I Love This Track Because.........(there's more!!!)
Ben Chai, Writer, broadcaster and Salsa Teacher: I have a number of favourites depending on the situation.....For example, I really enjoy teaching to "Yo Sin Ti" (the Eros Ramazotti version) or "Havana City" as they have really strong beats for the students and just convey a sense of fun. Depending on how energetic I feel,I like some of the jazzy salsa numbers such as "Favourite Things" or "Pink panther" because of all the hits and pauses and so you can have more fun dancing with them. If I'm feeling dramatic - then song like "Show Me". And if i'm up for a nice romantic salsa dance - something like "Fragile" or "Un Monton De Estrellas". The other thing is after a while or when you hear other tracks your favourites change and you get new favourites.
Ian Platt, Salsa Teacher
At the moment I'm enjoying quicker tempo stuff, so I love Ave Maria
Escocia by Salsa Celtica.
It starts with a really good strong clave, and just really builds up to a
very complex song with lots of depth and rhythm changes to keep you on
your toes. Because of all the nuances its more of a challenge to dance
to, and you really have to think about the music. You have to find the
right person to dance with , but when it goes well its fantastic!
Jean-Charles, Salsa Dancer
Here is the title of my current favourite title “A La Hora Que Me IIamen Voy” of Jose Alberto El Canario. I find this track so full of rhythms and energy building up through the song. Like all the “traditional” tracks, it is rich in sounds from various instruments which I could not begin to name, voices talking and cheering in the background. I can picture a whole orchestra on the stage with the voice of the sing leader so infectious. There is a strong, and perhaps deceptive, sense that the tune is almost coming together out of improvisation. And yet, whilst I cannot understand a word of what is said, I can sense a meaning to it all. Like most of the best tracks to dance to, it tells a story and invites you and your dancing partner to join in. I could at least identify four different sections (stories!) in the tune and, with more years into salsa, I believe that I will be able to discover many more. Hence, there is a saying that the more skills you gain in salsa and the more your ability to express your emotions on the dance floor. The richness of this track reminds me that the same skills should also enable one to better listen to and be seduced by the many stories that lie within a single tune. I guess that thought could also apply to how one relates to their dancing partner if only for the matter of a song…
Salsa Chick, Nikki Parker's Top Ten (at the moment....)
(From Salsa Hick, to Salsa chick, to Salsa Teacher.....)
1. Contigo
2. No Te Vayas Ramon by Grupo Latin Vibe
3. Chin Chon Chow - by Louis Ramirez
4. La Malanga - Merc Adonegro
5. Mas Que Nada - The Black Eyed Peas
6. That's Just the Way - Eric Benet
7. Hypnotic - Craig David
8. La Pantera Mambo - La33
9. La Salsa Nunca se Ocaba - Susie Hansen
10. Rock My world - Michael Jackson
And I still love the birthday song, "Tu Cumpleanos" by Willy Chirino
As to why Contigo continues to be my favourite - i cant really say, except no matter how many times I play it, i still love it!
Well, that's what they love, but what about you, and why? I know what i enjoy dancing to, but i always forget to ask the dj the names of the songs - i'm too busy dancing to the next track!!
Tim Pop com Birdland by Los Van Van is one of my absolute favourites - it really expresses how I feel
when I'm dancing to it, kind of...wahay......whoooo, you know....
And there is another one I adore, but I don't know what it is, so many apologies to Terry and Yolande
who very patiently listened to me going, "It goes like this....na na na na, na na na na, na na na na na naaa....", and did try to help me identify it..any ideas....?