Feel the Music
“White people just don’t get the rhythm” — I first heard that from a black street performance group in NYC’s Central Park in 2000. And, while there’s the occasional exception that proves the rule, this really is true. Good thing we are in Latin America, though — because Latinos really do get the rhythm. Go into one of Quito’s salsotecas and you’ll be blown away by the incredible moves of the city’s best salseros. It’s awesome!
If you really want to feel the music, though, you have to go to Ecuador’s north coast (Esmeraldas province). In its most remote northern reaches, this province is in its majority African-Ecuadorian. And, god, do they get the rhythm! Even in the smallest, poorest fishing village — without running water, road access or any other “civilized” amenities — somebody will have a huge stereo, put the speakers out on his porch and blast Salsa all throughout town. In the towns, we are talking about every other house. Go to a restaurant, and after you finished your meal, the owner will kick back the chairs and give you an impromptu dancing lesson.
Even after more than ten hours of Salsa lessons, I can still only dream of getting the rhythm in that way.
February 13, 2007 at 15:34
There is a widely known thing, that some ethnic groups possess better sense of rhythm and finer ear for music because of the linguistic peculiarities. E.g. Chinese tonic system developes the absolute perception of music, African rhythms are just innate, and for us it can really be difficult to develop it.Btw, if you’re interested in Latino dancing rhythms, it can be useful to listen to such music. Got a nice collection on ‘[link deleted]:)