I really like Avenida B. They utilize smooth melodies and new awesome grooves to classic mambo. It's Dura in many ways, but not overly so, if that makes sense to you. Dancers ought to rejoice at Orquestas like this because it brings so much to the dancing plate! Clear and clean breaks give partnerwork a nice rest before continuing and dyamic beats ensure that your Salsa doesn't not feel monotonous even if you're going with the 'no-shines' method.
Have a listen by clicking on the link below:
Avenida B - Ten Cuidao
What do you think?
Disclaimer: The views published in the above article are the author's and the author's alone. If readers are not agreeable wit the views stated above, you can bugger-off. The rights are reserved for the written article only, and I obviously don't own the song nor do I own YouTube, so don't be a dumb-ass. This article may be reproduced with permission from the author. If you intend to reproduce this article for the purpose of general mayhem, video proof is required for entertainment and administrative purposes. Unauthorized reproduction or usage of this article may result in prostitution to the full extent allowed by Malaysian law. Thank you for reading this disclaimer.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Conjunto Jaguey - Maruca
Continuing Day 3 of DJ Dom's 7 Days of Salsa, I bring to you the Song of the Day, Conjunto Jaguey's 'Maruca'!
In following a personal principle when it comes to music for dancing, you don't have to play the exact same songs for dancers. Even if dancers like a particular song, we can always find alternatives with similar or identical sounds. This may well keep dancers happy and at the same time, it improves the salsa 'vocabulary' of dancers. Win-win, don't you think?
Of course, there are also a small minority of dancers who strongly feel that Marc Anthony is the only authority on Salsa music... but I digress.
About roughly 10 years back, up to today (in a limited context), Columbian boogaloo was pretty popular in the local Salsa scene, in particular Colombian giants, Sonora Carruseles. Hits like 'Ave Maria Lola' are still being played in clubs today. Colombian boogaloo had catchy, energetic and simple grooves, which meant beginner dancers found it easy to dance to and advance dancers could have a lot of fun with the songs.
If like Sonora Carruseles, you might enjoy the sounds of Conjunto Jaguey, another Columbian orquesta. Bloody hell, apparently they even have the trumpets from Los Hermanos Lebron playing for them. My take? Classic Columbian boogaloo, soft to moderate beats (easy on the ears) danced to a nice pace. Not too zealous and a great song to relax the energy but not to totally slow it down to a crawl. Warm-down music even. Also I'm a sucker for trumpets - I feel it adds character to some music.
I'll see you guys on the dance floor real soon!
Disclaimer: The views published in the above article are the author's and the author's alone. If readers are not agreeable wit the views stated above, you can bugger-off. The rights are reserved for the written article only, and I obviously don't own the song nor do I own YouTube, so don't be a dumb-ass. This article may be reproduced with permission from the author. If you intend to reproduce this article for the purpose of general mayhem, video proof is required for entertainment and administrative purposes. Unauthorized reproduction or usage of this article may result in prostitution to the full extent allowed by Malaysian law. Thank you for reading this disclaimer.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Edwin y La Fusion Mambo - Novelera
Welcome to the Second Day of Dom's Seven Days of Salsa!
A couple of years ago, I was dancing in Salsa Havana at the Federal Hotel. It was late on a Saturday night and the crowd was slowly winding down. I noticed a Swiss gentleman dancing with a friend of mine, right in front of the bar (if you've ever been there, you know there is a thin strip of floor between the bar and the furniture). What transpires next has inspired me for years after that...
I don't remember the song but I do remember being fixated with that dude's dancing. He had an awesome amount of musicality - hitting every break and grooving every rhythm. Mind you that was during the earlier years of my Salsa but I was so inspired! I never forgot that and I've been working towards that ever since.
Related to this sharing exercise is the fact that my brand of music may not always ring well with the Masses, or the Common Crowd. I tend to look out for amazing grooves in my music, which of course in turn inspires a more dynamic, free-style kind of Salsa dancing. One example is La Fusion Mambo's 'Novelera'. Have a listen by clicking on the link provided below and tell me what you think about it.
Its totally easy to mistaken a set of memorized and rehearsed steps as pure groove, but imagine having no idea of what to do on the dance floor, and then letting the music move your body. Pure bliss.
I'll see you guys on the floor soon!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Sever Combo - Mashkara
I'm back after some lay-off! A ridiculously busy schedule, including a superb performance in the Penang Salsa Festival 2015 as well as teaching a host of amazing and awesome Salsa and Rueda classes mean that my amateur DJ career is not the smoothest, but that's how things are. There's a time and place for everything, right?
Today's Song of the Day is by a Russian band, Sever Combo, which apparently roughly translates as 'Northern Combo'. The title of the song is 'Mashkara'. Click on the link below and have a listen and tell me what you think about it:-
Because many of the songs are in Russian, for a non-Russian speaking dude, its really tough to find their songs but I've found a way (as only the madness of Dom can). Still, good luck in finding more of their songs.
This group packs a full band with trumpets, saxophones and the works. The style of their music, at first listen, doesn't sound entirely Latin, but that's a good thing. They managed to incorporate a local sound and marry it with Salsa, making Sever Combo one hell of a band if you're looking for different sounds to groove to.
Any friends in Russia? I'd like to find out more about these guys!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Orquesta Sonido 70 - No Te Puedo Perdonar
Good to be back in Salsa music. I've been busy lately with the new apartment and many exciting developments in work. But I'll always come back to the music.
Today's awesome band is known as Orquesta Sonido 70 with their aforementioned song.
Once again, another awesome band, but I can't seem to find much information on these guys. I think they're Columbian and by the sounds of it, the play a sort of retro style club Salsa Dura reminiscent of the 70's. The tune is moved forward by strong vocals and back-up choir, supported by simple trumpet riffs and a surprising short and sweet piano solo past half-way through. What I honestly didn't expect was the guitar solo! Seemed a little out of place to me but they didn't drag it out. Listening to the drive of the electric guitar, I'm sure their style is definitely retro!
Have a listen to the YouTube link below:
What do you guys think of this? Will you dance to it in the clubs?
Disclaimer: The views published in the above article are the author's and the author's alone. If readers are not agreeable wit the views stated above, you can bugger-off. The rights are reserved for the written article only, and I obviously don't own the song nor do I own YouTube, so don't be a dumb-ass. This article may be reproduced with permission from the author. If you intend to reproduce this article for the purpose of general mayhem, video proof is required for entertainment and administrative purposes. Unauthorized reproduction or usage of this article may result in prostitution to the full extent allowed by Malaysian law. Thank you for reading this disclaimer.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Grupo Salson - Teresa
Music is a funny thing, in a sense that it calls out to different people in so many different ways, and that too largely depending on your emotions. You could experience the SAME thing more than once, but the experiences could differ depending on how your day went.
I'm saying this because this song by awesome dura band, Grupo Salson, titled 'Teresa' makes me feel exactly this way. There are days when I feel this upbeat song is exciting and well-paced. Other days (usually my slow-ass days) I feel the song is too busy and draggy. I won't go so far as to say I'm divided though since I genuinely like this song, but I admit it may not be for over-listening.
I don't know anything about these dude, except for a couple of songs I got from them, so I won't pretend. But one thing for sure, these guys are a modern dura band with 'oomph'. I would love to listen to them live - this song particularly.
Have a listen to a YouTube post with their song 'Teresa':-
So how does this song make YOU feel? Would you dance to this?
Disclaimer: The views published in the above article are the author's and the author's alone. If readers are not agreeable wit the views stated above, you can bugger-off. The rights are reserved for the written article only, and I obviously don't own the song nor do I own YouTube, so don't be a dumb-ass. This article may be reproduced with permission from the author. If you intend to reproduce this article for the purpose of general mayhem, video proof is required for entertainment and administrative purposes. Unauthorized reproduction or usage of this article may result in prostitution to the full extent allowed by Malaysian law. Thank you for reading this disclaimer.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Lucky 7 Mambo - Nabori
It's been a couple of weeks since my last post sharing salsa music which I love so much.
Since the last post, I encountered a trying situation recently. I am aware not everyone is ready to accept new music. In fact, the music introduced to the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, market may not even be new in the Worldwide Salsa Community, but people may still be resistant to it. However, when comments move from constructive criticism to uninformed, drunken rants, the question is raised - are we as a local community ready to step outside our comfort zone in order to develop and grow?
Since the last post, I encountered a trying situation recently. I am aware not everyone is ready to accept new music. In fact, the music introduced to the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, market may not even be new in the Worldwide Salsa Community, but people may still be resistant to it. However, when comments move from constructive criticism to uninformed, drunken rants, the question is raised - are we as a local community ready to step outside our comfort zone in order to develop and grow?
I don't really have a fixed opinion on this. It kinda differs from situation to situation. Not many are interested in the music they dance to, only that they find it danceable. While this is a given, I personally feel that the act of dance cannot be separated from music - hence my love for Salsa music. After all, we don't (often) dance to the music in our heads - but to the groovy sounds flowing from speakers in Salsa Clubs.
Is this good food for thought? Or do the overly-sensitive souls find my honesty offensive? Once again, it depends on one's character.
Today's band sounds very much like the popular Grupo Latin Vibe. While it is not my intention to give you guys similar sounding music all the time, it is also a good idea to explore other bands which share similar sounds to popular groups. Today's band is called Lucky 7 Mambo and they are here to rock your world!
Lucky 7 Mambo consists of Craig Fundyga (Vibraphone), the well-known George Balmaseda (Sonero), Joey De Leon Jr (Percussions), the superb Rene Camacho (Bass), Kevin Richard (Percussions) and Joe Rotundi (Piano), Angel Rodriguez (Percussions).
In short Luck 7 is Salsa Old School! Heavily influenced by music from the 50's and the 60's, their inspiration comes from legends such as the late Jimmy Sabater, the late Cheo Feliciano and the late Joe Cuba. You don't get any more old school than this line up.
The highlighted song of the day is 'Nabori' from their album 'The Basement Trax' in 2009. You can get a listen by clicking on the YouTube link located conveniently below:
Lucky 7 Mambo - Nabori
So what do you think of this? Do ya like the smooth sounds of Lucky 7? Lemme know!
Lucky 7 Mambo - Nabori
So what do you think of this? Do ya like the smooth sounds of Lucky 7? Lemme know!
Disclaimer: The views published in the above article are the author's and the author's alone. If readers are not agreeable wit the views stated above, you can bugger-off. The rights are reserved for the written article only, and I obviously don't own the song nor do I own YouTube, so don't be a dumb-ass. This article may be reproduced with permission from the author. If you intend to reproduce this article for the purpose of general mayhem, video proof is required for entertainment and administrative purposes. Unauthorized reproduction or usage of this article may result in prostitution to the full extent allowed by Malaysian law. Thank you for reading this disclaimer.
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