Ritmo Salsero Radio Show

RITMO SALSERO is a weekly internet radio show that showcases some of the best salsa music of all time. Join Johnny for a journey through the fascinating world of Salsa music. Each week we focus on different topics related to the history and evolution of the music.  We pay tribute to favorite artist like Hector Lavoe, El Gran Combo, Tito Puente, Sonora Poncena, and many other artists that never got the recognition they deserved during the Golden Years of Salsa.   We've interviewed historical artists such as Jimmy Bosh, Joey Pastrana, Gilberto "EL PULPO" Colon,  Tito Puente Jr, Jerry Hernandez - Orquesta DeeJay, and many more.   Come listen for a fun SALSA music learning experience! 

BROADCASTING ***LIVE*** EVERY WEDNESDAY from 12:30pm to 2pm on

 and NOW on  (rare salsa internet radio)

Always spinning the immortal classics of all time in efforts of keeping Salsa alive!!!
 
Send your comments, requests, and shout-outs to johnny@salsaycontrol.com  or on FACEBOOK: Johnny Giraldo

Check out the latest edition of Ritmo Salsero: LIVE Video Broadcast Spinning Vinyl!

*********ARTIST OF THE MONTH IS BACK***********

JANUARY 2012 Artist of the Month:

Tito Rodriguez

Pablo Rodriguez Lozada better know as Tito Rodriguez "El Inolvidable" (The Unforgettable) was born January 23rd, 1923 in Santurce, Puerto Rico and passed away on February 28 due to leukemia, in New York City. He was one of the original Mambo Kings during the 50s and 60s along with Tito Puente and Machito at the famed Palladium Ballroom in NYC. Born to a Dominican father and a Cuban mother, music ran through his blood and musical instruments were a big part of his childhood. He was inspired to become a musician by his brother Johnny Rodriguez whom was popular bandleader and composer during the mid 30s. His first gig as a singer came at the age of 13 and his first recording when he was only 16 after he had moved to New York from his native Puerto Rico. In 1947, Rodríguez made his "solo" debut and finally organized his own band, which he named "Los Diablos del Mambo". In 1950, he enrolled in The Juilliard School of the Performing Arts, where he studied the vibraphone, xylophone and percussion. He renamed his band "Los Lobos del Mambo" and later he dropped the name altogether. That's when he decided to go with the name "The Tito Rodríguez Orchestra". The first song that he recorded under the band's new name which became a "hit" was "Besame La Bemba" (Kiss My Big Lips).Tito Rodriguez quickly became one of most versatile singers of Latin America as he could go from singing a romantic bolero to a an uptempo mambo effortlessly. During the mid 60s, he produced his own TV show in Puerto Rico called "el Show de Tito Rodriguez" and in 1971 he lauched his own record label, TR Records. Tito's last appearance was at the Madison Square Garden with Machito and his band on February 2nd, 1973 and 26 days later he dies after losing his battle with leukemia. To this day, his musical legacy is still enjoyed by many and can still be heard around the world. Que Viva El Inigualable....TITO RODRIGUEZ!  

Featured song and album: "El Mulato Rumbero" on the album "Tito Rodriguez & Louie Ramiez En Algo Nuevo", TR Records, 1972. New York City

JUNE 2011 Artist of the Month: Alfredo Linares

Alfredito, sometimes know as "El Bravo" Linares was born on January 27, 1944 in Lima, Peru. His first encounter with music was at the early age of ten at his father's piano repair and tuning shop. As his father would repair pianos, he would play with them. Alfredo lead his first band in 1957 after the passing of father, whom left him the responsibility of taking charge over the group. In the early 60s, Alfredito had the opportunity to record with some of the most up and coming bands in Peru of that time period. In 1965, He was given the opportunity to record his first 45rpm "El Pompo" as Linares y su sonora. His first full length album, "El Pito", was recorded in 1968 under the "MAG" record label one of the most important record labels in Peru. Shortly after that, Linares career quickly took off and enjoyed of great success in Colombia, Venezuela, and throughout Latin America during the 70s and early 80s. Today, he continues to deliver great music and play the piano with amazing virtuosity in songs such as "Rumbero Bravo", "Machu Pichu", "Lo Que Tengo" and his signature song "Tiahuanaco" among many more.!

Featured Song & Album: "Sonando Tambo" on the Album "Lo Que Tengo", Fidelis Records, 1980. Recorded in Venezuela.

MAY 2011 artist of the month: Charlie Palmieri

Born Carlos Manuel Palmieri on November 21, 1927 in Ponce Puerto Rico, Charlie Palmieri was a super talented pianist whose virtuosic ability to play this instrument gained him the nickname, "The Giant of the Keyboards". A self taught musician at the early age of 7, Charlie's parents noticed his interest and natural abiltiy to play the piano and quickly enrolled him in the Julliard school of music in New York. He participated and won many contests along his brother Eddie. At the age of 16, Palmieri made his professional debut as a piano player with the Osario Selosie band. His career quickly took off and in 1947 joined the Tito Puente Orchestra and played with him until 1953. Charlie Palmieri became an important name in the competitive music scene of that time and a respected innovator as well. As a result, he landed the title of musical director of some of the most important recordings of latin music, the Allegre All-Star jam session recordings from 1961 to 1977. On September 12, 1988, Charlie suffered the second of two heart attacks, which took his life, at time where he was musical director for the Joe Cuba Sextet. His legacy lives on through his incredible music and the sound of his piano will truly live forever! Que Viva Charlie Palmieri!

Featured Song & Album: "Bitter Sweet" on the Album "Latin Bugalu", Atlantic Records 1968.

May 2011 Show -- Artist of the Month: Charlie Palmieri

Part 2.

Part 1.

APRIL 2011 artist of the month: Julio Ernesto Estrada "FRUKO"

Julio Ernesto Estrada Rincon better known as FRUKO is a colombian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader of one of Colombia's greatest Salsa exports, the musical group, Fruko y Sus Tesos. With over 40 year in the music scene, Fruko is one of the most, if not, the most influential figure in Colombian Salsa. The band's distinct and captivating sound can be heard in the voices of Piper "Pimienta" Diaz, Wilson "Saoko" Manyoma, and Joe Arroyo as the Fruko's most important vocalists. Fruko's musical arrangements can be indentified by it's raw, heavy hitting descargas, and the ability to make anyone want to get up and dance. Fruko y sus tesos has recorded over 35 albums and about 40 tracks on 45rpm vinyl records, which have become some of the most sought after items by latin music collectors worldwide. Some of Fruko's most popular songs include, Cachondea, Tanya, A La Memoria Del Muerto, Tronco Seco, and their most popular song, El Preso among many more!  

Featured Song & Album: "Salsa Na' Ma'" on the Album "El Violento", Discos Fuentes 1973, vocals by Joe Arroyo, Great Piano/Organ Solo!

April 2011 Show -- Arttist of the Month: Fruko y Sus Tesos

 
MARCH artist of the month: LOUIE RAMIREZ

 
Louie Ramírez “Mr. Salsa”, sometimes referred to as "The Quincy Jones of Salsa”  was born on February 24th, 1938 in New York City. He was a Virtuoso Percussionist, Vibrafonist, Composer, Arranger and Musical Director. He was also the creator of the 1980's musical phenomenom "Salsa Romantica" or "Salsa Erotica". Louie made his professional debut with Joe Loco's band in 1956, replacing vibraphonist Pete Terrace. Eight years later he made his own debut as a bandleader in 1963, with the album "Introducing Louie Ramirez". He worked and collaborated with of some the biggest names in Latin music such as Charlie Palmieri, Tito Rodriguez, Joe Cuba, Willie Colon and many more! Louie Ramirez died on June 7th, 1993 as a result of a heart attack at the age of 55. He is truly a legend and one of the most influential figures in Salsa.
 
Featured Song & Album: "Latin New York" on the album "Salsa Progresiva", COTIQUE records 1979, Alto Sax Solo by Bobby Porcelli and Timbal Solo by Louie Ramirez.