Browsing through iTunes on this Sunday afternoon – behold what I find. The nice people at Apple/iTunes made a great compilation of all the Hector Lavoe music that is available for purchase. I guess all my mass emailing and complaining paid off!

Now, I'm very happy for this because this means either two things: they have someone who is thinking about salsa music as separate to regular Alternative Latino Rock music, or they know that the new Hector Lavoe Movie is coming out and hence want to capitalize on people wanting to purchase his music.

Now of course I know it's the second reason, but hey – you can't complain when you are getting more Hector Lavoe Music.  Enjoy!

This is the day when the salsa-shoe hits the fan. I'm very excited to have gotten an email this morning about how Apple Inc. with record companies have decided to start selling DRM free music on their iTunes Plus music site. This is really exciting because soon, anyone with or without an iPod can buy salsa/latin music from the iTunes store and enjoy it anywhere they are. Not all of the music will be available DRM free, but supposedly by year's end, over 50% will be DRM Free and in higher quality. As far as score goes: Apple 1, RIAA 0.

UPDATE: For those who didn't know – DRM is Digital Rights Management. Basically they are the 'controls' the Record Industry Association of America has put so that people do not freely distribute music and protect against piracy. It's that pesky little thing that they put on the stuff you buy that prevents you from using YOUR music the way you are supposed to use it.

This morning (because I'm running late to work), I decided to stop by at Starbucks coffee to grab some simple breakfast and coffee. To my surprise, I walked in and I started listening to salsa music. I ask myself: "Salsa at Starbucks?". Of course the second question was: "Wow, this is real salsa music not that fake stuff they play on cruises..". After asking some questions to the employees (who always seem very happy), I find out that they are selling a new salsa music CD called "Salsa Explosion The Sound of Fania Records ". So, I looked at the cover and the list of songs, and I was impressed. It is a very good selection of songs (all from FANIA Records). So, for the almost everyday question I get emailed on where I could find salsa music – be surprised: Salsa at Starbucks. If you are just getting started or not – it has a good selection of salsa/mambo style dance music that is worth the price. The best part of it is, they have a website where you can sample some of the songs for that CD. Just check it out here .

Well, its a new year, so I bought all the songs in this album, and I have to say — they are a great collection of the best stuff from 2005! If you are looking for some of the best salsa hits of 2005, check out this album on the iTunes music store!

For those DJs, needing the latest in salsa hits to play at the clubs (HINT! HINT!), please check out this album, so you can have a larger, more ‘salsa danceable‘ collection. The songs must be owned by any salsa dancer because they are legendary classics known by everyone.

(originally by Roberto Roena), (originally by Ray Barreto) and (originally by Sonora Ponceña) (sorry, can’t make the n with tilde)
These are classics that EVERY true salsa dancer knows about.. they are just that ubiquitous. You will know if you are at a GREAT salsa nightclub with a DJ that REALLY knows salsa if you hear any of these songs. They are just that great! Now, my only wish, is if they would play more Héctor Lavoe songs in Iowa! (hint, hint).