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

Venezuelan TV producer Rondón documented salsa music from the 1950s to the 1970s in this survey, first published in Spanish in 1980, but not available in English until now. With an added update to the present, the comprehensive chronicle traces salsa's evolution, beginning with the 1940s merger of jazz and Cuban rhythms by Machito and his Afro-Cubans. The popularity of that group, along with the bands of Tito Puente and Tito Rodríguez, led to the revitalization of New York's declining Palladium ballroom in 1947. Crossing continents, from New York City and Puerto Rico to Venezuela, Rondón examines salsa's working-class origins, conceived, nurtured and developed in the urban barrio as a type of music “produced not for the luxurious ballroom but for hard life on the street,” and he relates the difficulties of marginalized barrio life to the music's international appeal. Along with insightful analyses of styles, music, movements. performances, production and marketing, the book offers detailed coverage of such highly influential talents as Willie Colón, Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barretto. The concluding “Basic Discography” serves as a great collecting guide. (Mar. 10)