Salsa /Illustration by Jose Ramos
Restaurants & Clubs June-2005, By:Erik Steinberg
Salsa
Salsa - The Island breathes music
From the colorful food kiosks in front of Luquillo Beach to the picturesque wooden shacks nestled high up in the mountain towns that sell fritters and icy cold beer, the Island breathes music. You name it, we have it. The lively music circuit ranges from the classy yearly Casals Festival to the internationally acclaimed Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest to the Island’s very own salsa, “bomba” and “plena” music fetes.
While styles such as “bomba” and “plena” have at least 100 years of history, Latin music on the Island today is most widely represented by the more modern salsa rhythm. The spicy beat is a blend of Afro-Caribbean sounds (especially son montuno, mambo, cha cha cha and rumba) and Latin jazz. Salsa’s instrumentation is primarily based on a battery of percussion instruments such as bongos, conga drums and timbales, as well as “guiro,” maracas and bells. But an authentic salsa sound cannot be achieved without horns, which add their unique touch to the winning music formula. San Juan is regarded the reigning capital of salsa.
In the 70s, salsa’s infectious and danceable sounds were created by a generation of artists and salsa ensembles including El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, La Sonora Poncena, Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon and the whole Fania All-Star clan (Bobby Valentin, Larry Harlow, Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco). Today, 70s salsa is known as “salsa gorda,”(fat salsa) while 80s salsa is referred as “salsa romantica,”(romantic salsa) as a result of its major exponents (Eddie Santiago and Frankie Ruiz) softening the genre’s beats and making it smooth and romantic.
In the past decade, some purists have argued that the salsa music produced after the 70s was oriented to a commercial audience. Yet today most islanders and recording industry insiders agree that salsa is very much as alive as it was 35 years ago. For musicologist and Afro-Cuban music expert Cristobal Diaz Ayala, salsa is eternal. “Take opera, for instance. How many years have passed since the creation of a really good operatic piece such as Puccini’s La Boheme or Bizet’s Carmen which truly had an impact on the scene? But people still go and see them. The same happens with salsa. ... the classics don’t go out of style. Old-school salseros are still playing everywhere today, and when they are gone a new generation of salsa musicians will come and take it to a whole new dimension.”
For his part, pianist, composer and arranger Rafael Ithier, the legendary figure behind El Gran Combo’s 40-year success story, believes salsa is still a living organism. “I think salsa evolved because singers such as Eddie Santiago, Frankie Ruiz and Luis Enrique reached a market it had never even come close to touch – females hungry for love songs. And today nobody could deny that people from different cultures, colors, religions, race, males and females have embraced salsa and many have even adapted its sound to their native musical tradition.”
Giovanni Hidalgo, arguably the world’s leading Latin jazz-salsa percussionist, is also a firm believer that salsa has not only evolved but also that it is here to stay. “I think that as long as the masters who remain alive and their protege continue promoting salsa throughout the globe, the genre will never die. To the contrary, it will continue to evolve with new musical trends, and generations of music fans will continue to enjoy salsa’s infectious rhythms for decades to come.”
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 Casa Grande Café 787-894-3939
Utuado. Jungle Jane's is located at Casa Grande Mountain Retreat. Dine on the veranda in a stunning mountain setting. Comidas criolla and more contemporary dishes are on the menu. Try homemade pasta and shrimp or grilled salmon in a mango-papaya sauce.
 Grille Room, The 800-4-RIOMAR
Río Grande. Enjoy traditional fine dining in a warm and inviting club atmosphere with sensational views of our golf courses and the Ocean. Our steakhouse style menu features succulent steaks, chicken and fresh grilled seafood and an extensive wine list.
 Liquid Bar at Tangerine 888-265-6699
Carolina: Isla Verde. "Liquid" is the Water Club's main bar and sizable lounge. Instantly discovered by the trend setters, "Liquid" is the fashionable "in" spot in a city famed for vibrant lifestyle and nightlife. There is a late night DJ to keep things going.
Marbella 800-4-RIOMAR
Río Grande. Enjoy spectacular buffets and traditional table service in a relaxed ocean-view setting. Sample a diverse menu, featuring everything from salads, soups, and sandwiches to fresh seafood and prime steaks.
Palio 800-4-RIOMAR
Río Grande. Our AAA Four Diamond award-winning restaurant incorporates authentic Tuscan flavors, rich spices, homemade pastas and the freshest meats, poultry and seafood into its Northern Italian menu. Reservations required.
SeaBreeze 800-4-RIOMAR
Río Grande. Dine al-fresco at this casual poolside restaurant, serving a full luncheon menu, snacks and tropical drinks. Casual dress or beachwear suggested.
Shimas 800-4-RIOMAR
Río Grande. Delight your taste for the Orient at our Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar, serving authentic Japanese sushi, plus a wide array of tantalizing dishes from the Far East. Reservations required.
Tangerine 888-265-6699
Carolina: Isla Verde. "Tangerine" serves American Asian cuisine overlooking the Atlantic and is the creation of well known Chef Nelson Rosado. "Tangerine" recently made the Conde Nast Traveler "Hot Tables" list of 75 of the most intriguing new restaurants in the world.
Wet Lounge and Sushi Bar 888-265-6699
Carolina: Isla Verde. Day and night, the rooftop exotic bar and lounge aptly named "Wet", with the best sushi bar on the island, offering a panorama of San Juan's most dazzling views, the vast expanse of the Atlantic and the buildings of the capital city.
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Platos Restaurant & Bar 787-791-6868
Carolina: Isla Verde.
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