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Salsa & Mambo Video Reviews

SwinGuys

Salsa Swing Vol 1

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Style: LA - Swing

Content: Turn Patterns - Shines.

General Comment: Salsa is a fairly conservative world, especially today with the trend of rediscovering old style mambo and afro-cuban roots. So, how come that a group of 4 Italian guys dancing swing could suddenly because so popular in the salsa world? The answer is refreshingly simple, because they are extraordinary dancers. If you have seen any of their shows you have probably stood amazed at their technique and at the same time laughing at the entertaining joke they intersperse throughout their shows.

Now, we all have the opportunity to learn their un-usual (for salsa dancers) style: it is characterised by a mix of swing and salsa on1, LA style. They are natural performers, as it shows from the jokes which fill their instructional DVDs as well as from the choice of the figures they teach, in my opinion more suited to the stage than the dance floor.

This DVD contains 5 sections, each of 5 items. You will find turn patterns, lift and tricks and ‘free style’ or shines. The free style is where the swing influence is at its purest form, but the fact that the shines do not look very much like salsa won’t bother you that much, because they are very cool and boy… the guy can dance!

All elements are showed from 2 angles, then in slow motion, then with focus on the footwork and then with music, using a boogaloo salsa which nicely fits their style of dancing.. explanations are not given verbally, so you need to work out the details of the lead and following, as well as the acrobatics by yourself, but the visual details are there for you to sort out. An unusual DVD, but well worth it, at the very least for the talents in display.. a promo with clips of their shows is an addition to the product to look forward to.

Reviewed by : Fabio from SalsaIsGood - Recommended

Salsa Swing Vol 2

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Style: LA - Swing

Content: Turn Patterns - Shines.

General Comment:This DVD is very much the twin brother of Vol 1, same structure, same style, similar ideas; therefore, if you liked Vol 1 you surely will like this one too. If I scratch my head hard to pinpoint some difference, I might say that this one is slightly more advanced, slightly more performance oriented and slightly more ‘male’ oriented since the challenging parts of the turn patterns are mostly for the guys.

The DVD is cleverly produced: the first menu gives you the teaching material (10 turn patterns, 5 dips and tricks, 5 free style ‘solo’ moves and 5 ‘cool figures’); the second part contains a summary with the demonstration of all the turn patterns, a useful idea for quick reference, plus some promotional material. Instructions for the turn patterns are not given verbally, while the introduction, bye-bye and occasional dancing hints are provided in English, Italian and Spanish.

It is definitely an outstanding DVD from outstanding dancers. The cherry on the cake is surely the freestyle section.. if the one on Volume 1 was extraordinary, this one blew me away completely.. Nico must be one of the best solo dancers I have seen on DVD, his moves and footwork show us how much more there is outside the common repertoire we are used to..

Reviewed by : Fabio from SalsaIsGood - Recommended