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If you are into Timba you are probably familiar with the crisp voice of Tirso Duarte, one of the best in the latest generation of Timba singers; he has provided his talent to La Charanga Habanera, Pupi y los Que Son Son and also features in Los Ases de la Timba and other compilations. What makes Tirso Duarte special is that not only he is a great singer, but he is an even better pianist (an amazing one actually) and a good composer: a bag of talent in a single, still young, artist.

This CD is his first solo effort. It is pleasant, but in some way below what I was expecting from such gifted musician; all tracks are nice, no exception, but somehow the sparkle is missing. What makes this CD worthwhile for a dancer though, is that it offers a good introduction to Timba for beginner dancers and for dancers used to more commercial styles. As we know beginner dancers find it hard to tune into the complex rhythm of salsa, and Timba is even more complex, so CD with a clear sound like this one and with mostly slow tracks can be very useful. You can put the CD on, press the play button and, maybe with the exception of ‘Eso que me pides’, you will find all tracks easy to dance to. Very suitable for intermediate dancers to try hot new moves as well. I also find that Tirso’s singing, so precise and crisp, makes following the beat even easier. The song “Si la vida te dice baila”, which gives the name to the CD, is my favourite, which a happy but melancholic taste, but all tracks are enjoyable. The CD also includes a number of songs from the CD ‘El Charanguero Major’ from la Charanga Habanera, which were originally from Tirso, and are here played with simpler, less Timba and more Salsa, arrangements. 25-6-07

Jorge Elizondo - Learn to Dance Bachata Vol 2 Intermediate

Level: Intermediate

Length: 60 minutes

Style: Bachata Rueda

Content: Footwork for guys: Quarter steps; Lado Lado; Left & right reverse turn; Angel. Partnerwork: Abrazela; Todos pa adentor y pa atuera; Cuello; Men's reverse left & right turn; Vueta de Luis; Vampiro; Angel; Suave; De paseo con lado lado; Tango dip; Angel complicado

General Comment: This video starts with 15 minutes of Jorge demonstrating some footwork for the guys. He uses a tap instead of a pause and dances without the typical Bachata hip action which makes it difficult at first to recognise that it is Bachata. At the end of this section he calls the moves as if in a Rueda and dances them alone. Then he brings in his partner who demonstrates a very nice Bachata hip movement and it all starts to come together. They then show 11 turn patterns shown from 2 angles: with the lady and then with the man backing towards the camera which makes it easy to pick up the moves. The explanations are very clear and repeated several times. At the end all the turn patterns are put together with music which gives an idea of how to combine them on the dance floor. For students looking to dance Bachata in a group rather than as an intimate dance for two this would be a good video to review the moves and remember their names for the Rueda.

Reviewed by: Ally from SalsaIsGood Fair

Fact 1 . Roughly speaking, most people dance salsa either On1, or On2 Modern Mambo (NY style) or On2 Classic Mambo (Puerto Rican style also similar to Cuban contratiempo). Today Modern Mambo is used more frequently than Classic Mambo at congresses and salsa classes around the world.. more...

There are no objective answers to the above questions. They all, one way or the other, depend on subjective views on the artistic expression we call salsa, on what we like, and on what we intend by salsa in the first place. But we can still say reasonable things about the matter and make the creative process clearer and possibly easier. What follows are some thoughts of mine, mostly borrowed from my maths background. I am sure all this must have been said already within the art or humanistic literature, and if you are aware of work in this area please let me know, so that I can learn more.