SALSA! A Musical Journey in 100 Essential Records

Born within the Latin diaspora of New York during the sixties, salsa draws its roots from a diversity of rhythms originating from Cuba and the other Spanish-speaking Antilles. It celebrates the vitality of this Afro-Caribbean heritage, presenting a more modern and cosmopolitan version, thus constituting a cultural bulwark against the hegemony of rock over popular music. A major sociocultural phenomenon that contributed to forging a transnational Latino identity, this musical movement quickly spread to Latin America and beyond, where it was enriched by contact with local musical traditions. Through a selection of 100 significant albums reflecting the diversity of this musical expression, the book explores the history of salsa, from its Caribbean origins to its most recent variations, including its New York “golden age” in the seventies.