Episode 43 is titled “Cuban Roots” and features Cuban music from the 1950s and early 1960s (39 tracks, 2:05:39). See the replay link at the bottom of this page.
Cesar Miguel Rondon describes the 1950s as a time when Cuban music was defined by ‘spectacle’ and with ‘safe lyrics’ [1] . This contrasts with the music of the late 1960s and early 1970s when its adapted forms had evolved and found expression in New York neighbourhoods where Hispanic/Latino immigrants resided. The music was no longer extravagant and for carefree parties but rather for expressing the “violence and bitterness of a particular type of life—that of the barrio” [2].
The context of el barrio is thus key to understanding how a pan-Caribbean music rooted in Cuban rhythms developed a particular style and appeal which came to be known as ‘salsa’.
This episode of Encanto Tropical is partly an effort to explore some context of that precedent. However, while much of the music of the 1950s and early 1960s certainly show some 'extravagance', there were also songs that reveal a kind of 'punchy attitude', if you will, which may have relevance as an undeniable foundation (at best) or a coincidental trait (at worst) of the musical style which emerged in New York in the 1970s — perhaps we can assume it's somewhere in between. Regardless, the main purpose of the episode is to merely highlight a musical era for appreciation and use it for further discussion.
However, underlining both the connection of this era with the 70s as well as exposing the grey zone of the term 'salsa' are the inclusion of several original Cuban works pirated by salsa bands of the late 60s and beyond, a time when the political situation made copyright issues nothing to worry about. Yet it its worth noting that this matancera variant of salsa was unlike the ‘true’ salsa of the barrio because the practice of making cover songs (sometimes with no allusion to an original other than "D.R." for derechos reservados), implied that “only the old music made sense” [3].
Episode 43 has a common motif among its 39 musical pieces -- Cuban music played by Cubans (although not always in Cuba) from a period ending with early the years of revolutionary Cuba, when regime change had far-reaching consequences for Cuban music both inside and outside of the country. Things would never be the same, and the stage was set for a chaotic transitional phase from which Cuban-derived music, infused by new instrumental arrangements, pan-Latin flavours, and new visions influenced by the socio-cultural contexts of the 70s, would evolve from.
While the song selection is thus presented thematically, there is no special motive or implication in an all-Cuban selection; it is merely an attempt at contributing to the exploration of the history of Afro-Caribbean music but with Cuba in focus.
Artists
The following is a list of artists/groups appearing in Episode 43. Parentheses indicate the number of songs.
Arsenio Rodríguez y su Conjunto (2)
Bebo Valdés
Belisario López y Su Charanga
Beny Moré (2)
Carlos Emilio Morales
Celina y Reutilio
Chappotin y Sus Estrellas
Cheo Marquetti y su Conjunto
Chorolo y Su Combo
Conjunto Casino (3)
Estrellas De Chocolate
Fernando Alvarez
Gilberto Monroig
Israel Lopez Cachao
La Gloria Matancera (2)
La Sonora Matancera feat. Celia Cruz
La Sonora Matancera feat. Celio Gonzalez (2)
La Sonora Matancera feat. Bienvenido Granda (2)
La Sonora Matancera feat. Vicentico Valdés
Los Compadres
Los Guaracheros de Oriente
Luis Santi y Su Conjunto
Niño Rivera
Orquesta Almendra
Orquesta Aragon (2)
Pedro Justiz " Peruchin"
René Touzet & his Orchestra
Roberto Faz y su Orquesta
Rolando Laserie
Rosendo Ruíz, Jr. and his Orchestra
Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Piñeiro
Walfredo De Los Reyes Jr. & Su Orquesta
Acknowledgements
Among several books and publications that were consulted in creating the episode, one book was particularly resourceful: Cesar Miguel Rondon’s the Book of Salsa (University of North Carolina Press, 2008).
I also wish to acknowledge the devotion to Latin American musicology by Pablo Yglesias, a.k.a. DJ Bongohead (Instagram) whose curation in the compilations “The Roots of Salsa” (Volumes 1, 2, 3 ) served as an inspiration for this episode and also a source for several songs. These compilations released by Grosso Records are highly recommended for collectors and salsa researchers.
Appreciation is also directed towards the Cuban musician Yacel Sagarra, based in Japan, who has always been available to teach me important points about Cuban music.
REFERENCES
Rondon, Cesar Miguel, 2008. The Book of Salsa (University of North Carolina Press, 2008), p. 21.
“ p. 22.
“ p. 26.
REPLAY
Episode 43 - 'Cuban Roots' (Cuban Music of the 1950s and early 1960s)
