Alma del Barrio: the soul of the neighborhood turns 30 - radio program

Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2004

Just over 30 year ago, two young, smart, and savvy students at L.A.'s Loyola Marymount University who shared a passion for Latin music, came up with the idea of producing a radio show that played salsa, Latin jazz and Latin soul. It would be bilingual, and there would be an emphasis on public service and education. Phone lines would be open for listeners' requests, the music would be hip, and the show would be fun to listen to.

The students, Enrique "Kiki" Soto and Raul Villa, took their idea to the managers at the college's radio station KXLU, and in 1973 began what would turn into an institute for Latin music lovers in L.A. They started out with a one-hour slot, and named the show Alma del Barrio, to highlight the show's roots in the Latino communities of L.A. Through Kiki and Raul's vision, creativity and hard work, the show flourished and added hours until it snowballed into 12 hours on Saturdays and another 12 hours on Sundays.

Héctor Reséndez, now host of KPFK's Canto Tropical, was one of the early volunteers, as were Steve López, Eddie López, Lola Velásquez, Gustavo Aragón, Lupe Moriel, Gloria Curiel and others. Many talented young Latín music fanáticos have passed through Alma del Barrio. Some stayed a couple of years, most stayed past their graduation from LMU, and some remain on the show to this day. Emilio Vandenedes started his work as a broadcaster at Alma del Barrio, and opened the door to con temporary Cuban music that was, at the time, available only overseas of underground. Julio Vigoreaux brought his vast knowledge and superb taste, specializing in the music of Puerto Rico, to Alma del Barrio and recently left the show when he moved out of town. (Christmas just wasn't the same this past year, without Julio and his aguinaldos.)

KXLU is a student-run station that was designed to give LMU students hands-on radio producing experience. When a student joins the show, he of she has to commit to coming to the station for the early morning hours, following the station and program rules and guidelines. They must be bilingual and have a passion for the music. They intern with other deejays, learning production, programming and on-air skills. Many of the students come with a great knowledge and love for the music. Others spend hours going through the show's CD and LP libraries and talking with listeners.

Like all public radio, KXLU depends on annual fundraisers to help pay the bills. In the early years, the station broadcast only during the winter and spring, and was off the air during the summer. All-night fundraising and a growing audience outside of the college community soon allowed the station to broadcast year-round. During the '70s and early '80s, the all-night fundraisers would draw people bearing food cash and checks during the daytime, and musicians and club goers who would drop by to dance, hang out and make donations after the clubs closed. Year after year, the program's loyal listeners generously support the program and keep it on the air.

This March 21st, the show will host a dance party to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Produced by longtime friend and supporter Albert Torres, this fabulous celebration will take place at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, featuring Manny Oquendo y Libre, Los Soneros del Barrio and L.A.'s superb dance band, Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad. Don't miss it! Come, support the show, meet old friends and groove on the great music. For information and tickets, please call (310) 445-9705.

Education about the music the show plays--its roots and its artists --was part of Raul and Kiki's vision for the show, and remains an integral element of programming to this day. From ongoing readings of key segments of John Storm Roberts The Latin Tinge, to call in shows concerning immigration, specials on Benny Moré, golden oldies ("El Cofre del Recuerdo" with Julio Vigorcaux), and in-depth interviews with legends like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Manny Oquendo and Andy González, Jerry González, Ray Barretto, Chucho Valdés, Los Papines, Cachao, Roberto Roena, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas and many others, keep listeners informed.

Music critic Gregory Sandow described Alma del Barrio this way, in an article in time L.A. Herald Examiner: "Because it's non-commercial, the show can be anything it wants, and in fact ends up highlighting--and exemplifying--Latino culture of all kinds. Guests discuss Latino film, Latino poetry, or Latino painting; Spanish flows into English, and English into Spanish; listeners call in requests, celebrating life and love. And throughout all of it runs time pulsing rhythm of the music, spiked--listen to the bass, the piano, the layered percussion--with darting offbeats. It's an enticing musical universe, the soul of a culture whose presence should enrich the lives of everyone who Jives here."

Now everyone with a computer and modern can join the Alma del Barrio family via the Internet. Log onto the station's website at www.kxlu.com or the show's homepage at www.almadelbarrio.com and follow directions to hook into the streaming audio. Alma del Barrio airs Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (PST). The on-air volunteer staff--no one gets paid anything other than the joy of playing the best in the world of Latin music ... and time best music in the world-includes Eddie Lopez, Guido Herrera, Vanessa Sulam, Gustavo Aragón, Angela Fajardo, Albert Price, Rosalva Lara, Andrea Silva, Verónica Herrera, Joaquín del Toro, Annabel Márquez, Alan Geik, Nina Lenart, and the program's director, José Cristobal. Log on, tune in, and call (310) 338-5958, during the show, to make your requests and dedications. The party's on every weekend, and you're cordially invited.