Salsa, Samba, and the Wisdom of Knowing the Difference

It happens all too often. I tell someone of my love for Brazilian music, and they'll shoot back with, "Oh, you must love to salsa!" Or maybe they'll just tell their friends how "Allison loves Latin music."

But no, I protest: it's samba, not salsa, and "Latin" music refers to Spanish-language music from Latin America. Brazilian music is strictly referred to as "Brazilian" (or to the specific genres such as samba, MPB, bossa nova, etc.)

The Latin/Brazilian distinction might seem silly to outsiders, but it arose for a variety of very real reasons: Spanish and Portuguese are two completely different (if related) languages that in many ways divide Latin America's culture and people. Further, this cultural separation led to different rhythms evolving in these different regions. Africa may be the Motherland from which Latin and Brazilian (and U.S.) rhythms originated, but seemingly endless permutations of the past 500 years show no signs of ending.

As I mentioned earlier, this Sunday night, July 3rd, Greg and Sean of Brazilian Beat Brooklyn fame are going to demonstrate what makes Brazilian music Brazilian (and some guest DJs will do their best to show what makes Latin music Latin) at the following event (as described by Greg himself):

I want to let you guys know about a very special event at Black Betty in Williamsburg this Sunday, July 3rd. We're calling it Brazil vs. Cuba, although I personally prefer the term "Samba vs. Salsa." My partner DJ Sean Marquand and I will be facing off against our friends DJ Monk One and DJ Gerald McBoing Boing, each pair on one side of the room, pitting Brazilian music (samba, samba-rock, bossa nova, tropicalia, Afro-Bahian music, MPB, etc) against Latin music (salsa, Afro-Cuban, boogaloo, bomba, plena, merengue, etc). We're gonna have an MC officiating like it was a boxing match, and "la gente" will vote with their feet, as well as learn the difference! It's gonna be amazing.

SAMBA VS. SALSA SOUNDCLASH

SUNDAY JULY 3rd (and no work on Monday the 4th!)
at BLACK BETTY, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
366 Metropolitan Ave. at Havemeyer St. 10 PM
DJs GREG CAZ and SEAN MARQUAND
(everything Brazilian)

face off against

DJs MONK ONE and GERALD McBOING BOING
(two of New York's foremost salsa/boogaloo DJ mavens) for a entertaining and educational showdown of Latin-American musical cultures.

Don't Miss This One!!!