The Book of Salsa: A Chronicle of Urban Music from the Caribbean to New York City

Latin America in Translation

by César Miguel Rondón

Salsa is one of the most popular types of music listened to and danced to in the United States. Until now, the single comprehensive history of the music--and the industry that grew up around it, including musicians, performances, styles, movements, and production--was available only in Spanish. This lively translation provides for English-reading and music-loving fans the chance to enjoy Cesar Miguel Rondon's celebrated "El libro de la salsa."Rondon tells the engaging story of salsa's roots in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, and of its emergence and development in the 1960s as a distinct musical movement in New York. Rondon presents salsa as a truly pan-Caribbean phenomenon, emerging in the migrations and interactions, the celebrations and conflicts that marked the region. Although salsa is rooted in urban culture, Rondon explains, it is also a commercial product produced and shaped by professional musicians, record producers, and the music industry. For this first English-language edition, Rondon has added a new chapter to bring the story of salsa up to the present.

Genres: Music

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2008

Reviews

[Ben Strutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's true that The Book of Salsa assumes a fair amount of knowledge, not explaining fully terms such as son, bomba, plena, or explaining the musical structures behind these genres, it also offers a compelling overview of Latin music in (primarily) New York from the 1950s to the end of the 1970s, with a brief coda written 25 years later on some developments after its original publication. It shines a light on many talented musicians and their stories, and recommends plenty of great songs. Worth a read for anyone interested in this history, though not suitable for those interested in deep musical theory.

[Thomas P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed, stylishly written, and decent synopsis of the history of salsa. The author brought up so many musicians, singers, and styles though, that it was difficult at times to keep track of everything. But still, a recommended read.

[Happy Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst book I read this year. There were errors and laughable claims throughout the book.

[Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book (probably the Salsa Bible) detailing the History of the Salsa Music since the 20's, 30's until the eighties, with references to musicians, groups, origins and focused on the main countries from which the salsa music originated...in New York. It explains why it was originated in NY and goes through what happened and why, explaining the influences of son, bogaloo, guaracha, jazz and lots of other rhythms which contributed to the creation of a unique style which is heard and danced worldwide.