The Case of Salsa and Roots

Today the big show returns to Cuba for a new case of Latin beats.

I will start the show with one hour of golden era music from Cuba. My focus today is on the rumba, a musical style from Cuba that is associated with African musical traditions and characterized by prominent conga drum rhythms. The great modern popularizer of rumba in Cuba was Arsenio Rodriguez, a blind musician who played the tres (a Cuban six-string guitar). My first hour today is dedicated to Arsenio Rodriguez and the rumba sound that formed the musical foundation for modern salsa rhythm sections. 

In the second hour today we will follow Cuban rhythms as they go uptown. The early parts of this hour are packed with descargas and other jazz adaptations in the era before boogaloo and funk took over in the US Latin music scene. Lots of tracks here featuring Cachao, the phenomenal bass player and band leader.

I end the show today with a quartet of songs on New York's Chula record label. Smoking hot current day salsa here from Melaza and Los Hacheros. Try to see these guys live if you visit the Big Apple any time soon.