“Las Caleñas Son Como Las Flores” (PDF) from The Latin Brothers album, Greatest Hits.

Thanks to Patreon member tarah for requesting this transcription!

The origins of salsa music are often attributed to New York City’s relationship with the Puerto Rican territory and the nation of Cuba, however its popularity throughout the mid-twentieth century generated from Colombian radio broadcasts and recordings of cumbia folk music. The Colombian record label Discos Fuentes, one of the oldest labels in Latin America, if not the world, was established in the 1930s by Antonio Fuentes Estrada and produced many timeless recordings that are still sought after by vinyl collectors. In response to the global boom of salsa music, Fuentes created The Latin Brothers in 1974 to attract audiences to salsa’s capital city, Cali, Colombia, and its beautiful dancing women, Las Caleñas.

“Las Caleñas Son Como Las Flores” is credited to Arturo Jorge Ospina, however the production credits of this recording are not as obvious. The 2-trombone horn section is somewhat unique while still traditional to the marching brass parades heard throughout South America, as well as a reminder that the power of salsa comes from its complementary rhythms that solidify the groove, rather than the flashy, extended, solo melodies of latin jazz.

Here is a YouTube video of The Latin Brothers that will get you moving:

Recommended reading: Salsa World: A Global Dance in Local Contexts. Edited by Sydney Hutchinson. Published by Temple University Press.