The Styles of Salsa Music

As time passes, all genres of music change, adapt,Latin Pop and Rock began to explode onto the scene,
shift, or fizzle out in exchange for the newer, moretaking hints from theses artists Romantica followed a
refined, more adventurous sound. The developmentsentimental ballad approach to the Afro-Cuban beats.
tends to blindly step on the heels of purists but if youMuch of the musical improvisation was lost, as well as
want to understand a movement then look at its rootsthe grandly orchestrated arrangements. Lyrics turned
and follow it from there. Salsa music has many subfrom sociopolitical outcry to passionate love songs.
genres most notable are the ones listed below. EachWell-known proponents of this music include Eddie
has its own appeal, flavor, and history, but which oneSantiago, Frankie Ruiz, Lalo Rodriguez and Luis Enrique.
makes you want to dance. There are some thatOpponents of this style, labeled this style as monga
make you want to sit relax and listen to, whilst others(limp or flaccid).
will make you want to jump up and shake everythingEven today Romantica artists thrive by blurring the
you got. In this lesson you will find examples of thelines between genres. The popularity of urban
three most popular types of salsa music.contemporary music, has even led to the fusion of the
Salsa Clasicaromantic stylings with reggaeton, evidenced by India's
The first style, formed in the late 1960s, was lead by2006 Soy Diferente and Andy Montanez Salsa con
musical pioneers such as Celia Cruz, Willie Colon,Reggaeton.
Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe and Tito Puente. TheSalsa Romantica Albums
record label of choice for these artists was the Fania- Marc Anthony - Marc Anthony (1999)
record label. Comparable to 'Motown', Jerry Masucci- Victor Manuelle - Travesia (2004)
and Johnny Pacheco started the label and signed- Gilberto Santa Rosa - Romantico (2001)
many of the great salsa artists of the time. Even more- Tito Nieves - Palladium Series Live Vol 1 (2001)
similar was the fact that they frequently used a 'house'Salsa Dura
band made up of the most talented musicians at theLiterally meaning hard salsa, Dura is a return to the
time, called the Fania All-Stars (comparable to the Funkbasic stylings of Clásica; a return to the strong
Brothers of Motown). After the hugely successfulAfro -Cuban beats, infectious melodies, pulsing rhythm,
record Pacheco's "Cañonazo", Fania blossomedlong vamps known as 'montuno', traditional lyricism, and
and opened its doors to many other artists andpowerful arrangements. Dura is the salsa of choice for
became a titan of music production. Just about all themost Salseros. The articulation of the musicians blends
popular latin artists at the time were Fania artists.harmoniously with the syncopation of the dancers. In
These artists and producers created a style that is thethe last few years, young musicians in New York have
archetype of the genre and used as a basis forbeen turning to Dura seeking to perfect the big band
newer artists and bands.classic sound of the Fania years.
Salsa Clásica AlbumsDura is now at the forefront of latin music with such
- Willie Colon / Ruben Blades - Siembra (1978, 2006)greats as Grupo Niche, Sonora Carruseles, The
- Hector Lavoe - La Voz (1999)Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Joe Arroyo and Fruko y
Salsa Romanticasus Tesos, El Gran Combo, La Excelencia, and many
In the mid 1980s to 1990s, Romantica emerged fromothers.
the dwindling popularity of Clásica. At this time