salsera's blog

AZUCAR y CANDELA (W 6-8p) Featured Album, 11/11/09:  CALLE REAL, "Me Lo Gané"

BEST timba album from Sweden this year--and yes, there has been more than one! The land of ice and snow is quite the "home away from home" for this hot Havana dance rhythm. With only one Cuban in the band (conguero Rickard Valdes, son of Bebo and brother of Chucho) CALLE REAL is made up of mostly Swedes--although singer Thomas Eby just might fool you into thinking otherwise, with his mastery of Cuban accent and colloquialisms. READ MORE>>>

What pushes CALLE REAL to the forefront of European timba is that it doesn't just emulate, it evolves, adding a hint of canny pop sensibilities to the bombast, bounce, and harmonic expansiveness that define the genre. (Should this be any surprise, from the land that gave us ABBA?) This eagerly awaited second album (following their 2006 debut Con Fuerza) takes the tiger by the teeth, delivering unbridled dance energy, and plenty of unexpected twists; a timba lovers' delight.

AZUCAR y CANDELA every Wednesday 6-8 pm. Join Santa Salsera on Facebook for album reviews and more!

11/4/09 Featured Album:  ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ, Timba Talmud

Called "Latin klezmer," Roberto Rodriguez Sextet's 4th dazzling album (executive produced for Tzadik by John Zorn) barrels straight out of the Cuban rhythm canon.  Percussionist Rodriguez, a Cuban Jew, displays all the cardinal virtues of "not having to choose" among his musical heritages...READ MORE>>>

...trailblazing instead a new sound as trendy as it is traditional. Quaint yet hip use of organ and accordion, unequalled clarinet and violin playing, and distinguished guests such as tresero (and fellow Cuban Jew) Ben Lapidus, energize this disc, which cooks with interest from beginning to end. Every track is a richly detailed excursion and feels like it has a story behind it (some are hinted at in subtitles). Rodriguez has done that rarest of things:  recombined ancient languages to say something totally new.

Join Santa Salsera on Facebook! Listen to Azucar y Candela every Wednesday 6-8 pm. Featured Album:  CHEMBO CORNIEL, Things I Wanted To Do

Nuyorican percussionist Wilson "Chembo" Corniel's dry tone, impeccable timekeeping and super tasty playing make him one of the most sought-after congueros in New York. Known as a team player in small ensemble settings, Chembo's roots as a salsa sideman go back to the 70s. In recent years, Chembo has forged a respectable role for himself as a Latin jazz leader, and this is my favorite of his three solo albums to date.  READ MORE>>>

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This week's featured album on Azucar y Candela (WED 6-8p):

WAITIKI 7, "Adventures in Paradise"

Martin Denny first gave an exaggerated tropical feel to Latinesque lounge in the 50s, adding bongos and bird sounds to gentle Hawaiian melodies. Now, Lopaka Colon (son of Denny's bongocero Augie Colon) is part of a band called WAITIKI 7 that is out to prove that exotica is "not some formaldehyde-preserved relic but a viable, living genre."  READ MORE>>>>>

This vibes-ridden* groove evokes the intimate, bygone acoustics of Cuba's Egrem studios with hints of afro and swing, never veering into arch caricature or postmodern distance. Whereas exotica often evoked sonic stereotypes that quickly seemed kitschy or untenable, this band (whose members share Native Hawaiian, Chinese and Puerto Rican heritage), has found a way to return these sounds to a realm of unironic pleasure and cultural respect.

Exotica is back, baby. Not your typical "salsa dura," nonethless, the Latin backbone is authentic, the musical approach pure jazz. This album is a special liqueur. Recapture your own personal cocktail hour (drink recipes are included with the liner notes) and go with the wave.

*using a rare 1927 model Vibraharp 145

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This week's featured artist on Azucar y Candela is The Beast, whose new CD "Silence Fiction" features raging Triangle salseros Orquesta GarDel. Join Santa Salsera with members of The Beast LIVE in the studio this WEDNESDAY (10/14) , during the first hour of Azucar y Candela (6-8 pm). 

LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW NOW:  iTUNES U ARCHIVED AUDIO LINK (free)

Going to start featuring a new Latin release each week or so on Azucar y Candela, home of the Sweet Latin Heat! Listen in every Wednesday 6-8 pm...

This week's featured album on Azucar y Candela:  Ukrainian salsa band DISLOCADOS, "La Salida." (READ MORE>>>>>)

"Dance for Hunger," a coordinated campaign by salsa dancers across the Triangle to generate donations for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, will have collection sites at three Latin music and dance venues this week:

TUESDAY Oct. 6, the SALSA/MAMBO SOCIAL at Carmen's Cuban Cafe, 108 Factory Shops Rd in Morrisville will give FREE ADMISSION to those who arrive with ONE OR MORE canned goods or other items to donate. (Normally this is a $5 door charge.) Start time: 9pm; more info at www.mambodinamico.com. (READ MORE>>>>)

THURSDAY, Oct. 8, donations will also be collected at Mosaic Wine Lounge, 517 W. Jones St in Raleigh during the NOCHE LATINA at Mosaic Fall Music Fest, featuring live Dominican jazz by GUILLO CARIAS TRIO. (See video of Guillo here). No cover will be charged at this event, regardless, but the local dance community urges you to join us and donate something if you can. A list of the Food Bank's "Most Needed Items" can be located here at their website.

A third DANCE FOR HUNGER collection will take place on SUNDAY; details to be updated.

Lots of opportunities to see local Latin bands this weekend, starting (early) on Thursday (10/1) at DOS TAQUITOS CENTRO/Raleigh:  SAJASO (salsa, boogaloo) plays 8-10 pm. Free.

Saturday (10/3) at 1 pm, CARNAVALITO (salsa, Latin jazz) plays at AMERICAN TOBACCO DISTRICT/Durham at the Fox 50 Family Festival. Free.

Sunday (10/4) at 3:30 pm, the UNC performing ensemble CHARANGA CAROLINA (salsa, timba cubana) plays at FESTIFALL on Franklin St/Chapel Hill. Free.

DIFFERENT DRUM (world/Latin) and CLAUDIO DE SOUZA & BANDA SAMBA JOVEM are among the offerings at the INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL/Raleigh going on all weekend; Check out the website for details.

More info at Santa Salsera's Latin music blog and events calendar, Onda Carolina.

This week DJ Santa Salsera, host of Wednesdays' AZUCAR y CANDELA,  will play guest host to the Sunday Morning Jazz Show, 10 am - 12 noon.

Please tune in for jazz with a side of rice and beans!

DJ Santa Salsera will be hosting WXDU's Mystery Show tonight exploring the theme "Electric Guitar Solos in Salsa."

WHAT: Salsa Guitar Solos (Vol. 1)
WHEN: Sunday, 5/24, 10:00 pm - 12 midnight
WHERE: The Mystery Show, WXDU 88.7 FM or www.wxdu.org