Encanto Tropical 48: Underground Salsa Session
- anfijpn
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 18
AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST
This salsa session comprises 30 tracks (1:57:41). Replay near the bottom of this page.
Long on my to-do list has been a show entirely dedicated to salsa from the 1970s outside of the Fania Records catalog and generally unknown (or at least considered rare) among salsa dancers and listeners: so-called "underground salsa". Certain DJs and collectors really excel in this category of salsa. I am not an expert, and I am limited in resources for collecting much rare material since by default it is a rather expensive pursuit.
Context
For more discussion on the term "underground salsa" as well as my plans for this episode, please see the pre-show post.
Why the theme 'underground salsa'?
The development of my branding over many years as a salsa DJ suggests a rather wide scope of salsa material, I think (and hope). My repertoire is not limited to a particular style, with an extensive collection in both vintage and contemporary salsa, whether salsa brava or romantica. It includes music of several origins, whether Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Europe, the USA, and elsewhere. There is also Cuban music, whether of the golden age, contemporary (songo and timba) and traditional (son cubano, etc). I thrive in this diversity, despite the obvious disadvantage of not having an established niche nor being known as an expert in any one style although some dancers have labeled me as a DJ catering to on2 dancers. This is fine; however I am interested in the wide spectrum which makes up salsa, finding both fulfillment and rewarding challenges in switching among the various defining traits that constitute the differing modes of the salsa musical style.
Inevitably, my approach -- whether at the club or on the radio -- usually results in a mingling of different material in my DJ sets, for better or for worse. So-called "underground salsa" usually gets some play but it has never served as the common denominator in a set. This got me thinking about dedicating an entire show to it. Episode 48 is the result.
Objectives
Important to point out is that this project is not an attempt to provide an authoritative selection (or definition) of underground salsa. Rather, I just wanted to explore and provide some simple examples while ideally promoting some discussion with like-minded readers and listeners. Without a doubt, I could learn from DJs who excel in the underground variety! So I advise everyone to take my underground session with a pinch of salt - qnd see my invitation below for feedback and comments.
DJ Nik
Worth noting is one particular DJ who has been exemplary and amazingly resourceful, consistent, and talented with great taste in salsa of the underground variety. I am referring to DJ Nik of San Francisco (Instagram | Facebook). Be sure to check out any of his fantastic sessions on Facebook, some of which are provided below as personal favourites of mine. (Clicking on an image will open the video on Facebook).
I also acknowledge DJ Nik's editing suggestions when he reviewed a draft of my pre-show post.
DJ Nik was a guest on Encanto Tropical 10. Check it out for an interesting interview.
An important Note
It might go without saying, but to make something clear, deejaying salsa is not an easy-to-define pursuit. Certainly reading the crowd is important and so is playing what dancers of a certain style expect or are familiar with. Then there is the famous adage of playing what dancers didn't know they wanted to hear! Balancing a unique impression of one's DJ style with a practical appeal for the dance floor is the ultimate aim although all people cannot be pleased all of the time.
As for rare and vintage salsa, especially the kind unrecognizable by apps such as Shazam, it appears to be an effective tool for providing "uniqueness" to one's DJ image. The merit of playing such songs one after another is up to debate, however. Instead, using it wisely and sparingly is what I imagine the most successful DJs do. Then of course there are the different personas that DJs may have. DJ Nik for example, excels in underground salsa in his online sets; however, as a dancer's DJ, he has been very clear to play other styles in his personal repertoire. He mixes it up, so to speak. This is an important point.
In the same vein, the radio format can allow me to focus on underground salsa as a theme*. Therefore, this episode is not meant to imply that underground salsa is my focus as an event DJ.
*Note: A thematic show is the general template for Encanto Tropical -- as opposed to a session of random songs.
Feedback
Readers' comments are always welcome on this topic -- from whichever perspective, whether a casual or serious listener, dancer, or DJ. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Artists
Featured in Episode 48 are the following artists/groups, listed in alphabetical order. Full attribution is provided on the show but, to my regret, I failed to point out much information about the artists. Sorry about that.
Alfredo Vargas y Su Orquesta La Liberación
Carlos Barberia y Su Orquesta Kubavana
Cesar Nicolas y Su Orquesta
Combo Fascinación
Cuadra Latina
El Clan Antillano
Eugenio Barada
Grupo Yakambu
Hermanos Lano
Jorge Brown y Su Orquesta Creacion
La Banda y Su Tremenda Salsa
La Banda de los Felinos
La Nueva Combinacion
Los Demonios del Salado
Los Hermanos Armas
Los Pankis
Los Perfectos
Los Watusi
Orquesta Expose 1
Orquesta Internacional
Orquesta La Ampliacion
Orquesta Riverside
Panchito Nalmy
Ray Pérez y El Grupo Casabe
Roberto y Su Nuevo Montuno
Rodrifo Mendoza
Roy Herrera y orquesta La Monumental
The Golden Brass
Victot Irizarri y Su Orquesta
Win & Macai Prudencia & Su Salsa Antiyana
REPLAY EPISODE 48
Interested in reading more?
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Scan the highlights of other episodes of Encanto Tropical on the Archives page.
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