salsera's blog

Santa Salsera hosts Mondo Mundo this week with an African music special, featuring in-studio guest Will Ridenour. Will is a local musician and African music aficianado, just back from touring in Senegal and Mali with his bandmates in the Carrboro-based, West African dance band, Diali Cissokho and Kairaba. We'll hear a sneak preview from the band's upcoming debut album, as well as tales from their trip, and lots of great African music from Will's personal collection!

MONDO MUNDO:  Saturday, January 7, 2-4 PM with host SANTA SALSERA

Alex Cuba, "Alex Cuba" (Caracol, 2010)

Catchy, earthy Afro-Cuban pop from Smithers, British Columbia

Born Alexis Puentes in Artemisia, Cuba, this singer/songwriter, guitarist is forging a new, more authentic path for a Latin pop artist. Merging Cuban folk ("trova") with pop and funk, Alex Cuba's soulful, silkysmooth vocal and hooky songwriting have already earned him a Grammy nod and several Latin Grammy wins. READ MORE>>>>

This week on Mondo Mundo (Sat 2-4p), guest host Santa Salsera features Music of Haiti:

From the saxophones of 60s konpa to the drums of modern rara, groove to the beats of Super Ensemble Webert Sicot, Les Chleu-Chleu, Les Princes du Port-au-Prince, Nemours Jean-Baptiste, Le Diables Bleus, Tabou Combo, Scorpio, System Band, Racine Mapou de Azor, Haitiando and more. >>>READ MORE

The Curtis Brothers--bassist Luques and pianist Zaccai--might have featured their mentor, Eddie Palmieri, on their debut quartet album Blood Spirit Land Water Freedom. Instead, they asserted their artistic independence by joining forces with other young lions. The results are fresh and revelatory, like spring growth in the garden of Latin jazz.  READ MORE>>>>

Angolan singer Ricardo Lemvo, born in The Congo and based in L.A., celebrates his 20-year recording career, NOT with a "best of" compilation, but with ALL NEW recordings of favorite tunes spanning five albums. Confidently expanding on hits like "Mambo Yo Yo" and "Yiri Yiri Bon," and including two never-heard bonus tracks, Retrospectiva was well worth the effort. READ MORE>>>>

FANIA is back! After the transfer of the classic salsa catalog to Código Music* in 2009, the future of the remastering begun by Emusica in 2006 was in limbo. Never fear: Código, in conjunction with Wax Poetics, picks up where Emusic left off with Tito Rodríguez: "El Inolvidable," their first addition to the "A Man and His Music" 2-CD compilation series. READ MORE>>>

WXDU's DJ Santa Salsera will do a special Azucar y Candela LIVE set this Thursday (1/21) at Mosaic Wine Lounge in Raleigh. No-Cover event features FREE, LIVE LATIN MUSIC by Guillo Carias Trio from 9 pm. Salsera spins classic Nuyorica plus Afro-Cuban grooves, old and new.

Don't forget to tune in here for the regular radio edition Wednesdays 6-8 pm!

More info on Facebook:  "Santa Salsera"

Join DJ Santa SALSERA for the Mystery Show, our open specialty slot, THIS SUNDAY (Jan. 10) from 10-11 pm.

My past mystery show themes have included "Do The Latin Hustle," and "Salsa Electric Guitar Solos," so expect Latin with a twist!

Listen: AZUCAR y CANDELA Wed 6-8 pm. On Facebook:  "Santa Salsera"

Featured review:  MIGUEL ZENON, "Esta Plena"

Electrifying, reverential and profound, "Esta Plena" is a never-before-seen melding of plena and Latin jazz, as coequal partners. Though Puerto Rican saxophonist Miguel Zenon had experimented with his native island's folk rhythms on the earlier Jíbaro, this is a much deeper foray into ancestral territory.  <<READ MORE>>

My guest on Mondo Mundo this week:  Raleigh musician Frake Hunsel who will share his collection of classic Surinamese vinyl and CDs in the musical styles of Kaseko, Kawina, Aleke, Motjo poku, KasKawi, Groot Bazuin and more!

Special:  Music of Suriname
MONDO MUNDO Dec. 19, Saturday, 2-4 pm
WXDU 88.7 FM www.wxdu.org
Host:  Santa Salsera with guest Frake Hunsel  

This is a rare opportunity to hear and learn more about Surinamese artists such as: <<<READ MORE>>>