Good salsa music?

January 13, 2006 11:57 AM

Good Salsa music?

I want to learn more about salsa music.

I lived in Mexico and Venezuela some 8-9 years ago. Since then I've been back to Latin America, but only for brief periods of time. So most of the salsa music I've listened to is from 1995-1997.

I love salsa music, and I want to know where to start. Either with classic artist or those who are popular today. To give you some idea, I've listened to some Tito Rojas (Por derecho propio), Gilberto Santa Rosa (live in Carnegie Hall) and Chichi Peralta (Pa'otro'lado)

So, any recommendations?

posted by einarorn to Media & Arts (4 answers total)

Anything from "La Fania", Ruben Blades, Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Oscar D'Leon.

Chichi Peralta is not actually salsa, but rather Merengue. He's still good at it, tough, and if you like him, you'll probably like Juan Luis Guerra too.

And if you want to learn more about the whole history of Salsa, buy "El Libro de la Salsa" (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9589740537) by Cesar Miguel Rondon, a huge cofee table book considered the absolute authority.
posted by sd at 1:31 PM on January 13, 2006

Try ritmolatino for eclectic latin music, which has weekly 1hr long podcasts. The range is wide, but there is a lot of salsa. Be sure to check the archives.
posted by dhruva at 7:14 PM on January 13, 2006

Popular today - Marc Anthony (phenomenal voice and actually currently filming a movie about the life of Hector Lavoe) and La India (powerhouse voalist)
posted by heartquake at 8:07 AM on January 14, 2006

It's a bit dated, but Salsa Fresca is an excellent compilation.
posted by mrkohrea at 11:17 AM on January 15, 2006