From the editor

Latin Beat Magazine, June-July, 2003 by Rudy Mangual

At a time when the entire music industry is confronting some of its lowest sales and profits in its history, in the Latin music market it is salsa music that is suffering the most, abandoned almost completely by the majors unless your name is Marc Anthony or Gilberto Santa Rosa. Contrary to negative press from journalists throughout the nation and abroad who have already written off salsa, however, it is not dead. Ever since tropical dance music was coined under the umbrella term of "salsa" in the early 1970s in New York City, it has gone through its peaks and valleys. In the late 1970s it was the disco explosion that first threatened the purity of salsa. The late 1980s saw the emergence of salsa romantica which diluted it even further. Finally, the salsa monga of the 1990s was the last twist of the knife. However, thanks to the efforts and foresight of several small independent labels, many of the salsa musicians in the business, and a few of the promoters in the industry that continue to provide the proper platforms for hardcore salsa, the music is surviving.

Unfortunately, in New York City, traditionally known as the "mecca of salsa," a plague of fraudulent business practices by club owners and promoters is keeping many people away from the venues. False advertising, last minute cancellations, and the use of pick-up bands for out-of-town vocalists are the tip of the iceberg of complaints by New York City salseros. None of these conditions have been caused by musicians or aficionados. A post-911 economy may have spurred the greed of a few individuals in NY that translated to exorbitant cover charges and astronomical bar prices. The problem is not specific to New York, however, as the same is occurring in Los Angeles and Miami clubs. In this case, the salsa nightclub scene may be dying out, but not the music itself. Luckily, a recent revival of "socials" (popular with the ballroom dancing fans) are popping up everywhere for people who simply just want to dance and not worry about the hassles of today's club scene.

Some music journalists overlook the significance of tropical dance music throughout the world. Regardless if Billboard charts a song or not, many salsa songs still circumvent the globe, making people come together to dance and listen. In Puerto Rico, during this year's celebration of "El Dia Nacional De La Salsa," over 30,000 salseros came together to support and enjoy a day of momentous performances by some of the veterans and top players in the business. Many concerts of this magnitude take place annually throughout the world in such countries as Colombia, Venezuela, Perú, Panama, Curaçao, Spain, Italy and Japan. Salsa congresses continue to sprout internationally, attracting dancers from all walks of life. SALSA simply is not dead. For millions of Latin Americans and diverse citizens of the world, it is a way of life, a cross-cultural phenomenon and a spiritual manifestation of the soul.

"SALSA" will always have a place in the pages of Latin Beat Magazine.