Carnaval comes in three flavours, Brasil, Cuban and this one, Salsa Carnaval. When we say new label, it’s an outshoot of the wildly prolific Resiste so this is no half-hearted effort to a catch a summer fiesta of dance. Selected by La Linea’s reggaeton expert, DJ Jose Luis (see his feature on Fly, Reggaeton — The Story So Far..), this CD takes us back with some choice cuts.

What with a Fania ‘revival’ (and Willie Colón coming to London in August!) legends like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente rub shoulders with contemporaries like Grammy award winners, NYC’s Spanish Harlem Orchestra and multi-talented UK pianist Alex Wilson.

It kicks off with Latin respect to James Brown with ‘Man’s World’, the north African version of ‘Salsa Rai’ and the Pink Panther theme being mamboed.

If you think salsa is all about cheesy dance lessons in a room above a pub, it might be time to step up to the plate. Get this CD and have a little practice in your bedroom. It may not make you an expert, but you’ll love the carnaval.

Read more on Resiste’s Carnaval series.

Reviewed: Various — Salsa Carnaval (Resiste) Cat. No. CarnavalCD2 Release date: 25th June 2007
Tracklist
1 Ray Santiago — Man’s World (5:34)
2 Yuri Buenaventura — Salsa Rai (4:09)
3 Orquesta La 33 — La Pantera Mambo (6:13)
4 Alex Wilson — Ain’t Nobody (4:47)
5 Africando — Yaye Boy (Remix) (7:03)
6 Saxomania — Con Los Pobres Estoy (4:19)
7 San Boricua — Volare (5:34)
8 Celia Cruz and Tito Puente — Rumberos Del Ayer (3:12)
9 Spanish Harlem Orchestra — Aprendea a Querer (4:15)
10 Miguel Enriquez — Abre Que Voy (3:53)
11 Maraca — Se Te Acabo La Rumba (4:42)
12 Estrellas Cobo — El Verdadero Son (3:43)
13 Sexteto Café — Sabroso (5:11)
14 Bobby Rodriguez — Olvidame (5:45)
15 Isaac Delgado — Pregon De Chocolate (3:08)

Links:
resist-music.com
www.alexwilson.net
Willie Colon Friday 10th August Roundhouse www.comono.co.uk plus DJ Gerry Lyseight
Step Up Do not be afraid of the cheese
TropicanaSalsa www.tropicanasalsa.com
Tropicana Promotions and Candela UK presents, after 6 highly successful years of the best Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton and Bachata brought to you by the DJs of Tropicana has come to an end, LatinoSound now becomes LatinoSway in a bigger all wooden dance floor venue… Two rooms — Salsa: with Julian Mr M. and Ramiro Zapata and Reggaeton & RnB: with Jose Luis, Sami Sanchez and Karlo Scarpelli (on rotation)
Sway, 61-65 Great Queen Street, London WC2 5BX (Nr Covent Garden)
Every Tuesday 7pm — 3amEntry: free b4 9pm £5 b4 11pm then £7 after
Salsa Classes with Tropicana Dance School
7:30pm — 8:30pm Beginner, Improver, Intermediate
8:30pm — 9:30pm Advance Salsa and Rueda Level 1&2
Classes £7 for 1 hour or £9 for 2 hours (Free Cloakroom for Tropicana Dance School students taking classes)