I find the term 'Salsa Dura' to be a strange and sometimes conflicting term. Many online references (including Wikipedia) tell us that the late-80's - 90's, brought with it a wave of a new type of radio-friendly and pop-influenced Salsa music, referred to as Salsa Romantica. It's proponents are non other that Salsa-personalities such as Frankie Ruiz, Tito Nieves, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Luis Enrique, and many others. Marc Anthony anyone?
Due to the ballad-y and pop nature of Salsa Romantica, many Salsa enthusiasts have hit out, claiming that Salsa Romantica is not REAL Salsa. Accordingly, some claim that the original format of Salsa is of a 'Big-Band Format' otherwise known as Charangas or Orquestas (which are different in essence but we'll not get to it now). They say Salsa should be brass (trumpets, trombones etc.) and percussion oriented. Hell, throw in a double-bass if you find one! They called this 'original' concept of Salsa - Salsa Dura.
Now fast forward a little to band of the day - a personal favorite - Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Debuting in 2002 these boys really made waves with the Grammy Award winning second album in 2004 - 'Across 100th Street'. The song "Un Gran Dia En El Barrio" is the first track in this album. Check out the YouTube link below!
To many fans, myself included, SHO redefined Salsa Dura with their catchy, energetic music, leading dancers and listeners alike with their amazing singers, strong percussion and trumpets. I always wait for the part when the back-up singers come in. Magical harmony for me, it is. From SHO, many other world class artistes with their orchestras have continued with similar concepts/styles of Salsa Dura, among many others Orquesta La Exelencia and Grupo Niche.
Now the strange part for me is that I personally don't really think that older (but golden!) salsa music are all Salsa Dura. Some yes but not all. In fact I associate the term 'Salsa Dura' with a certain feeling or emotion I get when I hear or dance to the music - a degree of intensity - hence 'dura'. This feeling can only be acquired when certain hallmark instruments and patterns come together in a climatic, frenzied mix. Thus I personally coin my brand of Salsa Dura in a category by itself. Mind all you Salsa-Nazis out there, everything I write is purely my own interpretation and opinions on the matter.
What do you think of this? More importantly, what do you think of the song? Do you like Spanish Harlem Orchestra and would you like to dance to it? Feel to free to comment below!
Disclaimer: The views published in the above article are the author's and the author's alone. If readers are not agreeable with the above views, well, you can bugger-off. All rights are reserved for the the articles itself. I obviously don't own the songs and I don't own YouTube, you dumb-ass. This article may only be reproduced with permission from the author. In the event of reproduction for general mayhem, permission is not required - only video proof. Any other forms of reproduction should be prevented with protection. Jesus protects but use condoms please. Any unauthorized usage of the article contained therein is expressly prohibited and violators will be prostituted with broom-handle sodomy and force-feeding of garlic-sausage buns. Thank you for reading this disclaimer.
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