The Best of Salsa Classes, Salsa Clubs, Salsa Events
 Co-Author "Find the Rhythm" and Founder of London's Carnival de Cuba

London Salsa Scene News                     Monday 15th June 2009

John Armstrong Says: To'Mezclao is Cuba's Next Big Thing

        Lead vocalist El Conejo –originally from Santo Domingo, and a young veteran of several of that island's leading merengue orchestras, as well as the possessor of looks to rival the Ricky Martins of this world – has that sweepingly operatic voice that's equally effective on merengues as on boleros and romantic material.
        By contrast, the more 'street' styles are provided by the group's comedian and showman La Crema ( formerly of Candido Fabre's band). Keyboard queen is Yusi Gonzalez, whilst Yusi's sister Yonaiky continues the Cuban tradition of brilliantly talented female flautists. And the whole thing holds together as a result of the vision of DJ/scratchman/turntablist Lyng Chang, who tirelessly seeks out live performance opportunities up and down the island.
        It's the live show that's the thing with this outfit, notwithstanding their excellent debut album on the UK's Tumi label, 'Hibrid'. I saw them rip up a 3000-strong beach audience in Havana recently, with a 3-hour continuous set. An exceptional quality is their inclusiveness; I saw kids and Grandmas, as well as hip hop divas, beach–bums, students and even the police grooving to these guys.
        Sadly, we won't have the opportunity to see them live here for some time (although Tumi boss Mo Fini has them slated to perform a couple of shows at the music industry's Womex Festival in Seville next October).
DJ John Armstong is at Salsa Kingdom, Southport, 18-20 September 2009
CLICK HERE for more.

JULY 2009 COMPETITION - WIN A COPY OF HIBRID BY CUBA'S NEXT BIG THING TO'MEZCLAO AND SEE WHAT JOHN ARMSTRONG IS RAVING ABOUT!  To enter: CLICK HERE to email us with the words "July 2009 Competition" in the subject line, including your name, address and a telephone number - preferably a land line where you can be reached no later than midday 26th July and you could win one of our lush prizes! Congratulations Libusha Steele, London SE10 - You are our winner!

JULY 2009 COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS: Only ONE entry per person, no staff of London Salsa Scene or any of our partners may enter. All entries to be received no later than midday 26th July 2009. The winning entry will be selected by random draw. By accepting this terms and conditions you are allowing your details to be used by London Salsa Scene exclusively. 

COMPETITION & REVIEW                   Tuesday 17th March 2009

Los Van Van Back to Lyrical Roots

Artists: Los Van Van
Album: Arrasando
Buy from: www.latinmusicstore.com
Price: €12.90

Los Van Van: Picture by Miguel del Foto, copyright www.londonsalsascene.co.uk

CELEBRATING THEIR 40TH BIRTHDAY, CUBA'S GREATEST DANCE BAND LOS VAN VAN HAS RELEASED A NEW ALBUM "ARRASANDO".
        Fusing the new and the old, Arrasando returns Van Van to their musical beginnings where old school elegance fuses the blood and guts of the masters of timba. Arrasando needs to be listened to, to be felt, to be sipped with reflection.
       Arrasando creates a new and unexpected vibe - after the dance-floor meltdown of Chapeando, their previous release, I was expecting a more experimental, frenetic next stop. After 40 years, the Go Go's are still full of surprises. Arrasando returns the band to its roots - this sounds like the Van Van of years ago, only with an adrelin injection.
        For Salsateca Founder and Director Elder Sanchez, this is a great album and the lyrics especially hit a new high. There are some fantastic dance tunes, including the eponymous title track and more. But, says Elder, this is a tricky album for dancers. Abandon all your old moves and feel the soul of Cuba's finest. Ed.

LONDON SALSA SCENE'S BEST PARTY SALSA MUSIC CDS
Dateline: Friday 20th February 2009

Best Vibes for Salsa Parties

The best parties need the best salsa music - but what do you choose? Here are our Salsa CDs for 2009, recommended by Luis Libres (aka DJ Mr Bongo) and London Salsa Scene's Oracle.
       Our top tips (in alphabetical order only) include a quartet of offerings from Cuba's greatest dance band Los Van Van. Now celebrating their 40th birthday, the band has just released their latest album, Arrasando. This takes the Go-Go's back to their musical roots, fusing retro elegance with a massive electrical charge. €12.90 from:
www.latinmusicstore.com SEE CUBA'S FINEST IN CONCERT AT THE ROUNDHOUSE ON SATURDAY 7TH MARCH: SEE OUR EVENTS SECTION & WWW.COMONO.CO.UK FOR MORE.

I Like It Like That - a double CD collection of Fania classics and funky remixes. Hear Fania giants like Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Tito Puente, La Lupe the way they would havedone it in the noughties. Buy from: www.mrbongo.com 

Kachaco, Palenke are favourites on the UK salsa scene and this album captures their intimate vibe. £10.00 from:
www.mrbongosalsa.com tel: 0208 800 0460.

Rhythms Del Mundo Cuba - Universal Music, featuring Coldplay, U2, Sting, Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo and more. Great crossover album of Latinized pop plus standards from Buena Vista's finest. £4.98 - a bargain from www.amazon.co.uk 

Robert Charlemagne's Salsa Nation, Vol 3 - scorching compilation of sure fire winners including Oscar D'Leon; El Gran Combo; Marc Anthony and Los Van Van. Chocka with dance foor classics. £10.00 from: www.mrbongosalsa.com tel: 0208 800 0460.

Salsa con Soul, Alex Wilson - the UK's top Latin piano man and his 12-piece orchestra brings together Salsa with Soul flavours and melting Gospel vocals. Buy from
www.alexwilson.net or £9.48 www.amazon.co.uk 

Salsa Dura NYC - you ain't heard cool until you hear New York City's finest - the likes of Eddie Palmieri, Wayne Gorbea, Jimmy Delgardo, Jimmy Bosch. Buy from: www.worldmusic.net £8.99.

Valio la Pena, Marc Anthony Price $13.99, www.amazon.com Perfect Latin tunes from one of the Latin pop world's top performers.

Did we get it right? If you've got suggestions for BETTER & HOTTER PARTY ALBUMS, JUST LET US KNOW - WE WILL POST YOUR VIEWS HERE. Ed

LONDON SALSA SCENE REVIEW            Monday 16th February 2009

La Rueda with Moe Flex

DVD REVIEW: La Rueda with Moe Flex Dance, Levels 1-2 & Level 3
PRICE: £18.00 each, £15.00 if you buy both
BUY FROM: www.moeflexdance.com

PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST entertaining personalities on the UK salsa scene, Moe Flex introduces dancers to La Rueda – the Cuban Wheel with these two instructional DVDs.
         Delivered in Moe's inimitable style, they cover a selection of moves/calls dancers need to get a groove going on the dance floor, writes Lee Knights, editor, www.londonsalsascene.co.uk             La Rueda Levels 1 & 2 is pitched at absolute beginners/improvers to the Cuban Wheel, breaking down essentials comprising the basic guapea step, pa'l medio, Americano and Americana, arriba, taro, dile que no, fly, echevarria, dame as well as enchufla, la prima and sombrero variations. These are demonstrated first with a partner, without and with music and subsequently in the circle, again without and with music, and with styling. Very methodical and easy to digest.
       La Rueda Level 3 follows the same instructional formula, with more complex moves/calls demonstrated first with a partner, then within the circle and finally with music. This time, Moe Flex and his team focus on classic Rueda moves/calls like pelota, setenta, sombrero, enroscate and policia variations, along with patin, paseala and sacala.
       These are well structured, well presented and well planned, with a strong instructional approach. While Moe's humour and sense of fun are still there, the serious side of Moe's character and instructional focus is to the fore.
       A couple of minor niggles - I would like to see more comprehensive Rueda demos showing how moves flow from one to another and get integrated into the circle. Another frustration is having to wait for Moe to produce follow up DVDs on La Rueda  – I reckon these are going to be juicy show-stoppers!  
       Buy both and use alongside classes and workshops to recap on moves/calls and go over technical details. Solid gold instruction for absolute beginners through to serious Rueda lovers looking for pointers. So far, Moe Flex's take on La Rueda is among the best on the market.

Review: Marchant Birch - Alchemy Way