Timba on congas

Timba is a well known genre of music in Cuba. You can dance to timba as well as play timba music. This video shows how to play timba on congas, which is pretty cool. The guy in the video teaches the various patterns of timba that are very different from mambo or son. He describes timba style as adding your own spice and heart into the music, which shows the connection between people and their music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5be0Wq5F-A

Contradanza

Contradanza was a popular dance music genre around the 19th century. Some of the instruments included violins, trombone, clarinets, contrabass, and guiro just to name a few. This video shows a lot of these instruments but has a more modern spin on it with the electric guitar. It fuses contradanza with rock, which I think works well. We tend to see a lot of fusions in all musical genres and this is just one of the million examples of fusions we commonly see in music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kmdqu_pFKk

Cubaton

I wanted to expand upon the mention of 'Cubaton' in my reading report. There have been attempts to make the Dominican and Puerto Rican-based reggaeton more traditionally Cuban, by infusing it with timbales, salsa and timba (like the timba-reggaeton example I presented in class). Cubaton is often more melodic than reggaeton. Its lyrics are also generally less violent than those found in Dominican and Puerto Rican reggaeton. However, even though it is more nationalistic, it still has little official radio support and is distributed in largely the same ways as reggaeton--through informal, amateur systems. Generally, the thought is, unless reggaeton is "polished" by professional, state-sponsored musicians, even a name change like 'Cubaton' won't help its case with the Cuban government. However, that doesn't stop it from being one of the most popular sub-genres in Cuba. The video above, "Amigos" by Eddy K, is one of the most popular examples of Cubaton.

Los Amigos Invisibles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5ZO7DFU7gk

This is a music video, from Los Amigo's Invisibles song "Yo No Se" from their album Superpop Venezuela. This isn't like any of the music we have been discussing in class, but I came across this song on my Latino Pandora station and thought it was really good! I don't speak spanish so I'm not really sure what the lyrics are (maybe some of you can help me out!)

But the beat is really interesting, and its sort of techno/pop. The music video is also really well produced and entertaining to watch! (SO make sure you check it out!)

This band (Los Amigos Invisibles) has won multiple Latin Grammy Awards, and have been nominated for Grammy awards as well. This Venezuelan band usually plays a blend of disco, acid jazz, and funk mixed with Latin rhythms.

Cuban Son

This dance performance is an example of traditional Cuban son. After seeing this example I don't really see much of a connection between this form of dance and music with Salsa music. Some of the steps seem similar, but the overall pace/tempo and rhythm of the music is completely different. Like we discussed in the class the beat is what conducts the dancer on when to step. As you can see in this performance the dancers move much slower, and move to a different count than Salsa dancers would. The most important similarities that I picked up on between Cuban son and Salsa are the quick hip movements and the type of instruments used. The percussion instruments seem to carry the beat of the song, as well as the movement of the dancers.

La Rebelion

Joe Arroyo y La Verdad - La Rebelion

Joe Arroyo y La Verdad - La Rebelion (With English Subtitles)

This is one of my favorite salsa songs. Performed by the Columbian artist, Joe Arroryo. This song is very similar to the salsa beats and rhythms of Puerto Rican salsa. I love the fast melody and catchy rhythm. The instruments used in this song especially portray this genre's African roots (and so does the actual music video). The second video that I have attached is the same song (poorer quality) but it included the english subtitles/lyrics. Not only do I like this song for its musical elements but I also think the lyrics play a great role in Latin American history --beyond just Columbia.

Brujeria-El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

As mentioned in class, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico (or El Gran Combo) is one of the most well-known and oldest salsa groups. They were founded in May of 1962 and are famous for their unique musical style. This song Brujeria refers to withcraft or a spell. I chose this song because not only do i enjoy it very much, but the African elements are apparent due to the name. Brujeria is often associated with the African ancestry of Latin America and often taboo. In the song, the lead singers states that the girl, put a spell on him.

What could that girl have given me
that she keeps me enraptured, she
has me half-crazy and now I think
I'm in love.

Perhaps is her eyes, perhaps is
the way she walks or perhaps is
those little things that
she has given me at her house.

And it's that you keep me trembling
night and day.
-You did witchcraft on me!
You want to send me to an early grave.
-You did witchcraft on me!
I don't know what you put in my food.
-You did witchcraft on me!

I feel something cold going through me.
-You did witchcraft on me!
It goes down this way, it goes down
that way...yes...
-You did witchcraft on me!
and it comes back up again...
-You did witchcraft on me!
-You did witchcraft on me!

What could that girl have given me
that she keeps me enraptured, she
has me half-crazy and now I think
I'm in love.

Perhaps is her eyes, perhaps is the
way she walks, or perhaps is those
little things that she has
given me at her house.

But last night on my bed I saw
something strange.
-You did witchcraft on me!
And I can't eat.
I can't sleep.
-You did witchcraft on me!

And it's true, Gustavo Sánchez
knew it all.
-You did witchcraft on me!
You got me all skinny, and made a mess.
-You did witchcraft on me!

Witch! Witch! Witch!
-You did witchcraft on me!

I believe you did witchcraft on me!
You did witchcraft on me!

Asi Es la Mujer que Amo-Victor Manuelle

This song relates to the similar styles that we have discussed in class due to the fact that I think it is the best modern example the call and response section towards the end.

Celia Cruz-La Vida Es Un Carnaval

"La Vida Es Un Carnaval", which means life is a carnival is a very upbeat fun song that makes you want to dance. We have read a lot about carnival throughout the course and as we know it is very important to the latin culture. I think this song celebrates the importance of carnival. The video takes place in Miami, FL, which is a very popular area where many Cubans have migrated to. The way the people are dancing in the videos can be compared to how people dance in carnival, with the men leading and the women moving their hips and enjoying the dance. Many cuban instruments are used throughout the song, and you can hear the back and forth between her lyrics and the trumpet (as we discussed in class). This song is infectious like many of her other songs, I love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lArGoRhFr4E

Reggaeton: Daddy Yankee-Gasolina

The song Gasolina is one of the most popular reggaeton songs to ever come out and is very commercialized. It shows how scandalous reggaeton can be with its sexual/sensual dancing and half naked women in the video. Throughout the song you can hear a repetitive beat (like in many other reggaeton songs) and computerized rhythms that go along with his rap lyrics. Compared to other styles of latin music it is heavily computerized and does not use as much authentic instruments as other styles of music. But it also shows the fusion of hip-hop, dancehall, and rap. This video shows why reggaeton is seen as scandalous, compared to Danzon where the dance style is not as sexual or as obviously scandalous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGKrc3A6HHM

Mi Libertad-Jerry Rivera

I really like this song because it incorporates many cuban salsa elements like the guira, consistent beats, and at the end how it is improvised. It is similar to the listening assignments due to the fact that it also incorporates hip hop with Julio Voltio.

La Negra Tiene Tumbao

This song is a later song of Celia Cruz's. Here, one is able to tell that her voice has matured from the earlier listening that we heard. Also, there are similar instruments that are typical in cuban salsa and one can here the cowbell, guira, conga, and among other instruments.

Ignacio Berroa

This guy is just great! This is 3 parts of a many-parted tutorial on Afro-Cuban Drumming. Each detail is broken down to a more easily understandable form. Though the accenting music may not be necessarily traditional, the style of percussive expression is to be sure. Ignacio stresses the importance of 'feel' and folkloric music.









If anyone wants to know more, please let me know and I can post the remainder of videos in this series.

Guiro!

You can see how the 3 count consists of a half of a down stroke and a full up stroke.



Different examples of Guiro and it's uses in different patterns and styles.
If you listen to the 'cha-cha-cha' example, you can here where the name comes from, as it actually sounds like that's what the Guiro is 'saying.'

Clave Rhythms/ Differences

These two videos help to distinguish the differences between -Son- and Rumba clave Rhythms.
It seems simple, but is very significant.

Here are some great examples of Samba drumming applied to the drum kit. The first is a great explanation of some of the percussive and timing gymnastics that are involved in creating and sustaining a rhythm like this. The second is a pretty amazing execution of these practiced methods.

Steve Gadd

Here's a video of Steve Gadd having some fun while trying to perfect his executions with Montuno timing and accent. You can see how much fun a percussionist might have in a free form/ solo approach to this style of organization.

Montuno Breakdown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDvBBWivSyk


A somewhat simplistic breakdown of a piano style that may be very confusing at it's normal pace. One can find the push and pull of meter and how the desire to dance or move one's body can be transmitted through this style. The minor's give a bit of a tropical steel drum feel, while the piece played in itself is relaxing and danceable.

Hector Lavoe

Hector Lavoe "El Cantante"

Hector Lavoe "Aguanile"

Like we discussed in class, Hector Lavoe was one of the early Latin artist signed to the New York Record label "Fania Records". Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, he moved to Manhattan in order to pursue his music. His music quickly became a national success in only a few years. Hector Lavoe played a large role in the music community when the term for 'salsa' music first surfaced in New York city. His style of music played in clubs and was very popular among dance clubs. As you can hear in these two hit songs, instruments like congas, the guido, cowbells, and sometimes guitars. Being signed to Fania Records allowed for multiple artist like Hector Lavoe to record their salsa music -- and let the world hear their talent and passion for this style of music. These are my two favorite songs by this artist, even though he was popular in the 60s and 70s, his music still seems to have a timeless effect on the salsa genre.

La India "Dicen Que Soy"

La India is a very popular Latina salsa singer from Puerto Rico. Her music is known world wide, and she has both won, and been nominated for numerous Grammy awards. This song "Dicen Que Soy" is one of my favorites by her. This genre follows the more 'contemporary' definition of Salsa music. This song is from her first solo album as a female salsa recording artist, in the early 90s. I remember hearing a lot of her singles from this album as a child. Even though her vocal style is different from other salsa artist, the background instruments are still the same. This song includes the guido, congas/timbales, claves and the cowbell. I think this song is great example of how the genre of 'salsa' has evolved over time and changed in terms of how vocals and tempo are used.

"I Need to Know" Marc Anthony

Marc Anthony, best known for his salsa-tinged work, helped kick start the Latin pop explosion of the late 90s in the U.S., with his debut English single, "I Need to Know." Although this track is laden with modern, pop beats, some hallmarks of salsa remain. The track opens with violin and piano and prominently features trumpets during the chorus. All of these instruments are typically associated with salsa music. Although salsa's origins can be traced to Cuba, it mixes well with pop, rock and R&B--all genres Anthony borrowed from for this track. Fusing traditional salsa elements with radio friendly genres earned this song a peak of #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Much like the song, the video also features a combination of dance styles from hip-hop and pop movements to some elements of salsa.

Mexican Hat Dancing Jarabe Tapatio

So I know we haven't really touched on very much Mexican dance and music, but I came across this video and thought it was really interesting! There is a lot to this music and dance beyond just the style of music. The costumes, and the story behind the way the dance is choreographed is really different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN-p4mUbq6k

The video is called Mexican Hat Dancing. Mexican Hat dancing is the more commonly used named for Jarabe Tapatio. The dance tells a story about love. It is performed by one couple, or sometimes a group of couples to tell a story about courtship. It was very controversial in the Catholic Church, because it was seen as seductive and inappropriate. You can see from the video the way in which the couple moves. The hat is significant because this style of dance is only considered Jarabe Tapatio if there is dancing around the hat, sometimes even the female performer will dance on the brim of the hat.

TONO RASARIO KULIKI TAKA

Antonia Rosario is famous for his merengue bachata music. I first heard him because my roommate would replay one of his songs "Kuliki Taka" over and over and over in our dorm last year. She is of Latina descent (Dominican and Guatemalan) and loves spanish music, and really got me interested in it. Definitely check out this song! He is known as Toño Rosario, and was born in the Dominican Republic.

In this music, you can hear a lot of African influences.

He is famous in D.R. and people there love him! If you guys know anything more about him, and how the people of D.R. actually respond to his music definitely comment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaDxYykhq6c

Danzón

This video example shows a couple dancing danzón. Watching the video, it's hard to believe that this style of dance caused such an uproar in Cuba. However, the closeness and slight hip movements were enough to raise eyebrows in the 19th century. Danzón is still considered Cuba's "official" dance, but it is rarely performed. It's definitely interesting to see the evolution and how reggaeton is creating similar controversy in Cuba today. It seems like every century, there's some form of scandalous dance or music that eventually seems completely harmless. In 100 years, will people look back on the gyrations associated with reggaeton as completely innocent like we do with danzón today?

Blog on Victoria Santa Cruz

http://blackstarliners.blogspot.com/2011/06/victoria-santa-cruz-ritmos-y-aires.html

Dances of Victoria Santa Cruz

These are the examples of Zamacueca and Lando from my reading report on Victoria Santa Cruz. Hopefully they will be more accessible in this venue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9BRb9-6Gvg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPqn1Yw55VY&feature=related

Cajon Cover

The cajon has become very popular in acoustic covers on YouTube. Although it has Afro-Peruvian origins, it can be heard in many American pop song covers on YouTube. In this version of Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me," the cajon player adds her instrumental to the original vocal track. The video starts (and ends) with a cajon solo, but eventually transitions into Taylor's song. Although it's a country song, the cajon doesn't sound out of place. Sarah (the cajon player) uses both her hands and feet to get a mix of percussion sounds out of the instrument. Her rhythm is pretty awesome and she's able to get a wide variety of sounds using on the cajon.

Chincha

I came upon this video while searching for examples of Afro-Peruvian music. This is more contemporary type of Afro-Peruvian dance called the "Chincha". The music played in the background of this video clip definitely displays the African roots of the music. There are much more percussion instruments used in this style than in the indigenous style based music, which contains more pipe and wind instruments. The dance movements are also much more rhythmic, and they correspond with the percussion beats throughout the piece.

Once Upon a Time in Rio

While reading about the racism and stereotypes in Lima, Peru, I quickly remembered the events from a film that I watched this past summer about a couple from Rio de Janeiro (although a completely different country than Peru) that struggled with the effects of racism and identity. Recalling upon what we studied about Rio, I remembered the multiple forms of racism and prejudice that existed between the residents from the favelas and the rest of Rio. These forms of racism effected the interactions between the different social classes of their society, and even how their music was represented.

Although this short trailer doesn't display the importance of music in the film, there were multiple scenes that represented the musical culture in Rio. One of the scenes that stood out to me was a celebration that occurred in the favela. This celebration included vivid costumes, similar to those from Carnival, as well as Samba music/dance, and even more modern versions of Brazilian/Afro-Brazilian music. I wasn't able to find many scenes from this film on YouTube, but I suggest that you all watch it! There are some great depictions of the Brazilian culture throughout this film.

"Tic, Tic, Tac"

"Tic, Tic, Tac" by Joven Sensación is one of the songs mentioned in the reading. The description was interesting, so I thought I would check it out. As described on page 112, the song mixes hip hop elements with more traditional Andean, folkloric sounds. A rap-like delivery is given over a funk drum riff and bass line, which is accompanied by synthesized panpipes--a more modern take on a traditional Andean instrument. Electric guitar and trumpets can also be heard on the track. The melody is actually very catchy and sounds similar to some of the "bubblegum" pop songs that were popular here in the late 90s and early 2000s. Unfortunately, the video is also reminiscent of that era and is pretty cheesy. However, there are both scenes in what appear to be the highlands and in the city. I think this visual representation is perfect for the music--a combination of traditional, Andean folkloric music and more modern, cosmopolitan hip hop and pop sounds.