The Second Case of the Latin Barefoot Dance Party

Today's episode mixes vintage music from Cuba with the rootsy revival sounds of the 70s Afro-Peruvian scene. This is country, village, and neighborhood music; hardly the sorts of sounds you would here in an uptown club. This is music for barefoot dance parties in neighbors' courtyards. This is a gritty, rootsy, and sentimental set of Latin tracks for the dads... it's the Father's Day 2016 edition of the Adventures of Encyclopedia Sound.

The first set today samples some of the formal throwback styles that had surprising moments of appeal for local audiences. Dance music such as Cuban danzon and Peruvian Vals were built on European forms that had been introduced in the Colonial era; this is South American ragtime. Interesting to hear these sounds and understand their relation to the seemingly unrelated traditions that would become salsa, etc.

The next set continues the theme of formal styles with a sampling of zapateo and other guitar styles that came to the Americas from Spain. Lots of material in this set from Peru... last set of the first hour shows more of these Spanish guitar forms in the hands of Cuban musicians.

I open the second hour today with a sampling of country-style Cuban vocal music for duo and small group. Many classic examples of son and guajira, including 3 historical tracks from Buena Vista Social Club alumnus Company Segundo, as well as the group he helped to form (Duo Los Compadres).

We pause for a few moody pieces before winding up with some tough and spicy son montuno from the Cuban revival scene of the 70s.