Salsa gorda
Salsa gorda is a music genre, a kind of salsa music also known as salsa dura. Salsa gorda means 'fat' salsa, salsa dura means 'hard' salsa. Both terms are used to describe salsa that retains the basic characteristics of classic salsa: driving rhythms, call and response, 'montuno' sections and socially conscious lyrics.
History
Early History and Origins of Salsa dura
Salsa dura was a phrase that was first coined in the late 70's in New York City. Salsa dura is a reference to the classic salsa of the 70s and its origins are the same. Although salsa dura was being heard and performed through the 1980's in Colombia, the name salsa dura has been associated with a movement in salsa music starting in the 1990’s in New York City. The salsa dura movement focuses on bringing back the classic salsa characteristics to salsa music. Salsa dura bands tend to record long, flowing tunes tailored to the dancer, and not necessarily for commercial radio. The dance community has responded by catering almost exclusively to playing salsa dura at events world wide such as a salsa congress.
The birth of the Salsa Dura Bands
Africa
In Africa, most of the salsa dura bands have formed in Senegal. Noted bands are Africando.
Colombia
In Colombia most of the salsa dura bands formed in the cities of Santiago de Cali,
New York City
In New York City most of the bands formed in Spanish Harlem, and in the Bronx also known as "El Condado de la Salsa". Noted bands are Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Jimmy Bosch, Wayne Gorbea, and La Excelencia.
Why Salsa Dura and not just Salsa?
Due to the popularity of commercial artist playing salsa monga (also known as salsa romantica) which is more for listening, the term salsa dura would help identify danceable salsa. Classic salsa refers to artist such as Sonora Ponceña, Fania All Stars, Eddie Palmeri, Tito Puente, and many more.
Lyrics and Themes
Lyrics
Salsa Dura lyrics are about what's going on in the Barrio, they can be informative, funny, sad, festive, or even romantic without being salsa monga.
Arrangements
Salsa Dura arrangements have a stong percussion feel and gridy brass section. The arrangements can be written for a conjuto, sonora, or orchestra with or without saxophones (Note: Saxes are usually used in mambo arrangements).
Rise to Popularity
2007 has been the year that salsa dura has gained widespread popularity around the world. "El Cantante", a movie about famous salsa vocalist Hector Lavoe, and the Broadway musical of Celia Cruz, "", have already brought much interest to the salsa dura sound. Projects like these are setting the table for bigger things to come.
The Young Generation Returns
The young Latino communities in major cities like New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles are identifying more with salsa dura. The increase of the new generation of fans has brought live bands back on the club scene and on the radio.
The Rise of the Tribute bands
Today many tribute bands have begun to form all over the world, as well as cover bands popularizing themselves by remaking salsa tunes that have been forgotten and/or hits and selling albums with these tracks. Many of vocalist in these bands also tend to imitate soneros of yester years salseros.
Disc Jockeys'
Henry Knowles, Polito Vega, Coco Cabrera, Willie Medina, Vicky Sola, just to name a few have been some of the strong forces spinning salsa dura. Knowles has become an ambassador of the salsa Disc Jockey's spinning in venues all over the world. Many have followed in his foot steps and begun to spin salsa dura in the countries that he has visited.
Publications
Latin Beat Magazine is one of the forces behind the salsa dura scene. The magazine has help salsa fans to be introduced to salsa musicians, DJ's, radio stations, and many types of wholesalers and vendors. LaVoz Magazine is another publication that has been pushing the salsa dura scene. Most of their issues feature worthy salsa artist and dancers alike.
Music Stores and Wholesalers
Casa Amadeo, Casa Latina, Barrio Music Center, and GB Records have helped the salsa dura world by selling CD's, Videos, and other merchandise to fans around the world.
Web Sites
Many web sites have sprung up all over promoting salsa dura and the dancing community all over the globe. Concert information, and salsa dura dance socials are usually the topics and pictures and videos can be seen.
Radio, Internet Radio, Satellite Radio
Radio shows around the world have helped maintain salsa dura on the airwaves, internet, and satellite receivers. Mainly salsa dura is featured on specialty shows on major Latino radio stations, independent radio programs, or on college campuses.
A Change for Salsa Dura
The fall of Salsa Monga
Due to the popularity of salsa dura, in the clubs and on the dance floor, salsa monga has begun to decline. Dancers find salsa dura the most popular at dance socials.
The fall of Reggaeton
Even amongst the popularity of reggaeton, salsa dura has overcome the movement, and soneros are being heard once again. Salsa dura is the original hip-hop of the Latinos. The young Latino communities have begun to embrace salsa dura due to it's lyrics about social issues, culture, political views, and injustices.
References
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
