The most popular modern Latin styles for dancing include Salsa and Merengue, but some bands also play examples of other styles for variety. All styles use at least one singer, plus backing vocals.

Salsa: originally developed out of Cuban "Son" via "Mambo" in the 1950's. Now it is most played in Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico and New York. It has a big brassy sound, and can be romantic or fiery. In Latin America, this is the music you generally hear the most on the Radio.

Merengue: up-tempo, energetic, easily accessible music, originally from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, where it is actually their "Pop" music, although it evolved out of country folk-dance music in the 1880's. In the past, bands consisted of accordion, percussion and sax, but accordion is now replaced by piano + bass guitar, and there are often up to 4 brass instruments. Merengue is very big in all Latin countries today, and no matter where your airline tickets are booked to, if it's in Latin America, they'll dance the merengue.

Cumbia: is rootsy music native to Colombia, with a laid back feel, similar to reggae. It usually features lots of percussion, and the sound of sax and trumpet.

Bugaloo: a throw back to the 60's when it was very popular, it has come around again. A funky, jazzy, slower sound, often with much brass.

Bomba: similar to merengue music, also from the Caribbean area, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. A very Caribbean feel, but sung in Spanish.

Lambada: Lambada actually comes from Brazil, where the music is very different to other Latin styles, but as it is also a sexy couples dance, it fits in very well with salsa.

Charanga: Becoming suddenly popular again, this music dates back to the 50's in Cuba, and features a more gentle line-up with flute and often violin replacing brass in the salsa line-up.

Bachata: Another recent style to emerge in Europe, this lighter style of music is actually the folk dance of Dominican Republic, that till recently was often frowned upon! Its subject matter is almost always lamenting the hard times of the peasant people that enjoyed it.

COPYRIGHT SALSA DIRECT 2002