hear in a cheesy British nightclub.

I very much agree with this! It's the same thing in the U.S. I also believe that this situation is in part responsible for the surge in popularity of that kiddy 'bachata' music.

Fortunately there are plenty of honourable exceptions to this in the UK, in terms of DJs, promoters and dancers. However they are in the minority in parts of the UK, and very probably the UK as a whole.

True in the U.S. as well.

I've said it all before anyway. Nothing changes except the numbers go down.

Yes, and as the numbers for true salsa venues decline, the numbers for bachata increase. Not to worry, though. Reggaeton became immensely popular for a while, but now has practically disappeared. Granted, the bachata situation is a bit different since bachata is a partner dance, but how long will the kids and those in the middle-age crisis want to grind on each other? My guess is that its shelf life with be shorter than reggaeton's was.

 

[TwoCentsTipper]

Yes, and as the numbers for true salsa venues decline, the numbers for bachata increase. Not to worry, though. Reggaeton became immensely popular for a while, but now has practically disappeared. Granted, the bachata situation is a bit different since bachata is a partner dance, but how long will the kids and those in the middle-age crisis want to grind on each other? My guess is that its shelf life with be shorter than reggaeton's was.

Actually it's getting a little worse in my neck of the woods. There isn't a salsa event that goes by without the word Kizomba being appended to the event description. In fact I dare say that soon Kizomba will take over second place pushing bachata to the third place. All this is happening under the nose of the compromising 'so called ' salsa events organisers.

 

[DJ Yuca]

Don't even get me started on that one!

 

[DJ Yuca]

It's good to hear that "salsa is alive in the UK, very well attended and doing pretty well."

It's a shame that bears little relation to reality.

 

[DJ Yuca]

To be fair, that is Bill's reality, which is really good to hear. However to extrapolate that to make the statement that was quoted by El Caobo, in relation to music played, is ridiculous. Although perhaps it could apply to Scotland.

 

[El Caobo]

It's a shame that bears little relation to reality.

So, your perception of the scene differs from Bill's perception. You both offer justification for your perception. The reality perhaps lies in the middle??????

 

[El Minotauro]

Actually it's getting a little worse in my neck of the woods. There isn't a salsa event that goes by without the word Kizomba being appended to the event description. In fact I dare say that soon Kizomba will take over second place pushing bachata to the third place. All this is happening under the nose of the compromising 'so called ' salsa events organisers.

Also, dance schools whose claim to fame has been 'salsa,' are now courting the kizomba/bachata crowd for financial reasons. Let's sum it all up.... the djs are succumbing... the schools are succumbing... many of the 'used to be' salsa dancers have succumbed. Is there a need to wonder why the situation is what it is?

At this point, I just patiently observe and await the return to genuineness.

 

[DJ Yuca]

Surely if it had been 'genuine' then we wouldn't have such problems now? Not to such an extent anyway.

The tunes I keep mentioning were being rinsed long before k****** appeared.

 

[DJ Yuca]

So, your perception of the scene differs from Bill's perception. You both offer justification for your perception. The reality perhaps lies in the middle??????

Read my posts and decide for yourself where the reality lies. Bear in mind I'm constrained by professional reasons from really spilling the dirt.

 

[DJ Yuca]

Indeed for those reasons I'm going to attempt to resist further comments.

I will add, once again: there are plenty of people around the UK who love salsa and mambo music. Some of them DJ and/or teach salsa dance.

 

[El Caobo]

Read my posts and decide for yourself where the reality lies. Bear in mind I'm constrained by professional reasons from really spilling the dirt.

I totally understand the constraint! I've once had a very uncomfortable experience because of a post in facebook that I made mostly in jest! I hadn't understood the dynamics taking place in my scene at the time. It's best to be a bit cautious.

 

[TwoCentsTipper]

Also, dance schools whose claim to fame has been 'salsa,' are now courting the kizomba/bachata crowd for financial reasons. Let's sum it all up.... the djs are succumbing... the schools are succumbing... many of the 'used to be' salsa dancers have succumbed. Is there a need to wonder why the situation is what it is?

At this point, I just patiently observe and await the return to genuineness.

While it is true that many have succumbed there are still countless people who want nothing to do with other than salsa.

I'm not sure returning to genuineness will happen just like that. Salsa DJ's need to step-in and do some magic and what I mean by that there has to be an undoing process, or a decoupling if you prefer, of what has been done by others.

I recently got an invitation to DJ a "Latin" night at a venue for four consecutive Fridays. I politely turned down the offer upon reading "Kizomba, Bachata, Salsa and Zouk" and advised the owner that I was not the best candidate for his establishment since I do not promote any other music than Salsa and Mambo (guaguanco , guaracha , cha cha ...).

On the 15th of June I'm spinning (for the first time as a salsa DJ) at a huge event. The organiser knew exactly what my philosophy is and decided to hire me still.

In fact I have received an offer from one of my European listeners to dj at their venue in Europe, they too understand my philosophy and accepted it.

The point being there are people who could not care less about other dances, we just have to find them and assemble them under the same roof!

Now I am aware that many DJ's do not see eye to eye with me on this and I think I understand them. I can afford refusing offers that do not fall within my vision, because I am not actively looking to be DJ, other dj's don't have the same latitude and I totally understand that.

As for the salsa music that I do not like; I have to admit that Otra opportunidad is on top of my list; don't get me wrong it's a BEAUTIFUL song but it was soo overplayed that could not stand it anymore. In second place comes Rebelion.

 

[Abayarde]

As for the salsa music that I do not like; I have to admit that Otra opportunidad is on top of my list; don't get me wrong it's a BEAUTIFUL song but it was soo overplayed that could not stand it anymore. In second place comes Rebelion.

I started as a DJ in the middle of the Fania Empire (70's) and, like TwoCentsTipper, I really dislike overplayed music. a lot of today Salsa fans may not understand why I don't usually play very known Salsa Classics because they were being overplayed since their very first release.

If you listen my Salsa shows you would rarely listen songs like "El Cantante", "Pedro Navaja", "Periódico De Ayer" and "Marejada Feliz". I rather play them in Salsa gigs but not at home. Why?... just because they were badly overplayed everywhere when released. I guess this only can be understood for those who lived in that era and still remember how payola worked at that time. by then, listening "Plástico" every two hours was the rule in ALL top-40 stations.

And just when I thought I was saved in the 80's, then Salsa-Only radio stations boomed in the FM band and the same overplay has been followed until today (not caused by payola, but mostly for easier song recognition) .

one of the most persistent comments I receive on my show feedback is related with the fact that more excellent music is discovered from the same artists.

there's a lot of music still ready to be discovered; that's the main reason of "Salsa De La Mata!".

 

[TwoCentsTipper]

I started as a DJ in the middle of the Fania Empire (70's) and, like TwoCentsTipper, I really dislike overplayed music. a lot of today Salsa fans may not understand why I don't usually play very known Salsa Classics because they were being overplayed since their very first release.

If you listen my Salsa shows you would rarely listen songs like "El Cantante", "Pedro Navaja", "Periódico De Ayer" and "Marejada Feliz". I rather play them in Salsa gigs but not at home. Why?... just because they were badly overplayed everywhere when released. I guess this only can be understood for those who lived in that era and still remember how payola worked at that time. by then, listening "Plástico" every two hours was the rule in ALL top-40 stations.

And just when I thought I was saved in the 80's, then Salsa-Only radio stations boomed in the FM band and the same overplay has been followed until today (not caused by payola, but mostly for easier song recognition) .

one of the most persistent comments I receive on my show feedback is related with the fact that more excellent music is discovered from the same artists.

there's a lot of music still ready to be discovered; that's the main reason of "Salsa De La Mata!".

You make absolutely an excellent point in fact I wanted to put a third 'dislike'; the known titles since there are a whole munch of them like, Todo tiene su final, Nabori, trucutu.... the list goes on and on and on.
One of my pleasures is discovering new songs and I work hard on trying to find them. BUT it is becoming increasingly difficult to find them, this probably explains why people stick to the same usual suspects, they can't find other titles easily.

Speaking of salsa de la mata; it's starting in few minutes on you know where