Thousands of people gather each year in the city of Cali to celebrate the old school vinyl record, and revel in the region's unique sounds.
Colombia's music scene is usually dominated by pop stars like Maluma and Shakira but in the city of Cali, thousands of people gather every year to celebrate the old school vinyl record, and revel in the region's unique sounds.
Following its successful debut at The Tate Modern, La Clave will reproduce Jose Luis Seijas' 'Salsoteca' - an installation paying tribute to Colombia’s mythical vinyl-sharing.. As Seven London-based Salsa vinyl collectors select their best vinyl artwork to display and the best Salsa tracks to spin, Latinolife explains the phenomena of the 'Salsotecas' - the legendary encounters that have helped give the city of Cali its reputation as home to the world’s most passionate Salsa lovers.
The swinging sound of trumpets welcome the hundreds of fans of Salsa into the huge open space. And yet, not a hip sways, nor a twirl or step is taken. This is a Salsa congress unlike any other. No crazed bare-chested machos or glittering dresses springing uncontrollably into action at the call of that unmistakable beat. This meeting draws Cali’s contemplative music intellectuals together, to dissect, analyse and savour every chord, every beat, every phrase and arrangement of the most ingenious Afro-Latin tracks ever recorded. Some await their favourite tunes to be played to bring out their bongos and congas and play along.
Salsa music without dancing? These are the Salsotecas, a 50-year- old phenomena of ‘discos for music intellectuals,’ born in the Colombian city of Cali, famed to being the most Salsa loving city in the world.
