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Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Futuro Media
In 1964, an Italian-American ex-cop and a Dominican musician in New York City opened Fania Records, the “Motown of Salsa.” The artists from Fania toured the world, sold millions of records and changed culture forever. But Fania Records also became mired by royalty divisions, lawsuits and falling-outs. This is the story of the birth of salsa in Nueva York and the rebellious, seductive and political label that defined it: Fania Records. Hosted by Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress and Brooklyn native Rosie Perez and produced by Pulitzer Prize-winning Futuro Media. It is the most comprehensive audio narrative yet made about the birth and wild heights of salsa, a genre that continues to shape global culture today.
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- Aug 6, 202632 min
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- Jul 21, 20265 min
BONUS: The Cinderella Story of New York Legend Joe Bataan
Senior Producer Jeanne Montalvo sat down to chat with Afro-Filipino singer-songwriter and New York legend Joe Bataan at the Bronx Music Heritage Center in 2024.As you’ve heard in Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York, Joe is full of all kinds of stories about New York, about music, and about the rollercoaster ride that’s made up his career. In this week’s bonus episode, we share unaired segments from their interview and are even treated to a special performance by Joe. The Futuro Plus Team includes associate producer Liliana Ruiz, production manager Victoria Estrada, and development manager Danetsy Len. Mixing by Multitude Productions. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ and you can binge the entire season of “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York” right now. Plus, get exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on all our podcasts: www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jul 14, 202648 min
8. The End of Fania and the Rebirth of Salsa
Fania Records is changing. Co-owner Jerry Masucci wants to sell the company but his partner Johnny Pacheco refuses to sell. Tensions rise between the two, until an alleged betrayal sets them on very different paths. The end of Fania Records doesn’t spell the end of salsa though. The artform these underdogs created lives on. Listen to the Music Behind Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York playlist here.Archival courtesy of Craft Recordings, a Concord company, Doc Stanley, Mary Kent’s Salsa Talks interviews, and Aurora Flores Hostos Interview. This episode also utilizes fair use clips from HITN Television and TelevisaUnivision. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ and you can binge the entire season of “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York” right now. Plus, get exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on all our podcasts: www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jul 7, 202647 min
7. You Reap What You Siembra
New kid on the block Ruben Blades moves from Panama to New York City. He gets a job in the mail room at Fania Records, where he tries to pitch his music. Eventually, he gets executives to listen to what he has to offer and lands a collaboration with the legend Willie Colon. But their idea for an album is met with skepticism from music executives, who are later – very dramatically – proven wrong. Listen to the Music Behind Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York playlist here.Archival courtesy of The Bronx County Archives at The Bronx County Historical Society Research Library, Maria Hinojosa for Latino USA, Craft Recordings, a Concord company, and Aurora Flores Hostos Interview. This episode also utilizes fair use clips from WBAI Radio, Third World Newsreel Film Collective - El Pueblo Se Levanta, FOX 5 New York, Tik Tok, and Vox Media. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ and you can binge the entire season of “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York” right now. Plus, get exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on all our podcasts: www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 30, 202645 min
6. Fania Finds its Roots in Africa
At the height of Fania’s success, the label’s artists are invited to Zaire to perform at a highly anticipated boxing match. For many of these Black artists, this is the first time they are stepping foot on African soil. Welcomed by a rapturous crowd, the Fania All Stars give a legendary performance and many of them connect with their roots. Listen to the Music Behind Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York playlist here.Archival courtesy of The Bronx County Archives at The Bronx Historical Society, Mary Kent’s Salsa Talks interviews, Aurora Flores Hostos Interviews, Craft Recordings, a Concord company, and Maria Hinojosa for Latino USA. This episode also utilizes fair use clips from Hemdale Leisure Productions, ESPN, Ora TV, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Antidote Films, and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.Additional music this episode also courtesy of SONGS of Media Creature.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ and you can binge the entire season of “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York” right now. Plus, get exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on all our podcasts: www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 23, 202649 min
5. A Tale of Two Women
In the 1960s and ‘70s, two Afro-Cuban women dominated stages from Havana to New York City. They are La Lupe and Celia Cruz, both virtuosic, vibrant artists. But Fania Records seems to only make room for one woman. One of these women is promoted, while the other is set aside, showing the oppressive mistreatment of women by the music industry. Even still, both of these artists’ legacies persevere. Listen to the Music Behind Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York playlist here.Archival courtesy of “The Dick Cavett Show” Courtesy of Daphne Productions / Global ImageWorks, The Bronx County Archives at The Bronx County Historical Society Research Library, Mary Kent’s Salsa Talks interviews, Maria Hinojosa for NPR, Craft Recordings, a Concord company, Aurora Flores Hostos Interview, and Maria Hinojosa for Latino USA. This episode also utilizes fair use clips from Enzo GD - Contribution.Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ and you can binge the entire season of “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York” right now. Plus, get exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on all our podcasts: www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 16, 202645 min
4. The Year Fania got Political
By 1973, drummer Ray Barretto is determined to make a high-stakes comeback and to make a political statement about the role of Salsa in the activism of the time. He’s set on performing at Fania’s most ambitious concert yet, at Yankee Stadium. The day of the concert, a frenzy erupts. But despite the wild turn of events, this night cements Fania as the leading label for salsa music. And whether the label wants to be or not, the very presence of Latino youth in Yankee Stadium – one of the most storied venues in the city – makes Fania political. Listen to The Music Behind Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York playlist here.Archival courtesy of The Bronx County Archives at The Bronx County Historical Society Research Library, Maria Hinojosa for Latino USA, Mary Kent’s Salsa Talks interviews, Aurora Flores Hostos Interview and Craft Recordings, a Concord company. This episode also utilizes fair use clips from US National Archives, American Archive of Public Broadcasting, ABC, Internet Archive / formerly Radio Aeropuerto, Rockefeller Archive Center, Third World Newsreel Film Collective, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, WNET, and WMCA Radio. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ and you can binge the entire season of “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York” right now. Plus, get exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on all our podcasts: www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York
In 1964, an Italian-American ex-cop and a Dominican musician in New York City opened Fania Records, the “Motown of Salsa.” The artists from Fania toured the world, sold millions of records and changed culture forever. But Fania Records also became mired by royalty divisions, lawsuits and falling-outs. This is the story of the birth of salsa in Nueva York and the rebellious, seductive and political label that defined it: Fania Records. Hosted by Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress and Brooklyn native Rosie Perez and produced by Pulitzer Prize-winning Futuro Media. It is the most comprehensive audio narrative yet made about the birth and wild heights of salsa, a genre that continues to shape global culture today.
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